Public Speaking

210 CHAPTER 15^ Informative Speaking

refer to “Main Street” in their speeches, but how do ordinary people understand the

concept?^23 Here are some guidelines to consider, using the concept of “intelligence” as

the topic:

•   Simplify complex ideas by dividing them into their component parts. For example,

intelligence can be broken down into categories that include social intelligence,

spatial intelligence, and musical intelligence.^24

•   Carefully define terminology, avoiding technical jargon. Exactly what falls into

the category of spatial intelligence? Use examples that clarify this component of

intelligence, or show the items from the tests that measure spatial intelligence.

•   Clarify confusing details by using analogies, both figurative and literal, to compare

the concept to something that listeners already understand. In this case, you might

compare spatial intelligence to running a maze.

•   Use detailed examples of concrete situations that illustrate the actions of people who

test high in various kinds of intelligence.

We often disagree over theories,

concepts, and ideas. For instance, exactly

what qualifies as a work of art? People’s

ideas differ. What caused the dinosaurs

to become extinct? Theories vary. What

constitutes a living wage? Not everyone

gives the same answer. The purpose of

explanatory speaking is not to argue for

one definition or another but to clarify

the concept, sometimes by comparing

and contrasting differing definitions and

theories regarding it. Figure 15.1 sum-

marizes the types of informative speeches

and the questions each is designed to

answer.

Guidelines for Informative Speaking

A common complaint about informational speaking is that it’s boring.^25 Consequently,

use some of these tips for keeping your audience’s attention and for being both

understandable and relevant:^26

•   Do an “obstacle analysis” of your audience. Identify the parts of the message they

might find hard to understand and then work on specific ways to make those sections

clear. Next, identify internal barriers that would prevent listeners from learning your

material. You might face psychological resistance if you choose a scientific topic for

people who think science is difficult and boring or if you challenge an audience’s

current misconceptions about a subject they hold dear. Plan ways to deal with each

obstacle.^27

•   Organize your material carefully. Be kind to your listeners by stating each major

point clearly and by building in signposts such as next and in addition that help them

identify the flow of ideas. Use structures such as lists, comparisons–contrasts, or

cause–effect patterns. Provide transitions, internal previews, and summaries that

show how your material is linked—using words and phrases such as because, therefore,

and as a result (see Chapter 9). Discourse consistency also helps; for example, you

might begin every section with a question or alliterate your main points throughout

the entire speech.^28

discourse consistency
using a repetitive style such
as alliteration of main points
throughout the speech

Type of Speech Question(s) It Examines

Demonstration How do you do that?

Description What’s it like?

Report What have we learned about this topic?

Explanation What is it? What does it mean? How does it work?

What’s the theory behind it?

Figure 15.1
Informative speech types

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