What is a speech?

A speech refers to an informal or formal talk given to an audience. Giving a speech allows you to
address a group of people to express your thoughts and oftentimes, your opinion. You can find
speeches in many different environments and with many different purposes. For example, while
you can give a quick speech before introducing someone, you can also give a speech to
persuade others to see your point of view.

Types of speeches

Since speeches occur in a variety of settings and for different purposes, they fall into different
categories. Knowing the various types of speeches can help you determine which best suits your
needs the next time you speak publicly. Consider the following types of speeches:

Informative speech

Informative speeches aim to educate an audience on a particular topic or message. Unlike

demonstrative speeches, they don't use visual aids. They do, however, use facts, data
and statistics to help audiences grasp a concept. These facts and statistics help back any claims
or assertions you make. For example, a zoo guide gives an informative speech to a group of
people, educating them on a zoo animal using various statistical facts or historical information.
Informative speeches can also cover social or economic topics. Although they're not designed to
get the audience to believe a certain viewpoint or opinion, they inform the audience with all the
relevant details surrounding a particular topic.

Entertaining speech

Entertaining speeches aim to amuse a crowd of people. Often less formal and shorter than
traditional speeches, entertaining speeches communicate emotions rather than giving the
audience facts and figures. Rather, they often include humor or funny stories. You can often find
entertaining speeches at a birthday party or a wedding. Some examples of entertaining
speeches include a best man's speech at a wedding or a principal's speech before a school
talent show.

Demonstrative speech

Demonstrative speeches serve to educate an audience about a topic or idea they don't have
knowledge of. They often include visual aids to help better demonstrate or describe something
in greater detail. While you can easily confuse a demonstrative speech with an informative
speech, a demonstrative speech actually demonstrates how to do something. For example, a
tech company can give a speech demonstrating their new devices. While they're informing the
public about their new products, they're demonstrating how they work, thus, making it a
demonstrative speech.
Persuasive speech

Persuasive speeches help convince an audience that the speaker has the right opinion on a
particular topic. Persuasive speeches can cover any topic from entertainment to something
more serious like politics. Typically, speakers use concrete evidence to better persuade their
listeners and gain their support. When you include evidence, it helps make your stance more
believable and may even be enough to change a listener's mind about the particular topic
you're speaking on. With enough facts to back up your opinion, you have a greater chance of
receiving the audience's support.When a lawyer gives a speech to a jury about their particular
client, for example, they use a persuasive speech with enough facts and claims to get the jury's
support and have them vote in their favor. Keep in mind that persuasive speeches can also use
emotions to help the audience better understand the speaker's opinions and feelings. For
example, if you're trying to convince someone to contribute to a certain cause, you'd likely use
emotion to appeal to the audience.Related: Persuasion Skills: Definition and Examples

Oratorical speech

While oratorical refers to the act of speech giving, an oratorical speech refers to a specific type
of speech. They're typically more formal than other types of speeches. While some oratorical
speeches can be long such as those found at funerals or graduations, others may be short and
more informal such as a toast at a special event. Though oratorical speech givers don't
necessarily want to persuade the audience on a particular topic, they can still cover certain
issues and express their opinion.

Debate speech

Debate speeches refer to a type of speech that often follows a certain set of rules and takes
place during a debate event. During a debate, all sides have an equal amount of time to speak
on behalf of their opinion or view. While a debate speech often uses the same mechanics as a
persuasive speech and includes plenty of statistical figures to help support a claim, it's different
from a persuasive speech. For example, rather than trying to convince someone to join a
particular side as with a persuasive speech, debate speeches aim to justify an opinion on a
particular matter.As you prepare for a debate speech, you get to improve your public speaking,
research and critical thinking skills. It's worth noting that while you can prepare for a debate
speech, you can't anticipate every argument other debaters will bring up. Therefore,
continuously giving this type of speech helps you think more quickly and helps you feel more
comfortable in this setting.

Special occasion speech

Special occasion speeches don't fall into a particular category and don't follow a set format.
Instead, they aim to fit the special occasion, whether it's a wedding, an award show or a
birthday party. Special occasion speeches aim to fit the context of the environment to
effectively communicate the message and gain the audience's attention. While they're often
short and upbeat, they're still interesting and direct. Unlike a lot of other speeches, special
occasion speeches don't require the use of statistics or data.Examples of special occasion
speeches include those given to introduce a speaker or a guest's arrival. You can also give this
type of speech when you accept an award. If you're accepting an award, you use a special
occasion speech to express how much the award means to you.

Pitch speech

Pitch speeches try to get support or approval for an idea, product or solution. For example, if
you're a salesperson, you may try to sell a customer a new product. You're essentially pitching
the product to them by telling them its best qualities and how the product can benefit them in
their daily life. Pitch speeches can also be part of a greater presentation such as one found in an
office when you're trying to get your colleagues or superiors on board with a particular idea or
approach.Related: How To Write a Pitch Step by Step

Motivational speech

Motivational speeches aim to inspire an audience and give attendees the confidence to do
something better or improve themselves. They essentially serve to lift the audience's spirits and
improve their self-esteem. Motivational speeches help move a person or audience toward
achieving a particular goal. While employers or managers give this type of speech to motivate
their employees to perform better in the workplace, coaches give this type of speech to inspire
their team to perform better on the field or court.

Impromptu speech

An impromptu speech refers to a speech you deliver without any prior preparation or rehearsal
time. Typically, someone spontaneously calls on you to give an impromptu speech at an event
or another occasion. Because of the nature of an impromptu speech, giving one can often feel
intimidating and cause a great deal of stress since you had no time to prepare. However, with
some guidance and experience, you're better able to deliver an impromptu speech with
confidence.

Farewell speech

A farewell speech refers to a speech where you say your goodbyes to a group of people. For
example, you can give a farewell speech to your colleagues when you leave your job, or give a
farewell speech to your loved ones if you're moving far away or traveling abroad. Since farewell
speeches often have a sad tone, they often generate strong emotions in both the speaker and
the audience.
Explanatory speech

Explanatory speeches describe a situation or particular thing. While they're similar to

demonstrative speeches, explanatory speeches provide a breakdown on how to do something
while providing the audience with a detailed step-by-step process. They also don't use a visual
aid to help the audience better understand what you're saying. When a food talk show host
shows their audience how they make a particular dish, for example, they use an explanatory
speech to describe each step of the recipe process.

Eulogy or funeral speech

Funeral or eulogy speeches aim to honor a recently passed individual in front of an audience
attending a funeral service. Typically, they're given by a minister or by someone close to the
deceased. The speaker tries to find the right words to not only honor the individual with a
heartfelt speech but also praise them for what they achieved when they were alive.