{"id":229,"date":"2022-04-25T14:17:25","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T14:17:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/chapter\/sample-informative-speeches-and-speech-outlines\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T13:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T13:28:10","slug":"sample-informative-speeches-and-speech-outlines","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/speechcomm\/chapter\/sample-informative-speeches-and-speech-outlines\/","title":{"raw":"12.5 Sample Informative Speeches and Speech Outlines","rendered":"12.5 Sample Informative Speeches and Speech Outlines"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

12.5 Sample Informative Speeches and Speech Outlines<\/h2>\r\n

Sample Informative Speech Outline<\/h3>\r\n

George Washington<\/h4>\r\n

Introduction<\/h5>\r\nI. Attention Getter:<\/strong> I would like to begin by showing you a picture. Does anyone recognize this person? This is George Washington.\r\n\r\nII. Audience Adaptation:<\/strong> George Washington\u2019s leadership and decisions were critical to the founding of the United States.\r\n\r\nIII. Establish Your Credibility<\/strong>: Understanding his life can help us better appreciate how the nation was established and how its government continues to function.\r\n\r\nIV. Central Idea:<\/strong> I will inform you of George Washington.\r\n\r\nV. Preview:<\/strong> Today, I will discuss George Washington\u2019s background, his contributions to the United\u00a0 States, and his lasting influence.\r\n\r\nTransitional Statement<\/em>: To understand who George Washington was, we need to look at his history.\r\n\r\nI. First, let us examine George Washington\u2019s background.\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Ron Chernow, a respected historian, explains in his 2010 book Washington: A Life<\/em> that George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, into a plantation-owning family.\r\n
      \r\n \t
    1. His father was a landowner, and Washington grew up in rural Virginia.<\/li>\r\n \t
    2. Although he had limited formal schooling, he developed strong skills in mathematics and surveying.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
    3. Washington began his career as a surveyor and later entered military service.\r\n
        \r\n \t
      1. His work as a surveyor helped him gain knowledge of land and frontier conditions.<\/li>\r\n \t
      2. He joined the Virginia militia and gained military experience during the French and Indian War.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
      3. Washington established himself socially and economically through marriage and property ownership.\r\n
          \r\n \t
        1. He married Martha Custis, a wealthy widow, in 1759.<\/li>\r\n \t
        2. He became a prominent landowner at Mount Vernon and developed a reputation for discipline and leadership.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nTransitional Statement<\/em>: Now that we have examined Washington\u2019s background, let us consider his contributions to the United States.\r\n\r\nII. George Washington made lasting contributions to the United States.\r\n
            \r\n \t
          1. George Washington played a critical leadership role in the American Revolution.\r\n
              \r\n \t
            1. He was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775.\r\n
                \r\n \t
              1. He led colonial forces against Great Britain throughout the Revolutionary War.<\/li>\r\n \t
              2. He maintained and organized the army despite limited resources and difficult conditions.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
              3. He secured important victories that contributed to American independence.\r\n
                  \r\n \t
                1. Important victories included Trenton, Princeton, and the decisive Battle of Yorktown.<\/li>\r\n \t
                2. These victories strengthened morale and improved the colonies\u2019 chances of winning the war.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                3. According to the 2026 Encyclopaedia Britannica<\/em> biography of George Washington, Washington contributed to the formation of the United States government.\r\n
                    \r\n \t
                  1. He presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787.<\/li>\r\n \t
                  2. He supported the creation of a stronger federal government through the U.S. Constitution.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                  3. Washington served as the first president of the United States and established important precedents.\r\n
                      \r\n \t
                    1. He served two terms from 1789 to 1797.<\/li>\r\n \t
                    2. He established traditions that shaped the presidency.\r\n
                        \r\n \t
                      1. He formed a presidential cabinet.<\/li>\r\n \t
                      2. He supported neutrality in foreign affairs.<\/li>\r\n \t
                      3. He strengthened the nation\u2019s financial system.<\/li>\r\n \t
                      4. He demonstrated the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nTransitional Statement<\/em>: Finally, let us examine George Washington\u2019s lasting influence.\r\n\r\nIII. George Washington had a lasting influence on our society.\r\n
                          \r\n \t
                        1. Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph J. Ellis explains in his 2004 book His Excellency: George Washington<\/em> that Washington established important precedents for future presidents.\r\n
                            \r\n \t
                          1. He voluntarily stepped down after two terms, setting an example of limited presidential power.<\/li>\r\n \t
                          2. He reinforced the principle of civilian control over the military.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                          3. Washington promoted national unity and warned against political division.\r\n
                              \r\n \t
                            1. In his Farewell Address, he warned against political parties and sectional conflict.<\/li>\r\n \t
                            2. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and united nation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                            3. Washington is remembered as a symbol of leadership and public service.\r\n
                                \r\n \t
                              1. He is often called the \u201cFather of His Country\u201d because of his role in founding the United States.<\/li>\r\n \t
                              2. His emphasis on duty, integrity, and service continues to influence public leadership.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                              3. His influence on American government continues today.\r\n
                                  \r\n \t
                                1. He helped shape the structure and responsibilities of the executive branch.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                2. He promoted respect for the Constitution and the balance of power within government.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
                                  Conclusion<\/h5>\r\nI. Signal the End:<\/strong> In conclusion, George Washington\u2019s life and leadership helped secure American independence and shape the foundations of the nation\u2019s government.\r\n\r\nII. Review the Main Points:<\/strong> Today, we examined his background, his contributions to the United States, and his lasting influence.\r\n\r\nIII. End with Impact<\/strong>: His courage, integrity, and commitment to national unity established standards that continue to influence the country today. Thank you for your time and attention.\r\n
                                  References for the Sample Outline<\/h5>\r\nChernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life<\/em>. Penguin Press.\r\n\r\nEllis, J. J. (2004). His Excellency: George Washington<\/em>. Alfred A. Knopf.\r\n\r\nEncyclopaedia Britannica. (2026, May 22). George Washington<\/a><\/em>.\r\n

                                  Sample Informative Speech<\/h3>\r\nThe following TED presentation by Pamela Meyer provides an example of an informative speech that explains research and behavioral indicators associated with deception.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=P_6vDLq64gE\r\n
                                  \r\n
                                  \r\n

                                  Licenses and Attribution<\/h3>\r\n

                                  CC Licensed Content, Original<\/h4>\r\nSpeech Communication<\/em> was created by Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres. Independently created original and AI-assisted content developed specifically for this book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.\r\n\r\nThis educational material includes content generated or revised with the assistance of large language models. Lana Iapicco and Marie Torres reviewed, edited, and take responsibility for the final published content.\r\n

                                  CC Licensed Content, Previously Shared<\/h4>\r\n

                                  Sample Informative Speeches and Speech Outlines<\/h5>\r\n\u201cSample Informative Speeches and Speech Outlines\u201d is adapted in part from material in It\u2019s About Them: Public Speaking in the 21st Century<\/a><\/em> by Douglas Marshall, James Yeargain, June Pulliam, Sara Kim, and Victoria VanNest, published by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network.\r\n\r\nThe source material is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>. The material was revised, reorganized, expanded, updated, and supplemented with original and AI-assisted content for this edition.\r\n\r\nAdapted portions derived from this source, including revisions to those portions, are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>. Independently created portions developed specifically for Speech Communication<\/em> are licensed under the book\u2019s Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>, except where otherwise noted.\r\n

                                  Other Content Included<\/h4>\r\n

                                  Washington: A Life<\/h5>\r\nChernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life<\/em>. Penguin Press.\r\n\r\nThis source supports the sample speech outline\u2019s discussion of George Washington\u2019s childhood, education, surveying work, military experience, marriage, and life at Mount Vernon. The publication remains subject to the rights of its author and publisher and is not included under the Creative Commons licenses applied to Speech Communication<\/em>.\r\n
                                  His Excellency: George Washington<\/h5>\r\nEllis, J. J. (2004). His Excellency: George Washington<\/em>. Alfred A. Knopf.\r\n\r\nThis source supports the sample outline\u2019s discussion of Washington\u2019s presidential precedents, voluntary departure from office, civilian control of the military, national unity, and lasting influence. The publication remains subject to the rights of its author and publisher and is not included under the Creative Commons licenses applied to Speech Communication<\/em>.\r\n
                                  George Washington Biography<\/h5>\r\nEncyclopaedia Britannica. (2026, May 22). George Washington<\/a><\/em>.\r\n\r\nThis source supports the sample outline\u2019s discussion of Washington\u2019s military leadership, role in the Constitutional Convention, presidency, and contributions to the formation of the United States government. The webpage remains subject to the rights and terms of Encyclopaedia Britannica.\r\n
                                  YouTube Video<\/h5>\r\nHow to Spot a Liar<\/em>\r\n\r\nPamela Meyer | TED\r\n\r\nChannel: TED\r\n\r\nLicense: Standard YouTube License.\r\n

                                  Third-Party References and Links<\/h4>\r\nHistorical figures, books, speeches, organizations, government documents, videos, trademarks, and other third-party materials referenced in this section remain the property of their respective authors, creators, publishers, organizations, and rights holders.\r\n\r\nReferences to George Washington, Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, the Continental Army, the Constitutional Convention, the U.S. Constitution, the Farewell Address, the Revolutionary War, and related historical events are included for instructional purposes.\r\n\r\nThe embedded TED video, including its audio, captions, transcript, thumbnail, presentation content, and associated trademarks, remains the property of TED, Pamela Meyer, and other applicable rights holders. Its inclusion does not place it under the Creative Commons licenses applied to Speech Communication<\/em>.\r\n\r\nUnless a separate license or public-domain status is specifically identified, third-party content may not be copied, redistributed, or adapted independently of the permissions provided by its copyright holder or applicable law.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"
                                  \n

                                  12.5 Sample Informative Speeches and Speech Outlines<\/h2>\n

                                  Sample Informative Speech Outline<\/h3>\n

                                  George Washington<\/h4>\n

                                  Introduction<\/h5>\n

                                  I. Attention Getter:<\/strong> I would like to begin by showing you a picture. Does anyone recognize this person? This is George Washington.<\/p>\n

                                  II. Audience Adaptation:<\/strong> George Washington\u2019s leadership and decisions were critical to the founding of the United States.<\/p>\n

                                  III. Establish Your Credibility<\/strong>: Understanding his life can help us better appreciate how the nation was established and how its government continues to function.<\/p>\n

                                  IV. Central Idea:<\/strong> I will inform you of George Washington.<\/p>\n

                                  V. Preview:<\/strong> Today, I will discuss George Washington\u2019s background, his contributions to the United\u00a0 States, and his lasting influence.<\/p>\n

                                  Transitional Statement<\/em>: To understand who George Washington was, we need to look at his history.<\/p>\n

                                  I. First, let us examine George Washington\u2019s background.<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Ron Chernow, a respected historian, explains in his 2010 book Washington: A Life<\/em> that George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, into a plantation-owning family.\n
                                      \n
                                    1. His father was a landowner, and Washington grew up in rural Virginia.<\/li>\n
                                    2. Although he had limited formal schooling, he developed strong skills in mathematics and surveying.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                                    3. Washington began his career as a surveyor and later entered military service.\n
                                        \n
                                      1. His work as a surveyor helped him gain knowledge of land and frontier conditions.<\/li>\n
                                      2. He joined the Virginia militia and gained military experience during the French and Indian War.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                                      3. Washington established himself socially and economically through marriage and property ownership.\n
                                          \n
                                        1. He married Martha Custis, a wealthy widow, in 1759.<\/li>\n
                                        2. He became a prominent landowner at Mount Vernon and developed a reputation for discipline and leadership.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                          Transitional Statement<\/em>: Now that we have examined Washington\u2019s background, let us consider his contributions to the United States.<\/p>\n

                                          II. George Washington made lasting contributions to the United States.<\/p>\n

                                            \n
                                          1. George Washington played a critical leadership role in the American Revolution.\n
                                              \n
                                            1. He was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775.\n
                                                \n
                                              1. He led colonial forces against Great Britain throughout the Revolutionary War.<\/li>\n
                                              2. He maintained and organized the army despite limited resources and difficult conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                                              3. He secured important victories that contributed to American independence.\n
                                                  \n
                                                1. Important victories included Trenton, Princeton, and the decisive Battle of Yorktown.<\/li>\n
                                                2. These victories strengthened morale and improved the colonies\u2019 chances of winning the war.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                                                3. According to the 2026 Encyclopaedia Britannica<\/em> biography of George Washington, Washington contributed to the formation of the United States government.\n
                                                    \n
                                                  1. He presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787.<\/li>\n
                                                  2. He supported the creation of a stronger federal government through the U.S. Constitution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                                                  3. Washington served as the first president of the United States and established important precedents.\n
                                                      \n
                                                    1. He served two terms from 1789 to 1797.<\/li>\n
                                                    2. He established traditions that shaped the presidency.\n
                                                        \n
                                                      1. He formed a presidential cabinet.<\/li>\n
                                                      2. He supported neutrality in foreign affairs.<\/li>\n
                                                      3. He strengthened the nation\u2019s financial system.<\/li>\n
                                                      4. He demonstrated the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                        Transitional Statement<\/em>: Finally, let us examine George Washington\u2019s lasting influence.<\/p>\n

                                                        III. George Washington had a lasting influence on our society.<\/p>\n

                                                          \n
                                                        1. Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph J. Ellis explains in his 2004 book His Excellency: George Washington<\/em> that Washington established important precedents for future presidents.\n
                                                            \n
                                                          1. He voluntarily stepped down after two terms, setting an example of limited presidential power.<\/li>\n
                                                          2. He reinforced the principle of civilian control over the military.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                                                          3. Washington promoted national unity and warned against political division.\n
                                                              \n
                                                            1. In his Farewell Address, he warned against political parties and sectional conflict.<\/li>\n
                                                            2. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and united nation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                                                            3. Washington is remembered as a symbol of leadership and public service.\n
                                                                \n
                                                              1. He is often called the \u201cFather of His Country\u201d because of his role in founding the United States.<\/li>\n
                                                              2. His emphasis on duty, integrity, and service continues to influence public leadership.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
                                                              3. His influence on American government continues today.\n
                                                                  \n
                                                                1. He helped shape the structure and responsibilities of the executive branch.<\/li>\n
                                                                2. He promoted respect for the Constitution and the balance of power within government.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                                  Conclusion<\/h5>\n

                                                                  I. Signal the End:<\/strong> In conclusion, George Washington\u2019s life and leadership helped secure American independence and shape the foundations of the nation\u2019s government.<\/p>\n

                                                                  II. Review the Main Points:<\/strong> Today, we examined his background, his contributions to the United States, and his lasting influence.<\/p>\n

                                                                  III. End with Impact<\/strong>: His courage, integrity, and commitment to national unity established standards that continue to influence the country today. Thank you for your time and attention.<\/p>\n

                                                                  References for the Sample Outline<\/h5>\n

                                                                  Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life<\/em>. Penguin Press.<\/p>\n

                                                                  Ellis, J. J. (2004). His Excellency: George Washington<\/em>. Alfred A. Knopf.<\/p>\n

                                                                  Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2026, May 22). George Washington<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

                                                                  Sample Informative Speech<\/h3>\n

                                                                  The following TED presentation by Pamela Meyer provides an example of an informative speech that explains research and behavioral indicators associated with deception.<\/p>\n