Expository Persuasive Entertainment
Expository Persuasive Entertainment
Expository Persuasive Entertainment
Public communication involves a single speaker and an audience. The speaker is tasked to deliver a message or a speech of
general interest to the audience.
Speeches can be classified according to purpose and delivery. According to purpose, speeches can be informative, persuasive,
or entertaining.
Expository or Informative Speech
As a student, you engage in various speech activities in school. In class you give an oral report, explain a concept, tell a news story, and
describe or demonstrate a process, among others. In each of these activities, your purpose is to inform the audience.
An expository or informative speech aims to provide the audience with information about a topic or to expand their knowledge about a
topic with which they are already familiar. Some situations that call for an informative speech are the following:
• A science teacher discussing how a typhoon forms with her students
• A pharmaceutical sales representative describing the uses and side effects of a drug
• A production manager instructing factory workers on how to operate a machine
• A fitness trainer demonstrating different exercises to reduce belly fat
• A news anchor reading a news story about a fire incident
Not only does an informative speech provide the audience with knowledge, but it also shapes its perception. With the new
information, the audience may view something (e.g., concept, belief, experience) differently. Additionally, it allows the audience to
understand a situation, issue, or problem and helps them to think critically and make sound judgments and decisions.
Example:
Below is an excerpt from an informative speech by Sarah Putnam entitled “The Titanic.”
From the disaster to the movie, the sinking of the Titanic remains one of the most famous tragedies in history. The Titanic was thought
to be the largest, safest, most luxurious ship ever built. At the time of her launch, she was the biggest existing ship and the largest
moveable object ever built. According to Geoff Tibbals, in his 1997 book The Titanic: The extraordinary story of the “unsinkable” ship, the
Titanic was 882 feet long and weighed about 46 000 tons. This was 100 feet longer and 15 000 tons heavier than the world’s current
largest ships. Thresh stated in Titanic: The truth behind the disaster, published in 1992 that the Titanic accommodated around 2345
passengers and 860 crew-members.
Source: https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/academicaffairs/cbtc/documents/sampleoutlines.pdf (accessed on 16 May 2016)
ACTIVITY #4.1. Give an explanation why the passage above is an example of EXPOSITORY SPEECH.
ACTIVITY #4.2. Answer the following statements correctly. Write your answer on the space provided.
1. Speeches are classified into two main categories: according to purpose and according to _____________________.
2. This type of informative speech tells the audience how to do something or how something is done.
3. The following should be done by a good informative speaker EXCEPT
A. Create a complete picture to avoid bias. C. Connect with the audience by engaging them.
B. Use accurate and complete information. D. Leave out some critical information.
4. Which of the following speech situations calls for a description speech?
A. a computer programmer giving a lecture about computer jargon
B. a tour guide telling a group of tourists about Fort Santiago
C. a chef showing an audience how to make a tiramisu cake
D. an office staff member explaining to applicants how to fill out a form
5. Identify the best type of speech to give using the information about the sun.
The sun, a hot ball of glowing gases, is the center of the solar system. It is
approximately 4.6 billions years old and about 149 million kilometers from Earth.
Persuasive Speech
A persuasive speech aims to influence the audience to accept the speaker’s position or stand on an issue. The speaker attempts to
convince the audience members to adopt his or her way of thinking or change the way they think about things. Also, a persuasive speech
is designed to urge the audience to take a particular action. A speaker seeks to persuade the audience to start doing the action now.
Sales pitches, political campaign talks, business presentations, and debates are forms of persuasive speech.
Modes of Persuasion
Persuasion is best achieved using rhetorical appeals. In his book Rhetoric, the Greek philosopher Aristotle classified three rhetorical
appeals or modes of persuasion. According to him, a persuasive speech must have the following elements to persuade an audience:
1. Ethos - This is an appeal to the speaker’s credibility or authority as perceived by the audience. Before a speaker can convince an
audience to accept his or her views, he or she must appear credible. He or she should sound reliable, competent, and trustworthy. To
build credibility, the persuasive speaker needs to gain the respect of the audience and must be able to let the audience see that he or
she is of good character, generally trustworthy, and an authority to speak on the topic.
2. Pathos - This is an appeal to the audience’s emotion. The goal is to provoke an emotional response from the audience or to let the
audience feel a particular emotion (e.g., love, fear, anger, pity, sympathy) in response to what the speaker said. Using words and visuals
that evoke feelings and telling a personal story are some ways to make an emotional appeal. An advertisement about a beauty product,
for instance, attempts to make the audience feel insecure or unattractive, so they will be influenced to buy the product.
3. Logos - This is an appeal to logic or reason. The speaker has to present a valid argument or claim, which is a statement that an
audience is urged to accept. To develop a logical argument, a speaker needs to provide proof or strong evidence (e.g., facts, case
studies, statistics) in support of that argument. To be successful, the speaker has to show the audience why his or her argument is
rationally sound. He or she can use analogy or inductive or deductive reasoning, draw cause-and-effect relationships, and make
inferences.
Using all three rhetorical appeals, a speaker has the best chance to persuade an audience to accept his or her position and to call them
to action.
Example:
Does your home make you happy?
A house is not a home. A home is where you want to be more than any place in the world. At Carson Construction, we build
homes.
With over a decade of experience in satisfying customers, we at Carson Construction can turn your dream home into a reality.
Our staff of top architects, experienced project managers, and master builders have a reputation of providing our clients with only the
best. Our people bring their technical knowledge, innovativeness, and dedication to the delivery of our best construction services. For
the past 10 years, we have built over 1000 homes all over the country, and we currently have more than 50 clients under contract.
Whether redesigning your home to suit your family’s needs or building the home of your dreams, Carson Construction will
carefully craft every detail of your home using only quality materials.
We strive to be a truthful adviser and a responsible contractor, and we would love to turn your house into a home. We can help
your vision of a home come to life!
Explanation:
The given example is an advertisement of a construction company that seeks to convince the audience to avail of their construction
services. It begins with a thought-provoking question that gets the audience thinking about their own homes. It appeals to the audience’s
emotion (i.e., whether they are happy or not with their homes). The succeeding paragraphs contain information that builds the credibility
of the company and present reasons as to why the company can deliver the best construction services.
Guidelines in Delivering a Persuasive Speech
A successful persuasive speech requires much preparation. To be an effective persuasive speaker, keep the following guidelines in mind:
1. Determine your goal. The first step in preparing for a persuasive speech is to know exactly what you want to achieve. Is your goal to
change the audience’s particular way of thinking? What do you want them to do or think about?
2. Know your audience. Know who your listeners are. Consider what topic will interest your audience and what the audience will gain
from your speech. Also, determine their needs, level of knowledge, and attitudes. You can ask yourself the following: Are they neutral, or
are they seeking change? Will they most likely oppose or support you?
3. Organize the information. Like any speech, a persuasive speech has three essential parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. Each
part needs to have a clear topic sentence supported by details. Use an organizational pattern (e.g., problem-solution, cause-effect) that
best suits your topic and purpose.
4. Provide strong evidence. Determine the points you want to make and provide strong and sufficient evidence to support each point.
Use reputable and reliable sources of information.
5. Practice your speech. Stand in front of a mirror or record yourself, and then identify areas that need improvement. Also, you can have
a friend or a family member listen to you and ask him or her for feedback. When delivering the speech, take note of the following:
• Make eye contact with the audience.
• Speak clearly and confidently.
• Use appropriate body language (e.g., standing straight), gestures (e.g., an open palm when making a point), and facial
expressions (e.g., showing a relaxed smile).
• Project your voice effectively.
ENTERTAINMENT SPEECH
Entertainment Speech
Entertainment is any activity that holds a person’s attention and interest or that provides amusement or enjoyment to occupy spare time.
There are different forms of entertainment. You can entertain yourself by reading a book, watching TV, listening to music, playing a
musical instrument, solving a puzzle, drawing an artwork, going to the movies, chatting online with your friends, and surfing the Internet,
among others. Often, amusement comes from storytelling or watching others give a performance (e.g., dance, music, drama).
You have probably listened to people give an entertaining talk at various social occasions. These include casual dinners, parties,
graduations, and weddings. An entertainment speech aims to amuse audience members and put them in a jovial mood. Although it can
also inform or persuade, its primary focus is to entertain an audience or create a pleasant or interesting diversion.
There are various ways to make a speech entertaining. Here are some of these ways:
• Tell a funny or a scary story.
• Use a humorous story or an anecdote.
• Relate a personal experience.
• Incorporate drama by using narration and dialogue.
• Use sarcasm, exaggeration, or pun (play on words which suggests two or more meanings, such as “A bicycle can't stand on its own
because it is two-tired”).
It is important to note, however, that an entertainment speech does not need to be funny all the time and all throughout. It should be
interesting enough to hold the attention of the audience members, and it should create an enjoyable experience for them.
Remember, to deliver an entertainment speech successfully, create a delightful experience for the audience. Also, it is important
to be yourself, have a good time, and enjoy the experience as well.
Example:
For an example of an entertainment speech, go to this link (accessed on 20 May 2016). The speech was delivered by Jim Carrey during
a graduation at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa on 24 May 2014.
Explanation:
The commencement speech was delivered in an inspiring, funny, and enlightening way. It captured and sustained the interest of the
audience. The speaker opened his speech by using irony. He said that the painting he brought was not one of his "bigger" pieces when
in fact, the painting he brought was huge. The introduction was funny, making the audience laugh and feel relaxed. He continued by
using informal language in welcoming the guests. He then talked about planting a seed (figuratively) and made a joke about it by referring
to Monsanto, an agricultural company that sued farmers for alleged seed patent infringement. Also, the speaker used sarcasm when he
said, “Excuse me if I seem a little low energy tonight – today – whatever this is,” for it is apparent that he was energetic. The speaker
then went on by sharing serious, profound thoughts, incorporating humor to create an amiable atmosphere.
Overall, the speaker gave an entertaining speech with a truly uplifting and fitting message:
You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world and after you walk through those doors today, you will only ever have two
choices: love or fear. Choose love, and don’t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart.