Types of Speech according to Purpose

Key Takeaways
Types of Informative Speeches
Types Descriptions Specific Purpose
Examples
Speech This focuses on Yourself To inform the audience about your
about tangible items like background, interests, and
objects or gadgets, products, ambitions
people structures, or people.
Visual aids may be To inform the audience about this
necessary. Sherlock Holmes fictional character’s profile,
including his traits and abilities

New iPhone To inform the audience about the

mode features and capabilities of this
new model

Manila Cathedral To inform the audience about the

historical and architectural features
of the Manila Cathedral

Speech This focuses on a First aid To inform the audience about how
about process or sequence first aid for an ankle sprain is
processes of events. Visual aids administered
are necessary.
Short Story To inform the audience about how
Writing a publishable short story is written

Photography To inform the audience how to take

good pictures

Web designs To inform the audience about how

basic web designs are created

Speech This focuses on an Martial Law To inform the audience about the
about event that happened, impacts of Martial Law on
events is happening, or economy
might happen in the and politics
future Zombie Invasion
To inform the audience about the

Oral Communication in Context 11 1|Page

 possibility of a zombie invasion
Accident
To inform the audience about the
details surrounding a car accident
Cosplay show
To inform the audience about
cosplay shows and the
preparations made by cosplayers
and organizers

Speech This focuses on Big Bang Theory To inform the audience about the
about beliefs, knowledge, development of the Big Bang
concepts theories, principles or Theory
ideas Bermuda Triangle
To inform the audience about the
mystery of the Bermuda Triangle
Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) To inform the audience about the
advantages and disadvantages of
PPP
Feminism
To inform the audience about a
feminist’s perspective on the
patriarchal state of the country

Organizational Patterns
An informative speech can follow different patterns of organization to arrange and frame the
details effectively.

A. Chronological Pattern
This can be used if you want to present the history, evolution, or development of your topic
in a sequential order, from past to present or beginning to end.
Below is an example of an outline following a chronological pattern.

1. Introduction
1.1 Attention getter
1.2 Thesis Statement/Main Point

Oral Communication in Context 11 2|Page

 2. Body
2.1 Step A, Year A, First
2.2 Step B, Year B, Second
2.3 Step C, Year C, Third
2.4 Step D, Year D, Fourth or Finally
3. Conclusion
3.1 Summary of the Points
3.2 Memorable Statement

Sample Speech Outline: Chronological Informative Speech Outline

Topic: The 9/11 Attacks

Type: Speech about events
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about one of the greatest tragedies in the 21st
century.
Thesis Statement: The 9/11 attacks were unforeseen and have changed the world
forever.

1. Introduction
1.1 Attention-getter: One of the most recent tragedies that the world has seen
happened on what was supposed to be a typical September day in 2001.
1.2 Thesis statement: The 9/11 attacks were unforeseen and have changed the world
forever.

2. Body
2.1 The attacks were planned by the terrorist organization as an act of retaliation to
the United States of America.
2.1.1 Nineteen militants associated with the Islamist extremist group known as
Al-Qaeda were involved in the attacks.
2.1.2 The 9/11 attacks were reported to be financed by Osama bin Laden’s Al-
Qaeda terrorist organization as an act of revenge for the involvement of
America in various issues in Israel and the Middle East.

2.2 The attacks happened on September 9, 2001 in various parts of the US.
2.2.1 The north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City was hit first.
2.2.2 Afterwards, the Pentagon in Washington DC was attacked.
2.2.3 And then, another plane hit the south tower of the World Trade Center.
2.2.4 Lastly, another plane crashed in a rural field in western Pennsylvania.

2.3 These vicious attacks had profound effects.

2.3.1 Over 3,000 people were killed in the attacks in New York and
Washington.
2.3.2 This event also plays a huge factor in distorting people’s perception of

Oral Communication in Context 11 3|Page

 Middle Eastern people even during current times.

3. Conclusion
3.1 Review of main points: The 9/11 attacks were a planned assault by militants
against the US to exact vengeance against their interference in international issues.
3.2 Memorable statement: This attack has changed the world in profound ways that
we still experience and has opened many wounds of conflict. Someday the wounds
will heal, but until then, we keep moving forward.

B. Spatial Pattern
This pattern is used when you want to talk about the physical structure of an object or the
way things fit together in a certain space. Topics that deal with geography fit this pattern best.
Below is an example of a speech outline following a spatial pattern.

Topic: Speech about a place

Specific Purpose: To inform tourists about the beauty and mysticism of the Mayon
Volcano,
while at the same time recognizing the threat that it is very active and
can erupt anytime.
Thesis: Statement: Mayon Vocano’s beauty and mysticism belies the fact that it is very
active and lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

1. Introduction
1.1 Majestic Mayon Volcano rises 2,462 meters above the Gulf of Albay in Bicol Region
with an almost perfect cone. Legend has it that the volcano was formed from the
grave of ill-fated lovers.
1.2 Mayon Vocano’s beauty and mysticism belies the fact that it is very active and lies
along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

2. Body
2.1 Mayon Volcano is the highest point in Albay province in Bicol and can be viewed
from eight municipalities and cities in the region. It is a perfect stratovolcano that is
part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
2.2 It is very active, having recorded a total of 49 eruptions in the last 400 years. The
most violent eruption, which happened in 1814, buried the town of Cagsawa.
2.3 Despite the dangers posed by Mayon, people still prefer to live in the surrounding
areas.
2.4 Farmers benefit from the bountiful harvest of crops because of the fertile soil.

3. Conclusion

Oral Communication in Context 11 4|Page

 3.1 Mayon Volcano is a beautiful volcano which has a past of dangerous eruptions.
3.2 It is indeed a wondrous combination of beauty and danger

C. Topical/Categorical Pattern
This can be used if you want to inform your audience about the main features, descriptions,
or categories of your topic.
Below is an example of an outline following a topical/categorical pattern.

1. Introduction
1.1 Attention getter
1.2 Thesis Statement/Main Point

2. Body
2.1 Feature A, Description A, First Category
2.2 Feature B, Description B, Second Category
2.3 Feature C, Description C, Third Category
2.4 Feature D, Description D, Fourth or Final Category

3. Conclusion
3.1 Summary of the Points
3.2 Memorable Statement

Sample Speech Outline: Informative Outline

Topic: Theories of Development

Type: Speech about a concept
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the different development models
Thesis Statement: Development can be defined depending on a theoretical approach.

1. Introduction
1.1 Disagreement of scholars on the development concept
1.2 Theoretical approaches to development

2. Body
2.1 Modernization and Green Revolution
2.2 Integrated Rural Development
2.3 Participatory Development

Oral Communication in Context 11 5|Page

 2.4 Sustainable Development
2.5 Millennium Development

3. Conclusion
3.1 Development as a complex concept
3.2 Development as a discourse

D. Cause-Effect Pattern
This can be used if you want to show the causal relationship of events or phenomena.
Your outline may follow different patterns of organization depending on the relationship
between the causes and effects of the event.

Single Cause-Multiple Effects Single Effect-Multiple Causes

1. Introduction 1. Introduction
1.1 Attention getter 1.1 Attention getter
1.2 Thesis Statement/Main Point 1.2 Thesis Statement/Main Point
highlighting the cause of an event or highlighting the effect of an event or
phenomenon phenomenon

2. Body 2. Body
2.1 Effect A 2.1 Cause A
2.2 Effect B 2.2 Cause B
2.3 Effect C 2.3 Cause C
2.4 Effect D 2.4 Cause D

3. Conclusion 3. Conclusion
3.1 Summary of the Points 3.1 Summary of the Points
3.2 Memorable Statement 3.2 Memorable Statement

Multiple Causes-Multiple Effects Domino Effects

1. Introduction 1. Introduction
1.1 Attention getter 1.1 Attention getter
1.2 Thesis Statement/Main Point 1.2 Thesis Statement/Main Point
stating the multiple causes and effects stating the domino effects of an event
of an event or phenomenon or phenomenon

2. Body 2. Body
2.1 Cause A 2.1 Cause A

Oral Communication in Context 11 6|Page

 2.2 Cause B 2.2 Effect A
2.3 Cause C 2.3 Cause B
2.4 Effect A 2.4 Effect B
2.5 Effect B 2.5 Cause C
2.6 Effect C 2.6 Effect C

3. Conclusion 3. Conclusion
3.1 Summary of the Points 3.1 Summary of the Points
3.2 Memorable Statement 3.2 Memorable Statement

E. Comparison-Contrast
This can be used if you want to compare objects, events, or concepts underscoring their
similarities and differences.
Your outline may follow either a block or point-by-point format.

Block Point-by-point
1. Introduction 1. Introduction
1.1 Attention getter 1.1 Attention getter
1.2 Thesis Statement/Main Point 1.2 Thesis Statement/Main Point
highlighting the concepts compared highlighting the concepts compared

2. Body 2. Body
2.1 Object/Event/Concept A 2.1 Comparison Point A
2.1.1 Comparison Point A 2.1.1 Object/Event/Concept A
2.1.2 Comparison Point B 2.1.2 Object/Event/Concept B
2.1.3 Comparison Point C 2.1 Comparison Point B
2.2 Object/Event/Concept B 2.1.1 Object/Event/Concept A
2.2.1 Comparison Point A 2.1.2 Object/Event/Concept B
2.2.2 Comparison Point B 2.1 Comparison Point C
2.2.3 Comparison Point C 2.1.1 Object/Event/Concept A
2.1.2 Object/Event/Concept B
3. Conclusion
3.1 Summary of the Points 3. Conclusion
3.2 Memorable Statement 3.1 Summary of the Points
3.2 Memorable Statement

Oral Communication in Context 11 7|Page