TYPES OF SPEECHES

INFORMATIVE SPEECH
• An informative speech intends to educate the
audience on a particular subject. It gives
information to others to enhance understanding or
knowledge of the concepts and ideas presented.
• When an informative speech is given, the speaker
defines, illustrates, or elaborates on a topic.
Information that is useful or interesting is shared
with the audience
• A speaker who delivers an informative speech, attempts to achieve
the following goals:
• Speaking to enhance understanding. Understanding occurs
when a listener accurately interprets the intended meaning of a
message.
• Speaking to ignite and maintain interest. Getting the
attention and maintaining the interest of the audience is
necessary for them to focus on and understand the message.
• Speaking to be remembered. In the end, a speaker does not
only present information that is understandable but also
memorable. An informative speech becomes effective when the
audience is able to digest the ideas and concepts as well as
retain these, long after the speech was given.
 TYPES OF INFORMATIVE
SPEECHES
• An explanatory speech makes a topic or a subject clear
through concrete illustrations. An abstract idea may also
be made understandable by employing several strategies
such as analogies where the unfamiliar is compared with
something familiar. Finally, the speaker who delivers an
explanatory speech may make use of visual aids that will
make the presentation clear and the data more
condensed and easily retainable for the audience
 TYPES OF INFORMATIVE
SPEECHES
• A descriptive speech creates a vivid picture in the audience’s mind
regarding a person, an object, an event, a place or an animal. A scientist
who discovers a new gadget or a marketing executive who advertises a
new software may use a descriptive speech to inform an interested
audience about his recent discoveries or products.
• A definition speech gives and clarifies the meaning, theory, or
philosophy of a specific topic. The main goal of this speech is to educate
the audience so that they understand the main points regarding this
subject. A speaker may define something by giving and explaining the
synonyms and antonyms, functions, examples, and etymology. It also
involves presenting the essential qualities of a particular object or
concept that may set it apart from similar objects or concepts.
 TYPES OF INFORMATIVE
SPEECHES
• A demonstration speech explains or illustrates how something is
done. Chefs doing cooking shows are example of speakers giving a
demonstration speech. A science teacher explaining Newton’s law
of motion while performing an experiment is another example of
demonstrative speeches. Like most informative speeches, a how-
to-speech will likely use presentation aids that show the audience
the procedure to enrich what is being said by the speaker.
Visualizations help the audience remember what each step looks
like, increasing the likelihood that they will retain the overall
information of the speech.
 STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE
UNDERSTANDING
• Speak with clarity
• Do not present too much information too quickly
• Audiences can comprehend only so much information.
• Unlock unfamiliar ideas or complex processes
• An analogy or vivid description may help demystify complex concepts or
processes
• Analogy is comparison of two things that share common characteristics.
• Descriptions answer questions about the who, what, and when of a process, or
even why it is important to the audience.
• Use presentation aids
 STRATEGIES TO KEEP THE
AUDIENCE ENGAGED
• Ignite interest
• Pique their interest with a striking statement or a rhetorical
question to show how the information could be of value to them.
• Tell a story
• Stories are a way of connecting your message to people from a
variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Personalize content
• Concepts and abstract ideas are made tangible and concrete
when these are shown to happen in real life.
 STRATEGIES TO KEEP THE
AUDIENCE ENGAGED
• Inject humor
• The speaker has to make sure that it is relevant and in good taste. When the
audience laughs and enjoys the speech, they are more likely to listen and
pay attention until the speaker finishes the talk.
• Present relevant information
• People listen to speeches when the information is relevant or useful to them.
• Use suspense
• One technique is to engage them in solving a riddle, a mystery or a problem.
Another is asking a rhetorical question that might get listeners to critically
think and actively engage in the message rather than passively process the
words of the speaker.
 PERSUASIVE SPEECH
• A speech to persuade seeks to change or reinforce listeners’
attitudes beliefs, values, or behavior.
• Ads on TV, radio, and the internet; sermons, political speeches and
sales presentations are examples of messages designed to
persuade.
• Persuasive speakers try to influence their listeners’ point of view or
behavior.
• In a persuasive speech, the speaker asks the audience to make a
choice, rather than just inform them of the options.
• Persuasive messages often do more than change or reinforce
attitudes, beliefs or values – they may attempt to change or
strengthen behaviors.
 TYPES OF PERSUASIVE
SPEECHES
• Factual persuasive speech is based on whether a particular
belief or statement is true or false and is backed with strong
evidence. It attempts to persuade the audience to believe whether
something happened or not and whether something is exists or not.
• Value persuasive speech is a type of speech that tells whether
something is right or wrong, beautiful or ugly, moral or immoral,
good or bad.
• Policy persuasive speech is used to convince the audience to
either accept or reject a certain policy, candidate or rule. It argues
the nature of the problem and the solution that should be taken.
 ARISTOTLE’S TRADITIONAL
APPROACH
• Aristotle identified three general methods to persuade:
• Ethos – an effective communicator presents credible information.
Aristotle believed, that to be credible, a public speaker should be
ethical, possess good character, have common sense, and be
concerned for the well-being of the audience. One of the means is
for the speaker to present information that can be trusted and to
be believable and trustworthy himself or herself.
• Logos – which literally means “the word”. Aristotle used this term
to refer to the rational, logical arguments that a speaker uses to
persuade someone. A skilled persuader not only reaches a logical
conclusion but also supports the message with evidence (could be
a data from research) and reasoning.
 ARISTOTLE’S TRADITIONAL
APPROACH
• Pathos. Aristotle used the term to refer to the use of appeals to
emotion.
• People sometimes hold attitudes, beliefs, and values that are not
logical but that simply make them feel positive. Likewise, they
sometimes do things or buy things to make themselves feel happy,
powerful, or energized.
 ENTERTAINMENT AND
CEREMONIAL SPEECHES
• A special occasion speech is a speech designed to
address and engage the context and audience’s emotions
on a specific occasion.
• Like informative or persuasive speeches, special occasion
speeches should communicate a clear message, but the
manner of speaking used is typically different.
• The goal of a special occasion speech is ultimately to stir
an audience’s emotions and make them feel a certain
way in response to the situation or occasion.
 ENTERTAINMENT SPEECHES
• It is designed to captivate the audience’s attention and amuse or
regale them while delivering a message.
• It is a speech that presents a message through creative, organized
use of the speaker’s wit. What differentiates this from an
informative or persuasive speech is the amusement value.
• It is usually done on an occasion where people are in a light mood
such as a dinner or luncheon meeting or a banquet.
• An entertainment speech still informs or persuades but the purpose
is to create amusement.
 CEREMONIAL SPEECHES
• Kairos is the Greek term rhetoricians use to
describe the circumstances surrounding or the
occasion of the speech.
• If the occasion is one that brings people together
to celebrate, thank, or praise someone, or to
mourn, or speech given on that occasion is known
as ceremonial or epideictic speech.
 EIGHT TYPES OF CEREMONIAL
SPEECHES
1. Introduction – a speaker delivering the speech of introduction provides
information to the audience about the main speaker. The ultimate
purpose of an introduction is to arouse interest in the speaker and his or
her topic. This speech is used to get the attention of the audience, build
the speaker’s credibility, and introduce the speaker’s general subject.
2. Nomination – this speech officially names someone as a candidate for
an office or a position. It involves noting the occasion and describing the
significance and purpose of the office to be filled. The person making
the nomination clearly explains why the nominee’s experience, skills,
talents, and achievements serve as qualifications for the position. The
actual nomination should come at the end of the speech.
 EIGHT TYPES OF CEREMONIAL
SPEECHES
3. Toast – this speech is a short message of congratulations, appreciation,
and remembrance that is usually followed by a round of drinks and
immediately followed by the raising or clinking together of goblets or
glasses. This is usually given on some momentous occasion such as a
wedding, celebration of a successful business venture, or even a
reunion of friends.
4. Keynote address – usually presented at or near the beginning of a
meeting or conference. The keynote emphasizes the significance of the
topic or the purpose of the meeting, motivates the audience to learn
more or work harder, and sets the theme and tone for other speakers
and events.
 EIGHT TYPES OF CEREMONIAL
SPEECHES
5. Award Presentation – is similar to an introduction speech. One has to
remember that the audience came to see and listen to the winner of the
award, not the presenter. The speaker should talk about the significance
and brief history of the award then a description of the achievements
that elicited the award. Even when some members of the audience
recognize the recipient based on the description, the drama of the
actual announcement of the recipient should be saved until the last
moment.
6. Acceptance – this is given to express gratitude. It is necessary in
response to a nomination, an award or an honor presented. It is wise to
thank people who contributed to one’s success or achievement, and
remember to sound grateful but not condescending, modest but not
retiring and humble and not arrogant.
 EIGHT TYPES OF CEREMONIAL
SPEECHES
7. Eulogy – a speech given at a memorial service to pay tribute to the
deceased. Meaningful eulogies are brief, but specific, heartfelt, and
thoughtful. This should be delivered with the audience, especially the
family, in mind. The speaker should work on the appropriate tone, and
offer only information that the family and friends of the deceased will
appreciate and regard as important.
8. Commencement Address – is a speech delivered at a graduation or
commencement ceremony. Commencement speakers suggest bright
new goals to the graduates and inspire them to reach for those goals.