Public Speaking

Speaking to inform

The four kinds of informative speeches are :

1. Speeches about Objects
2. Speeches about Processes
3. Speeches about Events
4. Speeches about Concepts

Informative Speech : a speech designed to convey knowledge and understanding.

Objects : anything that is visible, tangible and stable in form.

Process : a systematic series of actions that leads to a specific result or product.

Event : anything that happens or is regarded as happening.

Concept : a belief, theory, idea, notion, principle or the like.

The five guidelines for informative speaking are :

1. Don't overestimate what the audience knows.
2. Relate the subject directly to the audience.
3. Don't be too technical.
4. Avoid abstractions.
5. Personalize your ideas.

Speaking to persuade

Persuasion is the process of creating, reinforcing, or changing people's beliefs or actions.

Target Audience : the portion of the whole audience that the speaker most wants to persuade.

Two types of Speeches on Questions of Policy :

1. Speeches to gain passive agreement.
2. Speeches to gain immediate action.

Question of policy : a question about whether a specific course of action should or should not be taken.

Speeches to gain passive agreement : a persuasive speech in which the speaker's goal is to convince the audience that a given policy is desirable without encouraging the audience to take action in support of the policy.

Speeches to gain immediate action : a persuasive speech in which the speaker's goal is to convince the audience to take action in support of a given policy.

Analyzing Questions of Policy

1. Need
2. Plan
3. Practicality

Organizing Speeches on Questions of Policy

1. Problem Solution Order
2. Problem Cause Solution Order
3. Comparative Advantages Order
4. Monroe's Motivated Sequence :

• Attention
• Need
• Satisfaction
• Visualization
• Action