Week 11 — Readings & Resources · Informative Speaking

Course: Public Speaking — Fundamentals of Oral Communication (COMM 1) · Silver Oak University (fictional sample) · Prof. Marchetti
Objective covered: Objective 7 — Compose and deliver an informative speech that conveys knowledge clearly and accurately, using credible cited evidence, appropriate organizational structure, and effective vocal and physical delivery.

How to use this page

Everything here is a link to an external resource — open it in your browser. Nothing needs to be downloaded, and there's nothing to buy.

This week's load: one primary reading + one model video, grouped by the lecture segments they support, with a second optional reading for students who want more depth. Total time: roughly 30–45 minutes if you do everything; far less if you pick one per group.

Order that matches the lecture: ① what informative speaking is and the types → ② clarity and retention strategies → ③ a model informative talk to study.

The habit that matters most this week: when you watch the model talk, watch it twice — once for content (what is the speaker teaching?) and once for delivery (how does the structure help you follow and remember?). Notice also what the speaker does not do: there is no argument, no call to action, no advocacy. Just organized, vivid, audience-centered knowledge.

① What Informative Speaking Is — the Types and the Strategies

Maps to Lecture Segments 2–5. The informative speech conveys knowledge without advocacy; it comes in four types (object/process/event/concept); clarity strategies (clear organization, defining terms, analogies, signposting, managing information load) and retention strategies (relevance, novelty, repetition, vivid support) help the audience understand and remember.

Reading — "Informative Speaking" (Stand up, Speak out, Ch. 16)
🔗 https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Public_Speaking/Stand_up_Speak_out_-_The_Practice_and_Ethics_of_Public_Speaking/16%3A_Informative_Speaking
Why it's assigned: the most direct treatment of this week's core concepts — informative speaking goals, the four types, and the strategies that make information land clearly. Read the goals section and the types section closely; the exercises section is optional. Read online, no account needed.
⏱ ~20 min

② A Model Informative Talk — No Advocacy, Pure Information

Maps to Lecture Segments 2, 5, and 7. A strong informative talk picks a focused topic, organizes it clearly, uses vivid support (here, stunning video footage), and leaves the audience knowing something they didn't before — with no argument, no call to action, and no advocacy.

Video — "Underwater astonishments" (David Gallo, TED2007)
🔗 https://www.ted.com/talks/david_gallo_underwater_astonishments
Why it earns the watch: David Gallo's five-minute talk is a textbook informative speech — a specific topic (bioluminescence and camouflage in deep-sea creatures), vivid organized evidence (the video footage itself is the support), and a clear through-line of here is what these animals can do. There is no argument, no position, no "and therefore you should ___." Watch it once for content (what is he teaching?) and once for delivery (how does he use the footage as support? how does he use his voice and pacing?). Then ask yourself: could I explain, in one sentence, exactly what this speech was about? If yes, the organizational clarity worked.
⏱ ~6 min

Optional deep-dive (free online)

• "Finding a Purpose and Selecting a Topic" (Stand up, Speak out, Ch. 6). If you're struggling to narrow your informative speech topic to a single specific purpose and thesis, this chapter is the most direct help. It covers the general-purpose / specific-purpose / central-idea progression we use every week, with informative examples.
  🔗 https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Public_Speaking/Stand_up_Speak_out_-_The_Practice_and_Ethics_of_Public_Speaking/06%3A_Finding_a_Purpose_and_Selecting_a_Topic

Pick-one quick path (≈26 min total)

In a hurry? Do exactly these two and you'll be ready for the quiz and the assignment:
1. Read Ch. 16 Informative Speaking (group ①) — especially the goals and types sections.
2. Watch "Underwater astonishments" (group ②) and write one sentence on what the speaker was teaching and one sentence on whether it was informative or persuasive.

Heads-up (links rot): these point to outside sites that occasionally move or rename pages. If a link ever fails, tell Prof. Marchetti and use the Stand up, Speak out table of contents or a TED search in the meantime.