Instruction 8-2

Narrative Presentations | Informative Presentations | Oral Responses to Literature | Persuasive Presentations

Many of the suggestions we made about how to deliver a Narrative Presentation also apply to Informative Presentations. But the two kinds of presentations are very different. In a Narrative Presentation, you tell a story. In an Informative Presentation, you provide the audience with interesting, useful and unique information. This is the kind of presentation you would find at an international scientific conference, for instance.

In an Informative Presentation, you must always write your presentation yourself. This can be hard, but it gives you the chance to practice your researching, writing and organizational skills as well as your speaking skills. These skills will give you the opportunity to practice the type of public speaking you may find useful in the future.

In Lesson 4, you learned how to write an Expository Essay. An Informative Presentation is much the same thing -- only you have to stand up in front of an audience and give it out loud.

There are four types of Informative Presentations:

Speeches about Objects -- this kind of speech deals with things that exist in the world like people, places, animals or products.

Speeches about Processes -- this kind of speech focuses on patterns of action. You may want to tell your audience how to perform some action like building a tree house or cooking a Mexican dinner. Or you may want to explain how some process works.

Speeches about Events -- this kind of speech tells about things that have happened, are happening, or will happen.

Speeches about Concepts -- this kind of speech focuses on beliefs, ideas or theories. It is, therefore, more abstract than other kinds of Informative Presentations. Just remember that your purpose is to explain, not persuade. So try to be as unbiased and objective as possible.

No matter which type of speech you give, don't try to tell everything about your topic. There won't be time. Concentrate on some aspect of it that you can cover in a few minutes. (Most oral presentations in school last from 3 to 6 minutes.)

Types of Presentations for Small Business Presentations

Writing and Delivering Your Presentation

Sometimes your teacher will assign your topic. However if you are allowed to pick your own, be sure to pick something you think will interest your audience.

Once you have your topic, do research. Ask the basic questions -- Who? What? When? Where? Why? Look up your topic in the encyclopedia or library. Make notes -- then make an outline (as suggested in Lesson 4). This is how an Informative Presentation is usually structured:

Introduction -- here is where you set the tone for the entire speech. Be brief and to the point, but do the following things:

1. Get the audience's attention.
2. Present your thesis statement (what your speech is about). If you need help in developing a thesis statement, refer to Instruction 4-2 .
3. Establish your credentials (so people know you know what you're talking about).

Body -- this is the main part of your speech, where you give most of your information. Organize it clearly. Develop the main ideas and supporting sub-ideas of your presentation. Make sure the information you give supports your thesis statement. Refer to your outside research when appropriate. Use visual aids (if allowed) to illustrate important ideas.

Conclusion -- you're almost done, but be sure to re-assert your thesis statement and review the main points of your presentation. You might begin your conclusion with words like this, "Our purpose today has been to….." Then end your speech with something brief but effective.

After the conclusion, be prepared to answer questions from the audience. If you don't know the answer to a question, don't fake it. Just say "I don't know, but I'll try to find out for you." If there are no questions, it doesn't mean that everybody understood everything. As we said in the Instruction on Narratives, the audience may just be in a hurry to go somewhere -- like lunch or recess.

Even if a presentation wasn't perfect, you can always learn from it. Ask yourself if you achieved your objective -- to inform the audience about something they might be interested in. Then figure out what went well and what didn't. That will tell you what to work on for next time.

For more information about how to write and deliver an Informative Presentation, click on any of these

Presentation writing : 7 things to remember

Links for Students, Parents and Teachers

Now let's do Practice Exercise 8-2 (top).

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