# What is an informative speech? Definition and example topics

An informative speech explains a topic so the audience understands it or can do something they couldn't before, without asking them to take a side. It defines, describes, explains or demonstrates. If your speech ends with "so you should…", it has turned into a persuasive speech.

By the Speaking Coach team at Sodhera Intelligence. Updated 2026-10-22. Source: https://www.orecci.com/speaking-coach/glossary/informative-speech/

## Types of informative speech

| Type | Purpose | Example topic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Definition** | Explain what something is | "What a credit score is and what goes into it" |
| **Description** | Paint a picture of a place, object or person | "Inside a working beehive" |
| **Process or demonstration** | Show how something is done | "How to fix a bike puncture in ten minutes" |
| **Explanation** | Explain why or how something works | "How noise-cancelling headphones work" |
| **Event or history** | Tell what happened and why it matters | "How the first transatlantic phone cable was laid" |

## Example topics

**For a class (three to five minutes):**

- How bread rises
- What happens to a letter after you post it
- How a bill becomes law in your country
- Why cats purr: what's known and what isn't

**For work (a lunch-and-learn or team talk):**

- How our support tickets are routed
- What our new expense tool changes
- A beginner's guide to reading the sales dashboard

## Informative or persuasive?

The same subject can go either way:

| Informative | [Persuasive](/speaking-coach/glossary/persuasive-speech/) |
| --- | --- |
| "How four-day work weeks are being tested" | "Our company should try a four-day week" |
| "How composting works" | "Every household should compost" |

An informative speech can still have a point of view on what matters most, but it doesn't ask the audience to change their minds or act.

## A simple structure

1. Open with why the topic matters to this audience.
2. Cover two to four main points, in a logical order: steps, time or parts.
3. Recap the points in one or two sentences.

For explaining hard ideas in plain words, see [how to explain complex ideas simply](/speaking-coach/guides/how-to-explain-things-simply/).

## Questions people ask

### What is the main goal of an informative speech?

To help the audience understand something or learn to do it, not to change their opinion.

### How long is an informative speech?

In class, usually three to seven minutes. At 130 to 150 words per minute, five minutes is roughly 650 to 750 words.

### Can an informative speech include my opinion?

A little, for colour, but the speech shouldn't argue for it. Keep the focus on explaining.

### What makes a good informative speech topic?

Something you know well, that your audience doesn't, and that can be explained clearly in the time you have.

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