Oratrics Navbar

Types of Public Speaking by Purpose and by Delivery Method: The Complete Guide

Public speaking is any time you speak to a group to explain something, change minds, entertain people, or mark a special moment. Knowing the main types of public speaking helps you pick the right approach before you write a single line, whether you are preparing a class talk, a wedding toast, a business pitch, or a lesson plan on types of public speaking for kids. Experts usually sort speeches in two ways: by purpose, which is why you are speaking, and by delivery method, which is how you present the speech. Once you know both, planning a talk becomes much easier.

This guide explains each type in plain language with real examples, simple techniques you can use right away, and the skills behind them. You will also find a section just for children and a short checklist to help you choose the right type for your next speech.

Book a Free Demo Today
Types of public speaking explained with visual examples
☰ Table of Contents

    Types of Public Speaking by Purpose

    Purpose is the reason behind your speech. Most public speaking textbooks list four main purposes: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, and to mark a special occasion. Many trainers add a fifth, to motivate or inspire. Choose one main purpose for each speech. Trying to do all of them at once usually leaves the audience confused.

    Informative Speaking

    An informative speech helps the audience understand or learn something. You are the guide, not the debater, so the goal is clarity rather than a change of opinion.

    Examples: a classroom lecture, a science fair explanation, a news briefing, a staff training session, or a talk that explains how a new app works. A demonstrative speech is a close cousin. Here you show how to do something, such as planting a seed or folding a paper boat, while you speak.

    Techniques that work: say why the topic matters in your first minute, keep to three main points, use simple comparisons, and signpost your talk with phrases like “first,” “next,” and “finally.” Pause now and then to check that people are following.

    Persuasive Speaking

    A persuasive speech tries to change what the audience thinks or does. It might ask people to vote, buy, donate, join, or simply see an issue differently.

    Examples: a school debate, a student council election speech, a sales pitch, a campaign rally, or a charity appeal. The “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 is a famous example of persuasive and inspirational speaking combined.

    Techniques that work: the Greek thinker Aristotle described three appeals that speakers still use. Ethos is your credibility, pathos is the emotion you create, and logos is the logic and evidence you offer. Strong persuasive speakers use all three, answer likely objections, and end with a clear call to action. Stay honest. Persuasion built on false claims loses trust quickly.

    Entertaining Speaking

    An entertaining speech aims to give the audience a good time and build a connection. Humour and stories are the main tools.

    Examples: stand up comedy, an after dinner talk, a best man speech, a storytelling night, or a funny skit introduction at a school annual day.

    Techniques that work: timing matters more than the joke itself, so practise your pauses. Choose relatable stories from everyday life, keep the humour suitable for the audience, and always rehearse the punchline out loud.

    Special Occasion Speaking

    Special occasion speeches, also called ceremonial speeches, fit a particular event. They celebrate, honour, welcome, or remember.

    Examples: a wedding toast, a eulogy, a farewell speech, an award acceptance, a vote of thanks, a welcome address, or a guest introduction. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in 1863, given to dedicate a cemetery, is a classic case. Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford commencement address is a modern one.

    Techniques that work: keep it short, match the mood of the event, thank the right people, and include one personal detail. Avoid inside jokes that most of the room will not understand.

    Motivational or Inspirational Speaking

    A motivational speech lifts energy and encourages people to act or keep going. Many speakers weave in personal stories to make the message real.

    Examples: a coach’s pep talk before a match, a graduation speech, a TEDx style personal story, or a leader addressing a team during a hard month. The talks given by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to students are often cited as motivational speeches in India.

    Techniques that work: share one honest story, keep the message simple, speak with energy but not shouting, and end with a clear challenge such as “try this for one week.”

    Types of Public Speaking by Purpose

    Purpose is the reason behind your speech. Most public speaking textbooks list four main purposes: to inform, to persuade, to entertain, and to mark a special occasion. Many trainers add a fifth, to motivate or inspire. Choose one main purpose for each speech. Trying to do all of them at once usually leaves the audience confused.

    Informative Speaking

    An informative speech helps the audience understand or learn something. You are the guide, not the debater, so the goal is clarity rather than a change of opinion.

    Examples: a classroom lecture, a science fair explanation, a news briefing, a staff training session, or a talk that explains how a new app works. A demonstrative speech is a close cousin. Here you show how to do something, such as planting a seed or folding a paper boat, while you speak.

    Techniques that work: say why the topic matters in your first minute, keep to three main points, use simple comparisons, and signpost your talk with phrases like “first,” “next,” and “finally.” Pause now and then to check that people are following.

    Persuasive Speaking

    A persuasive speech tries to change what the audience thinks or does. It might ask people to vote, buy, donate, join, or simply see an issue differently.

    Examples: a school debate, a student council election speech, a sales pitch, a campaign rally, or a charity appeal. The “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 is a famous example of persuasive and inspirational speaking combined.

    Techniques that work: the Greek thinker Aristotle described three appeals that speakers still use. Ethos is your credibility, pathos is the emotion you create, and logos is the logic and evidence you offer. Strong persuasive speakers use all three, answer likely objections, and end with a clear call to action. Stay honest. Persuasion built on false claims loses trust quickly.

    Entertaining Speaking

    An entertaining speech aims to give the audience a good time and build a connection. Humour and stories are the main tools.

    Examples: stand up comedy, an after dinner talk, a best man speech, a storytelling night, or a funny skit introduction at a school annual day.

    Techniques that work: timing matters more than the joke itself, so practise your pauses. Choose relatable stories from everyday life, keep the humour suitable for the audience, and always rehearse the punchline out loud.

    Special Occasion Speaking

    Special occasion speeches, also called ceremonial speeches, fit a particular event. They celebrate, honour, welcome, or remember.

    Examples: a wedding toast, a eulogy, a farewell speech, an award acceptance, a vote of thanks, a welcome address, or a guest introduction. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in 1863, given to dedicate a cemetery, is a classic case. Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford commencement address is a modern one.

    Techniques that work: keep it short, match the mood of the event, thank the right people, and include one personal detail. Avoid inside jokes that most of the room will not understand.

    Motivational or Inspirational Speaking

    A motivational speech lifts energy and encourages people to act or keep going. Many speakers weave in personal stories to make the message real.

    Examples: a coach’s pep talk before a match, a graduation speech, a TEDx style personal story, or a leader addressing a team during a hard month. The talks given by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to students are often cited as motivational speeches in India.

    Techniques that work: share one honest story, keep the message simple, speak with energy but not shouting, and end with a clear challenge such as “try this for one week.”

    Types of Public Speaking by Delivery Method

    Delivery method describes how you present the words, whether you read them, memorise them, speak on the spot, or work from an outline. Textbooks usually name four methods. Any purpose from the section above can be paired with any delivery method.

    Manuscript Delivery

    In manuscript delivery you read a fully written speech word for word. It is the safest choice when exact wording matters.

    Examples: a government announcement, a news bulletin, a legal statement, a formal address, or a speech that will be quoted by the media.

    Strengths: accuracy and strict control of timing. Weaknesses: it can sound flat, and you may lose eye contact. To improve it, print in a large font, mark pauses with a slash, look up at the end of each sentence, and practise reading aloud until it sounds like speech rather than reading.

    Memorised Delivery

    In memorised delivery you learn the speech by heart and present it without notes.

    Examples: a poem recitation, an elocution contest, a drama monologue, or a short toast.

    Strengths: strong eye contact and a polished feel when rehearsed well. Weaknesses: blanking out can feel scary, and the delivery can sound robotic. Learn the speech in small chunks, practise with distractions around you, and know the key idea of each part so you can recover if a line slips away.

    Impromptu Delivery

    Impromptu speaking means talking with little or no preparation. You think and speak at almost the same time.

    Examples: answering a question in a meeting, a Just a Minute game, an extempore round at school, or being asked to say a few words at a family event.

    A simple structure helps. Try PREP: state your Point, give a Reason, add an Example, and repeat your Point. Another option is past, present, and future. Take one calm breath, choose one idea, and stop when you have made your point. Short and clear beats long and lost.

    Extemporaneous Delivery

    Extemporaneous delivery means you plan and rehearse your speech but speak from a brief outline or key words instead of a full script. Most trainers consider it the best all round method.

    Examples: a class presentation, a business pitch, a conference talk, or most TED style talks.

    Strengths: it sounds natural and lets you adjust to the audience. Weaknesses: it needs more practice than people expect. Write keywords instead of sentences, rehearse out loud several times, and time yourself.

    Many speakers mix methods. A common approach is to memorise the opening and closing lines and use an outline for the middle.

    Types of Public Speaking and Examples at a Glance

    Here is how common speeches fit the two systems.

    • Class presentation: informative purpose, extemporaneous delivery.
    • Election speech: persuasive purpose, extemporaneous or memorised delivery.
    • News bulletin: informative purpose, manuscript delivery.
    • Wedding toast: special occasion and entertaining purpose, memorised or outline delivery.
    • Answer in a meeting: informative or persuasive purpose, impromptu delivery.
    • Poem recitation: entertaining purpose, memorised delivery.
    • Graduation address: special occasion and motivational purpose, manuscript or extemporaneous delivery.

    Seeing a speech through both lenses tells you what to prepare and how much practice time it needs.

    Types of Public Speaking Speeches You Hear in Daily Life

    You already listen to many kinds of speeches without labelling them. A teacher explaining a chapter gives an informative speech. A candidate asking for votes gives a persuasive one. A friend telling a funny story at lunch is entertaining the group. A principal at assembly or a guest at an annual day gives a ceremonial speech. A coach giving a team talk is motivating. Paying attention to these everyday examples is a free way to learn how each type is built.

    Types of Public Speaking Styles

    Style is the personality and tone of your speaking. It is different from purpose and delivery, and you can change it depending on the room.

    • Formal style: polished language, clear structure, and a serious tone. It suits ceremonies, academic events, and official addresses.
    • Conversational style: relaxed, direct, and friendly, as if talking to a small group. It suits workshops and most modern talks.
    • Storytelling style: built around characters, a problem, and a resolution. It works for nearly any purpose.
    • Authoritative style: confident, fact based, and direct. It suits expert briefings and leadership updates.
    • Humorous style: light and playful, using wit and surprise. It works best in small doses and for friendly audiences.

    A good speaker adjusts. A school assembly talk may begin formally and turn conversational once the audience relaxes.

    Types of Public Speaking Skills Every Speaker Needs

    Strong speaking rests on a set of skills, and each one can be practised on its own.

    Voice skills: volume, pace, tone, and clear pronunciation. Speak slightly slower than normal conversation and vary your pitch.

    Body language skills: eye contact, posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Hold eye contact with one person for a full thought before moving on.

    Structure skills: a clear opening, a body of two or three points, and a closing. Audiences remember organised talks better.

    Audience skills: knowing who you are speaking to, what they care about, and what they already know. Adjust your examples to match.

    Thinking and handling skills: responding to questions, thinking on your feet, managing nerves, and using slides or props without hiding behind them.

    Types of Public Speaking Techniques That Work for Any Speech

    These methods help whichever type you choose.

    1. Open with a hook, such as a question, a short story, or a surprising fact.
    2. Use the rule of three. Three points, three examples, or three steps are easy to remember.
    3. Signpost your talk so listeners always know where they are.
    4. Pause on purpose after an important line. Silence gives people time to think.
    5. Tell short stories and give examples. They make ideas easier to remember than facts alone.
    6. Repeat your key message at the end in a fresh way.
    7. Rehearse out loud with a timer, ideally in front of one trusted listener.
    8. Breathe slowly before you begin. A long exhale calms the body.

    Types of Public Speaking for Kids

    Children can start building speaking confidence long before they give a formal speech. The best types of public speaking for kids are short, playful, and matched to their age.

    Ages 5 to 7: show and tell, rhyme and poem recitation, short storytelling, and introducing themselves to the class. These are informative or entertaining and are mostly memorised.

    Ages 8 to 10: elocution, Just a Minute, reading aloud, role play, and short class presentations of two to three minutes. Here children begin to practise structure and eye contact.

    Ages 11 to 14: debate, extempore rounds, school assembly speeches, group discussion, and news reading. These add persuasive and impromptu speaking.

    Ages 15 and above: Model United Nations, formal debate, interview practice, student council speeches, and TED style talks.

    Parents and teachers can help in simple ways. Let children choose topics they love. Start with a few minutes at home, such as a story at dinner. Record a short clip on a phone and watch it together. Praise effort and one specific strength, and never force a reluctant child onto a stage. Small, regular practice builds comfort better than one big performance.

    How to Choose the Right Type for Your Speech

    Ask yourself three questions before you start.

    1. What should the audience know, feel, or do after my speech? That gives you the purpose.
    2. How much time do I have to prepare? Little time points to impromptu with PREP. Plenty of time points to extemporaneous.
    3. Does the exact wording matter? If yes, use a manuscript. If it is short and artistic, such as a poem, memorise it.

    Then choose a style that suits the audience and the setting.

    Conclusion

    The types of public speaking come down to two simple questions: why are you speaking, and how will you deliver it? Informative, persuasive, entertaining, special occasion, and motivational speeches cover purpose. Manuscript, memorised, impromptu, and extemporaneous speaking cover delivery. Add a style that fits the audience, build the skills behind each type, and practise out loud. Whether you are a student, a professional, or a parent choosing types of public speaking for kids, the best approach is to start small, keep your message clear, and practise often. Confidence grows one speech at a time.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Public speaking is usually grouped by purpose and by delivery method. By purpose, the main types are informative, persuasive, entertaining, and special occasion speaking, and many add motivational speaking. By delivery method, they are manuscript, memorised, impromptu, and extemporaneous.

    They are manuscript, where you read a written script, memorised, where you deliver from memory, impromptu, where you speak with little preparation, and extemporaneous, where you speak from a brief outline after rehearsing.

    Show and tell, poem recitation, storytelling, and introducing themselves are gentle starting points. As children grow they can move to elocution, Just a Minute, class presentations, and debate

    Impromptu speaking has almost no preparation, so you think as you talk. Extemporaneous speaking is planned and rehearsed, and you use a short outline or key words to guide you while speaking naturally.

    Oratrics Footer
    Student studying

    Start Your Child's Learning Journey

    Join thousands of students excelling with our personalized educational development paths.

    Thank You! 🎉

    Your free demo has been booked! We will contact you within 24 hours to finalize your schedule.

    Book Your Free Demo

    Experience personalized learning tailored to your child's needs

    Scroll to Top