5. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION Different Types of Speeches
according to Purpose
The four basic types of
speech according to purpose are: to inform,
to instruct, to entertain, and to persuade.
These are not mutually exclusive of one
another. You may have several purposes in
mind when giving your presentation.
However, the principle purpose of a
speech will generally fall into one of four
basic types:
9. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 2. DEMONSTRATIVE
This has many similarities with
an informative speech. A
demonstrative speech also
teaches you something. The main
difference lies in including a
demonstration of how to do the
thing you’re teaching.
11. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 3. PERSUASIVE
A persuasive speech works to
convince people to change in
some way: they think, the
way they do something, or to
start doing something that
they are not currently doing.
14. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 4. ENTERTAINING
The after-dinner speech is a
typical example of an
entertaining speech. The
speaker provides pleasure and
enjoyment that make the
audience laugh or identify with
anecdotal information.
19. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION Different Types of Speeches
according to Delivery
The easiest approach to speech
delivery is not always the best.
Substantial work goes into the careful
preparation of an interesting and
ethical message, so it is understandable
that students may have the impulse to
avoid “messing it up” by simply
reading it word for word.
20. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 1. IMPROMPTU
SPEAKING
It is the presentation of a
short message without advance
preparation. Impromptu
speeches often occur when
someone is asked to “say a few
words” or give a toast on a
special occasion.
22. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 1. IMPROMPTU
SPEAKING
The disadvantage is that the
speaker is given little or no time
to contemplate the central theme
of his or her message.
As a result, the message may
be disorganized and difficult for
listeners to follow.
25. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 2. EXTEMPORANEOUS
SPEAKING
By using notes rather than a
full manuscript, the
extemporaneous speaker can
establish and maintain eye contact
with the audience and assess how
well they are understanding the
speech as it progresses.
28. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 2. EXTEMPORANEOUS
SPEAKING
The disadvantage of
extemporaneous speaking is that it
requires a great deal of preparation
for both the verbal and the
nonverbal components of the
speech. Adequate preparation
cannot be achieved the day before
you’re scheduled to speak.
29. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 3. SPEAKING FROM A
MANUSCRIPT
Manuscript speaking is the
word-for-word iteration of a
written message. In a
manuscript speech, the speaker
maintains his or her attention
on the printed page except when
using visual aids.
30. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 3. SPEAKING FROM A
MANUSCRIPT
The advantage to reading
from a manuscript is the exact
repetition of original words. As
we mentioned at the beginning
of this chapter, in some
circumstances this can be
extremely important.
31. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 4. SPEAKING FROM
MEMORY
Memorized speaking is
the rote recitation of a
written message that the
speaker has committed to
memory.
32. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 4. SPEAKING FROM
MEMORY
When it comes to
speeches, memorization can
be useful when the message
needs to be exact and the
speaker doesn’t want to be
confined by notes.
33. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION 4. SPEAKING FROM
MEMORY
The advantage to
memorization is that it
enables the speaker to
maintain eye contact with
the audience throughout
the speech.
37. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
CEREMONIAL
SPEAKING
A. Speeches of Introduction
The first type of speech is
called the speech of introduction,
which is a mini speech given by
the host of a ceremony that
introduces another speaker and
his or her speech.
38. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
CEREMONIAL
SPEAKING
Just like any other speech,
a speech of introduction should
be a complete speech and have
a clear introduction, body, and
conclusion—and you should do
it all in under two minutes.
A. Speeches of Introduction
40. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
CEREMONIAL
SPEAKING
A. Speeches of Introduction
The body of your
introductory speech should be
devoted to telling the audience
about the speaker’s topic, why the
speaker is qualified, and why the
audience should listen.
46. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
CEREMONIAL
SPEAKING
B. Speeches of Presentation
Did the person win a race?
Did the person write an important
piece of literature? Did the person
mediate conflict? Whatever the
recipient has done, you need to
clearly highlight his or her work.
47. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
CEREMONIAL
SPEAKING
B. Speeches of Presentation
Lastly, if the race or
competition was conducted in a
public forum and numerous
people didn’t win, you may
want to recognize those people
for their efforts as well.
48. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
CEREMONIAL
SPEAKING
C. Speeches of Dedication
A speech of dedication is
delivered when a new store
opens, a building is named after
someone, a plaque is placed on a
wall, a new library is completed,
and so on.
63. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
INSPIRATIONAL
SPEAKING
A. Speeches to Ensure Goodwill
Although speeches of goodwill
are clearly persuasive, they try not to
be obvious about the persuasive
intent and are often delivered as
information-giving speeches that
focus on an individual or
organization’s positives attributes.
67. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
INSPIRATIONAL
SPEAKING
A. 2. Speeches for Justification
The second common
speech of goodwill is the
speech of justification, which is
given when someone attempts
to defend why certain actions
were taken or will be taken.
68. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
INSPIRATIONAL
SPEAKING
A. 2. Speeches for Justification
In these speeches, speakers
have already enacted (or
decided to enact) some kind of
behavior, and are now
attempting to justify why the
behavior is or was appropriate.
69. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
INSPIRATIONAL
SPEAKING
A. 3. Speeches of Apology
These speeches have become
more and more commonplace.
Every time we turn around, a
politician, professional athlete,
musician, or actor/actress is doing
something reprehensible and getting
caught.
71. PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
INSPIRATIONAL
SPEAKING
B. Speeches for Commencements
The second type of
inspirational speech is the speech
of commencement, which is
designed to recognize and celebrate
the achievements of a graduating
class or other group of people.