Informational Speeches

According to Cheryl Hamilton, in her book Successful Public Speaking, an informational speech “uses verbal, visual, and vocal messages to create awareness of a subject, to present ideas or information promoting understanding, or to convey a body of related facts.” 1

The best way to create an informational speech is to follow the “PIP” plan: Prepare, Investigate, and Present.

Prepare means to pick your topic, make sure it is focused, and decide what your main points are going to be.

Next you need to investigate in order to find out what information is available on your topic. Use the same process discussed in the topic that you read, “Acquire Responsible Knowledge.” When you have fully researched your topic, be sure to use the five bullets to organize your speech.

Now present your speech. Keep on task. Keep your energy and enthusiasm going. If the audience detects that you as a presenter are bored, they will immediately become bored. They mimic whatever they perceive is happening to you.

Read the example of a speech in the next chapter, given by a Theatre and Media Arts 150 student. This is an example of an informational speech. Feel Jennifer’s energy and enthusiasm as she talks about her trip to Europe.