COMM101 Study Guide
Unit 7: Speaking to Inform and Entertain
7a. Describe several common topic categories that may be used in informative speeches
- What are the common topic categories of informative speeches?
- How do we define the subject matter of the common topic categories of informative speeches?
- How can one subject be addressed by different topic categories?
There are five common categories of informative speeches, including objects (tangible items), people (significant individuals), events (historical or current occurrences), concepts (abstract ideas or theories), and processes (how-to or functional explanations). Identifying the appropriate category helps speakers select the best organizational structure for their presentation.
If a student chooses a general topic, such as the American Civil War, they can use the common categories of informative speeches to narrow their topic in several ways. The student could narrow their topic to a discussion of a single object from the Civil War, such as the Minie Ball Bullet. They would describe its design and explain how this specific piece of technology fundamentally changed military tactics and increased casualty rates during the war. If they wanted to focus on people, they would have a host of historical figures to choose from, including those from the Civil War. They might choose someone like Clara Barton and focus their attention on her contributions to battlefield nursing. An event speech might cover one of the Civil War's battles, such as the Battle of Gettysburg. For a concept speech, they could speak about the idea of states' rights. Finally, they could choose to prepare a process speech about the logistics of the Underground Railroad. This could involve a "how-it-worked" explanation, detailing the specific methods, codes, and stations used to transport individuals to safety.
Review
To review, see:
7b. Identify the four ingredients of a good entertaining speech
- What are the four ingredients of an entertaining speech?
- Why is it important to consider the occasion when preparing an entertaining speech?
- Why is it important to consider the time element when preparing an entertaining speech?
There are four important ingredients for a good entertaining speech.
First, preparation is key to a successful speech. As with any formal presentation, an entertaining speech requires careful planning and practice. A speaker should not rely solely on spontaneity; instead, prepare the speech to ensure the message is clear and the delivery is polished.
Second, adapting to the occasion is necessary. The speaker must consider the specific event (such as a wedding, award ceremony, or funeral) and tailor the tone and content accordingly. A speech that is appropriate for the occasion ensures that the humor or message aligns with the audience's expectations for that setting.
Third, it is essential to know the audience and adjust the speech's references, language, and humor to their background and interests. Effective entertainment relies on the speaker's ability to connect with the specific group of people in the room.
Finally, the speaker must be mindful of the time element of the speech. Entertaining speeches are often part of a larger event, making brevity crucial. A speaker must be mindful of the allotted time and avoid speaking for too long, as this can cause the audience to lose interest or disrupt the event's schedule.
Review
To review, see:
7c. Identify the types of entertaining speeches
- What are the common types of ceremonial speeches?
- What are the common types of inspirational speeches?
- What are examples of ceremonial and inspirational speeches?
Entertaining speeches include both ceremonial and inspirational speeches. There are eight common types of ceremonial speeches and five common types of inspiration speeches.
Ceremonial speeches include introductions, speeches of presentation, acceptances, dedications, toasts, roasts, eulogies, and farewells.
- A speech of introduction is a brief speech that provides the audience with a guest speaker's background and prepares them for the upcoming presentation. Its goal is to build the speaker's credibility and generate interest. An example is a club president introducing a guest author by highlighting their awards and the title of their new book.
- A speech of presentation is given to accompany a prize, award, or honor. It explains the significance of the award and why the specific recipient is being recognized. An example is when a principal presents a Teacher of the Year trophy and lists the recipient's contributions to the school.
- A speech of acceptance is delivered by the recipient of an award or honor. The goal is to show gratitude for the recognition and acknowledge those who helped the recipient achieve success. An example is an actor thanking their family, costars, and director after winning an Oscar.
- A speech of dedication is given when a new store, building, library, or monument is opened to the public. It highlights the importance of the structure and the people involved in its creation. An example is when a mayor speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new city park.
- A toast is a very brief speech designed to congratulate, appreciate, or remember someone. It usually ends with the audience raising their glasses in unison. An example is a best man offering a short tribute to the groom's character at a wedding reception.
- A roast is a humorous and good-natured speech that pokes fun at the guest of honor. It requires a balance of insult humor and genuine affection for the person being roasted. An example is a retiring CEO's colleagues sharing funny stories about his early career mistakes at a farewell dinner.
- A eulogy is given in honor of someone who has passed away. It celebrates the deceased person's life, achievements, and positive qualities to provide comfort to the grieving. An example is a daughter sharing a favorite memory of her father during his funeral service.
- A speech of farewell is given by someone who is leaving a position, a group, or a location. It expresses appreciation for the time spent there and well-wishes for the people staying behind. An example is a graduating senior thanking their professors and classmates at an end-of-year banquet.
Inspirational speeches include those intended to foster goodwill, for public relations, for justification, for apology, and for commencement addresses.
- A speech to ensure goodwill is an attempt by an organization or person to get an audience to view them more favorably. It is often used to repair a reputation or highlight charitable work, like a representative from a power company speaking to a neighborhood group about their new environmental protection initiatives.
- A speech for public relations is delivered specifically to enhance and build up the public image of the speaker or the organization they represent. An example is when a tech company executive gives a presentation at an industry conference to unveil a new eco-friendly server design, enhancing the brand's reputation as an environmental leader.
- A speech of justification is given to defend or explain why certain actions were taken, or will be taken, to show that the behavior was appropriate. An example is a university president speaking to students and faculty to explain the strategic and necessary financial reasons behind increasing tuition rates for the upcoming academic year.
- An apology is where the speaker takes responsibility for a transgression, expresses genuine remorse, and offers restitution to repair credibility. An example is when a corporate chief executive addresses the media to admit a data breach occurred due to company negligence, genuinely apologizes to affected users, and outlines immediate steps to secure their data.
- A commencement address is a type of keynote speech given at a graduation ceremony. It is designed to celebrate the graduates' achievements and provide them with motivational advice for the future. An example is a successful business leader telling graduates to "follow their passion" during a university graduation.
Review
To review, see:
7d. Evaluate the effectiveness of an informative speech outline
- What are some guidelines we can use to evaluate the effectiveness of an informative speech outline?
- What are some typical reasons why an informative outline might not be effective?
- How are preparation outlines and speaking outlines evaluated differently?
The effectiveness of an informative speech outline is evaluated by its ability to serve as a logical framework for the message. A good outline allows a speaker to test the core structure and validity of their speech before delivery.
Some criteria for evaluating an effective informative outline include:
- Focus on a single thesis. The outline must demonstrate that each point directly supports a single, clear, concrete thesis statement, thereby excluding irrelevant or tangential information.
- Logical relationships. It is evaluated on how well it shows the hierarchy of ideas. A strong outline visually reveals if main points follow a legitimate sequence and if sub-points provide sufficient, logical support for those main points.
- Balance and proportion. The outline helps ensure the main points are developed equally. A speaker can see if one point is over-researched while others are thin, allowing for a more balanced presentation.
- Inclusion of essential speech parts. An effective outline must include all three major sections: a structured introduction, a detailed body, and a conclusion.
- Preparation for delivery. A preparation outline is judged on its detail (often written in full sentences), while a speaking outline is evaluated on its brevity and utility in helping the speaker stay organized without reading to the audience
A poorly executed informative speech outline usually fails because it stops being a framework and starts being a distraction. Here are some common ways an outline can be ineffective.
- If an outline is written as a manuscript rather than an outline, it becomes impossible to see the logical flow at a glance. During delivery, the speaker ends up reading the paper instead of making eye contact, which kills audience engagement.
- If an outline consists only of one-word labels like "History", "Current Status", and "Future", then it lacks the connective tissue required for a speech. Without full ideas or specific evidence listed under these labels, the speaker has no plan for how to explain those topics, leading to a rambling, disorganized presentation.
- If an outline is unbalanced, it reveals a lack of research and depth. The audience will feel the speech is lopsided, spending 80% of the time on one minor detail and rushing through the rest of the important information.
- If an outline includes interesting stories or fun facts that have nothing to do with the specific thesis statement, then it lacks unity. By failing to use the thesis as a filter, the speaker confuses the audience with irrelevant information that distracts from the primary goal of increasing understanding.
Review
To review, see:
Unit 7 Vocabulary
This vocabulary list includes terms you will need to know to successfully complete the final exam.
- apology
- commencement address
- eulogy
- roast
- speech for public relation
- speech of acceptance
- speech of dedication
- speech of farewell
- speech of introduction
- speech of justification
- speech of presentation
- speech to ensure goodwill
- toast