Different Types of Speeches  

  

There are many distinct types of speeches out there and below are the four most common ones you shall encounter in your college career.  

 

Informative Speech

• Provides knowledge to an audience about a specific subject matter and/or idea. This is done one by speaking effectively in concise language and clear relay of actions that need to be taken or activities that had occurred to your audience.    

 

Persuasive Speech

• Influences an audience belief on certain topic(s) to encourage new action or reconsideration of a decision of such topic(s). This is done through confident convincing from your speech to motivate others to make a change.   

 

Demonstrative Speech

• Gives a detailed exhibition about the functionality of an object or how one performs a task. A keyway this is done is through live demonstrations or a visual guide alongside their written information.  

 

Entertainment Speech

• Capture your audience’s attention through amusement or commemoration. This is done through delivering a clear message that is solely dependent upon the setting of where the speech takes place (reading the room).  

 

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Choosing Your Speech Topic - What's the Occasion? 

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This is the “what, when, and where” that any speaker should be thinking about before beginning to develop their presentation.  

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• What 

  • What is an appropriate and effective topic to discuss for this presentation? What is a topic that interests you, but will also interest your audience? What guidelines or rubrics must you adhere to? 

• When 

  • When are you presenting? How much time do you have to spend on this speech? How much time are you given during the final presentation?  

• Where 

  • Where will you be giving this speech? Will it be in a formal or casual setting?  

 

Thinking about these details can help speakers determine what they would like to speak about and how to make their speech most effective. This can also help determine what type of tone speakers should use. 

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Tips for Formatting Speeches 

 

No matter which type of speech, beginning a speech can seem daunting and overwhelming. However, enlisting the chronological order below can help you succeed in creating a great foundation to formulate a speech. 

 

Introduction

• The introduction is a critical part of a speech as this section establishes the initial contact between the speaker and the audience (first impressions). The introduction paragraph of a speech will generally consist of these five sections: 

  • Attention-Getter 

  • Background & Audience Relevance  

  • Speaker Credibility 

  • Thesis 

  • Preview of Main Points  

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Attention-Getter

Your attention-getter should be the first thing you say in your speech. This is your chance to engage the audience and make them interested in what you will be talking about. Some popular and effective strategies for attention-getters include asking a question, sharing a surprising fact or statistic, using a popular quote from a prominent figure, or even using your visual aid to get your audience interested. 

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Example: 

"Did you know that Glossophobia is the most common subtype of social anxiety? 

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Expanding on Background & Audience Relevance 

This section of a speech should provide the audience with some general background information regarding the speech topic while also drawing a connection between the topic and the audience. Think about why the audience should care about the speech topic and how it is a significant topic.  

 

Example: 

“According to a 2014 article in Forbes Magazine by Carmine Gallo, it’s estimated that 70% of all careers require some form of public speaking. That means it’s something that many of us will have to face sooner or later. If it’s inevitable, we should probably understand how to do it well.” 

 

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Defining Speaker Credibility 

It is important to understand that speaker credibility can change depending on the setting in which you are presenting. In simple form, the speaker will introduce themselves by name and position, such as occupation or major (for students). In some settings, the speech content may require the speaker to prove to their audience that they are qualified to discuss the topic. For instance, in a business setting, a presenter may need to elaborate on their professional and educational background to show the audience that they are seasoned in the field of focus for their presentation.  

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Example: 

Hello, I am [speaker name], I am studying [insert major], and I have completed over 60 credit hours in communications courses.

 

Developing a Thesis 

Writing a thesis can be difficult and overwhelming. It is crucial that speakers think critically about their potential topic to be able to write an effective thesis statement. The goal of a thesis is to summarize your presentation in one concrete sentence. It is the central claim or main argument you are making in your presentation. See figure 2.1 for a visual representation of the role of your thesis statement.

 

Example: 

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.