TABLE 15.1 INFORMATIVE VERSUS PERSUASIVE SPEAKING
| Informative Speeches | Persuasive Speeches | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | From a perspective of inquiry or discovery; the speaker researches a topic to find out what information exists and shares that information with an audience. | From a perspective of advocating a position or desired outcome; the speaker researches a topic to find information that supports a particular point of view and then tries to convince an audience to change an attitude or take some action based on that point of view. |
| Objectivity | The speaker reports information objectively, in the role of a messenger. | The speaker argues a case subjectively and speaks from a particular point of view. |
| Use of facts and information | The speaker sets out the current facts or state of affairs concerning the topic. | The speaker builds a case that he or she is passionate about and includes information that supports his or her favored position. |
| Expression of opinions | The speaker may provide others’ opinions but refrains from giving his or her own. | The speaker provides others’ opinions that support his or her own position or viewpoint; the speaker may mention differing opinions only to rebut or discredit them. |