Unit 5: Communication for Various Purposes

Lesson 1: Developing and Delivering an Informative Speech

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. identify the different purposes and types of an informative speech;
2. explain the appropriate organization of ideas for a specific informative speech
topic;
3. evaluate an informative speech;
4. apply psychological principles in increasing listeners’ comprehension;
5. prepare a clear outline for maximum effectiveness; and
6. deliver an effective informative speech.

Presentation of Contents

As students, and even as professionals, speaking to inform people is inevitable. You

may be asked to describe an event or object, explain a concept or idea, show how things
work, and introduce yourself. There are almost infinite situations and topics that you can
talk about to inform others. Though there is a gamut of topics you can choose from, the
key point is picking a topic that is new to the audience or discuss a common topic in a
fresher perspective.
Informative speech as the term implies, is a type of speech that aims to inform the
audience and not to advocate a cause or influence people to act and think as you want them
to be. The information that you will convey will be judged based on accuracy,
completeness, clarity, and meaningfulness. Hence, it is important to develop your skill in
informative speaking; that is to achieve personal and professional success. A successful
informative speech can empower the audience through the new ideas and skills that you
can impart to them. It can also shape their perception and clarity options for action.
Before delivering your informative speech, you must ensure that your topic is
significant enough to merit a speech. You must also identify the level of information that
your audience already know and the information that they need to know about the chosen
topic. Lastly, ensure that you clearly understand the intricacies of your topic to establish
credibility and confidence.
Types of Informative Speech
1. Speech about objects
Object refers to something that is visible, tangible, and stable in form that can be
experienced through physical senses. Objects can be living or non-living. Speech
organization about objects can be chronological, spatial, or topical.
Here are some examples of speeches about objects:
• Mayon Volcano

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• 3D glasses
• The poodle
• Light Rail Transit
• A Syringe

2. Speech about processes

Process refers to sequence of actions or steps that lead to a specific product or income.
Processes may involve people – people interacting with machines, and forces of nature.
Your goal in this type of speech is for the audience to understand and/or perform the
process. Generally, you need to have the following elements when delivering this
speech: input (materials), tools or forces (operate on the inputs), sequence of steps from
start to finish, output or product, and skills (Bovee, 2003).
Speech organization about processes is chronological. You can apply the following tips
when delivering a speech about processes:
1. Give an overview about the whole process.
2. Subgroup complicated processes for better comprehension. Make sure that
subgrouping is logically arranged. For example, when demonstrating how to
cook Italian spaghetti, you may group the procedure according to ingredients
and materials needed, actual cooking, and garnishing.
3. Review frequently to ensure that the audience are still with you.
4. Summarize the procedure.
5. Use visual aids.
Here are some examples of speeches about processes:
• How a tornado develops
• How papaya soap is made
• How to play the piano
• How to cook adobo

3. Speech about people

Speech about people is like speech about objects – except of course, they should be
represented as human beings. This type of speech allows the speaker to describe how
people look like, how they act, how they deal with life, and the like.
Here are some examples of speeches about people.
• The Sacrifices of Mother Teresa
• The Legacy of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos
• President Rodrigo Duterte: The Road to the Malacanang Palace

4. Speech about events

An event refers to anything that happens or is happening. Speech Organization about
events can be by chronology, by cause-effect, or by category. It must be subdivided
consistently and logically. Here are some examples of speeches about events:

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• Miss Universe 2018

• Recent Philippine Elections
• National SCUAA

5. Speech about issues

An issue refers to a point or matter of discussion, dispute, and public concern. To clarify
such an issue, a speech may be delivered. The following are some of the issues that can be
discussed for better understanding:
• Truancy among students
• Professional Conflicts
• Sexual Harassment
• Corruption in the Philippines

6. Speech about concepts

A concept refers to beliefs, theories, principles, and ideas. One characteristic of a concept
is its abstract state. A speech about concepts can be arranged by topics or by comparison
and contrast. Here are some examples of speeches about concepts:
• Feminism
• Financial Freedom
• Capitalism
• Leadership
Ways in Organizing Informative Speech
Chronological
If you intend to describe a process or discuss changes and developments, consider using
the chronological arrangement which involves sequencing of events or steps. The topics
that may need this approach are the following:
• How to print a document from a computer
• How to cook spaghetti
• The Life of Oprah Winfrey
Spatial
If you need to organize your speech according to physical space and relationships between
and among locations, consider using a spatial arrangement which allows the audience to
visualize locations, appearance, distances, and arrangement of objects. The topics that may
need this approach are the following:
• Asia’s best tourist spots
• Describing a newly built condominium
• Different regions in the Philippines

Categorical or Topical

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If you intend to show the audience the classification of subjects, consider using this
approach which allows the audience to see how the subject is divided into subgroups or
subtopics. Though this approach is very flexible, it may also bore the audience because of
the absence of actions. The topics that may need this approach are the following:
• Types of learners
• Different branches of science
• Body systems (i.e circulatory, digestive, respiratory)
Cause and Effect
If you intend to show reasons why a phenomenon occurred and/or what the outcomes are,
consider using the cause-and-effect approach. It allows the audience to see the causal
relationship of events. The topics that may need this approach are the following:
• Dangers of alcohol drinking
• Dangers of smoking
• Causes and effects of abortion
Comparison and Contrast
If you intend to show the differences and similarities of an event, place, person, things, and
other concepts and objects, consider using comparison and contrast approach. It helps the
audience choose between two items being compared. The topics that may need this
approach are the following:
• Mobile phone vs. landline
• Where to spend a vacation: Singapore or Hongkong?
• A comparison and contrast between Globe and Smart

Additional Tips for an Effective Informative Speech

1. Use plain language. Avoid jargons, clichés, highfalutin, and legalistic terms unless
it is totally necessary.
2. Relate your topic to the audience. Talk to them not at them.
3. Do not overestimate not underestimate your audience’s knowledge about the topic.
Your main purpose is to inform.
4. Use active and concrete language over abstract. Since you are writing to inform,
be clear in what you want your readers to understand.
Enlighten and entertain your audience simultaneously. A happy soul absorbs more
information.

Lesson 2: Developing and Delivering a Persuasive Speech

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

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1. identify the features of a persuasive speech;

2. explain the four types of persuasive speech;
3. analyze the persuasion process;
4. deal with a reluctant audience;
5. prepare and deliver an effective persuasive speech; and
6. evaluate and critique a persuasive speech.

Presentation of Contents

Your parents encourage you to take another course.

Your friends invite you to join them even when you have a prior
commitment.
Sales agents talk to you to buy their products.
Your doctor persuades you to quit your vices.
Politicians persuade you to vote for them.
Billboards try to convince you to use the services they advertise.

These are just few of the hundred persuasive messages that you encounter every day. How
many times have you turned down some offers? For what reasons? How many times have
you accepted offers because of an effective message delivery? Whether you are the one
persuading or the one being persuaded, persuasion is a complex process that involved
multiple factors.
Persuasive speech has the primary purpose of influencing the attitudes or actions of the
audience. It is different from informative speech in many ways as shown in the following
table (Osborn and Osborn, 2006).

Informative Speech Persuasive Speech

Presents options Pushes for a choice among options

Speaker acts as the teacher Speaker acts as an advocate
Uses supporting materials to enlighten Uses supporting materials to justify
the audience advice
Asks for little audience commitment Asks for strong audience commitment
Speaker’s credibility is relevant Speaker’s credibility is more important
Fewer appeals to emotions Strong appeals to emotions
High ethical obligation Higher ethical obligation

Four Types of Persuasive Speech

1. Speech to Convince

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In this type of speech, no direct action is needed from the audience. Its focus is to
change attitude and perception. For example, when a president of one country asks
or persuades you to believe that there is fewer incidence of corruption in the
government, he is delivering a speech to convince.
2. Speech to Actuate
In this type of speech, an action is needed from the audience. A good example of
speeches to actuate are those of the sales agents convincing you to buy their
products or politicians who ask for your vote during the elections.
3. Speech to Inspire
In this type of speech, the audience usually share the same beliefs and thoughts with
the speaker. Its purpose is to make the audience more enthusiastic on something.
An example of this is when a team leader motivates her/his members to never give
up and continue on doing their job no matter how hard it is. Speaking during
commencement exercises, award ceremonies, and tribute have the purpose to
inspire the audience.
4. Debates and Public Argumentation
In this type of speech, two groups of people or two individuals discuss a certain
proposition; one is “for’ and the other one is ‘’against’. This can also be in a form
of a meeting or panel with members giving their own points of view.
Persuasion process
Understanding the process of persuasion will further develop your persuasion skills.
According to William J. McGuire, persuasion, through the Information Processing Model,
involves six steps: Presentation, Attention, Comprehension, Yielding, Retention, and
Behavior.
This model assumes that the receiver in a persuasive communication is a problem solver
or information processor.
Involves exposure to
Presentation
communication
Involves attending to
Attention
the message and liking it
Involves learning the
Comprehension “what” and the “how” of
the message

Yielding Involves attitude change

Involves memory
Retention
storage and/or argument

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Involves acting out of

Behaviour
desired behaviour

Tips in Dealing with a Reluctant Audience or a “Tough Crowd”

1. Establish goodwill early in your speech.
2. Begin with points of agreement.
3. Make good eye contact but not aggressive.
4. Speak with conviction.
5. Emphasize positive motives and emotions, such as fairness, safety, sympathy, love,
ambition, respect, and patriotism.
6. Give emphasis on explanation rather than being argumentative.
7. Mention experts and authorities that the audience respects.
8. Do not push your audience to believe in all of your arguments.
9. Compare your views with others but make sure your comparison is favourable on
your side.
10. Anticipate possible questions from the audience and then supply them as you talk.
11. Never threaten the values of the audience. instead, reason out on the perspective of
your listener’s values.
12. Demonstrate a clear and specific plan of action.
13. Be enthusiastic and sincere.

Designs for a Persuasive Speech

Problem-Solution Method
Using this model, a speaker presents a problem then proposes a solution. He/she tries to
convince the audience that a problem exists and that the audience needs to act on it and
make a change.
Step I. Persuade the audience that a problem exists. Problems may range from the
easiest to the most difficult. They may be familiar to the audience or new for
them. In case your audience is not familiar to the problem, take time o make the
problem understood by them.
Step II. Persuade the Audience that your solution is the best. Tailor the speech in a way
that your proposed solution is worth their time, effort and money.

Lesson 3: Talking that Fits the Occasion

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. explain the advantages and disadvantages of an impromptu speech;

2. identify appropriate methods in organizing an impromptu speech;
3. perform functional speeches effectively; and

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4. organize and deliver an effective impromptu speech.

Presentation of Contents

The test of an excellent public speaker is to challenge himself or herself to have an on-
the-spot or impromptu speech. To deliver such speech, a speaker needs to have great
organizational skills, wit, and composure. Speaking in front of people is a fearsome task,
more so if you have very little time to prepare. We are sometimes asked to “say a few
words” in an event that usually rattles us especially when we are not used to it.

Impromptu Speech
The feature that distinguishes impromptu from other types of speech is time. Impromptu
speech involves unrehearsed speaking with very short time for preparation. In fact, many
of the speeches you give are impromptu. You can be asked to speak to introduce, to
thank, to inspire, to welcome, to entertain, and to congratulate. No matter what the
purpose is, all entails little time to prepare. The challenge is how you can deliver such
speech effectively.

Methods or Patterns of Organizing an Impromptu Speech:

1. PREP method
Point: State your position on the topic.
Reason: State your reason for taking the position.
Example: Provide an example that helps explain your reason.
Restatement of Point: Summarize and Restate your position.
P The point I wish to make is that Impromptu Speaking is an essential skill
to have.
R Being able to speak effectively with little preparation is very empowering
E I can remember my sister being called to speak in front of her colleagues.
At first, she struggled; but because she knows some techniques in delivering an
impromptu speech, the struggles were turned into opportunities – opportunities
to showcase her speaking skills and wit. Now, she is more confident, more
vibrant, more alive, more willing to take risks not only in speaking but also in
whatever she does.
P When a person becomes more comfortable in speaking even with less
preparation, he or she becomes empowered and stronger.

2. Point-Support-Conclusion (PSC) Method

Point: Provide your point of view, key idea, or objective.
Support: Provide stories or examples that help prove your point.
Conclusion: End by restating your point of view or key idea and by making
your call to action.

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3. Past-Present-Future (PPF) Method

Point: State your Key Point
Past: Discuss what happened in the past.
Future: Tell your audience about what will or could happen in the future.
Point: Summarize by restating your key point.

Delivering Functional Speeches

No matter what the situation is, we need to consider these points:
1. Functional speeches must be brief.
2. Functional speeches concern emotions.
3. Functional speeches, especially the language used, must be appropriate to the
situation. You do not want a highly entertaining speech during a funeral.

Introducing a Speaker
Generally, introducing speakers should not be longer than two minutes. Do not be a
catalyst to the boredom of the audience by enumerating the full biography of the speaker.
Use the following sequence when introducing a speaker:
1. What is the topic?
2. Why is it important to the audience?
3. Why is the speaker qualified to talk about the topic?
4. Who is the speaker?
Welcoming Attendees and Guests

The purpose of a welcoming address is to make the participants feel comfortable. As the
person designated to welcome the quest, you stand as the representative of the organizer.
Your credibility and performance may influence how the guests perceive the whole
event. Use the following tips when welcoming the participants:
1. Limit the speech between three to five minutes.
2. Mention the organizer, the type of participants, and the important locations and
facilities.
3. Start with a high note.
4. Describe some highlights of the event.

Accepting and Thanking

Use the following tips when thanking those who recognize us:
1. Keep the speech short, usually not more than two minutes.
2. Do not forge to thank the Award-giving organization
3. Do not forget to thank those who are instrumental to your success.
Wedding Wishes
A wedding is a day of hope, love and celebration. Giving wedding wishes to the couples
need not be fancy; however, you can be creative. Here are some tips on how you can give
your warm wishes to the newlyweds:

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1. Be sincere.
2. A love poem or quotation can be a good way to begin the speech.
3. Speak about your personal thoughts and relate to the couples.
4. You may use humor.

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