Practically Speaking Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Informative Speaking

Authors & Context

  • Author: J. Dan Rothwell, Professor Emeritus, Cabrillo College

  • Themes: Theoretical discussions on information management as it relates to informative speaking, utilizing metaphors from surfing, swimming, and drowning in information (Crawford & Gorman, 1996).

Importance of Effective Information Management

  • Metaphor of Information Management:

    • Surfing: Represents presenting too little information, thus failing to engage the audience.

    • Drowning: Represents excessive information that overwhelms the audience.

    • Swimming: Optimal informational speaking lies between the two—presenting a balanced amount of information.

Prevalence of Informative Speaking

  • Occurrence in Various Contexts:

    • Online platforms like YouTube and TED Talks.

    • Academic settings (teachers, students).

    • Professional environments (managers, industry speakers).

    • Religious contexts (leaders providing interpretations and organizing activities).

Purpose of Chapter

  • Focus: Constructing and presenting competent informative speeches.

  • Key Discussion Points:

    1. Distinction between informative and persuasive speeches.

    2. Types of informative speeches.

    3. Guidelines and strategies for effective delivery of informative speeches.

Guidelines for Competent Informative Speaking

Essential Characteristics

  • Clarity, Accuracy, and Interest: Informative speeches thrive on clear, accurate, and engaging information.

  • Review Related Chapters:

    • Chapter 6: Attention strategies.

    • Chapter 8: Outlining and organization.

    • Chapter 11: Use of visual aids.

    • Chapter 13: Reasoning and evidence.

Key Guideline: Be Informative

  • Objective: Convey new information to the audience.

  • Importance: Avoid presenting trivial points that audiences may already know.

  • If the audience states, “I didn't learn a thing,” then the speech is deemed ineffective.

Types of Informative Speeches

1. Comparative Speeches

  • Definition: Speeches that articulate a problem along with potential solutions, presenting various pros and cons.

  • Example: Increasing prices of college textbooks with potential solutions including:

    • Availability of used books (e.g., 7575 used vs 100100 new).

    • Open-source materials (benefits vs. quality issues).

    • Encouragement of textbook rental programs (pros and cons of each).

2. Demonstration Speeches

  • Definition: Informative speeches that physically show how to perform a task.

  • Examples:

    • Dance classes (demonstrating steps).

    • Cooking shows (showing how to prepare a dish).

  • Key Component: Use visual aids to engage the audience.

3. Reports

  • Definition: Brief presentations delivering concise information on a subject.

  • Examples:

    • Class assignments, research findings, or military briefings.

  • Characteristics: Must be clear and accurate; avoid excessive minutiae.

4. Explanations

  • Definition: Aimed at building a deeper understanding of complex concepts and processes for listeners.

  • Examples: Academic lectures that clarify materials over long durations.

  • Engagement: Essential strategies to maintain attention.

5. Narratives

  • Definition: Story-based speeches that engage listeners through personal or abstract experiences.

  • Examples:

    • Inspiring stories (e.g., Jill Bolte Taylor's experience after her stroke).

  • Components: Effective narratives contain challenge, struggle, and resolution.

6. Comparison of Pros and Cons

  • Definition: Present various solutions to an existing issue without taking a stand.

  • Example: Discussing solutions to the problem of high textbook prices.

Narrative Techniques in Informative Speaking

Effective Storytelling

  • Strategy for audiences: Select stories suitable for the audience’s knowledge and engagement level.

  • Story Components: Each story should encompass a challenge, a struggle, and a resolution.

  • Practice: Tales must be rehearsed for natural delivery, avoiding reading off a script.

  • Engagement: Utilize animated and visual elements to keep audiences interested (referencing examples like Randy Pausch).

Distinctions Between Informative and Persuasive Speaking

General Purposes

  • Informative Speech Purpose: Educate the audience; focus on teaching new and useful content.

  • Persuasive Speech Purpose: Convince the audience to alter their perspectives or behaviors.

Overlap between Informative and Persuasive

  • Contextual Usage: Educators often oscillate between informative and persuasive styles depending on subject matter.

  • Neutral Presentation: Informative speeches should present factual details without bias, allowing for informed audience choices without pushing a specific agenda.

Ethical and Practical Implications

Neutral vs Controversial Topics

  • Challenges: Topics like evolution, cultural differences, or theories about climate change can trigger controversy; they should be handled delicately.

  • Objective: To provide credible, well-rounded presentations even on sensitive or divisive topics.