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Informative Speeches

The document discusses the different types of informative speeches, including definition, explanation, description, and demonstration speeches. It provides examples of topics that could be covered for each type and outlines the typical structure of an informative speech, which includes an introduction, thesis, main points, and conclusion. Effective informative speeches aim to clearly explain or describe a subject to educate the audience.

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14 views

Informative Speeches

The document discusses the different types of informative speeches, including definition, explanation, description, and demonstration speeches. It provides examples of topics that could be covered for each type and outlines the typical structure of an informative speech, which includes an introduction, thesis, main points, and conclusion. Effective informative speeches aim to clearly explain or describe a subject to educate the audience.

Uploaded by

angelaseres16
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Informative Speeches —

Types, Topics, and


Examples

What is an informative speech?


An informative speech uses descriptions, demonstrations, and strong
detail to explain a person, place, or subject. An informative speech
makes a complex topic easier to understand and focuses on delivering
information, rather than providing a persuasive argument.

Types of informative speeches


The most common types of informative speeches are definition,
explanation, description, and demonstration.
Types of informative speeches
A definition speech explains a concept, theory, or philosophy about
which the audience knows little. The purpose of the speech is to
inform the audience so they understand the main aspects of the
subject matter.

An explanatory speech presents information on the state of a given


topic. The purpose is to provide a specific viewpoint on the chosen
subject. Speakers typically incorporate a visual of data and/or
statistics.

The speaker of a descriptive speech provides audiences with a


detailed and vivid description of an activity, person, place, or object
using elaborate imagery to make the subject matter memorable.

A demonstrative speech explains how to perform a particular task or


carry out a process. These speeches often demonstrate the following:

 How to do something
 How to make something
 How to fix something
 How something works

Demonstrative speeches

How to write an informative speech


Regardless of the type, every informative speech should include an
introduction, a hook, background information, a thesis, the main
points, and a conclusion.

Introduction

An attention grabber or hook draws in the audience and sets the


tone for the speech. The technique the speaker uses should reflect
the subject matter in some way (i.e., if the topic is serious in nature, do
not open with a joke). Therefore, when choosing an attention grabber,
consider the following:

 What’s the topic of the speech?


 What’s the occasion?
 Who’s the audience?
 What’s the purpose of the speech?

Attention grabbers/hooks
Common Attention Grabbers (Hooks)

 Ask a question that allows the audience to respond in a non-


verbal way (e.g., a poll question where they can simply raise
their hands) or ask a rhetorical question that makes the audience
think of the topic in a certain way yet requires no response.
 Incorporate a well-known quote that introduces the topic. Using
the words of a celebrated individual gives credibility and authority
to the information in the speech.
 Offer a startling statement or information about the topic, which
is typically done using data or statistics. The statement should
surprise the audience in some way.
 Provide a brief anecdote that relates to the topic in some way.
 Present a “what if” scenario that connects to the subject matter
of the speech.
 Identify the importance of the speech’s topic.
 Starting a speech with a humorous statement often makes the
audience more comfortable with the speaker.
Include any background information pertinent to the topic that the
audience needs to know to understand the speech in its entirety.

The thesis statement shares the central purpose of the speech.

 Define
 Explain
 Describe
 Demonstrate

Include background information and a thesis statement


Preview the main ideas that will help accomplish the central purpose.
Typically, informational speeches will have an average of three main
ideas.

Body paragraphs

Apply the following to each main idea (body):

 Identify the main idea (NOTE: The main points of a


demonstration speech would be the individual steps.)
 Provide evidence to support the main idea
 Explain how the evidence supports the main idea/central
purpose
 Transition to the next main idea

Body of an informative speech


Conclusion

Review or restate the thesis and the main points presented


throughout the speech.

Much like the attention grabber, the closing statement should


interest the audience. Some of the more common techniques include
a challenge, a rhetorical question, or restating relevant information:

 Provide the audience with a challenge or call to action to apply


the presented information to real life.
 Detail the benefit of the information.
 Close with an anecdote or brief story that illustrates the main
points.
 Leave the audience with a rhetorical question to ponder after
the speech has concluded.
 Detail the relevance of the presented information.

Informative speech conclusion


Before speech writing, brainstorm a list of informative speech topic
ideas. The right topic depends on the type of speech, but good topics
can range from video games to disabilities and electric cars to
healthcare and mental health.

Informative speech topics


Some common informative essay topics for each type of informational
speech include the following:
Informative speech topics

Definition Explanation Description Demonstration

What is the electoral Holidays in different Best concert Bake a cake


college? cultures/different countries

What is a natural Cybersecurity concerns Childhood Build a model


disaster? experience (airplane, car, etc.)

What is the “glass Effect of the arts Day to Build a website


ceiling?” remember

What is How the stock market works Dream job Apply for a credit card
globalization?

What is happiness? Impact of global Embarrassing Change a tire


warming/climate change moment

What is humor? Important lessons from sports Favorite place Learn an instrument

What is imagination? Influence of social media and First day of Play a sport
cyberbullying school

What is love? Social networks/media and Future plans Register to vote


self-image

What is philosophy? Evolution of artificial Happiest Train a pet


intelligence memory

What was the Great Impact of fast food on obesity Perfect vacation Write a resume
Depression?
Informative speech examples
The following list identifies famous informational speeches:

Definition

 “Duties of American Citizenship” by Theodore Roosevelt


 “Duty, Honor, Country” by General Douglas MacArthur
 “Strength and Dignity” by Theodore Roosevelt
Explanation

 “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” by Patrick Henry


 “The Decision to Go to the Moon” by John F. Kennedy
 “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” by Winston Churchill
Description

 “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King, Jr.


 “Pearl Harbor Address” by Franklin Delano Roosevelt
 “Luckiest Man” by Lou Gehrig
Demonstration

 The Way to Cook with Julia Child


 This Old House with Bob Vila
 Bill Nye the Science Guy with Bill Nye

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