Page 302 - Essentials of Human Communication

Three Types of Informative Speeches 281

The speaker would then amplify and support this fear of disapproval, giving examples of
disapproval seen in his or her own experience, the testimony of communication theorists on
the importance of such fear, research findings on the effects that such fear might have on in-
tercultural communication, and so on.

speeChes Of defInItIOn

What is leadership? What is a born-again Christian? What is the difference between sociol-
ogy and psychology? What is a cultural anthropologist? What is safe sex? These are all topics Watch the Video “Sweat”
at MyCommunicationLab
for informative speeches of definition.
In giving a speech of definition, you may focus on defining a term, defining a system or
theory, or pinpointing the similarities and/or differences among terms or systems. For exam-
ple, a speech in which you define a term might cover an endless range of topics: What is a
smart card? What is machismo? What is political correctness?
A speech may also define a system or theory: What are the major beliefs in Confucianism?
What is expressionism? What is the “play theory” of mass communication?
Some speech topics may involve your defining similar and dissimilar terms or systems:
Football and soccer—what’s the difference? What do Christians and Muslims have in common?
How does Facebook differ from Twitter?

thesis and Main points The thesis in a speech of definition is a statement identifying a
term or system and stating your intention to define it or to contrast it with other terms:
Christianity and Islam have much in common
Text and online dictionaries are similar and different.
You derive the main points from asking questions of your thesis: What do Christianity
and Islam have in common? How are text and online dictionaries similar and different?

support Once you have each of the main points for your speech of definition, support
them with examples, testimony, and the like. For example, one of your main points in the
Christianity-Islam example might be that both religions believe in the value of good works.
You might then quote from the New Testament and from the Quran to illustrate this belief,
you might give examples of noted Christians and Muslims who exemplify this characteristic,
or you might cite the testimony of religious leaders who have talked about the importance of
good works.
Because this is a speech of definition, you’ll want to give special attention to all your
definitions, as discussed earlier.

Organization For a speech of definition, an obvious organizational pattern is the pattern
of multiple definitions (see Chapter 11). Alternatively, you might consider using a topical
order, in which each main idea is treated equally. In either case, however, proceed from the
known to the unknown. Start with what your audience knows and work up to what is new or
unfamiliar.
Here is an example of how you might go about constructing a speech of
definition. In this particular example, the speaker selects three major types of Communication
lying for discussion and arranges these in a topical pattern. Choice Point
speech of definition
General purpose: To inform
You want to give a speech
Specific purpose: To define lying by explaining the major types of lying defining the basic tenets of your religion.
Thesis: There are three major kinds of lying. (What are the three major Most members of your audience, you sus-
kinds of lying?) pect, have a negative view of your religion;
a few may hold neutral or slightly positive
I. Concealment is the process of hiding the truth. views. You want to acknowledge your
II. Falsification is the process of presenting false information as if it were true. understanding of these attitudes. What are
some things you can say to help you get this
III. Misdirection is the process of acknowledging a feeling but misidentifying its point across? What would you say?
cause.