Chapter 15 - Informative Speaking

Informative Speech

A type of speech where the primary purpose is to provide the audience with new information or teach them more about a familiar topic.

Inform

To impart knowledge, inspire, give information, furnish evidence, make aware of something, communicate something of interest, give directions, or provide intelligence, news, facts, or data.

Informative Speaking

The act of delivering speeches that aim to educate the audience on new information or expand their knowledge on a specific topic.

Types of Informative Speeches

Definitional speeches, descriptive speeches, explanatory speeches, and demonstration speeches.

Informative Speaker

Someone who is objective, credible, makes the topic relevant, and is knowledgeable when delivering informative speeches.

Informative Speeches

Presentations that aim to provide knowledge, increase comprehension, awareness, and familiarity on a particular topic or subject.

Knowledge

Information that is acquired through informative presentations, helping individuals understand the world, make connections, and predict the future.

Perception

The way individuals see and interpret a subject, which can be influenced by informative presentations and new information.

Persuasion

Convincing the audience of the accuracy of the facts presented in an informative speech.

Entertainment

Adding engaging elements such as illustrations, colorful language, and powerful visuals to make informative speeches more interesting and entertaining.

Speaker's Responsibilities

The duties and tasks that a speaker must fulfill when preparing and delivering informative speeches.

Objective

Remaining unbiased and neutral in informative speeches, focusing on presenting factual information without personal opinions or biases.

Informative Speech

A type of speech where the primary intent is to increase listeners' knowledge in an impartial way by presenting objective, fair, and unbiased information.

Urban Legends

Modern folklore consisting of stories that are often believed to be true but lack evidence, typically spread by word of mouth.

Credibility

Refers to the audience's perception that the speaker is well-prepared and qualified to speak on a topic, enhancing the speaker's reputation and trustworthiness.

Ethos

The ethical appeal in persuasive speaking, where credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker play a crucial role in convincing the audience.

Source Citations

References to external materials used in a speech to support claims, provide evidence, and enhance the credibility of the information presented.

Expertise

Demonstrating knowledge and authority on a topic by citing reputable sources, ensuring accuracy, and sharing personal expertise to boost credibility.

Audience Identification

Establishing a connection with the audience by wearing appropriate attire, mentioning commonalities, being friendly, and relating to listeners' situations and feelings.

Truthfulness

Showing honesty and transparency in a speech by presenting both sides of an issue, sharing motivations for selecting the topic, using open and natural nonverbal communication, and approaching the speech with ethics and positive intentions.

Weak Sources

Sources of information that are not reliable, such as Wikipedia, Britannica.com, or Ask.com, and should be avoided in speech writing.

Depth

Providing detailed and thorough information about a topic to enhance the audience's understanding and interest.

Relevance

Making the topic of the speech meaningful and interesting to both the speaker and the audience by connecting it to their interests, values, beliefs, and lifestyle.

WIIFM

Stands for "What's in it for me?" - a concept that emphasizes the importance of establishing a motive for the audience to listen by linking the topic to their needs and interests.

Definitional Speeches

Speeches where the speaker explains the meaning of concepts, theories, or issues that may be unfamiliar to the audience by defining key terms and providing background information.

Definitional Speech

A type of speech where the speaker points out the unique properties or boundaries of a concept in a particular context, often providing real-life examples and applications to show the relevance of the topic to the audience.

Descriptive Speech

A type of speech that aims to provide a detailed, vivid word picture of a person, animal, place, or object, focusing on characteristics, features, functions, or fine points of the topic to create a clear vision in the audience's minds.

Four Noble Truths

Fundamental teachings in Buddhism that include the concepts of suffering (dukkha), the cause of suffering (tanha), the cessation of suffering (nirodha), and the path to end suffering (Eightfold Path).

Eightfold Path

Also known as the Middle Way, it consists of eight principles in Buddhism that guide followers towards ethical and mental development, including right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and contemplation.

Explanatory Speech

A type of speech that focuses on clarifying a topic by explaining the how or why of a subject, its consequences, and its connections to related subjects, such as reports of events, customs, inventions, policies, or transformations.

Demonstration Speech

A type of informative speech that shows listeners how a process is accomplished or how to perform it themselves.

Safety

Ensuring the well-being of the audience during a demonstration speech, considering potential risks and taking precautions.

Audience Engagement

Involving the audience in the speech by providing opportunities for participation or application of the information.

Attention-Getting Elements

Techniques used to capture and maintain the interest of the audience throughout a speech.

Interest

Arouse curiosity or attention in the audience to keep them engaged and receptive to the information presented.

Effectiveness

The degree to which a speech achieves its intended purpose and successfully conveys information to the audience.

Intensity Principle

The concept that drawing attention through intensity, novelty, contrast, movement, humor, and storytelling can enhance the impact of a speech.

Novelty

Involves presenting new or unusual things to capture the audience's interest and attention.

Movement or Activity

Engaging the audience through action words, well-chosen movements, increased speech rate, or showing action with video.

Humor

Using relevant and tasteful humor to emphasize a subject or point in a speech.

Storytelling

The art of narrating a story with a beginning, rise in action, complication, and resolution, which can be a powerful tool in teaching and engaging an audience.

Be Creative

Encourages speakers to be imaginative, push the boundaries of conformity, and incorporate surprising elements like props or visuals to make their presentations memorable.

Create Coherence

Involves organizing a speech logically to ensure that the main points flow naturally, supporting materials are coherent, and the speech is easy to follow for the audience.

Clarity of thought

The quality of being clear, logical, and easily understood in presenting information.

Logic in speech

The use of reasoning and sound arguments to convey a message effectively.

Simple language

Using clear and uncomplicated words and ideas to enhance understanding in speech.

Information overload

The overwhelming feeling of having too much information to process, leading to difficulty in decision-making.

Peggy Noonan

A noted author and speechwriter known for emphasizing the importance of logic in speeches.

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

A famous speech by Abraham Lincoln known for its brevity and simplicity, containing only 271 words.

Technical jargon

Specialized language or terminology that may be difficult for the general audience to understand.

Slang

Informal language that is not considered appropriate for formal speeches.

Euphemisms

Mild or indirect expressions used in place of harsh or unpleasant ones in speech.

Repetition

Repeating key points or phrases in a speech to help the audience remember the content.

Audience retention

The ability of listeners to remember and engage with the information presented in a speech.

Learning styles

Different ways individuals prefer to learn, such as visual, aural, reading/writing, and kinesthetic.

Verbal communication

Using words to convey information in a speech.

Nonverbal communication

Conveying messages without the use of words, such as through gestures or facial expressions.

Acronyms

Abbreviations formed from the initial letters of other words to aid in retention and understanding, such as "POOP" standing for "People Order Our Patties."

Visual Aids

Objects or graphics used during a speech to enhance understanding, retention, and interest, such as pictures, graphs, maps, and videos.

Informative Speaking

A type of speech aimed at increasing the audience's knowledge and understanding of a topic, often involving definitional, descriptive, explanatory, or demonstrative elements.

Coherence

The quality of being logical and consistent, achieved in informative speeches through organization, simple language, and avoiding information overload.

Informative Speech

A speech where the primary goal is to provide the audience with new information or expand their knowledge on a specific topic.

Definitional Speech

A type of speech where the speaker aims to explain or identify the essential qualities or components of concepts, theories, philosophies, or issues.

Descriptive Speech

A speech that offers a detailed, vivid description of a person, animal, place, or object.

Demonstration Speech

A speech that illustrates how a process is carried out or how to perform a task.

Attention Getter

A technique used to capture the audience's attention at the beginning or throughout a speech.

General Purpose

The overall goal or intent of the speaker, whether to inform, persuade, or entertain.

Novelty

Supporting ideas that are very recent or unusual.

WIIFM

An acronym for "What's in it for me?" representing the question listeners ask themselves to understand the relevance of the speech to their lives.

Information Overload

Feeling overwhelmed by an excessive amount of information that cannot be fully processed.

Public Speaking

The act of delivering a speech or presentation to an audience.

Audience-Centered Approach

A public speaking approach that focuses on the needs and interests of the audience.

The Elements of Public Speaking

A book by J.A. Devito that discusses the fundamental aspects of public speaking.