Informational v Persuasive Speaking Whats the Difference Informational

Informational v. Persuasive Speaking

What’s the Difference? Informational Persuasive Humorous

Speaking to Inform • Can be about – Objects – Processes – Events – Concepts

Speaking to Inform: Judging Criteria • Is the information communicated accurately? • Is the information communicated clearly? • Is the information made meaningful and interesting to the audience?

Speaking to Persuade The most complex and challenging kind of public speaking

Persuasive Speaking • Is designed to: – change or reinforce the audience’s – beliefs or actions

Persuasive Speaking • Tailor your message to the values, attitudes and beliefs of your audience • Engage in a one-sided “mental dialogue” with your audience • High credibility is important – it portrays competence and character

Persuasive Speaking • Topics can include: – Questions of fact • Did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone? • Was there really a race to the moon between the Americans and the Russians? • Do mercury teeth fillings cause brain damage? • Did the Vietnam war stop Communism?

Persuasive Speaking • Topics can include: – Questions of value • George W. Bush is the worst president since, well, George Bush. • Torture should be allowed if it will save American lives • Should we clone humans? • Should colleges and universities reinstitute “in loco parentis? ”

Persuasive Speaking Topics can include: Questions of policy • Should gays be allowed to marry? • Should we change the Patriot Act? • Should we cull the VT deer herd by extending the hunting season? • Should we allow doctors to aid suicide in terminally ill patients?

Topic Approval • Persuasive Speaking about: – Fact – Value – Policy • Topic and Objective: TA approval a week before scheduled persuasive presentation • Why? • (persuasive informational)

Persuasive Speech Structure • Describe the problem – Discuss the nature of the problem – Show the problem affects your audience

Persuasive Speech Structure • Next, describe the solution – Show your plan will work – Discuss the advantages of your plan. Hint: use mental dialogue

Persuasive Speech Structure • Finally, describe the desired audience action – Explain exactly what the audience should do – Describe the benefits of the response you are seeking

Persuasive Speech Structure • In Summary… – Describe the problem – Describe the solution – Describe the desired audience action

Persuasive Speaking • Judging Criteria – Is the speaker credible? – Is the evidence convincing? – Is the reasoning sound? – Does the speaker appeal to the audience’s emotions? – Is it clear what the audience was supposed to do

Persuasive Speaking • Let’s critique an example…