2. Informative speeches are everywhere—in your classroom, on the news, and in your community. Watch an informative speech (or read a transcript, available at the Web sites of many government agencies and officials). Look to apply the concepts you have learned in this chapter to these informative presentations.

For example, is the presentation well organized and well delivered? Does the speaker or author present information objectively? At any point in the speech, do you feel as though the speaker is trying to persuade you to do or believe something? It’s important to be a critical listener in order to catch the often subtle differences between informing and persuading.