ChaPter 15 Informative Speaking
They need supplemental information, not a rehash of basic facts. An audience that knows
about sleep deprivation, for example, will be more impressed if you provide little-known
facts about this health risk. Use these guidelines with audiences whose information is
limited:• Dig into your research sources to discover less common details and facts.
• Go beyond the obvious and add in-depth descriptions, details, and explanations.
• Narrow a broad topic and provide interesting and novel information about just one
aspect of it. For example, instead of another broad overview, focus on the relationship
between sleep deprivation and obesity or heart disease.Presenting Review or Updated Information
Sometimes listeners were once familiar with your subject, but they’ve forgotten some
or most of what they learned, or they lack current, updated information. Here, speak to
refresh their memories, reinforce their knowledge, and keep their information current.
Reviews and updates are common in schools or workplace settings. For instance, upper
division courses briefly review basic concepts before going into depth on new materials.
In workplaces, employees may have learned about privacy laws a decade ago, but a
workshop on new regulations keeps them updated. To review or update information, use
these guidelines:• Review material by approaching the subject from different angles and different
perspectives.
• Be creative; use vivid supporting materials that capture and hold attention.
• Use humor if appropriate, and strive to make the material interesting.
• Present the most recent available information. Because of the current proliferation of
information generated by technology, data can quickly become outdated, and people
who want to stay current must be lifelong learners.Countering Misinformation
A third type of audience has misconceptions or misunderstandings that you can clarify
by providing definitions and facts and by countering misinformation. For instance,
students from different ethnic or religious backgrounds often find themselves countering
misconceptions about their cultures or beliefs, and politicians typically clarify policy
positions that their opponents have distorted. When you counter misunderstandings,
your material may be inconsistent or contradictory to what listeners “know,” so consider
the following:• To prepare for emotional responses—often negative—present the most credible facts
you can find, and tone down the emotional aspect.
• Look for information derived from scientific studies, especially quantification, when
statistical or numerical support would be best.
• Define terminology carefully. Explaining the origin of specific words or ideas is often
a good strategy.
• Counter negative prejudices against and stereotypes about a topic (such as a particu-
lar culture or religion) by highlighting positive aspects of the subject.In summary, the amount of information your audience brings to your speech should
make a difference in the way you select and present meaningful information, and various
listeners can have differing levels of understanding. By assessing listeners’ knowledge
about your subject in advance, you can more effectively prepare a speech that meets
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