This is my 8 step process for writing an informative speech. So far, we've gone through the first 4 steps. You might want to go back and start with an earlier page. I'll wait here for you. :-)

1. A list of example informative speech topics
2. How to get an idea informative speech topic.
   
3. Brainstorming (fleshing out) a good informative speech topic
   including a beautifully messy scanned copy of my own brainstorming notes
   
4. An informative speech outline sample
5. Creating your own informative speech outline
   
6. How to write a informative speech (THIS PAGE)
   
7. The text of my free informative speech, and then finally...
   
8. The audio mp3 of this example of informative speech along with full notes on why I performed it the way I did.

Writing Your Informative Speech

Ok, so I'll assume you've chosen an interesting topic, and you have some basic writing skills.

The most important thing about your how to write a informative speech is to know your audience. Why? Because you already know yourself and what you want to talk about, but if you don't understand your audience, neither of those other things will matter. In fact, if you know yourself and your audience, you can talk to them without any material at all- just have exchanges with them... or even better, you can use a speech to get to know them.

• If you give a speech on quantum physics to a bunch of high school athletes, some of them may get into it, but most won't.
• If you talk about sports to the Women's league of voters, you also be missing a connection with most of your audience.
• If you're giving an informative speech to your teacher and peers in a class setting, you need to aim the speech between them.
• If you don't know your audience that well, make inquiries to their go-to person and see if you can send them a survey on their needs.

If you interest and impress, plus fulfill their needs and wants, they'll like you, your speech will be a hit, and they'll get your message.

How does your informative speech topic fit into these people's lives, work, family, needs, wants, and dreams? How can you make it more appealing and interesting to them?

What metaphors can you use that they'll understand? My yin yang glasses are an example of a metaphor that would work for anyone in the world who knows what glasses are. For the rest of the world, I could use fake eyeballs. If they were a group of comedians, I'd use those joke glasses with a fake nose. For the army, a pair of infrared goggles. Adapting everything to the group is intergral to how to write a informative speech. Get it?

The next part of how to write a informative speech is to get them involved. Which parts of your speech are simple enough for you to ask for audience participation?

Be careful about whether your questions are open-ended or closed:

• A fill in the blank question is 'open-ended' - this is good for getting them more involved, but the danger is when that one inappropriate audience member takes 30 seconds to get out their essay-length answer. Cut them, off, thank them, summarize their point in a few words, and pick someone else in another part of the room. Note that as soon as one person has their say, at least a few others will want their time, too.
• A yes or no, black or white, or multiple choice type question is 'closed' - these involve the audience in a fast-paced way- it keeps the speech moving, but doesn't get them as personally invested.

I can't emphasize this part of how to write a informative speech enough. If you don't get them involved early, you'll feel less confident, less comfortable on stage, and thus you won't do as well and you'll look forward to sitting down but feel bad about the speech. But if you get them involved early, you'll feel that they accept you as the speaker, and successful interchanges will increase your confidence. Make sure you leave space for this when figuring the time length of your speech.

The next step is to check out the text of my free informative speech.

NOTE:

• If you're nervous about giving your talk, or want to know more about
  • Getting the audience into it
  • Getting your points across
  • Not putting them to sleep, and
  • Feeling good about it after you're done giving it
  • ... then you need to listen to the audio example of informative speech and read my notes on the performance.