Objects

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If you’re giving an informative speech about an object, you have a virtually unlimited range of possibilities to choose from. The one thing all objects have in common, though, is that they’re not human. The following table shows just a small sampling of the much larger universe of possible objects your speech could address.

TYPES OF OBJECTS SUITABLE FOR AN INFORMATIVE SPEECH
Type
Examples
Mechanical/Technological motorcycle

blender

cell phone

weapons system
Natural flowering plant

river

elephant

planet
Cultural painting

building

book

gourmet dish
Personal jacket

credit card

ice skate

necklace

In giving an informative speech about a particular object, you could use a number of techniques. For example, suppose you’re preparing a presentation about the benefits of chocolate—which is a food and therefore an object. In this case, you could easily use description to inform your audience. You might for instance, describe the smooth, creamy texture and sumptuous flavor of a high-quality chocolate truffle and the feeling of well-being that can come from eating it.

Depending on the purpose of your speech, you could also use one or more of the other techniques. For example, you might use

image

Finally, note that an informative speech about an object may also have elements of process in it—especially if that object has moving parts. For instance, to deliver a presentation on how a motorcycle operates, you might explain how the bike’s fuel and transmission systems work together to create the process of acceleration.