5 Types Of Public Speaking Skills

We live in a world where communication is everything. With social media and constant digital noise, we’re bombarded with information, and everyone vies for our attention. That’s why public speaking skills are valuable, whether at work, in school, or interacting with friends. 

Being able to share your ideas clearly, persuade others, or inspire a group can make a big difference in your success and influence. But to truly connect with others, it’s important to understand the different types of public speaking and how to use them effectively.

So how to get started as a public speaker? Worry not! 

In this blog, we will explore 5 types of public speaking skills to help you gain better insights into their definitions, characteristics, and examples.

What Is A Public Speech?

A public speech is simply a way for someone to share their thoughts, ideas, or information with an audience, whether it’s in a formal or casual setting. It’s a spoken expression that’s typically organized and structured to convey a message effectively.

Speeches can have different purposes, like persuading, educating, motivating, or entertaining the audience. You’ll often find people giving speeches at meetings, conferences, classrooms, or special events, all to connect with and influence their listeners through their words.

Generally, public speeches involve using materials like visual aids, slides, or props to make the message clearer and more engaging for the audience.

However, the way you deliver the speech is all that matters, just as much as the words matter. Several factors, like your tone of voice, body language, and timing, all play a crucial role in how well the message is received and how effectively it resonates with listeners. This is why it is always important to practice and be well-prepared before you face the audience.

Importance Of Public Speaking

According to research conducted by Microsoft Corp., people lose concentration within 8 seconds. This shows that humans now have a lesser attention span than a goldfish. 

Public speaking is a powerful skill that can change your life in ways you might not even realize.

Here is why you need to hone the right public speaking techniques:

1. Improves Communication 

Being a good public speaker helps you express yourself clearly and confidently. It gives you the chance to share your knowledge, opinions, and ideas in a way that captivates your audience. When you speak well, you’re not just communicating; you’re engaging others and making your message memorable. 

Different types of public speaking skills open doors for deeper connections, whether in a conference meeting, a classroom or even in casual conversations. With strong public speaking skills, you can inspire others, spark discussions, and truly make your voice heard.

2. Promotes Growth

Mastering different types of public speaking can give you an advantage in the job market. It helps you lead meetings, share your ideas clearly, negotiate deals, and pitch projects with confidence. 

When you communicate well, you stand out and can connect with others more easily. This skill boosts your credibility and helps you build relationships, whether you’re in an interview or working with a team. Being a strong speaker can leave a lasting impression and create new opportunities for you.

3. Boosts Confidence

Overcoming the fear of public speaking and delivering successful presentations can greatly increase your self-confidence. As you gain experience, you’ll feel more sure of yourself in all kinds of situations, not just when speaking in public. 

This newfound confidence can often carry over into your everyday life, making you feel more at ease in social situations and other challenges you face.

4. Enhances Persuasion Abilities

A strong public speaker has the power to inspire, motivate, and influence others. When you communicate your message effectively, you can sway opinions, change attitudes, and spark positive change in both your personal and professional life. Your words can really resonate with people, making a difference in how they think and feel.

According to Carmine Gallo, the art of persuasion hasn’t changed one bit in over 2000 years. Even the research by McCloskey and Klamer says that persuasion is responsible for generating one-quarter of America’s total income and it is expected to rise by 40% in over 20 years. So it is important over here to note that influence plays a crucial role in public speaking.

5. Effective Leadership

Public speaking is an essential skill for effective leadership. It allows you to inspire and guide others, lead meetings and presentations, and rally people around a shared goal. 

When you communicate well, you can motivate your team and create a sense of unity that drives everyone forward. The right skills also push you out of your comfort zone, sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and help you grow into a more well-rounded person.

5 Types Of Public Speaking

Public speaking can be categorized based on how you share your message with your audience. In simple terms, there are several types: speaking to inform, speaking to persuade, speaking to entertain, speaking to actuate, and speaking to demonstrate.

Here are the top 5 types of public speaking skills you must know:

1. 1. Informative Speech
2. Demonstrative Speech
3. Persuasive Speech
4. Entertaining Speech
5. Inspirational Speech

1. Informative Speech

If you are used to attending the mandatory standup meetings on Monday mornings, you must probably be aware of informative speeches. Informative speaking is all about sharing important information. 

At work, this could mean giving updates about the company or sharing details with your team. Essentially, an informative speech is about passing along data and insights from one person to a group.

How to deliver an informative speech?

Informative speech is a type of public speaking skill where you aim to share knowledge, raise awareness, or explain a topic in detail. To do this effectively, it’s important to organize your content in a clear and easy-to-follow way.

Typically, an informative speech includes:

1. An introduction: This is where you grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic.
2. The body: Here, you present your main points along with supporting evidence.
3. A conclusion: In this part, you summarize the key information and highlight your main message.
4. A Q&A session or brief discussion: This allows the audience to ask questions and deepen their understanding.

An informative speech can be either formal or informal, depending on the situation, but keeping a conversational tone is always helpful.

Examples:

In the corporate world, professionals often share insights about topics like emerging market trends, innovative technologies, customer feedback, or organizational changes to keep their colleagues and clients informed and educated.

Similarly, at public events and conferences, you’ll find informative speeches where experts and thought leaders share their knowledge and perspectives on a wide range of subjects, such as sustainability practices, advancements in healthcare, or new educational methods.

2. Demonstrative Speech 

If you’re a manager or hoping to become one day, it is essential for you to develop demonstrative speaking skills, as it is all about showing others how to do something effectively. It’s similar to giving a step-by-step guide or providing practical instructions.

The goal of a demonstrative speech is to educate the audience about a specific process, task, or concept. In the workplace, this might include demonstrating how to onboard a new employee, conduct a performance review, use a project management tool, or implement a safety protocol.

How to deliver a demonstrative speech?

For a successful demonstrative speech, staying organized and concise is crucial. As you prepare, break down the process or technique into simple, easy-to-follow steps. It’s important to ensure that your audience can understand the concepts and feel confident enough to replicate the actions on their own. 

Using visual aids—like props, slides, or live demonstrations—can really help make your points clearer and more engaging.

Example:

In the workplace, a trainer might give a demonstrative speech on topics like how to conduct a customer service call, set up a new marketing campaign, or manage inventory effectively. These demonstrations help employees learn the practical skills they need to succeed in their roles.

3. Persuasive Speech

Persuasive speaking is all about convincing your audience to embrace your idea or viewpoint. It often involves emotional appeals and impactful language. Unlike manipulation, where you give a speech in your own interests, persuasive speeches are when you have the best interests and intentions of the audience.

For example, you might use persuasive speaking to convince a client to choose your proposal, persuade your manager to implement a new strategy or rally your team around a shared goal. It can even be a powerful tool when you’re making a case for a promotion!

How to deliver a persuasive speech in the workplace?

Persuasive speaking is a type of public speaking skill where you present arguments and evidence to support your point of view and encourage listeners to take action or agree with you. To make your case effectively, you should use techniques like logical reasoning, emotional appeals, and establishing your credibility.

Example:

In the workplace, managers often use persuasive techniques during team meetings to encourage employees to adopt a new workflow or project management tool. They might present data to show the benefits, share success stories from other teams, and appeal to the team’s desire for improved efficiency and collaboration.

4. Entertaining Speech

An entertaining speech can come in many forms, often focusing on making a personal or emotional connection, but the main goal is always to amuse the audience. In a professional setting, this type of speaking requires good timing, effective body language, and an understanding of what interests the audience. 

Besides being humorous, an entertaining speech might include engaging storytelling or unexpected twists to keep listeners hooked.

How to deliver an entertaining speech at the workplace?

To deliver an entertaining speech:

• Start by weaving in jokes, funny stories, or witty one-liners that resonate with your audience's tastes and backgrounds
• Balance the humor with meaningful content to keep everyone engaged.
• Adopt an animated and enthusiastic demeanor to match your humorous material.
• Use vocal variety, expressive facial expressions, and gestures to enhance your delivery. 

Example:

An entertaining speech at a workplace event could take place during a holiday party, where the speaker shares light-hearted anecdotes about funny moments from the past year. For example, they might recount a humorous mishap during a team-building exercise or share a comical story about an office prank that went slightly awry. 

The goal would be to engage employees, spark laughter, and create a relaxed atmosphere that celebrates the team’s achievements.

5. Inspirational Speech

Inspirational speeches aim to motivate and uplift the audience. To be truly effective, inspirational speaking needs a genuine sense of empathy and a connection with listeners. 

This type of public speech often includes storytelling, vivid imagery, and a personal touch, all delivered with passion. These speeches can be especially powerful during tough times, providing guidance and encouragement when people need it most.

How to deliver an inspirational speech in the workplace?

• Focus on positivity and personal growth.
• Share personal stories of overcoming challenges to inspire others.
• Use uplifting language to convey hope and enthusiasm.
• Paint a vivid picture of positive change and a brighter future.
• Encourage the audience to believe in their potential and envision their success.

Example:

At a company meeting, a speaker might share their journey of overcoming challenges to achieve ambitious goals. They would encourage employees to embrace their potential and pursue their professional aspirations, urging everyone to set personal goals for the upcoming year and support one another in achieving them.

Final Thoughts

Public speaking is a valuable skill that can enhance many areas of your life. Whether you want to inform, persuade, or entertain, mastering this art can lead to new opportunities and personal growth.

While public speaking might feel intimidating at first, remember that every great speaker started somewhere. Embrace the challenge by taking small steps—like speaking in front of friends or family, joining a local speaking club, or finding supportive environments to present. Each time you step out of your comfort zone, you’ll grow stronger and more confident.

You can also get started with rigorous online training through a user-friendly LMS platform. Calibr LXP is one of the best tools that allows you to learn individually or in groups, and collaborate on a centralized platform. You get to efficiently onboard employees or customers and provide complete remote training with our in-built course templates. 

However, if you’d like to create your own content module from scratch, Calibr Craft is your tool to get started with the process. With advanced AI-powered course-authoring capabilities, Calibr Craft allows you to seamlessly create online courses without any coding knowledge. 

So what are you waiting for? Schedule your demo and get started now! 

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of improving public speaking skills?

Improving your public speaking skills enhances your ability to communicate clearly and confidently, which can lead to better professional opportunities. It boosts your credibility, helps you connect with others, and increases your confidence in various situations, both personal and professional.

2. How can I overcome my fear of public speaking?

Start by practicing in low-pressure environments, like speaking in front of friends or family. Gradually increase your audience size and seek out supportive groups, such as local speaking clubs. Remember, everyone feels nervous at first, and the more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become.

3. What types of public speaking are most relevant in the workplace?

In the workplace, informative, persuasive, and demonstrative speeches are particularly relevant. Informative speeches share important updates, persuasive speeches aim to convince colleagues or clients, and demonstrative speeches provide step-by-step instructions on processes or tools, enhancing overall team effectiveness.