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Informative Speech 

 

Defined: Informative Speeches uses vivid details and descriptions to explain a subject, a person, or place. This style of speech relies more on visual aids and communicating specific information to the audience. 

 

Main Goal: Enlighten the audience about a topic they know nothing about. 

 

Informative speeches are very straight-forward. The topic of any informative speech should help the audience understand what they've listened to and give them the ability to recall the information learned at a later date. With this type of speech you are not trying to sway the view of your audience members. Instead, your goal is give them enough concrete information and facts that they are able to make educated decisions or simply learn something new they are interested in. 

 

Visual aids are very beneficial in this type of speech. The more visual aids used will increase the likelihood your audience retains the information given. It's also more likely you'll quickly gain their attention and establish your credibility. Visual aids may include: a video, a PowerPoint/Prezi, personal artifacts, a song, and the clothes you are wearing. 

 

Features of an Informative Speech:

  • Clarity

  • Organization

  • Choose words carefully.

  • Don't try to cover too many points

  • Clarify the relationship between you main points by observing the principles of coordination.

  • Use words like "First," "Second," "Furthermore," etc.

  • Keeps speech moving forward according to a well-developed plan.

  • Use precise vocabulary without being too technical for the audience.

  • Simplify whenever possible.

  • Use reiteration, but avoid repeating with exactly the same words.

  • Association of new ideas with more familiar ones.

  • Example: comparing pupil of eye with aperture of camera lens.

  • Coherence

  • Find a pattern than fits your subtopics: spatial, chronological, etc.

  • Use motivational appeals, interesting intros, etc., to keep audience interested (Gwynne 1999).

 

Informative topics may include: 

  • Chemical Warfare

  • Herbs as Medicine

  • Internet Crimes 

  • Increase in Childhood Obesity 

  • Stress and its Effects 

  • How to Avoid Losing Money on Investments

  • How to Study for the ACT 

  • How to Give An Informative Speech 

This is a good example of an Informative Speech from Don Allen a student at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. It's humorous, uses funny yet effective visual aids, and really captures his audience's attention. At the end of the video his peers and professor offer positive critiques. 

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