Public Speaking – Touchstone 3: Informative Speech

informative speech on a topic of your choice. The speech can be for any 

context, but it must be informative. Below is a list of example 

informative speech topics for your reference.

  Type of Informative Speech   Purpose   Examples     Object   To inform an audience about something visible or tangible   

• The human body 
• An episode of The Family Guy 
• A car engine 
• Equipment for riding a horse

 Process   To explain a series of actions or steps with a defined ending point   

• How the modern electoral college works 
• How an ice cream sandwich is made 
• How to drive a car 
• How to study for a test

 Event   To discuss or describe an occurrence of importance   

• The Battles of Lexington and Concord 
• A person’s first week at college 
• The invention of the telephone 
• The Norman invasion of England

 Concept   To discuss or explain an abstract idea or notion   

• The origins of the universe 
• Love at first sight 
• Optical illusions 
• Patriotism vs. nationalism

In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be 

newly written specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled 

work will result in a Plagiarism Detected alert. Review Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines for more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert. For guidance on the use of generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.

A. Directions 

Step 1: Select Informative Topic/Issue 

Your speech should be consistently informative in nature. Identify  your audience, purpose, and thesis. Imagine your audience and how you  would want to convey your message to this audience. 

Refer back to the following lessons for support: 

• Informative and Persuasive Speeches 
• Choosing and Developing a Good Topic 
• Informative Speeches: Definition and Types 

Step 2: Consider Purpose, Thesis, and Audience 

Identify your purpose, thesis, and audience. Imagine your audience  and how you would want to convey your message to this audience. As you  start to plan your speech, ask yourself the following questions: 

• What are you hoping to achieve with this speech? 
• Who will be in your audience? What do you know about them? 
• What is the key message of your speech? 

Refer back to the following lessons for support: 

• Informative Speeches: Subjects, Goals, and Scope 
• Sample Informative Speech 

Step 3: Find Credible Sources 

Utilize your program resources, the internet, or a local library to find three  credible sources that are relevant to your speech. As you look for  sources, consider the following questions in your search to help ensure  credibility: 

• How recent is the data or information presented in your source?  
• When was the source published? If the source is a website, when was the website last updated?  
• What does the source cover?  
• How well-researched and detailed is the source?  How much depth is the topic covered in? 
• How is this content and level of detail relevant to your purpose, audience, and message? 
• How is the author qualified to speak on the topic? 
• What is the author’s purpose? 
• What biases might they have?  
• Is the information the author’s opinion alone or is it supported by cited facts? 
• Who funds the website or publication?  
• Are there items endorsed or for sale? If so, what items? 
• What is the reputation of the website or publication? 

Refer back to the following lessons for support: 

• Gathering Information 
• Sources of Information: The Library 
• Sources of Information: The Internet 
• Evaluating Sources 

Step 4: Identify Pieces of Evidence 

Read through your sources to identify five pieces of evidence  that support and reinforce your thesis. Be sure to use at least three  different types of pieces of evidence from the following list:  

• Statistic 
• Analogy 
• Definition 
• Visual 
• Story 
• Testimony 

Refer back to the following lessons for support: 

• Supporting Your Ideas 
• Using Examples 
• Using Statistics, Analogies, and Definitions to Support Your Ideas 
• Using Visuals, Testimony, and Storytelling to Support Your Ideas 

Step 5: Create Notes 

Create notes or bullet points that you can refer to while presenting  your speech. You should not read your speech word for word from your  notes. Make sure to cite at least three sources or pieces of evidence as  you deliver your speech. 

Step 6: Use Clear Language 

Ensure that the language you use is consistently clear and  appropriate to the audience, which helps the audience connect with you  and your topic. Explain any technical jargon you use where necessary. 

Refer back to the following lessons for support: 

• How to Use Your Knowledge of the Audience 
• Mind Your Audience 
• Tailor Abstraction to Your Audience 
• Make It Memorable and Enhance Audience Understanding 

Step 7: Practice Speech 

Practice presenting your speech. Deliver a speech that is 5–7 minutes in length. 

Refer back to the following lesson for support:  

• Best Practices in Public Speaking 

Step 8: Review Rubric 

Before filming, review the rubric to ensure that you understand how you will be evaluated. 

Step 9: Film Speech 

Film yourself presenting the speech. Be sure that you can be easily  seen and heard—at minimum, your head and shoulders should be visible in  your video, and you should make eye contact with your audience by  directing your speech toward the camera. 

Important: Be sure that your speech’s purpose, audience, and  thesis are clear. If you choose, you can state this information at the  beginning of your video before you begin your speech. 

Refer back to the following lessons for support: 

• Audience 
• The Purpose and Thesis Statement 

Step 10: Review Video 

Review your video to ensure that you can be seen and heard. Refilm as  needed. Your speech should be delivered in one video with no cuts or  editing. 

Step 11: Review Checklist and Requirements 

Review the checklist and requirements to ensure that your Touchstone is complete.