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13: Presentations to Inform

  • Page ID
    12463
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts
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    Informative presentations focus on helping the audience to understand a topic, issue, or technique more clearly. You might say, “Is that all?” and the answer is both yes and no. An affirmative response underscores the idea that informative speeches do not seek to motivate the audience to change their minds, adopt a new idea, start a new habit, or get out there and vote. They may, however, inform audiences on issues that may be under consideration in an election or referendum. On the other hand, a negative response reaffirms the idea that to communicate a topic, issue, or subject clearly is a challenge in itself and shouldn’t be viewed as a simplistic process.

    • 13.1: Functions of the Presentation to Inform
      There are distinct functions inherent in a speech to inform, and you may choose to use one or more of these functions in your speech. Let’s take a look at the functions and see how they relate to the central objective of facilitating audience understanding.
    • 13.2: Types of Presentations to Inform
      Speaking to inform may fall into one of several categories. The presentation to inform may be: (1) an explanation, (2) a report, (3) a description, or (4) a demonstration of how to do something. This section explores each of these types of informative speech.
    • 13.3: Adapting Your Presentation to Teach
      Successfully delivering an informative speech requires adopting an audience-centered perspective. Imagine that you are in the audience. What would it take for the speaker to capture and maintain your attention? What would encourage you to listen? In this section we present several techniques for achieving this, including motivating your audience to listen, framing your information in meaningful ways, and designing your presentation to appeal to diverse learning styles.
    • 13.4: Diverse Types of Intelligence and Learning Styles
      The theory of multiple intelligences proposes that different people are intelligent in different domains. For example, some people may excel in interpersonal intelligence, or the ability to form and maintain relationships. Other people may excel in bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, or physical coordination and control. Still others have a high degree of musical intelligence or of logico-mathematical intelligence. Some psychologists argue that these are actually talents or aptitudes instead.
    • 13.5: Preparing Your Speech to Inform
      Now that we’ve covered issues central to the success of your informative speech, there’s no doubt you want to get down to work. This section discusses five final suggestions to help you succeed.
    • 13.6: Creating an Informative Presentation
      An informational presentation is common request in business and industry. It’s the verbal and visual equivalent of a written report. Information sharing is part of any business or organization. Informative presentations serve to present specific information for specific audiences for specific goals or functions. The type of presentation is often identified by its primary purpose or function. Informative presentations are often analytical or involve the rational analysis of information.
    • 13.7: Additional Resources

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