The Informative Speech

This is a speech to inform. Its primary purpose is to present facts and opinions to an
audience. In this kind of talk, the speaker ordinarily does not assume the
responsibility of inducing his audience to believe the information, but he maintains
that the presentation of it in a clear, logical, and understandable manner fulfills his
obligation of speaking.
In the informative speech, the speaker's intention to inform the audience is often
blended with his desire for audience belief. For this reason, the emphasis is placed
on the arrangement of information and the strength of the speaker's statements
which will generally lead the audience toward definite conclusions which they are
induced to believe in and on the desire to share some knowledge or information.
When preparing for this kind of speaking, try asking yourself this question. Do I
know more about this subject than my audience? Will the members of the audience
take kindly to my instructing or informing them on this topic? Does the subject lend
itself to instruction or information as a general end? Does the occasion permit me to
have instruction or information as the dominant purpose?
Typical examples of this type of speeches are: classroom lectures, demonstration
talks, explanations of techniques, procedures, systems, values, etc.
The informative speech is fundamental to all other types of speaking with a
purpose, for one cannot accomplish his objective to convince, to impress, to inspire,
to actuate or to entertain unless the audience is thoroughly informed of the subject
and the occasion of the speech.
The Inspirational Speech
Speeches whose aim is to impress or to elevate the spirit are inspirational in nature.
They arouse in the listeners emotional associations.
Usually, speeches of inspiration are elevating and enthusiastic. They include a great
deal of emotion and they are generally filled with praise of the audience's belief and
attitudes. Many inspirational speeches have raised the audience's emotions to a
higher pitch when they connote sincerity and humility combined with a religious
motif. Also, when they aim at building the morale, inspirational speeches increase
the zest, enthusiasm, and fervency of the audience to achieve their goals.
Typical examples of this kind of speaking are funeral orations, short "pep" talks
given by coaches to their players, valedictory addresses, religious sermons, etc.
The Entertaining or Graceful Speech

This speech of entertainment has for its main purpose the enjoyment of the
audience by telling them light-hearted or funny stories. The usual occasions for this
kind of speaking are dinners and social meetings.

Frequently, an entertainment speech will be combined with a speech of information

such as a travelogue or a popular science lecture wherein humorous stories or
anecdotes are injected to make the audience laugh. Useful tools for presenting an
entertaining speech are satires, exaggerations, understatements, and descriptions.
Examples of entertainment speeches are after-dinner toast and travelogues.
Persuasive speech
A persuasive speech is a specific type of speech in which the speaker has a goal of
convincing the audience to accept his or her point of view. The speech is arranged
in such a way as to hopefully cause the audience to accept all or part of the
expressed view.
Argumentative speech
An argumentative speech persuades the audience to take the side of the speaker,
and the speaker generally discusses a topic he or she feels strongly about. The
speaker makes a specific claim and then addresses points that support the claim.