102.13 13. COMMUNICATING INFORMATION

To communicate information effectively in a speech, you must define, describe, demonstrate, and/or explain it. When preparing an informative speech, choose which strategy, or combination of strategies, best fits your topic.

13a. Define

Defining your topic is vital, particularly when it is complex (e.g., “What is a supermassive black hole?”) or new to the audience. There are several ways to define concepts:

Operational Definition The speaker describes what something does: A plant is a life form that processes sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into sugar.

Definition by Negation The speaker describes what something is not: Happiness is the absence of fear.

Definition by Example The speaker lists multiple examples of a concept: Citrus fruits include oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and tangerines.

Definition by Synonym The speaker lists alternative words and phrases that represent the concept: A narrative is a story or a series of events.

Definition by Word Origin The speaker shows the root origin of a term: Poltergeist derives from the German poltern, which means “create a disturbance,” and Geist, which means “ghost.”

13b. Describe

To describe a concept, provide details that allow each of your audience members to paint a mental picture of it. This is particularly effective when your description contains important information or emotional content. For instance, a speaker informing an audience about health care in the United States might describe the sights and sounds of a typical emergency room.

13c. Demonstrate

When a process or concept is particularly complex, use speaking strategies that ensure your audience fully understands the topic at hand. Demonstration is a very effective strategy in informative speeches about how something works or how to perform a task. Speakers can either physically demonstrate a topic (as on a cooking show) or merely walk the audience through it verbally.

13d. Explain

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Speakers can explain a concept by showing its causes, illustrating its relationships to other topics, and offering an interpretation and analysis of the topic. Explanation is a solid strategy to lead with when the subject of your informative speech is unfamiliar to your audience.