Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES

The Informative Speech

Describe, explain, or instruct a topic to an audience
The informative speech organizes content so an audience understands and retains the facts
presented by the speaker.

Each student will research, outline, practice and present a 3-5 minute informative speech. The
speech should entail a report of information concerning a relevant topic. Prior to the speech,
each student will hand in a full-sentence outline with a bibliography and use a visual aid.

The sample outline references definitions from Essential Communication (third edition) by Adler,
Rodman and du Pre.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Informative Speech Directions 2

Course Objectives 2

Informative Speech Outline Organizational Patterns 3

Sample Informative Speech Outline 4-9

General Purpose, Specific Purpose, Thesis 5

Introduction 5

Body 5-8

Conclusion 8

Visual Aid 8

Bibliography (Works Cited) 9

Audience Analysis 9

Outline Evaluation Form 10

Presentation Evaluation Form 11

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 Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES
I. HOW TO BEGIN AND SUBMIT YOUR SPEECH
✓ Make sure to submit a draft for feedback from the professor.
✓ When due, submit a PDF outline to Blackboard.
✓ If you don’t submit a final outline the day before we start speeches, you cannot present your
speech. No late outlines will be accepted.
✓ Please be ready to present on your presentation day.
✓ If you don’t submit a final outline and present your speech, you cannot pass this
class.
II. YOUR OUTLINE
✓ The page set-up and full-sentence outline must include:
o Cover page with the following information: your name; instructor’s name; COMM108:
Introduction to Human Communication; date
o Follow the template outline on Blackboard.
o Speech set-up: introduction; body with main points (2-4 main points); and conclusion
o Oral source citations: cite at least three authoritative sources from at least two different
genres (i.e. academic journals, periodicals, books, web pages, etc.) on the outline.
o Visual Aid: you must state what the visual aid is on the outline
o Bibliography/reference page: cite oral source citations in APA format
✓ The speech must just inform. Do not persuade.
✓ Play close attention to structure and organization; choose from the following organizational
patterns: topical, chronological, and spatial.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will differentiate between, deliver effective informative and persuasive presentations,
and:
✓ Locate, incorporate, and document key reference materials and modern information resources
✓ Construct a preparation outline exemplifying the organizational structural
✓ Techniques of an effective speech
✓ Demonstrate ability to analyze audiences
✓ Identify and use appropriate presentation technologies and software, modern visual aids and
graphical information in presentations
✓ Present the speech in an extemporaneous* mode
✓ Manage stage fright
✓ Construct and analyze persuasive messages using logic, reason
*Extemporaneous speaking: speech research, preparation, and presentation with minimal notes.

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 Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES

Informative Speech Organizational Patterns

Organizational patterns are designed to strategically order the main points of a presentation to
suit the audience, purpose, and topic of a speech.

Informative presentations follow organizational patterns that help audiences retain information.

A. Topical Order– The main points divide the topic into logical and consistent subtopics.
Example 1: Riverwalk Park in Bakersfield, California
I. Background information
II. Layout of the park
III. Popular annual events

Example 2: Wild, Edible Foods for the Beginning Forager

I. Common mallow
II. Mulberries
III. Sumac

B. Chronological (Time) Order– The main points follow a time pattern, either in the sequence
of events, or in explaining a process from beginning to end. The result is a finished product.
Example 1: How to Make Bolivian Chicken and Rice
I. Prepare the chicken
II. Make the rice
III. Combine the chicken and rice

Example 2: How to Choose a Speech Topic

I. Study your audience.
II. Choose a topic that you’re familiar with.
III. Narrow down the speech topic.

C. Spatial Order– The order of the main points shows a directional, geographic, or structural
pattern.
Example 1: Human Skin Anatomy
I. The skin’s top layer is the epidermis.
II. The next layer is the dermis.
III. The bottom layer is the subcutaneous fat layer.

Example 2: First Sections of a Hard News Article

I. Subject-Verb-Object Headline
II. Byline
©2023 COMM 108 Common Course http://montgomerycollege.edu/communication-studies 3
 Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES
III. Lead

SAMPLE
INFORMATIVE SPEECH OUTLINE USING CHRONOLOGICAL
ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN

How to Manage Your Time as an Incoming Community College Student Commented [SEM1]: This sample outline uses APA
citations.

Student Raptor
Communication Studies, Montgomery College
COMM108: Foundations of Human Communication
Dr. Chaaban
April 26, 2022

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 Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES
How to Manage Your Time as an Incoming Community College Student

General Purpose: To Inform Commented [SEM2]: The general purpose defines the type
of speech, as well as how the speaker seeks to affect the
audience (to inform, persuade, or entertain). [See pg. 186]
Specific Purpose: To inform community college students about good time management
Commented [SEM3]: The specific purpose is what you
want the audience to take away from your speech. [See pg.
practices while navigating school-life balance. 186]

Thesis: Good time management practices, such as planning ahead, establishing routines, and Commented [SEM4]: The thesis tells the audience the
central idea of your speech. It also references the main
points, and organizational pattern. [See pg. 186]
keeping a to-do list have proven to be effective tools for juggling the many responsibilities that

community college students face.

Introduction

I. Attention Getter: As a student, have you ever struggled with time management as you Commented [SEM5]: The attention getter captures the
audience’s attention. Here, we asked the audience a question,
encouraging audience participation. [See pgs. 190-91]
face school and life obligations? If you answered “yes,” I’m here to explain to you how

to manage your time as a community college student.

II. Speaker Credibility and Audience Relevance: As a community college student myself, Commented [SEM6]: Here we reference speaker
credibility, or ethos, as well as audience relevance. Audience
relevance references audience values, beliefs, and attitudes,
I not only understand the importance of managing my time when taking courses, but have as well as demographics. [See pg. 222, pg. 183-84, and
Audience Analysis]
experience strategizing my time for fun and school.

III. Thesis: Good time management practices, such as planning ahead, establishing routines,

and keeping a to-do list have proven to be effective tools for juggling the many

responsibilities that community college students face.

IV. Preview of the Main Points: In this speech, I will first address how to plan ahead,

second, how to establish routines, and finally, how to keep a to-do list.

V. Transition to First Point: First, my speech will address the best ways to plan ahead.

Body Commented [SEM7]: The speech body’s main points are

I. Planning ahead is the best practice in time management. organized chronologically, or in a step by step manner. [See
pg. 188-89 and Informative Speech Organizational Patterns]

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 Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES
a. In the March-April edition of the Journal for the Institute of Electrical and

Electronics Engineers, Ali states “planning ahead” helps one to clarify goals and

prioritizes the most important tasks (2022).

b. Simply put, planning ahead means being aware of upcoming deadlines and

events, and working with them in mind.

Transition: Next, let’s discuss how to build routines, so you can plan ahead. Commented [SEM8]: Transitions between each main point
preview the upcoming main point in the speech. [See pg.
192]
II. Routines are important for creating smooth transitions between tasks and activities,

allowing fewer opportunities for distractions to occur.

a. Routines mean you’ve laid out mundane or usual activities of your day, like when

you wake up, or eat dinner, or go to work.

b. According to Martin’s article in the College Student Journal, “College Student Commented [SEM9]: Here’s an academic journal, one of
the five cited supporting materials in this speech. The
minimum number of orally cited sources is three from at
Self Care: A Journey, Not a Destination,” a routine is simply a set of procedures least two genres, such as a book or academic journal. [See
pgs. 193-94 and Informative Speech Directions]
for handling both daily occurrences and tasks such as turning in assignments, and

sitting down to write (2021).

Transition: Once you’ve created a routine, and plan to complete certain tasks, you can break

them down into manageable chunks, and complete a to-do list.

III. Dividing tasks into small manageable chunks helps you avoid stress and

procrastination, and create a reasonable to-do list.

a. According to Zhang and Feng’s 2016 article in Scientific Reports about

procrastination and activity in the brain, the brain works best by focusing on small

tasks instead of tackling the larger job at hand.

i. Putting too much in front of you can make you feel overwhelmed.

ii. When you don’t divide tasks, you may procrastinate.

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 Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES
1. Procrastination can lead to a host of feelings, including stress and

anxiety.

2. VISUAL AID Here’s a scan from the 2016 Scientific Reports

article, showing the frontal portions of the brain experience

increased discomfort when overwhelmed, leading to the inability

to concentrate (Zhang and Feng).

b. Author Cal Newport’s book, How to be a Straight A Student, includes the Commented [SEM10]: Here’s a book citation, one of the
five cited supporting materials in this speech. The minimum
number of orally cited sources is three from at least two
following steps for how to complete a to-do list (2007): genres, such as a book or academic journal. [See pgs. 193-94
and Informative Speech Directions]
i. Make sure you have a calendar that lists upcoming major deadlines and

assignments - plan ahead.

ii. As we said earlier, establish routines, and look over your routine for the

day.

1. Look over and see where you have pockets of time for assignments

and upcoming exams.

2. Remember, each day is different, so make sure you do this daily.

iii. Estimate how long it’ll take to complete the most challenging tasks, and

make sure those are addressed with more time than other tasks.

1. For example, if you have an exam and major assignment due the

same week, decide which will require more preparation time.

2. Plan the day by giving priority —and chunking— time to the more

time-consuming, challenging tasks.

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 Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES
3. Newport says the formula for completing tasks is:

WORK ACCOMPLISHED = TIME SPENT X INTENSITY OF

FOCUS.

iv. Use an app like Focus Booster to track your time, and eliminate

distractions, like your phone, as you work towards a goal (Focus Booster,

2021).

v. Make sure your to-do list is updated daily as you work towards deadlines.

Conclusion Commented [SEM11]: The conclusion includes making a

I. Restate Thesis: Good time management practices, such as planning ahead, establishing memorable, final remark in the clincher. [See pg. 192]

routines, and keeping a to do list have been proven to be effective tools for juggling the

many responsibilities that community college students face.

II. Overview of Main Points: With effective time management, you have the ability to live

a fulfilling, productive college and personal life.

III. Clincher: Now you know how to face school and life obligations strategically, so you

can do well in school and enjoy the process, too.

Visual Aid Commented [SEM12]: A visual aid can be presented in

many ways, including as an object, diagram, or number
chart. This diagram is best presented on a slide deck. [See
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep33203/figures/1 pgs. 206-7]

This visual aid in a 2016 Scientific Reports article shows activity in the frontal (anterior
prefrontal cortex - aPFC) and associated regions of the brain. Procrastination elevates activity in
these regions, making it difficult to concentrate and complete tasks.

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 Department of ELAP, LINGUISTICS, and COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Works Cited Commented [SEM13]: You must orally cite your sources,
and included them in a Works Cited page in the outline.

Be the first to be notified of our launch. focus booster. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2022, from
https://www.focusboosterapp.com/

H. Ali, "Why time management is so important [The Way Ahead]," in IEEE Potentials, vol. 41,
no. 2, pp. 3-C3, March-April 2022, doi: 10.1109/MPOT.2021.3134725.

Martin, E. M. (2021). COLLEGE STUDENT SELF-CARE: A JOURNEY, NOT A

DESTINATION. College Student Journal, 55(2), 208+.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A668596350/EAIM?u=rock77357&sid=summon&xid=0c651469.

Newport, Cal. (2007). How to become a straight-A student: the unconventional strategies real
college students use to score high while studying less. New York: Broadway Books.

Zhang, W., Wang, X. & Feng, T. Identifying the Neural Substrates of Procrastination: a Resting-
State fMRI Study. Sci Rep 6, 33203 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep33203 .

Audience Analysis: Commented [SEM14]: The audience analysis examines key

audience demographics, such as age or income. [See
pgs.183-84 and the speech Introduction]
Find out who’s in the class based on surveys and questionnaires. You can send your classmates
an email and ask them questions about some of the following demographics:
• Cultural diversity
• Gender
• Age
• Group memberships (major, religion, associations)
• Political affiliation, etc.

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