Informational v. Persuasive Speaking

What’s the Difference? Informational PersuasiveHumorous

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 how the problem affects your audience

Persuasive Speech Structure Next, describe the solution –Show how 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…