The difference between informative and argumentative speech Assignment

The difference between informative and argumentative speech - Assignment Example Whether argumentative or informative, all speeches have a purpose. There should be a reason why the speech is necessary and a desired outcome from the speech. Informative speeches are generally given as a form of instruction with the desired outcome to be something such as to have a more informed audience or to introduce a new idea. The fundamental goal of the informative speech is to â€Å"provide interesting, useful and unique information to your audience† (Writing @ CSU, 2010). The audience is often called together with the expectation of hearing a speech and the atmosphere is almost always relatively calm. This is not necessarily true with occasions in which an argumentative speech is called for. These speeches are given with the intent to convince the audience of a specific point of view. This type of speech may be a planned speech, a sales pitch or even an impromptu delivery at a political meeting in which the audience may or may not be calm and receptive. The desired ou tcome is to maintain or acquire supporters. The topics most often addressed by these types of speeches are another area in which the concepts might overlap but the focus is skewed. Informative speeches, for example, can be given about objects, processes, events or concepts. All of these can be covered by an argumentative speech as well. The difference is that the informative speech focuses on factual information about these things, offering ideas and proof that can be generally accepted as fact or the correct answer. Argumentative speeches often address these topics in ways that the conclusions reached are debatable – there may be more than one right answer. An example of this difference is an informative speech that instructs the audience about the specific features available on a new hybrid car against an argumentative speech about that same car that focuses on why those features are better than similar features being offered by another