Expository Speech Outline Format with Examples

A speaker can remember this easy--to-recall mnemonic, PEACE mnemonic before writing any expository speech . PEACE mnemonic, helps to summarize some of the most common elements of an expository speech Outline Format:

  1. Process
  2. Example
  3. Analogy
  4. Compare, Contrast, Cause, Consequence, Classification
  5. Explain/Define Expository Speeches that Elucidate

Process

Students will be asked to explain a process by showing procedures, course of development or a logical manner of progress of a given topic.

Examples of Expository speech topics based on process
Explain the process of photosynthesis.Explain the development HIV in humans.Elucidate the means of human organ development.Describe the procedure for nominating a candidate in the election.An Expository

Presentation that Demands More Examples

Topics that demand speakers to provide more examples to support the discussion is one common type of expository speech ideas that often appears in technical speeches.

Few common expository topics include:
Provide five common instances team managers handling challenging situations at office.Give ten examples of human intervention that made a big impact on environment.Discuss some common scenarios where people get good opportunities to build healthy relationships.

Analogy Takes the Familiar to Explain the Unfamiliar

A lecturer explained the entire concept of electricity by relating it to water, pipe and tap.

He goes,
"Imagine a pipe connected to a overhead tank on one end and a closed tap on the other end. Now, the pressure inside the pipe is the voltage, and the moment the tap is opened that is when the potential difference..."
Another example of analogy used by a music teacher
"Playing music is like driving a car. You must concentrate on the clutch, the accelerator, and the brakes to have a safe journey. similarly, you must know how to use volume, pitch and rhythm while playing a good music."

Compare and Contrast Expository Essays

Comparing is finding the similarity and contrast is finding the difference. There are two to ways to organize compare and contrast expository presentation speech. One, AAAAABBBBB... or, Two, ABABABAB...

Sample of compare and contrast expository speech:

AAAAABBBBB

There are similarities and differences between humans and dogs. Both humans and dogs have two eyes, one nose, and two ears; while differences are dogs have a visible tail, walk on four legs and hangs its tongue out, but humans do not.

ABABAB

Humans have no or invisible tail but dogs have visible tail, humans keep their tongue enclosed inside the mouth but dogs hang its tongue outside.

Cause and Consequence yet another Common Outline

This type of outline is often referred as cause and effect outline. Here the causes and its effect are illustrated to understand the relationship between two entities

Example of cause and effect expository presentation:

When electric current is passed through a copper wire electricity is generated because copper wire is a good conductor of electricity.

Expository Speeches also Comprises Classification

In this type of expository speech, speakers classify, divide and organize the given topic.

Example topics include:
Classify human anatomy
Classify different types of fruits
Classify different types of engines and elaborate its importance 

Expository Speech Explains or Defines a Concept

In fact, this would top the list in the expository presentation methods. Speakers will define an idea, a concept or a term, and most scientific topics falls under this category

Sample topics:
Define the term osmosis
Define electromagnetic radiation
Explain corporate strategy

Even the most complex ideas, theories and concepts can be memorized using simple mnemonic devices. All that it takes to use mnemonic devices is passion and perseverance. For a speaker, organizing the content is one of the basic elements of an effective presentation. Informative and Expository speech outline format is one of the standard ways to organize any speech or sales presentation.

Types of Informative Speech with Examples

Basic types of informative speech outline can be classified into 4 types using LIST mnemonic that stands for:-
  1. Levels
  2. Inventory (lists)
  3. Steps
  4. Types

Every Informative Topic will have Various Levels

Every topic can be classified under different levels based on the degree, hierarchy, and intensity. For instance, business management has different levels such as lower management, middle management and higher management.

An example informative speech by a corporate trainer who speaks on communication skills:

"Effective human communication is divided in to 5 different levels, such as level of acquaintance, sharing of information, sharing of ideas, sharing of emotions, gut level sharing"

Best Informative Speeches will have an Inventory or List

Before the speech, a good speaker would spend time to come up with an informative list that is both comprehensive and useful to the audience. For example, before speaking on leadership qualities, the speaker can do a research to find the top personalities in the world of business who proved their strongest leadership skills.

A sample informative speech on motivational topic by an eminent speaker

"When it comes to motivational speaking, Zig Ziglar, Nick Vujicic, Robin Sharma and Wayne Dyer top the list"

Good Informative Speech Topics Dominates This Element-Steps

Almost all technical topics will have a series of steps to be followed or sequence of actions to be taken or different phases to be undergone. An informative speaker always includes this element into his/her speeches to show the progression of a concept or an idea.

An example informative speech on how to open MS Word and save it on the desktop step-by-step:

"It is easy to open MS Word and save it: Step 1: click start from the windows home screen, step 2: select MS Word. Step 3: type something. Step 4: click "save as" Step 5: choose a folder and save the document"

Informative Speech can be Classified into Types

Classification of an entity is made based on of various tangible and intangible factors. Some of the elements include size, shape, opinion, age, gender, color, origin, material, purpose, consequence, result, and time.
Example of an informative speech topic that classifies human based on gender, age, color, origin etc

"First, human can be broadly classified into males and females. further, there are different types of males; tall and short, young and old, ....."


Providing information in an organized and structure way is an art. It helps both when you speak and write. Informative speech topics can now be easily recalled using this simple mnemonic LIST

Difference Between Persuasive, Informative, Descriptive, Narrative and Expository Speech Writing

Informative, Descriptive, Persuasive Narrative, and Expository Presentation Speech Topics Outline
Good presentation topic is one of the top seven persuasive speech presentation elements. Before delivering an interesting sales presentation, the salesperson should be able to classify the presentation content, organize and structure it for it brings clarity. DRANCE mnemonic device for salespersons who'd like to recall presenatation speech examples

DRANCE mnemonic summarizes the presentation speech outline template that stands for:-
Descriptive
Reflective
Argumentative
Authoritative/persuasive
Narrative
Compare and contrast
Expository

Descriptive Presentations

As the name suggests, while delivering a descriptive presentation speeech, the salesperson is expected to describe, depict, and illustrate the topic of discussion. speakers can express an idea by describing the motion, smell, space, sight, taste, and touch.(It can be recalled using MoST mnemonic) while drafting a descriptive sales presentation.

Some of the examples of descriptive topics include:
How did my dad win the tennis tournament?
My trip to Germany.
My beautiful new house on a hill station.
My outperforming business team.
My role as a Team manager.
Reflective Presentation Portrays Personal Reflection
Reflective presentations usually have words, phrases and statements that have "I","Me" or "You". It tries to bring out the self of a person, outlines the personality, nature or character of a person.

Some sample reflective presentation topics include:
Tell something about yourself.
What are your hobbies and why are you passionate about it?
What is your favorite tourist destination and why?
Why should our organization hire you?

Argumentative Presentation Examples

Argumentative presentation are so common that even school children would be prompted to speak on these topics. Any speech that is controversial, opinionated, belief based and quarrelsome would fall in to this category.

Some examples of argumentative speech topics include:
Chicken came first or the egg.
God exists or not.
Managers play a key role in the development any business organization than the team members.

Love marriage verses arranged marriage.

Authoritative or Persuasive Speech Examples Most business sales presentations are authoritative and persuasive. They convince a person to buy, agree, or accept a product, belief or a feeling.

Samples of authoritative or persuasive topics include:
Switzerland is the tourist best spot of new married couples.
Influencing salespeople are also great thinkers.
Seat belt laws.
Save environment, save nature.
Rain water harvesting is one of the best ways to save water.

What is a Narrative Presentation?

Almost all story tellers are narrators. Narrative speeches clearly classify the topic into past, present and future. It relates the topic using chronological order of importance, describes history, illustrates ancient time, and connects it with present time and the future predictions.

Examples of narrative topics:
Biography of Charles Dickens.
History of Roman Empire.
Evolution of architecture.
Business project updates.

Compare and Contrast Presentation

Yet another common type of sales presentation where both the similarities and the differences are put side by side for evaluation, or judgment. Speakers bring compare and contrast speeches in two forms. One, listing all the similarities first and then showing the differences, or two, take one similarity and one difference at a time for explanation.

Example of compare and contrast topics include:
Elucidate the difference between verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Compare and contrast between the present business policies with the last year.
Show some of the similarities of a corporate business presentation and a college speech.
Explain the similarities and differences between child learning and adult learning.

Expository Presentations with Examples

Almost all technical talks are expository. Expository is a kind of speech that defines, classifies, and labels a concept or an idea.

Sample expository topics include:
Define electromagnetic radiation.
Explain the principles of management.
Classify different types of writing and define each type of writing using examples.
Explain how business project management works.

Difference Between an Informative Speech and an Expository Speech:-

Simply put, an informative speech will have facts, details, and examples, It supports with evidences, proofs and data to support the speech. While, an expository speech defines an object, a thing, an entity, an idea or a concept by naming, classifying, labeling and terming it.


Salespersons must possess good memory skills is one of the vital skills besides having good hold on language and grammar skills. Mnemonic devices is one of the wonderful memorization techniques that can used to memorize vocabulary of a language, grammar rules, and writing techniques. DRANCE( "Drance" means drive and dance) is one such mnemonic device to recall the outline template of different types of presentation speech examples.

Persuasive Speech Conclusion Transitions Examples

Interesting presentation conclusion is one of the top elements of a persuasive speech presentation.
Professional sales training programs should have a good introduction, body and conclusion. sales  trainers can use mnemonics, which is one of the most commonly used memory tricks, to remember how to conclude a presentation during corporate trainings, motivational workshops and management skills trainings. SPANER mnemonic acts as a checklist on how to end a presentation effectively.

SPANER stands for:

1. Summary
2. Personal information
3. Attendance and feedback
4. Notes and materials
5. Energy
6. References
Presentation Summary
Many corporate training last for one full day or sometimes run for a week or two. It is ideal to give a brief summary towards the end of each business management training programs so that participants can recall the entire training program. Here is an example of one of the motivational workshops where a corporate soft skill trainer summarized the topic:

"We have almost come to an end of the presentation. Now, anyone who quickly summarizes the 10 most important key points of this corporate management training program will get a small gift"

Personal Information to Keep in Touch
With social networking getting so popular these days, corporate trainers can exchange office address, telephone numbers, email ids, social networking profiles before concluding a presentation. On one hand, exchanging personal information encourages the participants to keep in touch so that any doubts or clarification could be cleared even after a training program; On the other hand, corporate trainers take this opportunity to send newsletters and updates on the topic of discussion.
Presentation Feedback and Attendance
Many business firms insist the management trainers to maintain attendance and feedback after every business training programs. Maintaining attendance has two benefits:
1. It serves as a record of participation
2. It helps in tracking the learning curve of the participant.
On the other hand, feed back helps in identifying what went well and what needs improvement in training.
Presentation Notes and Materials
It is quite common to end a presentation by distributing notes and materials such as literature, lecture and handouts to the participants so future reference. In many corporate management training programs, the training administrator takes printouts of the notes to ensure that every participant gets one copy.
Energetic and Enthusiastic Presentation
Besides good technical skills, a trainer should not only have passion, energy and enthusiasm while conducting a corporate training session but also sustain it till the end of the presentation. Here is one example presentation speech on how to end a presentation with good energy:

The trainer says, cheerfully,

"I hope all of you enjoyed the presentation. It has been my pleasure to be part of this great management team and I had both fun and inspiration all through the session. Thanks a lot for your cooperation".

Presentation Reference
Other than corporate management training notes and materials, many trainers take an extra step to suggest good books, cds, dvds, newsletters, journals, websites, and blogs of the related management topic. This helps the participants to broaden their knowledge on the subject.


So, this simple mnemonic device, SPANER, can remind any sales trainer on how to close a presentation speech or conclude a presentation.

Organize your Thoughts better Communication Skills with Examples

Organize the Sales Presentation using BAD Acronym
Good presentation content is one of the essentials of top seven vital elements of effective presentation skills. Planning, preparing and prioritizing the sales presentation content is one of the key elements of every good sales presentation. In fact, many sales advisor believe planning prevents poor performance (4P). BAD is yet another acronym that helps salespersons to remember how to structure any presentation based on time factor.

BAD Acronym stands for:

Before
After
During
Plan 4Ms before Presenting
4Ms simply remind what to plan before delivering any presentation.

4Ms Stands for:
1.     Minutes: Minutes include schedule, coffee/tea breaks and the time allotment for each topic of the content.
2.     Materials: Materials include all the stuff required to run a program, which include pen, notes, projector, water bottles etc.
3.     Mind: Mind simply reminds the speaker to keep a calm and relaxed attitude before the presentation. Positive self talk such as , "It is going to be an easy show", "I am fine the topic" can improve the intrapersonal skill of the speaker. In fact, speakers work on creative presentation ideas rather than thinking about how the presentation is going to turn out.
4.     Manpower: Manpower includes how choosing the right audience, analyzing the group size, sending invites and reminders. Or calling them in advance to confirm the participation
Verbal and Non-verbal Communication During the Presentation
Both verbal and non verbal communication skills are vital during the presentation. Using rapport building statements, transition statements and good tone of speech are some of the elements of verbal communication, while having a good eye contact, friendly smile, right way of using the stage shows excellent non-verbal communication. A good speaker keenly harmonizes his/her visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements to deliver an effective speech.

Handling Questions After the Presentation
Some of the qualities of a good speaker includes closing the presentation with interesting conclusions, answering lingering questions of the audience, and providing resources and learning materials for the participants. Some speakers exchange contact information to send regular newsletters on the topic of discussion. And, many speakers make optimum use of online social networking to keep in touch with participants. Closing the presentation with enthusiasm is as important as beginning the presentation with excitement.

Mnemonics and acronyms are one of the great tools for a speaker who likes to memorize the presentation. And, with a little creative thinking making an acronym or a mnemonic can be a cake walk. Whether it a business presentation or a personal speech, BAD acronym simply reminds how to structure a sales presentation in 3 easy steps. In fact, even an impromptu speech can be quickly delivered when a speaker organizes his/her speech in a BAD way.  

Handling Difficult Questions in Sales and Customer Service with Examples

How to Handle Difficult Audience and Their Questions with Examples using IDEA Acronym
-Handling Difficult Audience during Business Presentations
Thoughts and attitudes of a presenter is one of the seven vital elements of effective presentation skills. IDEA is a business presentation mnemonic that helps to memorize various types of audience in a corporate presentation.

A presenter can use the term "Challenging Audience" or "hostile audience" instead of "Difficult Audience" as the former phrases bring positive impression about the audience.

IDEA mnemonic lists four key types of challenging audience of a business presentation
Inquiring questions
Distracting audience
Expert
Argumentative audience
Inquiring Audience Question Types
Audience questions can be classified further:

1. One question after another
2. Question for which the trainer/coach doesn't know the answer
3. Irrelevant question
One Question after Another
In many business presentations, the presenter senses audiences who ask too many questions, one after the other. Perhaps, the best way to handle it is to remind the audience that the questions will be taken towards the end of the presentation. This can be done using polite phrases like, "Shall we keep all the questions towards the end of the session?" or "Ok, you have another question? Go ahead, but this would be the last question that will be able to take at this moment."
Questions for Which the Presenter does not know the Answer
There are two steps to handle these questions. first, the presenter can accept his/her ignorance by saying, "I am sorry, I do not know the answer". Second, the presenter can divert the question to the rest of general audience to find the answer by saying, "Can someone from the audience help me to answer that question, please?".
Audience who ask Irrelevant Questions
One the best ways to handle irrelevant questions is to put back the question to the audience by asking, "May I know how this question is related the subject?" and then ignore the question by saying, "If the question is not relevant, then we have to disregard it for the moment, please"
List of Distracting Audience
Audience who interrupt the presentation can be termed as distracting audience. for example:
1. Audience who takes many phone calls in between the session. Solution: In the beginning, presenters can remind the audience to switch off the mobile phones.
2. Audience who talk to each other during the session. Solution: A polite phrase like, "May I know what you discussing, if it is relevant let all of us talk about it."
Expert Audience
Expert audience are those who already know the subject of discussion more than the presenter. One of the safest method to handle expert audience is to involve them in the discussion. Nevertheless, the presenter should have the ability to control expert audience by bringing the expert to objective orientated discussion so that the topic is not deviated.
Argumentative Audience Types
These audience, who quarrel or disagree with the presenter, can easily handled once presenter divides the quarrel into two categories. One, quarrel on facts; two, quarrel on opinion.
• Quarrel on facts can be triumphed over by saying, "It is a fact, and I will give the source of reference after the session"
• Quarrel on opinion can be won by saying, "It is an opinionated topic and everyone has their own view"

Presenters' attitude is one of the elements of imparting skills (Presentation skills) which inturn one of the five i's of persuasion. Professionals like public speakers, corporate trainers and business coaches know how wealthy they become when they have good memory skills. And, mnemonic devices is one often used memorization technique as it takes a very little time to coin one. IDEA is yet anothe


r mnemonic and can come handy next time when a presenter is handling challenging audience and remember the different types of Audience during a presentation speech or public speaking.

Non-Verbal Communication Skills Sales and Customer Service Executives with Examples

Difference Between Business Formal, Informal, Casual and Semi-Casual Dress for Men
Dress is one of the non-verbal clues, one of the seven vital elements of presentation skills, that we communicate in the society to present ourselves.
Formal Vs Informal Attire
Formal dress is a full hand shirt with collar, trousers made of cotton, polyester or terilene with pleets, formal shoes, and Ties.
Informal dress  tshirt, (Round neck or collared), jeans or corduroy half or quarter trousers, shirt half hand, no tie or contrasting tie, and sports shoe or sandals.
Casual Vs Semi-casual Dress for Men
Casual and informal dress follow the same trend while a semi casual dress for men would be a t-shirt with collar, jeans or corduroy full trouser and a sports shoes.

In a job interview, following a proper dress code has two significance. One, it creates a good first impression. Two, It makes both the job seeker and the interviewer comfortable. FOODS mnemonic, is an easy-to-recall mnemonic to remember appropriate or proper job interview dress code for job seekers and it takes only few seconds to memorize it but stays in the long term memory so that it can recalled at anytime.
FOODS mnemonic summarizes professional yet appropriate job interview interview dress code for both men and women:-

Fabric
Opinionated words and phrases
Old
Dye
Size
Clothes to Wear to an Interview (Fabric)
One must choose right interview wear. Cotton is one of the best fabrics for both men and women while attending a job interview. It is not only soft on skin but also looks decent, neat and professional. Many job seekers prefer cotton rather than other fabrics such as silk, wool and polyester. Nevertheless, choosing the right fabric also depends on various other factors such as type of job, weather and individual comfortability.
Inappropriate/Bad Interview Attire: Avoid Opinion Words, Phrases on the Attire
Knowingly or unknowingly, few interview candidates wear dress that has words and phrases printed on their shirt or t-shirt. Sometimes, this is considered as a distraction during the interview. Even slogans that are decent and inspiring, such as "I am Born to win" or "Team Work Works" should be avoided.
What to Wear on an Sales Interview? New, not Old
The word "Old" indicates anything that is outdated or aged. It could be an old dress that is faded, dull, washed out, pale or discolored or attire that is old fashioned. Choosing a dress that is commonly worn in the present society is ideal than an wearing old-fashioned or odd kind of clothes. Some job seekers also consciously avoid wearing big checked shirts or thickly striped trousers while attending a job interview.
What Color to Wear to an Interview-Dye
On one hand, colors indicate mood or frame of mind. And, on the other hand, it has the tendency to grab the attention of others. Colors such as grey, light blue or white are some appropriate colors, which are neutral as well as non-distracting, that could be worn during interviews.
Ideal Sales Job Interview Attire? Wear Right Size
Size of a dress can be seen in two aspects;
Too big or too small
Too tight or too loose

An appropriate dress code for a job interview is choosing the dress that is not too tight or too loose, or too closed or too revealing. The best way to decide the right size is to pick the clothes that are comfortable yet non-distinctive.


The job seeker should have two vital skills; good intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. Intrapersonal skills is to do within a person; his thoughts and attitude while interpersonal skills is the way a person perceives and responds to the people around him/her. Wearing proper interview dress is one of the indications of these above skills. 

Interactive Communication Skills Examples

Interaction skills can be broadly classified into oral and non-oral communication.

Oral Communication involves four vital elements

Verbal : Ask, Respond, Express
Voice: Rate of speech, pronunciation, Accent, dialect
Vocabulary: Words used, Figure of speech and Language usage

Non-Oral communication involves

Visual or visible clues (Non-verbal Communication) includes body language and dress code, silences and pauses, and listening skills.
Vocal (Para-language) includes intonation, rhythm, tone of voice and inflections
An Introduction
Pause
Express
Ask
Respond/React
Listen
State of being

Pause

Those short and long silences that we utter are called pauses. During an interaction we pause, or be silent, for various reasons. We pause when we are confused, doubtful, waiting for the other person's response, excited. We pause intentionally and unintentionally. By recording our interactions we can find out how many short and long pauses we take and study the significance behind each of these pauses.

Express

We express verbally and non-verbally. Verbal expressions include the words, phrases, statements and language that we use during our interaction. Non-verbal expressions include gestures, facial expression, dressing, eye-contact and body-language.

Ask

When you are curious to know the purpose, intentions, ideas and thoughts about the other person, we ask questions. Some of the commonly used questions include open-ended, close ended, probing and one word questions.

Respond or React

We either respond or react. for example, you greet your friend saying, "Hello, how are you?" and the person says nothing, then you react to it by changing your facial expressions and will be wondering why the person did not reciprocate. On the other hand, your friend greets you saying, Hello, how are you?" and you respond saying, "Thanks, I'm doing good". The perceptions of responding and reacting depends on people's intrapersonal and interpersonal attitudes and skills.

Listen

To build a fruitful human relationships listening plays a vital role. Effective listening is about getting the message, emotion and the content when the other person is talking with a non-judgemental, and accepting attitude.

State of Being

Series of verbal and non-verbal expressions leads to a state of being. For example, being joyful for a considerable time, say for a week, may show your state of being. In fact, if you want to change your state of being, you need to put consistent effort for a longer time to see the result. State of being is your act; the act of asking, listening, expressing, responding and pausing.

In an interactive communication, you not only communicate and also understand and help other person communicate along with you. In order to persuade people around you must speak, talk, communicate, converse to enhance your interaction.