Informative Speaking

1. Informative Speaking Chapter 15:

2. Today we will discuss… • What is informative Speaking? Classifications • Apply Concepts • Discuss Informative Speech Assessment

3. Informative Speaking • Instruct, explain, describe, enlighten, demonstrate, clarify, correct, remind. • Gives something to the audience • Tell them something • Can have elements of persuasion

4. Apply: • Report information – • Clarify difficult terms – • Explain complex phenomena – • Overcome confusion and misunderstanding

5. Katherine Rowan’s Informatory and Explanatory Communication Theory • States that the nature of the information and the audience, • helps determine strategic decisions about • which contentto use and how to structure an informative presentation.

6. Classifications Informatory • Primarily aims at increasing audience awareness • Reports new information • Similar to news reporting: who, what, where, when, and how Explanatory • Primarily aims at deepening audience understanding • Goes beyond “facts” to help audience understand, interpret, or evaluate. • Answers “Why?” or “What does that mean?”

7. Make it Matter: the Value Step • Wi-FM • Why is the information important or valuable to the audience • Put it as a step in your introduction.

8. Apply: Benefits • Social __________________ • Economic _______________ • Physical_________________ • Psychological_____________ • Intellectual_______________ • Professional_______________

9. Keep Audience Engaged • Keep It Short. < than 20 minutes • Does the audience already know? • Does the audience need to know ? • Does the audience need me to help them know? • Involve the Audience. • Use Humor. - focus on the message • Self-effacing humor • Do not embarrass or offend audience members • Avoid bodily functions, religions, ethnicities • Tell Stories. – You, Your audience, Other people

10. Apply: Humor Age • Old? At Ruth’s last birthday, the candles cost more than the cake. • There are three signs of old age. The first is lost memory . . . The other two I forget. Banks • A banker is just a pawnbroker in a suit. • I think the reason they have drive-up tellers is so the cars can see their real owners.

11. Fisher’s Narrative Theory • Walter Fisher: Storytelling is an essential part of being human. • Good stories have two essential qualities: • Story Probability: Consistency of characters and actions - does it make sense • Story Fidelity: The apparent truthfulness & believability of the story.

12. Apply: A (story probability) or B (story fidelity) • A or B: Can you follow the events as they unfold? • A or B: Does the story seem realistic? • A or B: Does the story reflect your personal experiences and values? • A or B: Do you wonder “Why did he do that?”

13. Storytelling: Effective • Use a Simple Story Line. • Limit the Number of Characters. • Connect to Your Audience. • Exaggerate Your Delivery. • Practice, Practice, Practice

14. Apply: The Three Pigs 1. Once upon a time, three little pigs set off to . . . 2. _______________ 3. _______________ 4. _______________ 5. _______________ 6. _______________ • Background Information • Character Development • Action or Conflict • High Point or Climax • Punch Line • Conclusion or Resolution

15. Apply: Speech Examples • See Resources Page on Website