Informative Speech

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about different ways to improve their memory retention.

Thesis: Though many people think that memory is something inherent, it can actually be improved through certain psychological techniques.

Organizational Pattern: Topical

Introduction

I. [Attention-Getter]: To begin my presentation I would like to play a memory game. I would like you all to get out a piece of paper and a writing utensil. I’m going to call out multiple animals and I would like to see how many you can recall once I have finished. Only begin to write them down after I finish saying them all to you. (Cat, Dog, Zebra, Elephant, Leopard, Kangaroo, Bat, Alligator, Monkey, Horse, Frog, Rabbit, Bear, Snake, Lion) Alright you may begin. I’m going to go ahead and give you all a few seconds to write down as many as you can remember. (Give audience about 15 seconds) Alright keep this list and we are going to come back to it during my presentation.

A. [Reveal Topic]: Today I’m going to be speaking to you about different ways to increase your memory retention.

B. [Relate to Audience]: I know all of you are college students and have to take in a lot of information as well as give out a lot of information on things such as tests and quizzes.

C. [Establish Credibility]: I myself have actually taken a course on Psychological Memory where I learned the fundamental process and functions of memory.

D. [Thesis]: Though many people think that memory is something inherent, it can actually be improved through certain psychological techniques.

E. [Preview]: I’ll begin today by talking about how mnemonic devices and sleeping behaviors can both contribute in improving ones memory retention.

[Transition]: First, it is important to actually know what mnemonic devices are. Doctor Goll, author of the book "Mnemonic Strategies: Creating Schema for Learning Enhancement", says that, “Mnemonic devices investigate the process of...