Online Analysis of Informative Speeches

Kailey Morter

COMM 1212: Fundamentals of Speech

Professor Gillespie

10/06/11

Online Analysis of Informative Speeches

1. What are the general purposes of each speech?

            The general purpose of each speech is to inform the audience.  To inform/ teach the audience of something that is of their interest as well as the audiences’ interest.  

2. What would be the specific purpose for Chili Pepper speech?

            The specific purpose for the Chili Pepper speech is to inform the audience about Chili Peppers. He starts out by giving the history of them and then goes on to describe the different kinds and how each one is different.     

3. What is the Central Idea (thesis) for each speech?

            The central idea for the Chili Pepper speech is: To inform the audience of the history of peppers as well as the different kinds and there different uses. The central idea for the acupuncture speech is: To inform the audience about acupuncture and how it is becoming more widely used in the world today. 

4. How do the speakers catch attention?

            The speakers catch attention by saying something that relates to you or that interests you. In the speech about Chili Peppers he starts off by describing an incident that most people have been through and can relate to. In the speech about acupuncture she starts off by talking about her grandmother, someone who is important in her life and her medical problems, something that all of us can find interest in and maybe even relate to.

5. How does author of Chili Peppers show credibility?

            He shows credibility by stating his sources. When telling us something that is of substance and facts he mentions where received and learned this, by doing this he is showing credibility in his speech.

6. List the previews for each speech.

            The Hidden World of Chili Peppers:

                                                       I.            The History

                                                    II.            The different kinds of peppers

                                                 III.            How it used to today

Acupuncture: New Uses for and Ancient Remedy:

                               I.            What Acupuncture is

                            II.            How it works

                         III.            The aim of acupuncture

                         IV.            What it is used for

                            V.            How it is coming more common today

7. What type of organizational pattern are used for each of the speeches?

            The Chili Pepper speech is organized in a topical order because the main point divides the topic into subtopics. The Acupuncture speech is organized in a more problem-solution order because she starts out by saying how her grandmother had all these medical problems but then was cured through acupuncture.  There was a problem then she found a solution.

8. List statistics cited in one of the speeches.

            “Within thirty years after Columbus returned to Spain with sample plants, chili peppers could be found growing in coastal areas from Africa to Asia.”  “25 percent of the world’s adult population uses chili peppers as a part of their daily diet.” “The hottest pepper on record is the deceptively small and unimposing orange habanero pepper. It’s been rated as high as 300,000 Scoville Heat Units.”                  

9. List Authorities cited or quoted in one of the speeches.  

            Chili Pepper Speech: Carolyn Dille, Susan Belsinger, P.W. Bosland, Dave DeWitt,  and Jack Challem

10. What stories or narratives does the author of Acupuncture speech tell to illustrate their ideas?

            She told a story about her grandmother who experienced acupuncture.  She narratives about the examples of acupuncture.

11. Consider both speeches. First give one example of a transition between two main ideas in one speech. Second, give one example of a transition in the second speech. In other words, what do the authors say to smoothly go from one point to a new point?

            Transition between two main ideas: “Now that we know a little bit about the history of chili peppers, let’s see why they can put such a fire in out belly.”  Transition in the second speech: “Now that we know what happens when you’re treated by an acupuncturist, you’re probably wondering how acupuncture works.”

12. Compare and contrast the conclusions of the speeches. How are they alike and how do they differ?

            They both conclude in saying that there subjects are becoming more common in the medical world and taking people by surprise. How they differ is that the Acupuncture speech also concludes by tying in her introduction whereas The Chili Pepper speech concludes by saying how much chili pepper have and will continue to impact us in interesting ways.