Public communication involves a single speaker and an
audience. The speaker is tasked to deliver a message or a
speech of general interest to the audience.
Speeches can be classified according to purpose and
delivery. According to purpose, speeches can be
informative, persuasive, or entertaining.
This lesson focuses on the expository or informative speech.
(Note: The other types of speech according to purpose and
delivery will be discussed in the succeeding lessons.)
Expository or Informative Speech
As a student, you engage in various speech activities in
school. In class you give an oral report, explain a concept, tell
a news story, and describe or demonstrate a process, among
others. In each of these activities, your purpose is to inform
the audience.
An expository or informative speech aims to provide the
audience with information about a topic or to expand their
knowledge about a topic with which they are already familiar.
Some situations that call for an informative speech are the
following:
•
students
• audience with information about a topic or to expand
and side effects of a drug
• already familiar. The three types of informative
operate a machine
• demonstration.
belly fat
• place, an object, or an event.
Not only does an informative speech provide the audience
with knowledge, but it also shapes its perception. With the
new information, the audience may view something (e.g.,
concept, belief, experience) differently. Additionally, it
allows the audience to understand a situation, issue, or
problem and helps them to think critically and make sound
judgments and decisions.
Types of Informative Speeches
Below are the three main types of informative speeches.
1.
person, a place, an object, or an event. It creates a clear
picture of a subject in the minds of the audience using
sensory details (i.e., sight, sound, smell, touch, and
taste). Examples of speech topics for a descriptive
speech are describing the person who influenced you
the most, the symptoms of a rare genetic disorder like
progeria, and the magnificence of the Northern Lights.
2.
abstract topic (e.g., idea, principle, philosophy). It tells
the audience what something is using facts, the
etymology of the concept or word, classification,
examples, or other details. Examples of speech topics
for a definition speech are explaining the effects of
global warming, the concept of realism, and the term
net cash flow in business.
3.
how to do something or how something is done. It
gives the audience detailed information of a certain
process in order to achieve a particular task or
information about how something happens. Examples
of speech topics for a demonstration speech are
explaining how to operate a vote-counting machine,
how toothpaste is made, and how to apply for a student
loan.
Example:
Below is an excerpt from an informative speech by Sarah
Putnam entitled “The Titanic.”
From the disaster to the movie, the sinking of the Titanic
remains one of the most famous tragedies in history. The
Titanic was thought to be the largest, safest, most luxurious
ship ever built. At the time of her launch, she was the biggest
existing ship and the largest moveable object ever built.
According to Geoff Tibbals, in his 1997 book The Titanic:
The extraordinary story of the “unsinkable” ship, the Titanic
was 882 feet long and weighed about 46 000 tons. This was
100 feet longer and 15 000 tons heavier than the world’s
current largest ships. Thresh stated in Titanic: The truth
behind the disaster, published in 1992 that the Titanic
accommodated around 2345 passengers and 860 crew-
members.
Source:
https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/academicaffairs/cbtc/d
ocuments/sampleoutlines.pdf (accessed on 16 May 2016)
Explanation:
The given example is an informative speech about one of the
most famous ships in history, the Titanic. The speaker gave
concrete details about the Titanic by appealing to the sense of
sight (e.g., “the Titanic was 882 feet long and weighed about
46 000 tons. This was 100 feet longer and 15 000 tons
heavier than the world’s current largest ships.”) The
complete speech gives information on why the sinking of the
Titanic remains one of the most famous tragedies in history.
•
their knowledge about a topic with which they are
speeches are description, definition, and
•
•
abstract topic.
•
do something or how something is done.
•
accurate and knowledgeable, clear, and memorable.
Persuasive Speech
◦
accept the speaker’s position or stand on an issue. The
speaker attempts to convince the audience members to
adopt his or her way of thinking or change the way
they think about things. Also, a persuasive speech is
designed to urge the audience to take a particular
action. A speaker seeks to persuade the audience to
start doing the action now. Sales pitches, political
campaign talks, business presentations, and debates are
forms of persuasive speech.
Modes of Persuasion
Persuasion is best achieved using rhetorical appeals. In his
book Rhetoric, the Greek philosopher Aristotle classified
three rhetorical appeals or modes of persuasion. According to
him, a persuasive speech must have the following elements to
persuade an audience:
1.
authority as perceived by the audience. Before a
speaker can convince an audience to accept his or her
views, he or she must appear credible. He or she should
sound reliable, competent, and trustworthy. To build
credibility, the persuasive speaker needs to gain the
respect of the audience and must be able to let the
audience see that he or she is of good character,
generally trustworthy, and an authority to speak on the
topic.
4.
goal is to provoke an emotional response from the
audience or to let the audience feel a particular emotion
(e.g., love, fear, anger, pity, sympathy) in response to
what the speaker said. Using words and visuals that
evoke feelings and telling a personal story are some
 ways to make an emotional appeal. An advertisement the movies, chatting online with your friends, and surfing the
about a beauty product, for instance, attempts to make Internet, among others. Often, amusement comes from
the audience feel insecure or unattractive, so they will storytelling or watching others give a performance (e.g.,
be influenced to buy the product. dance, music, drama).
5. You have probably listened to people give an entertaining
has to present a valid argument or claim, which is a talk at various social occasions. These include casual dinners,
statement that an audience is urged to accept. To parties, graduations, and weddings. An entertainment
develop a logical argument, a speaker needs to provide speech aims to amuse audience members and put them in a
proof or strong evidence (e.g., facts, case studies, jovial mood. Although it can also inform or persuade, its
statistics) in support of that argument. To be primary focus is to entertain an audience or create a pleasant
successful, the speaker has to show the audience why or interesting diversion.
his or her argument is rationally sound. He or she can There are various ways to make a speech entertaining. Here
use analogy or inductive or deductive reasoning, draw are some of these ways:
cause-and-effect relationships, and make inferences. •
Using all three rhetorical appeals, a speaker has the best •
chance to persuade an audience to accept his or her position •
and to call them to action. •
•
suggests two or more meanings, such as “A bicycle
Example: can't stand on its own because it is two-tired”).
Does your home make you happy? It is important to note, however, that an entertainment speech
A house is not a home. A home is where you want to be more does not need to be funny all the time and all throughout. It
than any place in the world. At Carson Construction, we should be interesting enough to hold the attention of the
build homes. audience members, and it should create an enjoyable
With over a decade of experience in satisfying customers, we experience for them.
at Carson Construction can turn your dream home into a
reality. Our staff of top architects, experienced project An entertainment speech aims to amuse audience members
managers, and master builders have a reputation of and put them in a jovial mood. Some ways to make a speech
providing our clients with only the best. Our people bring entertaining include:
their technical knowledge, innovativeness, and dedication to •
the delivery of our best construction services. For the past 10 •
years, we have built over 1000 homes all over the country, •
and we currently have more than 50 clients under contract. •
Whether redesigning your home to suit your family’s needs •
or building the home of your dreams, Carson Construction In making and delivering an entertainment speech, you
will carefully craft every detail of your home using only should:
quality materials. 1.
We strive to be a truthful adviser and a responsible 6.
contractor, and we would love to turn your house into a 7.
home. We can help your vision of a home come to life! 8.
Explanation: 9.
The given example is an advertisement of a construction 10.
company that seeks to convince the audience to avail of their
construction services. It begins with a thought-provoking
question that gets the audience thinking about their own
homes. It appeals to the audience’s emotion (i.e., whether
they are happy or not with their homes). The succeeding
paragraphs contain information that builds the credibility of
the company and present reasons as to why the company can
deliver the best construction services.

•
the speaker’s position or stand on an issue, and to
urge the audience to take a particular action.
•
following: ethos, an appeal to the speaker’s
credibility or authority as perceived by the audience;
pathos, an appeal to the audience’s emotion; and
logos, an appeal to logic or reason.
•
(1) determine the goal, (2) know the audience, (3)
organize the information, (4) provide strong evidence,
and (5) practice the speech.

Entertainment Speech

Entertainment is any activity that holds a person’s attention

and interest or that provides amusement or enjoyment to
occupy spare time. There are different forms of
entertainment. You can entertain yourself by reading a book,
watching TV, listening to music, playing a musical
instrument, solving a puzzle, drawing an artwork, going to