JLBC: Leadership
The purpose of each speech varies, depending on what you are attempting to accomplish as a speaker.
THE INFORMATIVE SPEECH
The speech to inform does precisely what it says—it informs or tells the audience about something. It delivers information so the audience can grasp and remember essential data about the subject. The goal is for the audience to accomplish an understanding of the subject. An example is a presentation on how to gain rank in JLBC.
THE ARGUMENTATIVE SPEECH
The argumentative speech must be structured as most other speeches. It must rely on logical appeals. This type of speech is also known as a kind of reasoned persuasion. Many debates in social and political fields are based on this kind of speech. Another typical example is an attorney's closing argument during
a courtroom trial.
THE PERSUASIVE SPEECH
The speech to persuade attempts to change the audience's minds and behavior toward something; an example is persuading other students to become Cadets.
THE ACTUATING SPEECH
The speech to actuate is a motivating speech similar to the persuasive speech, but the difference is that the address to actuate calls for immediate action. For example, suppose your school principal announces that the school team needs to be encouraged about a big upcoming game. The resulting action may be in the form of a school pep rally.
Delivering Your Speech