Deck 15: A: Informative Speaking

Question 1

List, describe, and provide examples of the eight categories of informative speeches that are discussed in your textbook. What cautionary advice would you give to an informative speaker about any of these eight categories?

Answer 1

•People-Whether famous or not, people are interested in learning about other people. •Places-Whether they are close by, far away, real, or imaginary, places can make compelling topics for speeches. •Objects and phenomena-Inanimate or animate nonhuman "things" can serve as the bases for great informative speeches. •Events-Noteworthy occurrences from the past, present, or future can supply good topics for an informative speech. •Processes-Whether the speaker demonstrates how to do something or explains how something is done, processes make great topics for informative speeches in the classroom as well as in training contexts. •Concepts-Speakers can explain or describe ideas, theories, or thoughts, turning them from abstract notions into something the audience understands concretely. •Issues-A speaker can increase understanding and awareness of problems or issues. However, speakers should be careful not to take a position on the issue or problem, propose solutions, or in any way attempt to influence the audience's attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors related to the issue because this would turn the informative speech into a persuasive presentation. •Plans and policies-An informative speaker can help an audience understand the important dimensions of a particular course of action. However, informative speakers must show a similar concern for this type of topic as they would for a speech about an issue: the speech must remain objective rather than subjective.

Question 2

Synthesizing what you have learned up to this point in the course, explain the role of ethics as it relates to informative speaking.

Answer 2

Ideal answers will synthesize information from beyond this chapter and apply it specifically to informative speaking. Specific topics to cover include respect, trustworthiness, responsibility, and fairness. Questions the students might address in their discussion include the following: Is the speaker honest about his or her goals? Is the information that is presented accurate? Are the speech and the information presented influenced by the speaker's opinions about the subject? Is appropriate credit given to the sources that were used? Is the information presented useful to the audience and is it in the best interest of the audience to learn the information?

Question 3

Evangeline has chosen to deliver her speech on the topic of badminton. Specifically, she plans to discuss the process of playing the sport. She has discovered that no one else in her class has ever played the sport, so the information will be new. Unfortunately, none of the classmates she spoke to seemed to indicate any interest in the subject. What advice, besides simply selecting a new topic, would you give Evangeline to help her get her audience excited about and interested in her topic?

Answer 3

Ideal answers will focus on creating information hunger by making the audience curious about the topic and emphasizing aspects of the topic that are relevant and useful to the audience. For example, Evangeline can relate badminton to other sports that are more familiar and of greater interest to her audience such as volleyball, tennis, or racquetball. She can focus on the health and fitness benefits of playing and the challenge and joy of playing the game while competing against a friend or playing doubles.

Question 4

Describe the steps informative speakers can take to make their speech clear and easy for the audience to understand.
Answer Key

Question 5

Compare and contrast the four approaches to informative speaking: description, demonstration, definition, and explanation.

Question 6

Your friend Sam's family has owned a health food store since she was a little girl. She has decided to do her informative speech about natural alternatives to the dangerous cleaning products made by large corporations. She wants her audience to know that the natural cleaning products are healthier and less polluting and hopes that she can inspire her classmates to switch to using more natural products in their own homes. Will Sam's topic work for her informative speech? Why or why not? If changes are needed, what specific advice would you give Sam to help her modify the topic?