Preparing Informative Presentations There are a variety of reasons a person presents a speech. Perhaps the most common reason is to present timely or useful information to an audience.

Such speeches are called expository speeches, and they rely on the effective transfer of information to listeners. An expository speech could be a definition speech, which explains an object, person, or event. It could also be a demonstration speech, which explains to the audience how to complete a process or task. A successful informative presentation depends on a few key steps that will help you prepare, inform, engage, and educate.

A man in a t-shirt and sweater stands at the front of a room in front of a projection screen. He looks at a clipboard in his right hand and holds a pen in his left hand.
Preparing an expository speech takes careful preparation.
Step One: Define Your Purpose and Central Idea
All effective expository speeches start with a purpose, so speakers often develop a purpose statement to define the intent of the speech. These are brief statements that explain what a speaker plans to do or what the speaker hopes the audience learns from the speech. For example, suppose you want your audience to know the difference in composition between the inner and outer planets. Your purpose statement might be “to explain how the composition of the inner planets is different from the composition of the outer planets.”

Once a speaker defines the purpose, the speaker should develop the central idea of the speech. This is the main idea that the speaker hopes to share with the audience. It is similar to a thesis statement. This central idea is often one that is incorporated in the speech and expressed to the audience.

Step Two: Conduct Your Research
The premise of an expository speech is to share information with the audience. While you might be an expert in the topic you hope to share, it is incumbent on you to add additional research. You want to make sure to check facts that you plan to use, identify quotes to help support points, and find other sources of information to share with the audience. This is a crucial step because the audience is looking to you as a valuable source of information. You want to make sure you have the most accurate and current information possible.

Step Three: Craft the Introduction and Conclusion
As soon as you have your research complete, it is time to frame the speech. This begins with drafting the introduction. This is the portion of the speech where you must grab the attention of the audience, so make sure to spend time crafting the introduction carefully. This introduction should not only hook the audience but also provide information about the topic of the speech. This way, the audience knows what they are going to be listening to.

Once the introduction is complete, craft the conclusion. You want to make sure that the conclusion is strong because this is the last part of the speech the audience will remember. Conclusions typically include a summary of information that the audience heard and something that the audience can take away, such as a point to ponder.

Step Four: Construct the Body of Your Speech
Once you have drafted the introduction and conclusion, you have the bookends for your speech. You can begin building the body of your speech, which will be the bulk of what you present to the audience. It is important to keep in mind a few practical points. First, it is impossible to share all information in a speech, so decide what the most important ideas are and focus on those. Determine what supporting materials will best help explain or enhance the information you are sharing. Remember, a well-timed image, handout, or prop can emphasize the main point for an audience. Finally, keep in mind that you are the expert for the audience. You know what you are talking about, so if you have to use any terms or ideas that the audience might be unfamiliar with, explain them to the audience early in the speech.

Expository speeches are designed to provide information. By paying attention to details and following this four-step method, you’ll craft a speech that will successfully engage and educate your audience.

Based on the tips in the article, come up with a topic of your own that would make an interesting demonstration speech?