Public speaking is an essential skill that is increasingly needed in this global era, especially in professional and academic contexts. For us in Indonesia who want to improve our English skills while developing our careers, understanding various types of public speaking is a very valuable first step.
The good news is that public speaking is not an innate talent possessed only by a select few. It’s a skill that can be learned and mastered by anyone, including you! This article will discuss four types of public speaking in English that you need to know, complete with practical practice tips. Let’s begin the journey toward confidence in public speaking!
1. Informative Speaking: Sharing Knowledge Clearly
Informative speaking is a type of public speaking that aims to educate and provide information to the audience so they can better understand a topic, concept, or process, and this type is widely used in both academic and professional environments.
In informative speaking, the speaker acts like a “teacher” who delivers facts, data, and explanations objectively with emphasis on clarity and understanding, not to influence the audience’s opinions, so the information presented must be accurate, well-structured, and easy to understand. Examples include team briefings about new work procedures or a professor’s lecture in class about economic theory, among others.
Tips for Informative Speaking
- Strong Organization
Structure your presentation clearly using an opening, discussion, and conclusion. Use signposting phrases like “First of all,” “Moving on to,” and “In conclusion” to help the audience follow your train of thought. - Visual Aids
Utilize diagrams, charts, or images to clarify complex points. Visual aids are especially helpful when you’re explaining concepts in a language that isn’t your native tongue. - Clear Definitions
If using technical terms or jargon, be sure to define them. For example, “Cryptocurrency, which is a digital form of currency that uses encryption for security…” - Concrete Examples
Use analogies or examples from everyday life to explain abstract concepts. This makes information more relatable to Indonesian audiences who may have different cultural contexts.
2. Persuasive Speaking: The Art of Influencing and Convincing
Persuasive speaking is a type of public speaking that aims to change the attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors of the audience with a clear agenda, namely to make them agree with the speaker’s point of view or be motivated to take specific action.
Unlike informative speaking which is neutral, persuasive speaking combines logic (logos), emotion (pathos), and speaker credibility (ethos) to build strong arguments, where facts are not only presented but also interpreted to support the speaker’s position.
This type demands understanding of the audience’s perspective as well as the ability to anticipate their objections, such as in examples of business pitches to investors for funding or political campaigns to convince voters.
Tips for Persuasive Speaking
- Know Your Audience
Understand your audience’s values, needs, and concerns. In the Indonesian context, considering local cultural aspects can make your arguments more resonant. - Build Credibility
Show that you understand the topic deeply. Use data, statistics, and quotes from trusted sources. In English, phrases like “According to research from…” or “Studies show that…” increase credibility. - Emotional Connection
Don’t rely solely on facts. Tell personal stories or use examples that touch emotions. For example, “Imagine if your child couldn’t access quality education…” - Clear Call to Action
End with specific instructions about what you want the audience to do. Use strong action verbs in English like “Join us,” “Support this initiative,” or “Take action today.” - Address Counterarguments
Acknowledge objections that may arise and respond diplomatically. This shows that you have considered various perspectives.
Read also: Personal Branding: A Modern Investment
3. Ceremonial Speaking: Touching Hearts in Special Moments
Ceremonial speaking, also known as epideictic speaking, is a type of public speaking delivered at special events or ceremonies with the aim of celebrating, honoring, entertaining, and inspiring the audience in an atmosphere full of meaning and emotion.
Unlike informative and persuasive speaking, which emphasize information or arguments, ceremonial speaking focuses more on feelings and shared values. The language used tends to be poetic, metaphorical, and inspirational, often enriched with storytelling and touches of nostalgia to build emotional connections with the audience, such as in wedding toasts or eulogies at funeral ceremonies.
Tips for Ceremonial Speaking
- Set the Right Tone
Adjust your speaking tone to the atmosphere of the event. Wedding toasts should be cheerful and heartwarming, while eulogies should be respectful and reflective. - Tell Stories
Ceremonial speaking is about sharing meaningful moments. Tell relevant personal anecdotes. In English, use descriptive language to bring your stories to life: “I remember the day when…” - Keep It Brief
Ceremonial speeches are usually short but memorable. Aim for only 3-5 minutes unless asked for longer. Quality over quantity. - Practice Delivery
Because ceremonial speaking relies heavily on emotion, how you deliver the words is just as important as the words themselves. Practice your intonation, pauses, and eye contact.
4. Demonstrative Speaking: Show, Don’t Just Tell
Demonstrative speaking is a type of public speaking that focuses on teaching the audience how to do something through direct demonstration. This type combines verbal and visual elements, where the speaker not only explains a process or technique but also demonstrates it in real-time so the audience can understand the steps more clearly.
The uniqueness of demonstrative speaking lies in the “show and tell” concept, which is the speaker’s ability to break down complex processes into simple, easy-to-follow stages while demonstrating them directly or through visual media. Timing and coordination between verbal explanation and physical action are crucial for the message to be conveyed effectively, such as in cooking tutorials at culinary events or workshops on using new software and applications.
Tips for Demonstrative Speaking
- Step-by-Step Approach
Break the process into clear and logical steps. Use sequence words in English like “First,” “Next,” “Then,” “After that,” and “Finally.” Don’t just demonstrate in silence. Narrate each step clearly. For example, “Now, I’m adding two tablespoons of sugar. Notice how it dissolves slowly…” - Engage the Audience
If possible, involve some audience members to try it themselves. This makes the demonstration more interactive and memorable. - Manage Time Wisely
Demonstrative speaking often takes longer than expected. Practice with time and prepare a backup plan if time is limited. - Provide Handouts
Give step-by-step written instructions or QR codes for tutorial videos so the audience can repeat it at home.
Read also: 5 Tips to Make Your Presentation More Engaging
Tips for Practicing Public Speaking in English
1. Start with Topics You Master
Don’t immediately jump to complex or unfamiliar topics. Start by talking about something you understand well, even if it’s a simple topic like your favorite hobby or Indonesian food. When you’re confident with the content, you can focus more on the language aspect and delivery.
2. Build Strong Vocabulary with Clear Pronunciation
Effective public speaking requires a combination of appropriate vocabulary and clear pronunciation. You don’t need to use overly complex words; what’s most important is that your message is easily understood by the audience.
Enrich your vocabulary by learning topic-specific vocabulary according to the field you often discuss, for example in marketing: engagement rate, conversion, target audience. Also use transition words like furthermore, in addition, on the other hand so your speech flows more naturally. Additionally, choose powerful verbs to replace common verbs, for example show becomes demonstrate, illustrate, or reveal depending on context.
At the same time, focus on clarity of pronunciation. Accent is normal; what matters is that the audience understands what you’re saying. Identify sounds that often become challenges like “th”, “v”, or the difference between “i” and “e”, then practice specifically. Also pay attention to word stress, because wrong emphasis can change word meaning, like PREsent (noun) and preSENT (verb). Finally, use sentence intonation correctly—rising intonation for questions and falling for statements—so the message sounds more natural and convincing.
3. Practice & Learn from Real Speakers
Learning public speaking is most effective when done through direct practice while learning from the best examples. Joining communities like Event Metropolitan Toastmasters at @America or English speaking clubs gives you a safe environment to practice without judgment, get constructive feedback, and networking opportunities with people who have similar goals. If there’s no physical community around you, utilize online speaking clubs or virtual meetings.
Additionally, improve your skills by observing great speakers through TED Talks or keynote speeches. Notice how they open and close presentations, use storytelling, humor, and emotion, as well as manage body language, stage presence, and Q&A sessions. Choose speakers whose speaking style you want to emulate, then analyze what makes them effective and apply it to your own practice.
4. Practice “Thinking in English”
One of the biggest challenges in speaking English is the tendency to translate from Indonesian first. This makes speech feel stiff and slow. Train yourself to:
- Talk to yourself in English about daily activities
- Keep a journal in English
- Watch English-language movies or series without subtitles
- Read books or articles in English regularly
The more accustomed you are to “thinking in English,” the more natural your speech will sound.
5. Prepare Thoroughly but Stay Flexible
There’s a misconception that good public speakers improvise. In reality, the best speakers are the most prepared. However, preparation doesn’t mean memorizing a script word-for-word, which will make you sound robotic. Instead:
- Know Your Key Points
Memorize the main outline and key points, not exact sentences. - Prepare Opening and Closing
Memorize strong opening and closing sentences, as first and last impressions are most memorable. - Anticipate Questions
Think about what questions the audience might ask and prepare answers. - Have a Backup Plan
What will you do if technology fails? Or if there’s a disruption? Mental preparation for worst-case scenarios makes you more confident.
6. Manage Your Speaking Anxiety
Public speaking anxiety is normal. To overcome it:
- Take deep breaths before performing to calm yourself.
- Use positive visualization by imagining the presentation going successfully.
- Reframe nervousness into excitement and positive energy.
- Focus on friendly faces in the audience to boost confidence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
In the journey to mastering public speaking in English, there are some common mistakes:
- Overthinking Grammar
Focusing too much on perfect grammar can make you hesitant and stuttering. What’s important is effective communication, not grammatical perfection. - Speaking Too Fast
When feeling nervous, there’s a tendency to speak too quickly. This makes accent thicker and message harder to understand. Deliberately slow down. - Apologizing for Your English
Don’t start with “Sorry for my bad English.” This undermines credibility before you even begin. Audiences generally appreciate your effort to speak in a second language. - Reading from Slides
PowerPoint is a visual aid, not a script. Don’t read verbatim from slides – this is boring and unprofessional. - Ignoring Cultural Context
Humor, references, or examples that work in Indonesian context may not resonate with international audiences. Be culturally aware.
Practice Your Public Speaking @america
Those are the differences between the various types of public speaking. Now, you can apply these public speaking tips based on your goals.
If you’re interested in honing your public speaking skills in English, come join us at @america. You can join the Metropolitan Toastmasters event at @america to practice your speaking. Check out the Metropolitan Toastmasters event now, or follow @america on Instagram for the latest updates on other events!
