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CMNS 101 Fundamentals of Communication

Public Speaking Research Guide

Informative Speech

Primary Focus: Transmission of information, knowledge, or skills.   

  • Speaker’s Responsibility: Tell the audience something they do not already know 
    • Present new information or skills 
    • Extend the knowledge of an audience 
    • Share updated information about a topic 
  • An informative speech must not present an argument.   
  • Topics of an informative speech include (with examples):  
    • Objects  
      • The difference between sea lions and elephant seals 
      • The rise of popularity of Stanley tumblers 
    • Processes  
      • How the hoses on a firetruck work 
      • How economic inflation works 
    • Events  
      • The siege of Stalingrad (1942-1943) 
      • The Met Gala 
    • Concepts    
      • Aristotle’s Eudaimonia 
      • Orthodox Judaism