Unit 5: Communication for Various Purposes

Unit 5: Communication for Various Purposes

Introduction

Tim Salladay said, “It’s not how strongly you feel about your topic, it’s how
strongly they feel about your topic after you speak.” Communication is the process of
passing information from one person to another. The purpose of communication
understands information. Whatever one wants to say to someone should be clearly
understood by him or else the very purpose of communication would be defeated.
Communication serves five major purposes: to inform, to express feelings, to
imagine, to influence and to meet social expectations. Each of these purposes is
reflected in a form of communication.
This unit covers the developing and delivering and informative and persuasive
speeches. Furthermore, it also emphasizes talking that fits the occasion. It discusses
also the ten guidelines on how to organize your speech.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the unit, you are expected to:
1. write informative and persuasive speeches;
2. deliver effective speeches relevant to your field of specialization;
and
3. reflect on the questions regarding the learnings you have gained
after the unit lessons.
 Unit 5: Communication for Various Purposes

Topic 1: Developing and Delivering an Informative Speech

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. identify the different purposes and types of an informative speech;
2. explain the appropriate organization of ideas for a specific informative speech
topic;
3. evaluate an informative speech;
4. apply psychological principles in increasing listeners’ comprehension;
5. prepare a clear outline for maximum effectiveness, and
6. deliver an effective informative speech.

Presentation of Content

As students, and even as professionals, speaking to inform people is inevitable.

You may be asked to describe an event or object, explain a concept or idea, show
how things work, and introduce yourself. There are almost infinite situations
and topics that you can talk about to inform others. Though there is a gamut of
topics you can choose from, the key point is pick a topic that is new to the
audience or discuss a common topic in a fresher perspective.
Informative speech as the term implies, is a type of speech that aims to inform
the audience and not to advocate a cause or influence people to act and think as
you want them to be. The information that you will convey will be judged based
on accuracy, completeness, clarity, and meaningfulness. Hence, it is important to
develop your skill in informative speaking; that is to achieve personal and
professional success. A successful informative speech can empower the
audience through the new ideas and skills that you can impart to them. It can
also shape their perception and clarity options for action.
Before delivering your informative speech, you must ensure that your topic is
significant enough to merit a speech. You must also identify the level of
information that your audience already know and the information that they need
to know about the chosen topic. Lastly, ensure that you clearly understand the
intricacies of your topic to establish credibility and confidence.
 Unit 5: Communication for Various Purposes

Types of Informative Speech

1. Speech about objects
Object refers to something that is visible, tangible, and stable in form that can be
experienced through physical senses. Objects can be living or non-living. Speech
organization about objects can be chronological, spatial, or topical.
Here are some examples of speeches about objects:
• Mayon Volcano
• 3D glasses
• The poodle
• Light Rail Transit
• ASyringe

2. Speech about processes

Process refers to sequence of actions or steps that lead to a specific product or
income. Processes may involve people – people interacting with machines, and
forces of nature. Your goal in this type of speech is for the audience to understand
and/or perform the process. Generally, you need to have the following elements
when delivering this speech: input (materials), tools or forces (operate on the
inputs), sequence of steps from start to finish, output or product, and skills (Bovee,
2003).
Speech organization about processes is chronological. You can apply the following
tips when delivering a speech about processes:
1. Give an overview about the whole process.
2. Subgroup complicated processes for better comprehension. Make sure that
subgrouping is logically arranged. For example, when demonstrating how to
cook Italian spaghetti, you may group the procedure according to
ingredients and materials needed, actual cooking, and garnishing.
3. Review frequently to ensure that the audience are still with you.
4. Summarize the procedure.
5. Use visual aids.
Here are some examples of speeches about processes:
• How a tornado develops
• How papaya soap is made
• How to play the piano
• How to cook adobo
 Unit 5: Communication for Various Purposes

3. Speech about people

Speech about people is like speech about objects – except of course, they should be
represented as human beings. This type of speech allows the speaker to describe
how people look like, how they act, how they deal with life, and the like.
Here are some examples of speeches about people.
• The Sacrifices of Mother Teresa
• The Legacy of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos
• President Rodrigo Duterte: The Road to the Malacanang Palace

4. Speech about events

An event refers to anything that happens or is happening. Speech Organization about
events can be by chronology, by cause-effect, or by category. It must be subdivided
consistently and logically. Here are some examples of speeches about events:
• Miss Universe 2018
• Recent Philippine Elections
• National SCUAA

5. Speech about issues

An issue refers to a point or matter of discussion, dispute, and public concern. To
clarify such an issue, a speech may be delivered. The following are some of the issues
that can be discussed for better understanding:
• Truancy among students
• Professional Conflicts
• Sexual Harassment
• Corruption in the Philippines

6. Speech about concepts

A concept refers to beliefs, theories, principles, and ideas. One characteristic of a
concept is its abstract state. A speech about concepts can be arranged by topics or by
comparison and contrast. Here are some examples of speeches about concepts:
• Feminism
• Financial Freedom
• Capitalism
• Leadership
 Unit 5: Communication for Various Purposes

Ways in Organizing Informative Speech

Chronological
If you intend to describe a process or discuss changes and developments, consider
using the chronological arrangement which involves sequencing of events or steps.
The topics that may need this approach are the following:
• How to print a document from a computer
• How to cook spaghetti
• The Life of Oprah Winfrey
Spatial
If you need to organize your speech according to physical space and relationships
between and among locations, consider using a spatial arrangement which allows the
audience to visualize locations, appearance, distances, and arrangement of objects.
The topics that may need this approach are the following:
• Asia’s best tourist spots
• Describing a newly built condominium
• Different regions in the Philippines

Categorical or Topical
If you intend to show the audience the classification of subjects, consider using this
approach which allows the audience to see how the subject is divided into subgroups
or subtopics. Though this approach is very flexible, it may also bore the audience
because of the absence of actions. The topics that may need this approach are the
following:
• Types of learners
• Different branches of science
• Body systems (i.e circulatory, digestive, respiratory)
Cause and Effect
If you intend to show reasons why a phenomenon occurred and/or what the
outcomes are, consider using the cause-and-effect approach. It allows the audience to
see the causal relationship of events. The topics that may need this approach are the
following:
• Dangers of alcohol drinking
• Dangers of smoking
 Unit 5: Communication for Various Purposes

• Causes and effects of abortion

Comparison and Contrast
If you intend to show the differences and similarities of an event, place, person, things,
and other concepts and objects, consider using comparison and contrast approach. It
helps the audience choose between two items being compared. The topics that may
need this approach are the following:
• Mobile phone vs. landline
• Where to spend a vacation: Singapore or Hongkong?
• A comparison and contrast between Globe and Smart

Additional Tips for an Effective Informative Speech

1. Use plain language. Avoid jargons, clichés, highfalutin, and legalistic terms
unless it is totally necessary.
2. Relate your topic to the audience. Talk to them not at them.
3. Do not overestimate not underestimate your audience’s knowledge about the
topic. Your main purpose is to inform.
4. Use active and concrete language over abstract. Since you are writing to inform,
be clear in what you want your readers to understand.
5. Enlighten and entertain your audience simultaneously. A happy soul absorbs
more information.