Organizational Structures: Informative Speech
In this video we’ll review organizational structures for informative speeches.
The information in this video provides a general overview of the nature of language.
Pease consult assigned readings for more in-depth information.
As the course progresses, many of the ideas discussed in this video will be covered
in more detail.
There are three parts to formal speech construction: The Introduction, the Body, and the Conclusion.
Each of these three parts of a speech contain several components, some of which should be
covered in order.
All formal speeches start with an Introduction.
There are at least three components to a formal speech Introduction: The Attention Gaining
Device, the Topic Statement, and the Preview.
The attention gaining device is designed to gain interest of your audience and encourage
audience members to listen to your speech.
All attention gaining devices should be related to your speech topic.
There are several common ways to begin a speech that help gain audience attention including:
making an appropriate joke, using a play on words, referring to the occasion for which
the speech is given, referring to the audience members’ relationship to the topic, stating
a startling statistic, stating a quotation from a person stating something connected
to your topic, telling a short story or anecdote.
However you choose to start your speech, it’s important to keep it brief.
Most attention gaining devices are only 30 seconds or less.
For a speech on the topic of running, an attention gaining device using a play on word might
sound something like this, “If you want your heart to keep running smoothly, try running
with your legs at least three times a week.”
You could also use a startling statement to gain attention for this topic like, “Heart
disease is a leading cause of death in the US.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, ‘One of the biggest drops in heart disease risk
occurs when you go from living a sedentary lifestyle to being active for as little as
one hour a week.’”
Once you’ve gained the attention of the audience, the next step is to reveal the topic
of the speech.
This component, the topic statement, is usually shorter than the attention gaining device.
Generally, a topic statement is completed in a single, complete sentence.
A topic statement for a speech on running might sound like this, “Today, I’ll explain
why running is a great way to stay fit and healthy.”
A topic statement for speech on the history of comics might sound like this, “I’ll
share with you of the rich history of comic books in the US.”
And, a topic statement for a speech on crows might sound like this, “In this speech,
I will prove to you that crows are some of the most intelligent animals on our planet.”
The final component of an Introduction is a preview.
The preview lists the main points of your speech in the order that they will be discussed.
Like the attention gaining device and topic statement, the preview should be worded as
clearly and briefly as practical.
It aids audience memory when the points are worded similarly or enumerated.
For instance, in a speech about running, a preview might be,
“I will explain three important aspects of running, first, the warm-up, second, proper
form, and, third, the cool down.”
The keys to a strong preview are succinct wording, enumeration, and clear categorization.
Generally, the Introduction of a speech should comprise about 5%-10% of the total speech
time.
So, if your speech is 10 minutes, the Introduction should be approximately 30 seconds to one
minute in length.
Once you’ve gained the audience’s attention and primed members to listen to your speech,
move on to the Body.
The Body of the speech should cover the main points as listed in the preview.
Generally, the Body should have at least two, but not more than 5 main points.
Many speeches have 3 main points, however, having 3 main points is not mandatory.
You should use the number main points that best fits your topic, trying to have at least
2 but no more than 5 main points.
In an informative speech, there are four common organizational patterns used to arrange main
points.
These patterns are based on time, topic, space, and cause and effect.
The patterns described can also be used to organize information within each individual
main point as well.
Further, some of the patterns discussed here can be incorporated into persuasive speeches,
depending on the intent of your message.
We will discuss these options in detail as the course progresses.
This video simply presents a general overview of organizational patterns useful for Informative
speeches.
A common way to arrange main points in a speech is by when events occurred in time.
Time patterns can move from the past to the present or from the present to the past.
When using a time pattern, it’s important to explain events chronologically, in the
order in which they occurred.
For example, the arrangement of main points for a speech on the history of cell phones
might sound like this, “The first analogue hand held phone was introduced in 1979.
2G, digital cellular phones were introduced in 1991.
3G, digital broadband cellular phones were introduced in 2001.
4G, native internet protocol cellular phones were introduced in 2009.”
The arrangement of main points for a speech on Fashion trends in the 20th Century might
be arranged like this, “fashion styles from the 1940s, fashion styles from the 1960s,
and, fashion styles from the 1980s.
Another common organizational pattern used to arrange main points in an informative speech
is by topic.
One way to organize main points according to topic is to use well known categories for
arrangement.
For instance, the arrangement of main points for a speech describing the four seasons of
a year might look like this, summer, fall, winter, spring.
Or, the arrangement of main points for a speech on US generations might be arranged like this,
Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Z, Millennials.
Speakers do not necessarily need to use well-known categories and often create their own.
However, when creating original categories, try to keep wording parallel and similar.
For instance, the main points for a speech on gardening might be arranged like this,
preparing the soil, selecting and spacing plants, tending plants to ensure viability.
Or, the main points for a speech on blood might be arranged like this, four major blood
groups (A, B, AB, O), the Rh factor, Compatible blood types for donation
Another common category for arranging main points in an informative speech is space.
Spatial patterns organize information according to how things or objects are situated in a
given area.
For instance, listing items arranged on the bottom, in the middle, then on the top or
describing towns as passed on a trip from the South to North.
For example, the main points for a speech about recycling at the college might list
how recycling bins should be arranged.
The first bin is for paper.
The second bin is for glass.
The third bin is for plastic.
The main points for a speech about building a bird house might be arranged according to
steps in the building process.
First build a strong foundation.
Next, add walls, one with a doorway.
And, finally, place a roof on top.
The forth way of arranging main points in an Informative Speech can also be used for
a Persuasive Speech.
The cause and effect pattern first states something that has occurred (or will occur)
then states what results from it happening.
For example, the arrangement of main points for a speech about proper eating habits might
sound like this, “For good nutrition eat healthy foods with a proper balance of protein,
fruits and vegetables, and grains.
Good nutrition will lead to feeling better, more restful nights, and a smaller waistline.”
The arrangement of main points for a speech on saving for retirement might sound like
this, “When should a person start saving for retirement?
How much should a person save each month for retirement?
And, how will saving now effect a person’s financial health in retirement?”
Once the Body is constructed, it is time to work on the Conclusion to the speech.
A Conclusion for a speech should contain three elements: a restatement of the topic statement,
a review of main points covered, and a memorable statement at the end.
A main purpose of a Conclusion is to bring a speech psychologically to a close.
The conclusion helps tie the speech together at the end.
Start a conclusion by restating the topic statement offered in the Introduction.
You can use the same wording or paraphrase the statement.
If you paraphrase, use wording similar to what was used in the Introduction.
Next, list the main points as they were covered in the speech.
As in the Introduction, keep the review brief.
You can use the same wording or paraphrase a bit.
If you paraphrase, again, use wording similar to what was used in the Introduction.
Finally, end the speech with a memorable statement.
Try to align the clincher with what was stated in the attention gaining device.
Like the Introduction to a speech, the Conclusion is generally short, only comprising about
5%-10% of the speech’s total time.
For a 10-minute speech, a conclusion should be approximately 30 seconds to one minute.
This video offered a general overview for organizing an Informative Speech.
Many of the organizational structures described in this video can be used for Persuasive Speeches
as well.
We will continue to discuss organizational structures for speeches as the course continues.