Planning Different Types of Speeches

What’s your type? All depends on the purpose and the audience, right? Check this out.

Speeches, and speech planning, can come in a variety of forms. Let’s take a quick look at a few different types of speeches. And remember, while some of the elements of these speech types may be the same or similar, there may also be characteristics unique to each one, both in the planning and the presentation style. Plan your speech accordingly and everybody will be happy!

Speaking to Inform:

When presenting a Speaking to Inform speech you are providing basic information on a subject, giving an overview, offering a non-technical perspective for the uninitiated, perhaps a briefing of some sort. It doesn’t have to be deep. It doesn’t have to be comprehensive. It’s just a primer to give your listeners an idea of what the subject is all about. This can apply to any topic.

Just one note: If it is a technical topic, but you are speaking to inform, do try to keep the language and references basic and user friendly so your audience can follow along comfortably.

Speaking to Educate

If you need to take your topic deeper, then Speaking to Educate will be a good style to select. Here, you may be presenting information to give your audience a more thorough understanding of the topic, or specialized knowledge that your audience can apply towards a specific practical purpose. Not just what it is, but how to do it, like a ‘How-To’ guide; or how to approach it, as with a particular social issue or concern.

The language can lean more towards the technical side, bet remember, some members of your audience may not have the same level of insight that you have. Keep the references somewhat basic, and if you use jargon specific to the field, don’t assume the audience knows – explain yourself well to make sure it is clear to your listeners.

Speaking to Inspire

Here is an opportunity for you to present an uplifting, encouraging message that motivates your audience to adopt a new perspective on a topic or issue, or support a noble and worthy cause, or take action to make positive and beneficial changes to some aspect of their lives.

When crafted thoughtfully, purposefully, and with clear focus, the Speaking to Inspire speech can be especially influential. This is a speech with purpose, and that purpose should be casually emphasized throughout the presentation, and then confidently presented as a call to action in your closing statements.

The Speaking to Inspire speech should open with a clear, direct statement defining exactly what the purpose, benefit, or reward will be for adopting this new perspective, worthy cause, or beneficial life change. The body of the speech should include several key points that outline what actions or steps a person can take to reach the goal or target, and a clearly focused call to action at the end of the speech, challenging the listener to take the next step.

Speaking to Entertain

When Speaking to Entertain, the presenter gets to have some fun and show their playful side. The audience is expecting to be amused, perhaps hoping to get thoroughly lost in laughter. Everybody has an enjoyable time!

You can tell stories, share amusing anecdotes from your life experience, reveal some of the humorous incidents that helped shape the person you have become. Play around with your stories, making your speech playful and fun.

You can also include elements of other speech styles. Using suitable humour to tell your life’s story, you can speak to inform, or to educate, or to inspire. Your story doesn’t have to be one joke or humorous quip after the other. An entertaining speech can include a blend of serious or dramatic moments along with the humour.

There you have a quick overview of a few different types of speeches. It is beneficial to know which type is best for a particular presentation you are preparing for. It helps you focus on the important elements to include. A successful presentation relies on purposeful speech planning, from start to finish.