Public speaking is one of the most common types of communication in the world. Whether you are presenting at a conference, giving a talk to schoolchildren or talking on TV, public speaking takes many forms and can be very rewarding! In this article, we will explore some types of public speaking that you may not have considered before.
Types of Public Speaking
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Business Speeches
Business speeches refer to presentations or keynotes given by professionals within a company or business industry at events such as testimonials, conferences, conventions, seminars, expositions, workshops, trade shows and even job interviews. This type of presentation could cover information about any aspect of the business including a new product, a marketing scheme or what the future holds for the business. A speech might also cover information about an upcoming event that is related to the company or industry.
Informative Speeches
Informative speeches provide audiences with educational and entertaining information on a certain topic. These speeches focus on providing interesting facts for the audience who may be unaware of the material presented in the speech. This type of public speaking usually covers one main idea or concept without going into too much detail regarding one particular aspect of the topic. An informative speech should not be dull and boring; it should make use of rhetorical appeals such as logos, ethos, and pathos to engage the audience while conveying educational material to them at the same time.
Persuasive Speeches
A persuasive speech is a type of public speaking that seeks to inspire a change in the audience’s beliefs or actions. Persuasive speakers rely on rhetorical appeals such as logos, ethos, and pathos to help persuade their audiences. These speeches differ from informative speeches because they include calls to action for the audience who is expected to carry out these actions after hearing the speech.
There are three basic types of persuasive speeches: argumentative, ethical and emotional, and sales pitch. Argumentative speakers try to use logic and reasoning to convince their listeners with a valid yet debatable claim by developing a thesis statement which supports their argument. Ethical persuasive speakers aim at inspiring moral obligation in their listeners and rely on values such as integrity and honesty in order to convince them.
Emotional speakers rely on the audience’s emotions instead of their logical reasoning or moral obligation when trying to persuade them. Sales pitch speeches are persuasive in nature but they often resemble informative presentations because they focus more on marketing an idea than persuading listeners with a certain course of action.
Eulogies and Funeral Speeches
Eulogies and funeral speeches refer to the type of public speaking that takes place at funerals, memorial services, wakes, graveside dedications, funerary services and other events commemorating a person who has died. Eulogy speeches may be used either by people eulogizing a dead friend or family member or by someone who is elected to tell listeners about the deceased person’s life.
These speeches aim at praising the dead person and may include anecdotes, memories and other details that will help mourners understand how great a loss his/her death really is. Funeral speeches on the other hand are delivered by people such as priests or rabbis during memorial services. Although their content varies depending on religion and culture, they usually cover similar topics which include what the dead person accomplished in life and what he/she meant to those surrounding him/her.
Oration Speeches
An oration speech refers to one of two types: funeral speeches and keynote addresses. The main difference between these two public speaking categories is that keynote addresses are given at conferences, annual meetings, business conventions and other important events which highlights the importance of speakers’ messages.
The main goal of an oration speech is to inspire audiences with powerful messages that will help them understand the world around them. Some famous keynote speakers include Barack Obama, Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr. Oration speeches can also be used to influence people towards a certain belief by appealing to their emotions rather than reason.
Inspirational Speeches
An inspirational speech aims at inspiring listeners to take action in some way through personal stories, anecdotes and other examples that illustrate how change has occurred as a result of following certain beliefs or values. For example, Tony Robbins uses his motivational speeches to motivate people not only towards financial success but also towards improving their careers, relationships and overall well-being. Most inspirational speeches include a call to action which includes a challenge for listeners to follow the example of the speaker in order to experience similar outcomes.