Creating effective business presentations/Presentations to inform/Informative speech goals and types
| “ | Information is only useful when it can be understood. | ” |
| —Muriel Cooper | ||
Read Chapter 13 Introduction, Section 13.1 Functions of the presentation to inform, and Section 13.2: Types of presentations to inform, in Saylor Academy (Ed.) 2012. Business Communication for Success. (See page(s) 495 - 507 in PDF version.).
The key concept in these readings is that speakers are expected to present clear, credible, and convincing information, whether the goal is to explain, report, describe, or demonstrate something. In all cases, its crucial to consider audience needs.
This resource from Open Textbooks for Hong Kong: Business English for Success presents a table that shows the relationship between the three rhetorical elements and nine cognate strategies, illustrated with business message examples. The rhetorical elements, first proposed by the ancient Greek teacher Aristotle, are:
- logos (logic)
- ethos (ethics and credibility)
- pathos (emotional appeal)
While these elements and strategies are important to all writing and speech types, informative speeches usually place more emphasis on logos, and persuasive speeches on pathos.
At the end of Chapter 13.2, first, watch a local TV or YouTube video showing viewers how to do something (on any topic that interests you).
What informative techniques and/or visual aids are used to help viewers learn skills? What are three key steps the presenter(s) used in their demonstration? Please share your responses in the Discussion forum.
What would you consider the key differences to be between informative and persuasive presentations? If you were preparing a speech to inform on a topic where you have a strong opinion, how would you adjust your key points so as not to persuade your listeners?
Add your reflection to your learning journal. Be sure to label or tag your post ccom102.
