Informative 

Informative speeches are designed to impart new information, a new skill, or a fresh way of thinking about something. Thus an informative speaker resembles a teacher whose primary goal is to communicate and share knowledge with an audience—to give listeners information not in their possession prior to the presentation. Speakers deliver informative speeches when they want to explain a process, procedure, organization, or function; when they describe a person, place or thing; or when they define a word or concept. Most informative speeches are not controversial. They occur in virtually all classes you take and are equally common in work and community settings.

› Sample Informative Speeches

Persuasive 

Persuasive speeches are designed primarily to change the thoughts and/or the behaviors of receivers. The persuasive speaker hopes to alter not only what the audience members know, but also how they feel and/or act. Persuasive speech topics are more controversial than informative speech topics because others may oppose what the speaker advocates. Thus, while a speaker may deliver a speech supporting organ donation, a number of audience members may hold very different opinions about the subject. Just because a speaker wants audience members to support pro-choice candidates does not guarantee acceptance of the idea by listeners.

› Sample Persuasive Speeches

Introduction

Speeches of Introduction are designed to create a desire among audience members to listen to the featured speaker. By serving, in effect, as a “warm-up” or “advance agent” for the main speaker, you pave the way and psychologically prepare receivers for that speaker’s presentation. In a classroom setting, speeches of introdcution are often structred as an ice-breaker exercise for students to introduce themselves.

› Sample Speeches of Introduction