Creating an Informative Speech

(Peterson NP)

Informative speech writers should first ask themselves the following questions to narrow down and make their topics manageable:

• “How much does the audience already know about this topic?

• What does the audience need to know in order to understand this topic?

• Can I present this information in the allotted time so that the audience will understand and remember it?” (Grice and Skinner 358)

Next, when preparing an informative speech, the speaker should use the following guidelines: 

• Stress the informative purpose—begin with an overall purpose; let your audience know that your purpose is to inform.

• Be specific; narrow the topic you have chosen.

• Be clear; remember that your audience probably knows much less about this topic than you do.

• Be accurate; misinformation can harm your listeners.

More tips for creating an Informative Speech:• Limit the ideas and supporting material that you

try to include.

• Be relevant; do not be sidetracked by interesting but irrelevant information.

• Be objective in your approach to the topic and the language you use.

• Use the pattern of organization best suited to achieving your specific purpose.

• Use appropriate forms of support.

• Use lively, effective delivery (350-353)

“20 Ways to Develop an Informational Speech Topic”

1. Describe various pros and cons.

2. Tell about comparisons or contrasts of a subject.

3. Research facts and figures - details, new information, arguments, aspects, theories and

statistics.

4. To make your informational speech topic more credible, look for surveys, expert testimonies

and examples.  (Peterson NP)

5. Add a new twist to common things around you.

6. Look for new trends related to the information speech topic.

7. Research how the listeners are affected by the subject.

8. Discover and reveal unknown aspects.

“20 Ways to Develop an Informational Speech Topic”

9. Mention professional experiences and motivate the public to want to learn more.

10. Tell about your own personal experiences. How did you do it? And why and when?

11. What angles of approach do you think the audience would choose to elaborate on?

12. What do they expect? What does the host of the occasion expect from you?

13. What information speech topic does the public want to hear, like or need?

“20 Ways to Develop an Informational Speech Topic”

15. What do you think they absolutely have to know?

16. What moral lesson can you give in your informal speech topic?

17. What do they always wanted to know but are afraid to ask?

“20 Ways to Develop an Informational Speech Topic”

18. What other interesting questions could the audience have?

19. List the benefits, merits or lessons.

20. Are there ways to fulfill or satisfy the needs of your public?

“20 Ways to Develop an Informational Speech Topic”

Creating an Informative Speech