ENG 208: The Informative Speech

This speech is designed to give you experience in providing accurate, concise, clear and interesting information to an audience. The following are guidelines for your speech.
General requirements
Eight to ten minutes in length
This outline should include a bibliography of your sources done in proper APA style.
Content

Inform the audience about a topic with which they are not familiar. It should NOT be persuasive, must not argue one side over another (should not advocate a change of attitude, action, policy, etc).

Use at least two CREDIBLE sources in the speech (although more are better)

Cite sources of the information. In the speech, it means a brief mention of and where info was found and who is providing it, i.e. “According to Time, Nov 1993, the head of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University reported that……..” In the outline, it means noting that the information is from a source and including in correct APA reference list citation at the end of the outline.

Contain visual aids that help the audience understand the points made in the speech.

Worded for clarity and understanding

Organization:

INTRO should gain the attention of the audience, convey credibility, relate to the audience, convey good will, clearly preview the main points, provide transition to the body, etc.
BODY must have clear, understandable and logically organized main and subpoints (2-4 main points)
Must use connectives between main points effectively. This includes “signposting” the main points (enumerate/identify points as they get to them) and transitions as well as internal summaries and previews.

CONCLUSION should include restatement of main points and tie the speech together, to help listeners remember the topic

Delivery:
The speaker should look and sound interested in the topic
The speaker should maintain eye contact with the audience
Note cards may be used, but the speech should not be read
The speaker should use vocal variety
The speaker should appear confident and poised
The speaker should handle the visual aids well