The Efficacy of Communication - Essay Example

Introduction Different circumstances or activities may compel various persons to provide varying kinds of speeches; in many cases, speeches are usually placed into different categories depending on the number of actions required to conduct their preparations. Additionally, speeches may be categorized in relation to the magnitude in which they suit a certain function or occasion. In respect to the above concept, there are various types of speeches that have been identified overtime by persons concerned with issues of language studies (Linguistics). These different kinds of speeches are discussed as follows: Discussion There are two types of speeches that have been identified by their essence of limited preparation by the persons concerned. One of the forms speeches that requires limited preparation is; an impromptu speech: It has also been described as a speech at hand that is usually available for presentation; it requires a minimal amount of preparation. An example of impromptu speech may occur during a public speaking activity where a student may be asked by a lecturer to provided certain answers to a specific question in impromptu; usually done without making any reference to available documents or already written notes. This form of speech does not require any kind of organization or preparation hence the name impromptu speech. The other form of speech that does not require any form of preparation is known as an extemporaneous speech; it basically requires very minimal amount of preparation or organization or a limited amount of research. Scenarios where such a speech may be needed may include a classroom situation where students or learners may be given minimal amount of time to conduct certain preparations or even research concerning a certain topic and provide a presentation on it. Other cases of extemporaneous speech may include scenarios where certain persons considered as public figure i.e. politicians may conduct limited amount of preparations before addressing the public through the media or give a press conference. Moreover, there are also other forms of speeches that are known as limited preparedness speeches; this is due to the fact that such types of speeches require adequate time for preparation prior to their presentation. One of these forms of speeches is: Informative kind of speech; just like the name suggests this kind of speech is meant to inform the public or a certain groups; it involves provision or sharing of ideas in the process. During the process of preparation of informative speech, the concerned party (speaker), identifies a specific topic of interest and conduct research on it in order to identify issues or information that will suit the needs of her/his audience. The major purpose of the information in an informative speech is to provide the audience with an understanding of the topic under discussion. Another feature of informative speech is its aspect of not taking sides or the facet of not creating an urge to take a direction action. That is, informative speeches are characteristically even-handed and may not create direct conclusion or take sides f ideas proposed from the audience. The type of information provided in informative speeches includes a variety of definitive information, narrations, comparisons, historical issues as well as testimonials which are usually suitable to the targeted audience. Another example of informative speeches is the classroom lectures, media reports and the various Television programs conducted for certain objectives as well as for informative purposes. The aspect of being objective in informative speech alludes to the fact that these information is presented in all directions while giving all imperative information that explicit different. Moreover, the speaker concerned with providing informative speeches to considerations that involve avoiding conditions that may lead to distortion or manipulation of information; such manipulation may lead to distress among the audience. Other forms of informative speeches are appropriately suited to brief presentations especially in classrooms. Informative speeches that involve description or definitions depend on narrations as well as picture information that elicit images of clarity among the audience. Secondly, demonstration speeches are also parts of the unlimited preparedness speeches; this kind of speech involves a descriptive steps-by-step process that provides a specific audience with information that would capacitate them to perform successfully in their respective duties. Demonstration speeches also develop certain connections between the audience and the topic; in certain cases, the presenter may be compelled to offer introductory speeches that are geared towards giving explanations especially when the topics are complicated or difficult to understand. Informative speeches tend to combine these types of information presentation. Examples of demonstration speeches may include; explanation of various processes such as: How to prepare a meal; how to develop a gabion; how to write a composition et cetera. Basically, demonstration speeches are simply meant to provide demonstration to a specific audience. The third major type of speech is the persuasive speech which is basically provided as a form of convincing a group or an individual to undertake certain requirements. That is, it takes a less concern over certain objective and takes more concern in convincing the audience to support some ideas. In this way, the speaker will concentrate in convincing the audience to take a greater consideration on one side of the topic owing to its importance that appears to be more pertinent than the other. The speaker is also compelled to provide various mechanisms which describe actions taken to make their support a reality. In instance of persuasive speech has been apparent in most advertising programs especially in media channels where different target audience are urged or convinced to utilize certain products. The corpus of persuasion requires that the speaker provide adequate and efficient information to the specific audience in order to allow them comprehend the information. The speaker is also required to apply effective communication skills that would appeal to the emotions of the audience. It also requires that the speaker apply positive attitude during the presentation which would add value to the topic under discussion. The importance of such values in persuasive speech is due to the fact that it sets out a scenario where the ethics and capabilities of the audience to indulge in logical arguments are taken into consideration. In relation to the above explanation, it is therefore imperative to note that persuasive speech takes into consideration the facets of logos, pathos as well as ethos, occurring in a manner that the audience concurs with the speaker logically. The concept of logos alludes to the logic behind a certain idea; it involves drawing conclusions from various researches as evidence/proof for a specific argument. For effective persuasion, high level of skill and enthusiasm is required among the speakers when giving their speeches. Other persuasive measures include high level of preparation and adequate information gathering in order to achieve the objectives of the speech. Pathos on the other hand, is another form of proof that has been used in persuasive speech; it is basically an emotional appeal that has been very imperative in speech. The attitude and values applied in creating connections between the audience and the topic under discussion can be targeted by use of emotional appeals. Additionally, ethos is another imperative component of persuasive speech; it refers to the magnitude of credibility as well as the trustworthiness of the person providing the speech. This component of persuasive speech can be depicted through different forms of style and various communication tones. Ethos also refers to the reputation of the speaker that occur independent from the specific message under discussion for instance: Integrity, level of the speaker in the field as well as expertise of the speaker in the topic under discussion. The impact of ethos on any discussion has been referred by many linguistics as an appeal created by ethical facets or the appeal created by credibility. Entertainment speech is also another form of speech that has been applied in many scenarios; in many cases, this speech has been used after an important occasion majorly to create fun and make the audience happy. Consequently, inspirational speech is another form of speech usually meant to give some form of encouragement to certain individuals that they can be successful in any activity they undertake. Another imperative form of speech is motivational speech; it is mostly applied in actively producing companies especially by team leaders to persuade their subordinate staff to improve on their areas of performance. This form of speech majorly involves a specific person that their increased energy as well as effort in their performance will create an eventually increased productivity. Conclusion It is imperative that before presentation of any speech, a speaker should indentify the purposes and reasons of his/her speech. It is also imperative to identify the objectives and the goals of your speech. This will enable the speaker to derive various methods of communication in order to ensure that audience acquires adequate information. The efficacy of communication also depends on the level of research conducted by the speaker as well as his/her expertise concerning the topic under discussion. It is therefore to take these factors into consideration; that is speakers may need to consider areas of their expertise or conduct thorough research prior to the speech presentation. Work Cited Ian, Messy. Types of Speech. New York: Word Press, 2012. Print. Read More