Full Informative Speech: "John Kanzius and the Quest to Cure Cancer" by David Kruckenberg

Audience Analysis

David successfully leads a lay audience through a complex and technical topic by using analogies and explanations instantly understood by his listeners. When he describes a catheter as a thin tube, and compares high-frequency waves to Superman's x-ray vision, and a treatment site to an atomic mosh pit, David shows clear understanding of his audience. He demonstrates this understanding again when he describes the size of nanoparticles in terms of human hair and dandruff. Because his topic is complicated and unfamiliar, beginning with a narrative is highly effective as an attention getter. It personalizes abstract information, making it meaningful, immediate, and lightly humorous.

Content and Supporting Ideas

David carefully develops a chronological organizational pattern for his three main points. The speech moves to explain the current radiofrequency ablation procedure used to treat cancer; to then describe how Kanzius created a new ablation technique; and, finally, to explain how Kanzius' approach offers better cancer treatment. Each main point is developed with detailed explanation, support from recognized sources, and illustrated with gestures and visual aids. He adroitly cites each source. David takes time to define unfamiliar terms, like "ablation," and to describe wave physics in familiar terms. His ability to keep his audience focused and interested is due to the way he has supported his main points and used Kanzius' story of discovery to ground and add some lightness to the content.

Introduction/Transitions/Conclusion

David wisely opens with a compelling narrative. The Kanzius story has quirky details that draw immediate interest. From the story, David expertly leads to his thesis and a direct announcement of his three main points. He transitions using chronological guideposts such as "first", "next," and "enter John Kanzius." David also provides internal summaries like "now that we understand how RFA works…we can examine…" When he says "here's the critical part," David also helps listeners by pointing to key information. David concludes very effectively by summarizing his main points and returning to his opening narrative, expanding Kanzius' personal discovery and cancer battle to the larger hope offered by his new approach. His last line is clever and memorable.

Delivery

David expertly avoids the common pitfalls of a memorized style by using varied and expressive vocal delivery as well as accomplished nonverbal delivery. David emphasizes important words such as "damage" and "infection" with seriousness, and then alters his voice to accentuate the light humor of phrases like "in his kitchen!" His voice sounds genuine, animated, and fresh. Volume and pace are excellent. He shows a fine facility with source citations. David appears professional, confident, and engaged. His gestures are expert, natural, and helpful. David uses gestures to enliven his delivery, emphasize points of humor or seriousness, and to illustrate key points such as wave movements, particle collisions, and surgical procedures.

Visual Aids

To aid audience understanding David uses a poster with a mounted photograph of the RFA technique. Visual aids are particularly helpful for explaining complex procedures. David wisely reveals his visual aid only as he comes to that portion of his speech, and then he tucks it smoothly away when its purpose ends. As David moves toward the visual aid his back is to the audience. It would be more effective if he discontinued speaking until he positions the visual. While his back is turned volume is lost and attention divided. The photograph is helpful in a limited way. A diagram might be clearer than a realistic photograph.