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Chapter 5: Presenting Your Speech Module

Four Types of Speeches

Speeches can be categorized into four broad areas depending on the amount of preparation that is undertaken and depending upon the nature of the occasion.  The four types of speeches are manuscript, memorized, extemporaneous, and impromptu.  Our aim is to acquaint you with these four different modes of delivery, to provide suggestions for when you are asked to make impromptu remarks, and then to focus most your time on the preparation, practice, and presentation of extemporaneous speeches.

Manuscript Speech

When you listen to the President deliver a State of the Union message, you listen to a well-crafted speech being read from a teleprompter. The speech has been polished by a staff of speechwriters and has been practiced many times. The President will know how to anticipate the reaction of the audience and will know when to pause for applause and when to expect laughter. This form of speaking is used when the exact words matter and when much time and energy is expended on getting everything just right. There are times when people who are not leaders of countries deliver manuscript speeches as well. They are used when people testify before Congress, when people read important statements in a public setting, or when people deliver reports at professional meetings. All call for exact words in the correct order.

While the President has access to a staff of speech writers and a teleprompter, most of us do not. If you were given this type of assignment, you would have to read your manuscript speech from printed notes. In that case, you would want to ensure that you had prepared your manuscript carefully, using large fonts so you could read it easily without burying your nose in the pages. Reading the speech does not allow you to skimp on the preparation. Practice the speech many times. This allows you to make changes, if needed, and to select the best words to communicate your exact meaning. Remember to speak clearly and naturally -strive for a conversational tone. It shouldn’t sound read -even if you are reading. Also, remember to speak slowly; there is a natural tendency to speed up when we speak in public. Delivering a speech is not a race; you do not receive bonus points for finishing early.

Unless you are specifically told by your instructor to prepare and deliver a manuscript speech, you should never write out the entire speech. Spend your time developing your outline, organizing your ideas, and determining where you can best insert your supports. Then practice using the outline while speaking.

Memorized Speech

When you were in elementary school, did you ever have to memorize a poem or a part of a speech? If you are like most students, the answer is “Yes. ” There is nothing wrong with memorization. But if you try to memorize a speech, you risk forgetting what you planned to say and coming across as completely unprepared. Memorizing your speech is even worse than reading it. All the objections that apply to the read speech also apply to the memorized speech. Spontaneity is gone. The speech can sound stilted. Often, delivery is too rapid. Concentration is on the words, not the ideas. Sometimes the speech sounds too formal, like a written essay. There is minimal feedback or other contact with the audience. And what happens if your mind goes completely blank or if an audience member interrupts? The entire presentation will likely fall apart. Memorizing a speech puts entirely too much pressure on the speaker.

That said, there are a couple of parts of the speech that you may want to have memorized -or practiced so well that you can deliver them almost as if memorized. These include:

Your introduction:  It sets the stage for the entire speech. The words should be well chosen and rehearsed. You may find that as you repeat this portion of the speech during your rehearsals you do come to memorize it word for word. If so, this is fine. After all, once you have determined the best way of saying something, why not use it? Just make sure the presentation does not sound memorized. Your conclusion:  The summary and call to action are the final words that your audience will hear. As with the introduction, if you practice this repeatedly you will develop the best way to say what you want and you will probably have perfected this portion of the speech.

Impromptu Speech

There will come a time for all of us when we are asked to “say a few words ” without much preparation.  You haven’t prepared any notes, you haven’t practiced what you’ll say, and you’re being asked to “wing it. ” While this may seem incredibly scary, impromptu presentations are the most common type of public speaking. You’re in class and suddenly the professor wants to hear how group projects are going. You, as the leader of your group, are asked to stand and briefly discuss what the group is doing and how much you’ve completed so far. That’s an impromptu speech. You didn’t know when you headed to class that day that you’d be speaking in public, but you did it. No sweat! Or maybe you’re in a meeting at work and the boss announces that he wants you to brief everyone in the meeting on the new equipment being installed that afternoon. Again, no prior planning, no notes, you just do it. That’s impromptu speaking.

Extemporaneous Speech

The focus of most college courses in public speaking is the extemporaneous speech.  This is because this is the type of speech used most in business, education, preaching, and political affairs. Few of us will ever have a professional staff of speechwriters or ever deliver a speech with the aid of a teleprompter. But when you do have a speech or presentation to deliver, you’ll want to sound prepared, authoritative, and clear.

Simply stated, an extemporaneous speech is one where you will have time for preparation and practice but will not be expected to read from a manuscript or to have the speech memorized.  The question most students ask is, “How much time should be spent in preparation and practice? ” Perhaps Mark Twain said it best. When speaking about preparing for an impromptu speech, he noted, “It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech ” (King). While celebrated as a humorist, there is much truth in his words. To appear to be speaking off the cuff, and to do it well, you must prepare thoroughly and practice to perfection. When you speak extemporaneously, it means you’ve had ample time to prepare and research and that you have rehearsed your speech (many times) using an outline or notes to remind you of the progression of ideas you wish to present. You will follow all the normal steps outlined in the earlier chapters. Choose a topic, narrow appropriately, analyze your audience, choose your supports, and create an outline. You will know your speech so well and will amaze your audience!

Fundamentals of Public Speaking Copyright © by Lumen Learning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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• Types of speeches

The 4 types of speeches in public speaking

Informative, demonstrative, persuasive and special occasion.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

There are four main types of speeches or types of public speaking.

• Demonstrative
• Special occasion or Entertaining

To harness their power a speaker needs to be proficient in all of them: to understand which speech type to use when, and how to use it for maximum effectiveness.

What's on this page:

An overview of each speech type, how it's used, writing guidelines and speech examples:

• informative
• demonstrative
• special occasion/entertaining
• how, and why, speech types overlap

Return to Top

Informative speeches

An informative speech does as its name suggests: informs. It provides information about a topic. The topic could be a place, a person, an animal, a plant, an object, an event, or a process.

The informative speech is primarily explanatory and educational.

Its purpose is not to persuade or influence opinion one way or the other. It is to provide sufficient relevant material, (with references to verifiable facts, accounts, studies and/or statistics), for the audience to have learned something. 

What they think, feel, or do about the information after they've learned it, is up to them.

This type of speech is frequently used for giving reports, lectures and, sometimes for training purposes. 

Examples of informative speech topics:

• the number, price and type of dwellings that have sold in a particular suburb over the last 3 months
• the history of the tooth brush
• how trees improves air quality in urban areas
• a brief biography of Bob Dylan
• the main characteristics of Maine Coon cats
• the 1945 US bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• the number of, and the work of local philanthropic institutions
• the weather over the summer months
• the history of companion planting 
• how to set up a new password
• how to work a washing machine

Click this link if you'd like more informative topic suggestions .  You'll find hundreds of them.

And this link to find out more about the 4 types of informative speeches : definition, description, demonstration and explanation. (Each with an example outline and topic suggestions.)  

Demonstration, demonstrative or 'how to' speeches

A demonstration speech is an extension of an informative process speech. It's a 'how to' speech, combining informing with demonstrating.

The topic process, (what the speech is about), could either be demonstrated live or shown using visual aids.

The goal of a demonstrative speech is to teach a complete process step by step.

It's found everywhere, all over the world: in corporate and vocational training rooms, school classrooms, university lecture theatres, homes, cafes... anywhere where people are either refreshing or updating their skills. Or learning new ones.

Knowing to how give a good demonstration or 'how to' speech is a very valuable skill to have, one appreciated by everybody.

Examples of 'how to' speech topics are:

• how to braid long hair
• how to change a car tire
• how to fold table napkins
• how to use the Heimlich maneuver
• how to apply for a Federal grant
• how to fill out a voting form
• how to deal with customer complaints
• how to close a sale
• how to give medicine to your cat without being scratched to bits! 

Resources for demonstration speeches

1 . How to write a demonstration speech   Guidelines and suggestions covering:

• choosing the best topic : one aligning with your own interests, the audience's, the setting for the speech and the time available to you
• how to plan, prepare and deliver your speech - step by step guidelines for sequencing and organizing your material plus a printable blank demonstration speech outline for you to download and complete  
• suggestions to help with delivery and rehearsal . Demonstration speeches can so easily lurch sideways into embarrassment. For example: forgetting a step while demonstrating a cake recipe which means it won't turn out as you want it to. Or not checking you've got everything you need to deliver your speech at the venue and finding out too late, the very public and hard way, that the lead on your laptop will not reach the only available wall socket. Result. You cannot show your images.

2.  Demonstration speech sample outline   This is a fully completed outline of a demonstration speech. The topic is 'how to leave an effective voice mail message' and  the sample covers the entire step by step sequence needed to do that.

There's a blank printable version of the outline template to download if you wish and a YouTube link to a recording of the speech.

3.  Demonstration speech topics   4 pages of 'how to' speech topic suggestions, all of them suitable for middle school and up.

Persuasive speeches

The goal of a persuasive speech is to convince an audience to accept, or at the very least listen to and consider, the speaker's point of view.

To be successful the speaker must skillfully blend information about the topic, their opinion, reasons to support it and their desired course of action, with an understanding of how best to reach their audience.

Everyday examples of persuasive speeches

Common usages of persuasive speeches are:

• what we say when being interviewed for a job
• presenting a sales pitch to a customer
• political speeches - politicians lobbying for votes,
• values or issue driven speeches e.g., a call to boycott a product on particular grounds, a call to support varying human rights issues: the right to have an abortion, the right to vote, the right to breathe clean air, the right to have access to affordable housing and, so on.

Models of the persuasive process

The most frequently cited model we have for effective persuasion is thousands of years old.  Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, 384–322 BC , explained it as being supported by three pillars: ethos, pathos and logos. 

Briefly, ethos is the reliability and credibility of the speaker. How qualified or experienced are they talk on the topic? Are they trustworthy? Should we believe them? Why?

Pathos is the passion, emotion or feeling you, the speaker, bring to the topic. It's the choice of language you use to trigger an emotional connection linking yourself, your topic and the audience together, in a way that supports your speech purpose.

(We see the echo of Pathos in words like empathy: the ability to understand and share the feels of another, or pathetic: to arouse feelings of pity through being vulnerable and sad.)

Logos is related to logic. Is the information we are being presented logical and rational? Is it verifiable? How is it supported? By studies, by articles, by endorsement from suitably qualified and recognized people?

To successfully persuade all three are needed. For more please see this excellent article:  Ethos, Pathos, Logos: 3 Pillars of Public Speaking and Persuasion 

Monroe's Motivated Sequence of persuasion

Another much more recent model is Monroe's Motivated Sequence based on the psychology of persuasion.

It consists of five consecutive steps: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization and action and was developed in the 1930s by American Alan H Monroe, a lecturer in communications at Purdue University. The pattern is used extensively in advertising, social welfare and health campaigns.

Resources for persuasive speeches

1.   How to write a persuasive speech Step by step guidelines covering:

• speech topic selection
• setting speech goals
• audience analysis
• empathy and evidence
• balance and obstacles
• 4 structural patterns to choose from

2. A persuasive speech sample outline using Monroe's Motivated Sequence

3. An example persuasive speech written using Monroe's Motivated Sequence  

4.  Persuasive speech topics : 1032+ topic suggestions which includes 105 fun persuasive ideas , like the one below.☺ 

Special occasion or entertaining speeches

The range of these speeches is vast: from a call 'to say a few words' to delivering a lengthy formal address.

This is the territory where speeches to mark farewells, thanksgiving, awards, birthdays, Christmas, weddings, engagements and anniversaries dwell, along with welcome, introduction and thank you speeches, tributes, eulogies and commencement addresses. 

In short, any speech, either impromptu or painstakingly crafted, given to acknowledge a person, an achievement, or an event belongs here.

You'll find preparation guidelines, as well as examples of many special occasion speeches on my site.

Resources for special occasion speeches

How to prepare:

• an acceptance speech , with an example acceptance speech 
• a birthday speech , with ongoing links to example 18th, 40th and 50th birthday speeches
• an office party Christmas speech , a template with an example speech
• an engagement party toast , with 5 examples
• a eulogy or funeral speech , with a printable eulogy planner and access to 70+ eulogy examples
• a farewell speech , with an example (a farewell speech to colleagues)
• a golden (50th) wedding anniversary speech , with an example speech from a husband to his wife
• an impromptu speech , techniques and templates for impromptu speaking, examples of one minute impromptu speeches with a printable outline planner, plus impromptu speech topics for practice
• an introduction speech for a guest speaker , with an example
• an introduction speech for yourself , with an example
• a maid of honor speech for your sister , a template, with an example
• a retirement speech , with an example from a teacher leaving to her students and colleagues
• a student council speech , a template, with an example student council president, secretary and treasurer speech
• a Thanksgiving speech , a template, with an example toast
• a thank you speech , a template, with an example speech expressing thanks for an award, also a business thank you speech template
• a tribute (commemorative) speech , with a template and an example speech
• a welcome speech for an event , a template, an example welcome speech for a conference, plus a printable welcome speech planner
• a welcome speech for new comers to a church , a template with an example speech
• a welcome speech for a new member to the family , a template with an example

Speech types often overlap

Because speakers and their speeches are unique, (different content, purposes, and audiences...), the four types often overlap. While a speech is generally based on one principal type it might also have a few of the features belonging to any of the others. 

For example, a speech may be mainly informative but to add interest, the speaker has used elements like a demonstration of some sort, persuasive language and the brand of familiar humor common in a special occasion speech where everybody knows each other well.

The result is an informative 'plus' type of speech. A hybrid! It's a speech that could easily be given by a long serving in-house company trainer to introduce and explain a new work process to employees.  

Related pages:

• how to write a good speech . This is a thorough step by step walk through, with examples, of the general speech writing process. It's a great place to start if you're new to writing speeches. You'll get an excellent foundation to build on.
• how to plan a speech - an overview of ALL the things that need to be considered before preparing an outline, with examples
• how to outline a speech - an overview, with examples, showing how to structure a speech, with a free printable blank speech outline template to download
• how to make and use cue cards  - note cards for extemporaneous speeches 
• how to use props (visual aids)    

And for those who would like their speeches written for them:

• commission me to write for you

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What this handout is about

This handout will help you create an effective speech by establishing the purpose of your speech and making it easily understandable. It will also help you to analyze your audience and keep the audience interested.

What’s different about a speech?

Writing for public speaking isn’t so different from other types of writing. You want to engage your audience’s attention, convey your ideas in a logical manner and use reliable evidence to support your point. But the conditions for public speaking favor some writing qualities over others. When you write a speech, your audience is made up of listeners. They have only one chance to comprehend the information as you read it, so your speech must be well-organized and easily understood. In addition, the content of the speech and your delivery must fit the audience.

What’s your purpose?

People have gathered to hear you speak on a specific issue, and they expect to get something out of it immediately. And you, the speaker, hope to have an immediate effect on your audience. The purpose of your speech is to get the response you want. Most speeches invite audiences to react in one of three ways: feeling, thinking, or acting. For example, eulogies encourage emotional response from the audience; college lectures stimulate listeners to think about a topic from a different perspective; protest speeches in the Pit recommend actions the audience can take.

As you establish your purpose, ask yourself these questions:

• What do you want the audience to learn or do?
• If you are making an argument, why do you want them to agree with you?
• If they already agree with you, why are you giving the speech?
• How can your audience benefit from what you have to say?

Audience analysis

If your purpose is to get a certain response from your audience, you must consider who they are (or who you’re pretending they are). If you can identify ways to connect with your listeners, you can make your speech interesting and useful.

As you think of ways to appeal to your audience, ask yourself:

• What do they have in common? Age? Interests? Ethnicity? Gender?
• Do they know as much about your topic as you, or will you be introducing them to new ideas?
• Why are these people listening to you? What are they looking for?
• What level of detail will be effective for them?
• What tone will be most effective in conveying your message?
• What might offend or alienate them?

For more help, see our handout on audience .

Creating an effective introduction

Get their attention, otherwise known as “the hook”.

Think about how you can relate to these listeners and get them to relate to you or your topic. Appealing to your audience on a personal level captures their attention and concern, increasing the chances of a successful speech. Speakers often begin with anecdotes to hook their audience’s attention. Other methods include presenting shocking statistics, asking direct questions of the audience, or enlisting audience participation.

Establish context and/or motive

Explain why your topic is important. Consider your purpose and how you came to speak to this audience. You may also want to connect the material to related or larger issues as well, especially those that may be important to your audience.

Get to the point

Tell your listeners your thesis right away and explain how you will support it. Don’t spend as much time developing your introductory paragraph and leading up to the thesis statement as you would in a research paper for a course. Moving from the intro into the body of the speech quickly will help keep your audience interested. You may be tempted to create suspense by keeping the audience guessing about your thesis until the end, then springing the implications of your discussion on them. But if you do so, they will most likely become bored or confused.

For more help, see our handout on introductions .

Making your speech easy to understand

Repeat crucial points and buzzwords.

Especially in longer speeches, it’s a good idea to keep reminding your audience of the main points you’ve made. For example, you could link an earlier main point or key term as you transition into or wrap up a new point. You could also address the relationship between earlier points and new points through discussion within a body paragraph. Using buzzwords or key terms throughout your paper is also a good idea. If your thesis says you’re going to expose unethical behavior of medical insurance companies, make sure the use of “ethics” recurs instead of switching to “immoral” or simply “wrong.” Repetition of key terms makes it easier for your audience to take in and connect information.

Incorporate previews and summaries into the speech

For example:

“I’m here today to talk to you about three issues that threaten our educational system: First, … Second, … Third,”

“I’ve talked to you today about such and such.”

These kinds of verbal cues permit the people in the audience to put together the pieces of your speech without thinking too hard, so they can spend more time paying attention to its content.

Use especially strong transitions

This will help your listeners see how new information relates to what they’ve heard so far. If you set up a counterargument in one paragraph so you can demolish it in the next, begin the demolition by saying something like,

“But this argument makes no sense when you consider that . . . .”

If you’re providing additional information to support your main point, you could say,

“Another fact that supports my main point is . . . .”

Helping your audience listen

Rely on shorter, simpler sentence structures.

Don’t get too complicated when you’re asking an audience to remember everything you say. Avoid using too many subordinate clauses, and place subjects and verbs close together.

Too complicated:

The product, which was invented in 1908 by Orville Z. McGillicuddy in Des Moines, Iowa, and which was on store shelves approximately one year later, still sells well.

Easier to understand:

Orville Z. McGillicuddy invented the product in 1908 and introduced it into stores shortly afterward. Almost a century later, the product still sells well.

Limit pronoun use

Listeners may have a hard time remembering or figuring out what “it,” “they,” or “this” refers to. Be specific by using a key noun instead of unclear pronouns.

Pronoun problem:

The U.S. government has failed to protect us from the scourge of so-called reality television, which exploits sex, violence, and petty conflict, and calls it human nature. This cannot continue.

Why the last sentence is unclear: “This” what? The government’s failure? Reality TV? Human nature?

More specific:

The U.S. government has failed to protect us from the scourge of so-called reality television, which exploits sex, violence, and petty conflict, and calls it human nature. This failure cannot continue.

Keeping audience interest

Incorporate the rhetorical strategies of ethos, pathos, and logos.

When arguing a point, using ethos, pathos, and logos can help convince your audience to believe you and make your argument stronger. Ethos refers to an appeal to your audience by establishing your authenticity and trustworthiness as a speaker. If you employ pathos, you appeal to your audience’s emotions. Using logos includes the support of hard facts, statistics, and logical argumentation. The most effective speeches usually present a combination these rhetorical strategies.

Use statistics and quotations sparingly

Include only the most striking factual material to support your perspective, things that would likely stick in the listeners’ minds long after you’ve finished speaking. Otherwise, you run the risk of overwhelming your listeners with too much information.

Watch your tone

Be careful not to talk over the heads of your audience. On the other hand, don’t be condescending either. And as for grabbing their attention, yelling, cursing, using inappropriate humor, or brandishing a potentially offensive prop (say, autopsy photos) will only make the audience tune you out.

Creating an effective conclusion

Restate your main points, but don’t repeat them.

“I asked earlier why we should care about the rain forest. Now I hope it’s clear that . . .” “Remember how Mrs. Smith couldn’t afford her prescriptions? Under our plan, . . .”

Call to action

Speeches often close with an appeal to the audience to take action based on their new knowledge or understanding. If you do this, be sure the action you recommend is specific and realistic. For example, although your audience may not be able to affect foreign policy directly, they can vote or work for candidates whose foreign policy views they support. Relating the purpose of your speech to their lives not only creates a connection with your audience, but also reiterates the importance of your topic to them in particular or “the bigger picture.”

Practicing for effective presentation

Once you’ve completed a draft, read your speech to a friend or in front of a mirror. When you’ve finished reading, ask the following questions:

• Which pieces of information are clearest?
• Where did I connect with the audience?
• Where might listeners lose the thread of my argument or description?
• Where might listeners become bored?
• Where did I have trouble speaking clearly and/or emphatically?
• Did I stay within my time limit?

Other resources

• Toastmasters International is a nonprofit group that provides communication and leadership training.
• Allyn & Bacon Publishing’s Essence of Public Speaking Series is an extensive treatment of speech writing and delivery, including books on using humor, motivating your audience, word choice and presentation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Boone, Louis E., David L. Kurtz, and Judy R. Block. 1997. Contemporary Business Communication . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Ehrlich, Henry. 1994. Writing Effective Speeches . New York: Marlowe.

Lamb, Sandra E. 1998. How to Write It: A Complete Guide to Everything You’ll Ever Write . Berkeley: Ten Speed Press.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Types of Speeches: A Guide to Different Styles and Formats

Speeches are a powerful way to communicate ideas, inspire people, and create change. There are many different types of speeches, each with its own unique characteristics and formats. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common types of speeches and how to prepare and deliver them effectively.

1. Informative Speech

An informative speech is designed to educate the audience on a particular topic. The goal is to provide the audience with new information or insights and increase their understanding of the topic. The speech should be well-researched, organized, and delivered in a clear and engaging manner.

2. Persuasive Speech

A persuasive speech is designed to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action. The goal is to persuade the audience to agree with the speaker’s perspective and take action based on that belief. The speech should be well-researched, organized, and delivered in a passionate and compelling manner.

3. Entertaining Speech

An entertaining speech is designed to entertain the audience and create a memorable experience. The goal is to engage the audience and make them laugh, cry, or think deeply about a particular topic. The speech can be humorous, inspirational, or emotional and should be delivered in a lively and engaging manner.

4. Special Occasion Speech

A special occasion speech is designed for a specific event or occasion, such as a wedding, graduation, or retirement party. The goal is to celebrate the occasion and honor the people involved. The speech should be personal, heartfelt, and delivered in a sincere and respectful manner.

5. Impromptu Speech

An impromptu speech is delivered without any preparation or planning. The goal is to respond quickly and effectively to a particular situation or question. The speech should be delivered in a clear and concise manner and address the topic at hand.

In conclusion, speeches are an important way to communicate ideas, inspire people, and create change. By understanding the different types of speeches and their unique characteristics and formats, individuals can prepare and deliver successful speeches that are engaging, informative, and memorable.

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4 Types of Public Speaking (A Complete Guide)

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking , Toastmasters

The four main types of public speaking are informative, persuasive, demonstrative, and ceremonial. Understanding these will help specialize how you speak to the intention of your speech. The article goes over all the basic information, examples, and key things to note when delivering these types of speeches.

Public speaking is multifaceted. It can be done in various ways, depending on the speaker’s intention. Knowledge of these types will help you establish specific ways you can perform public speaking well. It is not typically taught in schools, but so are many other important things. Public speaking can help you in many ways in the future , so let’s get right to it!

Informative Speaking

The speaker simply intends to convey information in this. It is the most straightforward type of public speaking, which is why this category might make you wonder whether public speaking can get easier than this .

Examples of this type:

• A lecturer delivering content at a university
• A student explaining his dissertation to the class
• A public official explaining changes due to new policy
• An office worker providing information on the quarterly sales
• A person explaining how a game is done to his friends

Few key points to note here:

• Heavily research your topic: The key here is to have a large amount of knowledge about the concerned topic so you can supplement the required information with examples, statistics, etc. This will help provide you with credibility.
• Do not look at a paper or your presentation for all your information- they should only be used for cues. Otherwise, it seems like you do not know about the topic, and your only role is to convert that written text into spoken, which can appear quite awkward. 
• Try to keep it simple. Many believe that using complicated words will make you look smarter. To an uninformed speaker, it might. However, you might not achieve the purpose (which is to convey the information), and others might dislike you if they can sense you’re using superfluous language.
• Keep it concise. A lot of unnecessary information and beating around the bush will take away the audience’s attention span, and you may fail to achieve your purpose again. If there is extra information that may help a select few, you may make it so that others are not affected by it by either having them reach out later if needed or providing a disclaimer so only those interested may listen to that part.

Persuasive Speaking

The speaker intends to persuade or convince the audience of something. This is tricky because it requires understanding the nuances of the audience’s desires and somehow relating them to your viewpoint. 

Examples include:

• A politician explaining why he’s the better candidate and appealing to vote for him
• A marketing team explaining why their product is better than competitors
• A lawyer explaining to the jury why the defendant is innocent
• A group member explaining to his peers why the project should be done his way
• A person explaining to their friends why their view on a topic makes sense

One mistake people make here is putting people down for particular opinions, which tends to make them defensive and then less likely to be receptive to any change. This makes sense because these opinions may have been there for a long time or in any other way strongly associated with their identity, and by putting them down for it, you’re attacking them. Even if their opinion is wrong according to you, it’s better suited to show understanding of their current beliefs and provide a convincing narrative of your topic of persuasion.

Few communication techniques are especially helpful here, although they should be used in other types of public speaking as well. 

AIDA principle is also something you might want to look into. It essentially attempts to grab consumer Attention, develop Interest, stimulate Desire to purchase, and spurs them to Action step-by-step. So what you do is contingent on these stages. For instance, to grab their attention, you might talk about an interesting story then relate it to them to develop interest then talk about how the product solves the issue, which creates a desire to purchase, and lastly, let them know easy of ordering the product and a limited time offer that spurs them to action.

Demonstrative Speaking

The intention is to teach the audience to perform a certain action. The speaker actually performs the action that is being taught while explaining it. Hence, it allows the audience to see exactly how it is done and model that behaviour later. 

The speaker must be clear and descriptive enough when explaining the process while also making sure the audience is engaged enough to take that information with them.

• An employee might market a laptop by talking about its features while using them simultaneously.
• A swimming instructor might explain how to swim while doing it.
• A professor might explain how to experiment while doing it.
• A bartender might explain how to make a cocktail while doing it.
• A person might explain how to perform a trick while doing it.

So as you can see, it’s just informational speech with more nonverbal communication mixed in for better understanding.

Ceremonial Speaking

The intention is to get an emotional response from the audience. They are done on special occasions and tend to mark major milestones in people’s lives, such as birthdays, graduation, parties, wedding, anniversary, and funerals. 

• Graduation ceremony
• Wedding speech addressed to groom/bride.
• Birthday speech to a friend
• Party speech addressed to the host.
• Funeral speech for the person who passed away.

While we may appear very confident and natural when we give our speech at a party, we’re also well aware of how much time and effort it takes to get around writing the perfect speech. But it’s really not that complicated. You just need to know your audience and provide a concise, personalized speech. 

For example, if your audience includes friends and family and you’re giving this speech at a wedding ceremony, your content could include some experience involving the groom/bride, which highlights one of their positive qualities and possibly an amusing component to it. 

However, in these kinds of speeches, it’s also necessary to be careful not to forget to read the room when the audience is not receptive to certain comments. If you’re talking about a very embarrassing experience that the person would not have liked you to share, it might tense up your relationship with him. Alternatively, if you’re trying to force a positive emotional reaction by saying things you do not mean or exaggerating some experience that did not mean much for the person involved, it will be poorly received, and things might become awkward. Hence, it’s important to be genuine, even if it means starting off on a seemingly negative scenario: “We haven’t hung out as much as I wish we had. Regardless, the times we spent together have been meaningful and….” Genuinity is most commonly well-received.

Examples of all these types of public speaking

Aren’t there just three main types of public speaking? Or are there five different types of public speaking?

We have mentioned the ones that are most relevant. When people say three, they usually mean informative, persuasive and entertaining, and when people say five, they usually mean informative, persuasive, entertaining, demonstrating, and actuating. What we haven’t mentioned in the article so far are entertaining and actuating.

Entertaining includes ceremonial, along with other forms of public speaking, such as storytelling and humorous content. Essentially, this form is informal, while most others tend to be formal. The only difference is that you may add a personal touch and be more relaxed on these occasions. Feel free to check out how to make public speaking fun .

Actuating is simply a form of persuasive speaking which focuses on the action component, like getting the consumer to purchase the product. We frequently get things done through other people, so it’s quite a useful form of public speaking.

Here is a video that can help you improve your public speaking skills in all these areas:

Additionally, you can check out 20 unique ways to get better at public speaking . It’s never too late to opt for public speaking coaching !

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you

How to Brag Like a Pro as a Speaker

Less is More! Tips to Avoid Overwhelming Your Audience 

What does it mean to Resonate with the Audience- Agreement, Acceptance, Approval

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5 Tips on How to Write a Speech Essay

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When figuring out how to write a speech, the essay form can offer a good foundation for the process. Just like essays, all speeches have three main sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

However, unlike essays, speeches must be written to be heard as opposed to being read. You need to write a speech in a way that keeps the attention of an audience and helps paint a mental image at the same time. This means that your speech should contain some color, drama, or humor . It should have “flair.” Make your speech memorable by using attention-grabbing anecdotes and examples.

Determine the Type of Speech You're Writing

Since there are different types of speeches, your attention-grabbing techniques should fit the speech type.

Informative  and instructional  speeches inform your audience about a topic, event, or area of knowledge. This can be a how-to on podcasting for teens or a historical report on the Underground Railroad. It also can relate to health and beauty, such as "How to Shape Perfect Eyebrows," or hobby-related, such as "Make a Great Bag Out of Old Clothing."​

Persuasive  speeches attempt to convince or  persuade  the audience to join one side of an argument. You might write a speech about a life choice, such as, "Abstinence Can Save Your Life," or getting involved in the community, such as "The Benefits of Volunteering."

Entertaining  speeches entertain your audience, and topics may not practical. Your speech topic could be something like, "Life Is Like a Dirty Dorm," or "Can Potato Peels Predict the Future?"

Special occasion  speeches entertain or inform your audience, like graduation speeches and toasts at celebrations.

Explore the different types of speeches and decide what speech type fits your assignment.

Craft a Creative Speech Introduction

Thoughtco.com / Grace Fleming

The introduction of the informative speech should contain an attention-grabber, followed by a statement about your topic. It should end with a strong transition into your body section.

As an example, consider a template for an informative speech called "African-American Heroines." The length of your speech will depend on the amount of time you have been allotted to speak.

The red section of the speech in the graphic provides the attention-grabber. It makes audience members think about what life would be like without civil rights. The last sentence states directly the purpose of the speech and leads into the speech body, which provides more details.

Determine the Flow of the Body of the Speech

Thoughtco.com / Grace Fleming

The body of your speech can be organized in a number of ways, depending on your topic. Suggested organization patterns include:

• Chronological: Provides the order of events in time;
• Spatial: Gives an overview of physical arrangement or design;
• Topical: Presents information one subject at a time;
• Causal: Shows cause-and-effect pattern.

The speech pattern illustrated in the image in this slide is topical. The body is divided into sections that address different people (different topics). Speeches typically include three sections (topics) in the body. This speech would continue with a third section about Susie King Taylor.

Writing a Memorable Speech Conclusion

The conclusion of your speech should restate the main points you covered in your speech and end with a memorable statement. In the sample in this graphic, the red section restates the overall message you wanted to convey: that the three women you've mentioned had strength and courage, despite the odds they faced.

The quote is an attention-grabber since it is written in colorful language. The blue section ties the entire speech together with a small twist.

Address These Key Objectives

Whatever type of speech you decide to write, find ways to make your words memorable. Those elements include:

• Clever quotes
• Amusing stories   with a purpose
• Meaningful transitions
• A good ending

The structure of how to write your speech is just the start. You'll also need to finesse the speech a bit. Start by paying attention to your audience and their interests. Write the words you'll speak with passion and enthusiasm, but you also want your listeners to share that enthusiasm. When writing your attention-grabbing statements, make sure you are writing what will get their attention, not just yours.

Study Famous Speeches

Gain inspiration from others' speeches. Read famous speeches and look at the way they are constructed. Find things that stand out and figure out what makes it interesting. Oftentimes, speechwriters use rhetorical devices to make certain points easy to remember and to emphasize them. 

Get to the Point Quickly

Remember to begin and end your speech with something that will gain and hold the attention of your audience. If you spend too much time getting into your speech, people will zone out or start checking their phones. If you get them interested immediately, they will be more likely to stick with you until the end.

Keep It Conversational

How you deliver the speech is also important. When you  give the speech , think about the tone you should use, and be sure to write the speech in the same flow that you'd use in conversations. A great way to check this flow is to practice reading it out loud. If you stumble while reading or it feels monotone, look for ways to jazz up the words and improve the flow. 

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14.1 Four Methods of Delivery

Learning objectives.

• Differentiate among the four methods of speech delivery.
• Understand when to use each of the four methods of speech delivery.

Maryland GovPics – House of Ruth Luncheon – CC BY 2.0.

The easiest approach to speech delivery is not always the best. Substantial work goes into the careful preparation of an interesting and ethical message, so it is understandable that students may have the impulse to avoid “messing it up” by simply reading it word for word. But students who do this miss out on one of the major reasons for studying public speaking: to learn ways to “connect” with one’s audience and to increase one’s confidence in doing so. You already know how to read, and you already know how to talk. But public speaking is neither reading nor talking.

Speaking in public has more formality than talking. During a speech, you should present yourself professionally. This doesn’t mean you must wear a suit or “dress up” (unless your instructor asks you to), but it does mean making yourself presentable by being well groomed and wearing clean, appropriate clothes. It also means being prepared to use language correctly and appropriately for the audience and the topic, to make eye contact with your audience, and to look like you know your topic very well.

While speaking has more formality than talking, it has less formality than reading. Speaking allows for meaningful pauses, eye contact, small changes in word order, and vocal emphasis. Reading is a more or less exact replication of words on paper without the use of any nonverbal interpretation. Speaking, as you will realize if you think about excellent speakers you have seen and heard, provides a more animated message.

The next sections introduce four methods of delivery that can help you balance between too much and too little formality when giving a public speech.

Impromptu Speaking

Impromptu speaking is the presentation of a short message without advance preparation. Impromptu speeches often occur when someone is asked to “say a few words” or give a toast on a special occasion. You have probably done impromptu speaking many times in informal, conversational settings. Self-introductions in group settings are examples of impromptu speaking: “Hi, my name is Steve, and I’m a volunteer with the Homes for the Brave program.” Another example of impromptu speaking occurs when you answer a question such as, “What did you think of the documentary?”

The advantage of this kind of speaking is that it’s spontaneous and responsive in an animated group context. The disadvantage is that the speaker is given little or no time to contemplate the central theme of his or her message. As a result, the message may be disorganized and difficult for listeners to follow.

Here is a step-by-step guide that may be useful if you are called upon to give an impromptu speech in public.

• Take a moment to collect your thoughts and plan the main point you want to make.
• Thank the person for inviting you to speak.
• Deliver your message, making your main point as briefly as you can while still covering it adequately and at a pace your listeners can follow.
• Thank the person again for the opportunity to speak.
• Stop talking.

As you can see, impromptu speeches are generally most successful when they are brief and focus on a single point.

Extemporaneous Speaking

Extemporaneous speaking is the presentation of a carefully planned and rehearsed speech, spoken in a conversational manner using brief notes. By using notes rather than a full manuscript, the extemporaneous speaker can establish and maintain eye contact with the audience and assess how well they are understanding the speech as it progresses. The opportunity to assess is also an opportunity to restate more clearly any idea or concept that the audience seems to have trouble grasping.

For instance, suppose you are speaking about workplace safety and you use the term “sleep deprivation.” If you notice your audience’s eyes glazing over, this might not be a result of their own sleep deprivation, but rather an indication of their uncertainty about what you mean. If this happens, you can add a short explanation; for example, “sleep deprivation is sleep loss serious enough to threaten one’s cognition, hand-to-eye coordination, judgment, and emotional health.” You might also (or instead) provide a concrete example to illustrate the idea. Then you can resume your message, having clarified an important concept.

Speaking extemporaneously has some advantages. It promotes the likelihood that you, the speaker, will be perceived as knowledgeable and credible. In addition, your audience is likely to pay better attention to the message because it is engaging both verbally and nonverbally. The disadvantage of extemporaneous speaking is that it requires a great deal of preparation for both the verbal and the nonverbal components of the speech. Adequate preparation cannot be achieved the day before you’re scheduled to speak.

Because extemporaneous speaking is the style used in the great majority of public speaking situations, most of the information in this chapter is targeted to this kind of speaking.

Speaking from a Manuscript

Manuscript speaking is the word-for-word iteration of a written message. In a manuscript speech, the speaker maintains his or her attention on the printed page except when using visual aids.

The advantage to reading from a manuscript is the exact repetition of original words. As we mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, in some circumstances this can be extremely important. For example, reading a statement about your organization’s legal responsibilities to customers may require that the original words be exact. In reading one word at a time, in order, the only errors would typically be mispronunciation of a word or stumbling over complex sentence structure.

However, there are costs involved in manuscript speaking. First, it’s typically an uninteresting way to present. Unless the speaker has rehearsed the reading as a complete performance animated with vocal expression and gestures (as poets do in a poetry slam and actors do in a reader’s theater), the presentation tends to be dull. Keeping one’s eyes glued to the script precludes eye contact with the audience. For this kind of “straight” manuscript speech to hold audience attention, the audience must be already interested in the message before the delivery begins.

It is worth noting that professional speakers, actors, news reporters, and politicians often read from an autocue device, such as a TelePrompTer, especially when appearing on television, where eye contact with the camera is crucial. With practice, a speaker can achieve a conversational tone and give the impression of speaking extemporaneously while using an autocue device. However, success in this medium depends on two factors: (1) the speaker is already an accomplished public speaker who has learned to use a conversational tone while delivering a prepared script, and (2) the speech is written in a style that sounds conversational.

Speaking from Memory

Memorized speaking is the rote recitation of a written message that the speaker has committed to memory. Actors, of course, recite from memory whenever they perform from a script in a stage play, television program, or movie scene. When it comes to speeches, memorization can be useful when the message needs to be exact and the speaker doesn’t want to be confined by notes.

The advantage to memorization is that it enables the speaker to maintain eye contact with the audience throughout the speech. Being free of notes means that you can move freely around the stage and use your hands to make gestures. If your speech uses visual aids, this freedom is even more of an advantage. However, there are some real and potential costs. First, unless you also plan and memorize every vocal cue (the subtle but meaningful variations in speech delivery, which can include the use of pitch, tone, volume, and pace), gesture, and facial expression, your presentation will be flat and uninteresting, and even the most fascinating topic will suffer. You might end up speaking in a monotone or a sing-song repetitive delivery pattern. You might also present your speech in a rapid “machine-gun” style that fails to emphasize the most important points. Second, if you lose your place and start trying to ad lib, the contrast in your style of delivery will alert your audience that something is wrong. More frighteningly, if you go completely blank during the presentation, it will be extremely difficult to find your place and keep going.

Key Takeaways

• There are four main kinds of speech delivery: impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript, and memorized.
• Impromptu speaking involves delivering a message on the spur of the moment, as when someone is asked to “say a few words.”
• Extemporaneous speaking consists of delivering a speech in a conversational fashion using notes. This is the style most speeches call for.
• Manuscript speaking consists of reading a fully scripted speech. It is useful when a message needs to be delivered in precise words.
• Memorized speaking consists of reciting a scripted speech from memory. Memorization allows the speaker to be free of notes.
• Find a short newspaper story. Read it out loud to a classroom partner. Then, using only one notecard, tell the classroom partner in your own words what the story said. Listen to your partner’s observations about the differences in your delivery.
• In a group of four or five students, ask each student to give a one-minute impromptu speech answering the question, “What is the most important personal quality for academic success?”
• Watch the evening news. Observe the differences between news anchors using a TelePrompTer and interviewees who are using no notes of any kind. What differences do you observe?

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Persuasive Speeches

A  persuasive speech attempts to influence or reinforce the attitudes, beliefs, or behavior of an audience.  This type of speech often includes the following elements:

• appeal to the needs of the audience
• appeal to the reasoning of the audience
• focus on the relevance of your topic to the audience
• fit the speech to the audience - ensure they understand the info
• make yourself credible by demonstrating your expertise

Watch out for logical fallacies in developing your argument:

• ad hominem argument   = attacking an opponent rather than their argument
• bandwagoning  = using popular opinion as evidence
• begging the question = using circular reasoning
• either-or fallacy = the argument is structured as having either one answer or another
• hasty generalization = taking one instance as a general pattern
• non sequitur = aka: it does not follow ; your conclusions are not connected to the reasoning
• red herring fallacy = using irrelevant info in the argument 
• slippery slope = arriving at a truth by supposing a series of possible events
• Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas

Informative Speeches

An  informative speech is one that enlightens an audience.  These types of speeches can be on a variety of topics:

A good informative speech will:

• define terms to make the information clearer
• use descriptions to help the audience form a mental picture
• incorporate a demonstration
• explain concepts in-depth for greater understanding 

Informative speech example from Bill Gates:  Mosquitos, malaria and education

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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Types of Public Speaking

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

When it comes to being a public speaker, the type of speech to give depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. The different types of public speaking are:

• Speaking to Inform (informative, argumentative speech)
• Speaking to Persuade, Motivate, or Take Action (persuasive, argumentative, controversial, policy speeches)
• Speaking to Entertain (funny, special occasion speeches)

In this article:

The 3 Basic Types of Public Speaking

Informative, special occasion, tips for writing an engaging speech.

• To Inform  – when the speaker is presenting interesting facts or lessons to the audience, or explain how to go about doing something. This could be a teaching lecturing about the Civil War, a student giving an oral report or showing how to decorate a cake or set up a blog, a museum docent explaining the history of painting, or a doctor explaining a procedure.
• To persuade, Motivate, or Take Action   – this is when the speaker will try influencing the audience in some way. The speaker might be trying to change your mind about something, to persuade you to change your opinion, to motivate to change a behavior, or to take action. Some examples are explaining the benefits of a non-profit for the purpose of eliciting donations, trying to get people to change bad eating habits by explaining all the benefits of eating healthily or attempting to convince people to vote against a candidate in an election.
• To Entertain  – this type of speaking is often found at events like banquets, weddings, or dinners. The speaker is usually sharing a funny story or other anecdotal information. Some examples of this would be the best man speech at a wedding or an after-dinner speech given by a host of a party to thank guests for coming. They could also be planned as entertainment at an event. Topics are usually humorous and light and could serve a very specific purpose, like introducing a featured guest or giving a toast.

Different Types of Public Speeches

When making a speech, choosing an appropriate topic is obviously the first and most vital step of the process. This is never more true than when a persuasive speech must be constructed. It is important for the speaker to realize that the audience may already have an opinion on the topic, or may form an instant opinion during the opening lines of the presentation. This puts the speaker at somewhat of an instant disadvantage if he or she wishes to persuade those listening to alter their own viewpoints.

When choosing a persuasive speech topic , the speaker should choose a subject area about which they are passionate. This passion will come through in the delivery of the speech and will aid the audience in identifying with the speaker. On the other hand, if the speaker feels apathetic about their chosen topic, that will show as well. It will be difficult for the audience to care about the topic if the speaker obviously does not.

In order to hold the attention of the audience , the speaker should remember several things.

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• using descriptive language to create vivid mental pictures will keep the audience entertained.
• stirring emotion in the audience will provoke them to care about the subject. After all, if listeners don’t care about a topic they’re unlikely to stay focused or form an opinion on it.
• it’s important to find an angle for the chosen topic which has not been overdone in the past. For example, most people agree that smoking cigarettes is bad for their health, and will most likely be bored by a speech on this topic. If the speaker wishes to address a tobacco topic, perhaps they should narrow the focus of the speech to controversial laws, higher taxes, or methods to prevent smoking in youth. Choosing a fresh, new angle on a familiar topic will help the speaker to create a captive audience.

Speakers should always remember that the point of a persuasive speech is to convince the audience to consider a particular point of view. Therefore, it is vitally important that the speaker diligently research their topic, because a fully informed speaker will come across as much more convincing. A question-and-answer session at the end of the speech is the perfect way for the speaker to close his argument. This will demonstrate to the audience that the speaker genuinely cares about their concerns, and it gives the speaker a chance to clarify any lingering misconceptions that may exist within the minds of the audience. When choosing a topic for a persuasive speech, speakers should keep this in mind and select a subject area with which they feel comfortable and knowledgeable.

Writing the text for Persuasive Speech

There are three main components of persuasive speech structure:

Introduction

You can also include

• Questions and answers session at the end of your speech but this is optional.
• Grab attention . Do or say something shocking, intriguing, or dramatic to get attention of the audience from the very first minutes.
• State your topic . Announce what your speech is about, and your position.
• Preview statement . Introduce main points of your speech.

Further information on writing the introduction .

• Introduce your topic . You need to explain your topic to those people who do not know about it. Do not go into the details, simple definition is enough. This speech element is required.
• State your point
• State a Reason
• Give an Example
• Restate the Point

Further information on writing the speech body .

• Summary . Restate thesis and main points.
• Call to action .

Further information on writing the speech conclusion .

First, you need to pick a topic that will appeal to your audience members. To be appealing to audience members, a topic must be:

• Dealt with at a stimulating level : If you are merely teaching the audience information that they already know, you will certainly bore them. If you teach them information that is “over their heads”, you will lose their attention and interest. The key is to find a happy medium, new information that they will readily grasp.
• Dealt with creatively : Surprise your audience. Think about your topic in unexpected ways. Don’t merely step behind the podium with a modified version of an essay you wrote in another class. Be an entertainer. When an audience is entertained, they pay closer attention.

Your audience will also appreciate it if you pick a topic that is relevant to their lives. Whether we care to admit it or not, deep down, we all have one primary interest: ourselves. If your audience does not see a personal benefit that they will receive by listening to your speech, the speech will not be very appealing. When presenting an informative speech, it is important to have proper supporting material to enhance your audience’s understanding of your topic. Some forms of support include:

• Examples  – It’s difficult to listen to someone speaking about an abstract idea with which you have little familiarity. As a listener in this situation, you are forced to do a lot of mental work and you may or may not fully grasp what the speaker is trying to say. It’s a whole different experience when the speaker uses an example that illustrates the abstract idea. For example (ha-ha), a speaker might be talking about poor economic conditions in a certain area of the country. Rather than just leaving the concept of a “poor economy” as an idea, they should speak about the specific struggles of real live people with names and anecdotes.
• Statistics  – People tend to avoid statistics in a speech because they are afraid that people will find them boring. To the contrary, statistics can be interesting and informative if used correctly. The key is to pick statistics that are particularly startling or shocking. You can’t build an entire speech around statistics, of course. However, as long as the statistics add to the quality of the speech, and they don’t misrepresent the situation, they can be used liberally.
• Facts  – A good informative speech is filled with facts. A “fact” is any bit of information that be verified as being “true”. Whenever you present facts in a speech, you should cite the source of those facts so that the audience believes them (and you) to be credible.
• Expert Opinion  – An informative speech is not the time for your personal opinion, that time will come on the persuasive speech. Expert opinion, however, can and should be used in an informative speech. Expert opinion involves using excerpts and quotations from people who are highly respected in the field about which you are speaking. It is important to state the credentials of the person whom you are quoting, if the audience is not familiar with this person. Otherwise, your quote will not have much impact.

Whatever forms of support you may be using in your informative speech, it is important to select those sources carefully. Make sure that you are using up-to-date information. Make sure you are using unbiased sources (these can be especially hard to find on the Internet). And finally, make sure that you are working from a broad base of information. Do not base your entire speech on information found in a single source.

There are a number of social situations in which you might find yourself asked to make a speech. This page examines some of those situations and offers some advice on how to handle them. Speech of Introduction: A speech of introduction is when you are asked to introduce the “main” speaker at the function. Your speech should answer the following questions for the audience:

• Who is the speaker?- Talk about the speaker’s credentials and expertise and why they were chosen to speak.
• What will the speaker be discussing?- Give a short preview of the upcoming speech.

It’s critically important when giving a Speech of Introduction to get the speaker’s name and speech topic correct, naturally. Whenever possible, go over your introduction with the speaker beforehand to avoid potential embarrassment for both of you. Welcoming Speech: The goal of a welcoming speech is to bring people or groups of people together. For example, you might deliver a Welcoming Speech about a new employee in your company. The purpose is to formally introduce the newcomer(s) to the others. This involves telling the audience who the newcomer(s) is/are, where they came from, what they will be doing. Award Presentation Speech : When you are presenting someone with a gift or an award you have two goals to accomplish:

• Discuss the award itself- Who sponsors it, who it is named after, the history of the award, and the requirements to earn it.
• Discuss the winner of the award- Who they are, what they have done to earn the award.

When presenting an award, hand the award off with your left hand and shake hands with recipient with your right hand. Award Acceptance Speech: When receiving an award, your audience will most likely expect you to be gracious and humble. To this end, a good award acceptance speech involves thanking others who made your receiving the award possible. Be sure to thank those involved in helping you get the award, and the giver of the award. Tribute Speech: Situations for a Tribute Speech might be a eulogy at a funeral, or a speech given at a retirement party, or any other occasion where a person is being honored. Basically, sincerity is the key to a good Tribute Speech. You should focus on the positive aspects of the person, tell humorous or otherwise interesting stories about the person, and speak of the person’s accomplishments and admirable qualities. Toast: In most toasting situations (weddings, retirement parties, birthday parties) the person delivering the toast can anticipate that they will be asked to do so. Because of this, and because toasts are usually quite short, a good toast is often written in advance. A toast needs to be positive, and to include words of praise or encouragement for those to whom it is directed.

Preparing a speech is more than just getting the words down on paper and then reading them to an audience. The most important part of a speech is how it affects the audience and the only way it can affect the audience is if they’re actually listening. Engaging your audience is the key to having a successful speech.

How can you write a speech people will actually pay attention to? Here are some tips:

• Make the speech about the audience . Depending on what kind of speech you’re giving, you want the audience to gain a thorough understanding of what you’re speaking about or you’re trying to persuade them to take action. You might even just be trying to make them laugh. All your efforts should be aimed at making sure they understand what you’re saying.
• Write for your ear . Remember, what you’re writing is going to be said out loud. Sometimes, the way things look best on paper is not the way they’re going to sound best. Practice reading your speech out loud so you can make sure it sounds right. You can even record yourself and make necessary changes after you hear it out loud.
• Work through a rough draft of the whole thing and make edits and polish it later. Your speech will not be perfect at first. Writing the whole thing out first will often help you work out any writer’s block or could even make you see something a little clearer and find a better way to say it.
• Put a little bit of yourself into your speech . Don’t worry about being groundbreaking or unique, but make sure you feel a bit of yourself in your writing.
• Start preparing early . Sometimes, you might have no idea what you’re going to talk about. The more research you do, the more likely it is that you’ll find something really interesting about your topic that can grab your audience’s attention. You’ll also find it’s easier to structure and organize your speech the more you know about your topic.
• Limit the information . You can’t cover everything about a topic in a speech and, if you could, you’d lose the audience’s attention before too long. Try to stick to three main points so your speech is a little easier to follow.
• Write your speech as if it’s meant for one person to hear . This will make it sound more conversational and your audience will feel like you’re really trying to make a connection.
• Try to get the audience involved . There are a lot of ways to do this. You can ask simple questions, ask for volunteers for role playing exercises, or have someone help you demonstrate a concept presented in your speech.
• Pace your speech . Vary sentence and word length so it doesn’t become boring.
• Repeat key words and points effectively . This helps the audience understand what the main take away from your speech should be.
• Ask rhetorical questions as a way of attracting the listener’s attention.
• Tell personal stories and anecdotes that fit into the topic of your speech when applicable. This will make your speech a little more personal and can help you make a better connection with the audience.
• Use quotes when you can. It breaks up your speech and makes it more interesting. Bonus points if the quote is from a famous person that your audience will recognize.

Remember, the most important part of giving a speech is getting your audience to listen to what you’re saying. You want to be interesting enough that they’re actually going to want to hear what you have to say. Just as importantly, you want to make sure that they remember the key parts of your speech. The most effective way to achieve this is through an engaging speech.

206 Great Speech Topics for Teens [Persuasive, Informative]

Entertaining Speech Topics [195 Ideas To Keep Audience Engaged]

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• Knowledge Base
• Parts of speech

The 8 Parts of Speech | Chart, Definition & Examples

A part of speech (also called a word class ) is a category that describes the role a word plays in a sentence. Understanding the different parts of speech can help you analyze how words function in a sentence and improve your writing.

The parts of speech are classified differently in different grammars, but most traditional grammars list eight parts of speech in English: nouns , pronouns , verbs , adjectives , adverbs , prepositions , conjunctions , and interjections . Some modern grammars add others, such as determiners and articles .

Many words can function as different parts of speech depending on how they are used. For example, “laugh” can be a noun (e.g., “I like your laugh”) or a verb (e.g., “don’t laugh”).

Table of contents

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions
• Interjections

Other parts of speech

Interesting language articles, frequently asked questions.

A noun is a word that refers to a person, concept, place, or thing. Nouns can act as the subject of a sentence (i.e., the person or thing performing the action) or as the object of a verb (i.e., the person or thing affected by the action).

There are numerous types of nouns, including common nouns (used to refer to nonspecific people, concepts, places, or things), proper nouns (used to refer to specific people, concepts, places, or things), and collective nouns (used to refer to a group of people or things).

Ella lives in France .

Other types of nouns include countable and uncountable nouns , concrete nouns , abstract nouns , and gerunds .

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A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. Pronouns typically refer back to an antecedent (a previously mentioned noun) and must demonstrate correct pronoun-antecedent agreement . Like nouns, pronouns can refer to people, places, concepts, and things.

There are numerous types of pronouns, including personal pronouns (used in place of the proper name of a person), demonstrative pronouns (used to refer to specific things and indicate their relative position), and interrogative pronouns (used to introduce questions about things, people, and ownership).

That is a horrible painting!

A verb is a word that describes an action (e.g., “jump”), occurrence (e.g., “become”), or state of being (e.g., “exist”). Verbs indicate what the subject of a sentence is doing. Every complete sentence must contain at least one verb.

Verbs can change form depending on subject (e.g., first person singular), tense (e.g., simple past), mood (e.g., interrogative), and voice (e.g., passive voice ).

Regular verbs are verbs whose simple past and past participle are formed by adding“-ed” to the end of the word (or “-d” if the word already ends in “e”). Irregular verbs are verbs whose simple past and past participles are formed in some other way.

“I’ve already checked twice.”

“I heard that you used to sing .”

Other types of verbs include auxiliary verbs , linking verbs , modal verbs , and phrasal verbs .

An adjective is a word that describes a noun or pronoun. Adjectives can be attributive , appearing before a noun (e.g., “a red hat”), or predicative , appearing after a noun with the use of a linking verb like “to be” (e.g., “the hat is red ”).

Adjectives can also have a comparative function. Comparative adjectives compare two or more things. Superlative adjectives describe something as having the most or least of a specific characteristic.

Other types of adjectives include coordinate adjectives , participial adjectives , and denominal adjectives .

An adverb is a word that can modify a verb, adjective, adverb, or sentence. Adverbs are often formed by adding “-ly” to the end of an adjective (e.g., “slow” becomes “slowly”), although not all adverbs have this ending, and not all words with this ending are adverbs.

There are numerous types of adverbs, including adverbs of manner (used to describe how something occurs), adverbs of degree (used to indicate extent or degree), and adverbs of place (used to describe the location of an action or event).

Talia writes quite quickly.

Other types of adverbs include adverbs of frequency , adverbs of purpose , focusing adverbs , and adverbial phrases .

A preposition is a word (e.g., “at”) or phrase (e.g., “on top of”) used to show the relationship between the different parts of a sentence. Prepositions can be used to indicate aspects such as time , place , and direction .

I left the cup on the kitchen counter.

A conjunction is a word used to connect different parts of a sentence (e.g., words, phrases, or clauses).

The main types of conjunctions are coordinating conjunctions (used to connect items that are grammatically equal), subordinating conjunctions (used to introduce a dependent clause), and correlative conjunctions (used in pairs to join grammatically equal parts of a sentence).

You can choose what movie we watch because I chose the last time.

An interjection is a word or phrase used to express a feeling, give a command, or greet someone. Interjections are a grammatically independent part of speech, so they can often be excluded from a sentence without affecting the meaning.

Types of interjections include volitive interjections (used to make a demand or request), emotive interjections (used to express a feeling or reaction), cognitive interjections (used to indicate thoughts), and greetings and parting words (used at the beginning and end of a conversation).

Ouch ! I hurt my arm.

I’m, um , not sure.

The traditional classification of English words into eight parts of speech is by no means the only one or the objective truth. Grammarians have often divided them into more or fewer classes. Other commonly mentioned parts of speech include determiners and articles.

• Determiners

A determiner is a word that describes a noun by indicating quantity, possession, or relative position.

Common types of determiners include demonstrative determiners (used to indicate the relative position of a noun), possessive determiners (used to describe ownership), and quantifiers (used to indicate the quantity of a noun).

My brother is selling his old car.

Other types of determiners include distributive determiners , determiners of difference , and numbers .

An article is a word that modifies a noun by indicating whether it is specific or general.

• The definite article the is used to refer to a specific version of a noun. The can be used with all countable and uncountable nouns (e.g., “the door,” “the energy,” “the mountains”).
• The indefinite articles a and an refer to general or unspecific nouns. The indefinite articles can only be used with singular countable nouns (e.g., “a poster,” “an engine”).

There’s a concert this weekend.

If you want to know more about nouns , pronouns , verbs , and other parts of speech, make sure to check out some of our language articles with explanations and examples.

Nouns & pronouns

• Common nouns
• Proper nouns
• Collective nouns
• Personal pronouns
• Uncountable and countable nouns
• Verb tenses
• Phrasal verbs
• Types of verbs
• Active vs passive voice
• Subject-verb agreement

A is an indefinite article (along with an ). While articles can be classed as their own part of speech, they’re also considered a type of determiner .

The indefinite articles are used to introduce nonspecific countable nouns (e.g., “a dog,” “an island”).

In is primarily classed as a preposition, but it can be classed as various other parts of speech, depending on how it is used:

• Preposition (e.g., “ in the field”)
• Noun (e.g., “I have an in with that company”)
• Adjective (e.g., “Tim is part of the in crowd”)
• Adverb (e.g., “Will you be in this evening?”)

As a part of speech, and is classed as a conjunction . Specifically, it’s a coordinating conjunction .

And can be used to connect grammatically equal parts of a sentence, such as two nouns (e.g., “a cup and plate”), or two adjectives (e.g., “strong and smart”). And can also be used to connect phrases and clauses.

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Speech Writing

Types Of Speeches

Common Types of Speeches that Every Speechwriter Should Know

12 min read

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Public speaking is an art, and to master it, the speaker should have a clear objective in mind. 

Having a clear objective and purpose of speech in mind makes the speech writing process simpler and more manageable.

But the question comes to mind: “How many types of speeches are there?”

Worry not, as in this blog, we will understand the different types of speeches with examples. At the end, there are some handy tips for you to ease your speech-writing process!

Carry on reading!

• 1. What are The Different Types of Speeches in English?
• 2. Types of Speeches According to the Purpose
• 3. Types of Speeches According to the Delivery
• 4. Types of Speeches According to Special Occasion
• 5. Other Types of Speeches
• 6. Tips to Conduct Effective Research for Your Speech

What are The Different Types of Speeches in English?

Although there is a variety of speech types, we generally look at speeches in three different ways. 

• Types of speeches according to the purpose
• Types of speeches according to the delivery
• Types of speeches for special occasion

Apart from the above types, there are some other types of speeches as well, which we will address later!

Now, let’s set sail for the types of speeches according to the purpose.

Types of Speeches According to the Purpose

Each and every speech has a specific purpose, i.e., some are delivered to entertain the audience, and others might be delivered to inform the audience. 

When a speaker delivers a speech, he has a clear purpose in his mind for why he wants to convey this message to the audience.

The principal purpose of delivering a speech falls into four basic categories:

Informative Speech

When a speaker tries to inform a particular group or audience about a particular subject, they’re delivering an informative speech. The sole aim of an informative speech is to educate the audience on a topic. 

The presenter may make use of facts and statistics to deliver an impactful informative speech. Such speeches deliver new information on a specific place, person, issue, or occasion by describing, explaining, and defining.

These are some common types of informative speeches:

• Explanatory Speech : Delivered to clarify a complex topic, process, or concept by breaking it down into understandable elements, making it easier for the audience to grasp.
• Descriptive Speech : It is a kind of informative speech that creates an accurate picture of a certain individual, place, or thing in the mind of the audience. 
• Definition Speech : A definition speech provides clear explanations of terms, concepts, or ideas, allowing the audience to understand the meaning of the subject.

Possible scenarios of informative speeches could be:

• A CEO’s reporting on the company's financial performance for the past month, highlighting revenue, expenses, and net profit.

Here is a more detailed example of a compelling informative speech and a sample speech for students:

Informative Speech Example

Speech Example for Students

Persuasive Speech

In a persuasive speech , the speaker aims to persuade the audience with their opinion. Using persuasive language, the orator tries to reinforce the listeners' perspectives, or feelings about a particular subject.

Including factual evidence is necessary in a persuasive speech. With concrete details, there is a higher chance of persuading the audience to agree with what you make claims about. 

This genre of speech is the hardest because it is difficult to convince people of anything. And it becomes more difficult if you ask them to challenge their current belief and think out of that perspective. 

Some common persuasive speech types are:

• Policy Persuasion: Urges for specific actions or policies, aiming to influence the audience's decision-making.
• Value Persuasion: Seeks to modify or fortify the audience's beliefs, values, or attitudes about a particular theme or topic.
• Fact Persuasion: Focuses on presenting facts and evidence to persuade the audience to accept a certain point of view.

An example of a persuasive speech could be:

• Encouraging the audience to vote in the upcoming election to have a say in shaping our community's future.

Here is a complete example of a persuasive speech:

Persuasive Speech Example

View more persuasive speech examples for inspiration!

Entertaining Speech

Have you ever been to an employee’s promotional party or even a standup comedy session? If the speaker managed to entertain you or make you laugh, they delivered an entertaining speech!

In the most simple words, entertainment speeches are intended to entertain the audience. The basic purpose of such kinds of speeches is to provide pleasure and enjoyment that make the audience laugh. 

Although this speech is meant to make the audience laugh and enjoy the occasion, it should have a lighter moment as well. 

Here are some types of entertaining speeches:

• Humorous Speech: Makes use of humor, jokes, and comedy to amuse and entertain the audience. 
• Storytelling Speech: Aims to engage the listeners by sharing a relatable story to convey a message or illustrate a point. Quite often, the presenter uses vivid details and emotions. 
• Roast or Toast: In such a speech, an individual is targeted and teased with the help of humor in a lighthearted way. In a toast, the speaker celebrates or honors someone’s success, typically on a positive note. 

Let’s see what an example of an entertaining speech could be:

• A standup comedy session in your college, organized by some society members!

For a detailed insight on entertaining speeches, take a look at this example:

Entertaining Speech Example

Demonstrative Speech

Also known as a how-to speech, a demonstrative speech is given to demonstrate the working of a particular thing. Typically, a demonstrative speech makes use of visual aids for a clear understanding. 

A little detail to notice is that you shouldn’t confuse a demonstrative speech with an informative speech. Although both types of speeches provide new information to the audience, demonstrative speeches demonstrate how to do or perform something. 

Here are some types of demonstrative speech:

• Process Demonstrative Speech: Guides the audience through a series of steps or a sequence of actions to achieve a specific outcome or create something. 
• Object Demonstrative Speech: Provides detailed information about a specific object, focusing on its characteristics, features, and uses. 
• Activity Demonstrative Speech: Demonstrates how to perform a particular activity or task, offering practical instructions and insights to the audience. 

See this accurate example of a demonstrative speech topic:

• Cooking a classic spaghetti carbonara, step by step, for a delicious Italian meal.

For a more in-depth demonstrative speech, see the example below: 

Demonstrative Speech Example

Head over to our demonstrative speech ideas blog if you need great ideas for your next demonstrative speech!

Well, we just covered what are the types of speeches according to the purpose. Now we will jump to different speech types according to their delivery!

Types of Speeches According to the Delivery

The easiest way to start your speech is not always the best one. A substantial amount of work goes into the preparation of delivering a compelling message. So, when you are asked to deliver a speech, get familiar with the type of speech and your target audience.

Always think of the delivery method that is suitable for delivering a particular message. There are four ways that can help you understand how to balance the formality while delivering the speech.

1. Impromptu Speaking

Consider yourself in an urgent situation where you’re asked to deliver a brief presentation on your semester project updates. You’ve been urgently contacted by your supervisor, and you’ve not even prepared the presentation. 

Obviously, you will present your project without any preparation.

Well, that’s when you’ll deliver an impromptu speech without any prior planning. In short, an impromptu speech is the presentation of a brief and concise message without preparation.

Here is a great example of a well-written impromptu speech:

Impromptu Speech Example

Visit our impromptu speech topics blog to get amazing ideas!

2. Extemporaneous Speaking

Extemporaneous speaking is the opposite of impromptu speaking, as it’s planned, well-prepared, and rehearsed properly. It is a perfect balance as it allows the speaker to use notes and give time to prepare well to deliver the speech.

Extemporaneous speeches are not meant to be memorized, and as a result, the delivery is quite natural and follows a conversational style. 

See this example of a comprehensive extemporaneous speech:

Extemporaneous Speech Example

3. Manuscript Speaking

It is the word-for-word iteration of a written message. The speaker keeps his attention on the printed page while delivering a manuscript message. Such speeches work well where the exact repetition of original words is required, i.e., reading the organization’s mission statement. 

This is the easiest type of public speaking, but it is not as effective as others. The audience might lose their interest soon, as the speaker is just reading the manuscript. 

Take a look at this compelling example of a manuscript speech for a better understanding:

Manuscript Speech Example

4. Memorized Speaking

When a speaker has to deliver a speech relying on their memory, without the use of any notes, they’re delivering a memorized speech. The spokesperson must thoroughly research the speech until they can recite it from memory. 

Memorized speaking is performed in situations where precision, effective delivery, and a positive engagement with the audience are required. Most commonly, this speaking style is practiced in formal speeches, academic competitions, theatrical performances, etc. 

For an even better understanding, see this example of memorized speech:

Memorized Speech Example

5. Oratorical Speech

Oratorical speech is a subcategory of memorized speaking. Although oratorical literally means “ relating to the art of speech giving ”, oratorical speaking is a very specific type of speech. 

Such speeches are often quite long and formal. They’re typically known for their eloquence, use of persuasive and rhetorical style of delivery. To deliver an impactful speech, the speaker has to perform a high degree of practice and memorization. 

Below is a great example of a comprehensive oratorical speech:

Oratorical Speech Example

Types of Speeches According to Special Occasion

Special occasion speeches are intended to entertain or commemorate the audience. They have no set format and are designed to fit the particular occasion. The special occasion could be a birthday party, a graduation ceremony, or someone’s funeral. 

Here are eight common types of special occasion speeches:

1. Introduction Speech

The introduction speeches are given to introduce the speaker who is going to give a speech. It is given to inspire or persuade the audience to listen to that speaker. It is generally small and brief speeches. 

2. Presentation Speech

These speeches are usually given at award ceremonies, where an individual presents an award or prize to a person.  The main purpose of the presentation speech is to provide recognition of the recipient’s accomplishments.

A toast is a brief tribute to a particular person or an event. The toasts are given on a special occasion to honor or acknowledge someone. It is given to express best wishes to someone for the future.  

A roast is a kind of toast where the speaker praises and humorously pokes the person being honored. It might be given to a person who has achieved noteworthy success or moving away. It contains administration, appreciation, comedic insult, or tribute to someone.

5. Acceptance

These types of speeches are given by the person who has just received a prize or an award. Acceptance speech allows the recipient to show humility and grace for the award and say a few words of appreciation.

6. Commemorative Speech

These types of speeches are given at conventions, conferences, or graduation ceremonies. The commemorative speech is the summary of the central message around which the whole meeting or conference revolves. 

7. Farewell Speech

Farewell speeches are like keynote addresses. These speeches are usually given at graduation ceremonies, or when someone leaves an organization, or at farewell parties. It is celebratory in nature and emphasizes looking ahead to the future.

Eulogies are given at funeral and memorial ceremonies to praise the person who has just died. The basic purpose is to reflect the audience’s emotions and offer condolences to the dead person’s relatives.

Below is a special occasion speech example:

Special Occasion Speech Example

Other Types of Speeches

Here are some different types of speeches that are quite common.

• Motivational Speech Being a special kind of speech, a motivational speech motivates the audience to pursue their betterment. The speaker uses strong and impactful words to encourage the listeners to push themselves to do something better

Want to know some great motivational speech ideas ? Head over to our blog! ?

• Forensic Speech Forensic speech is practiced in a competitive setting, where students take part in speech competitions. The speakers delivering a forensic speech are typically judged on their presentation, argumentation, communication skills, etc.

Debate Speech Debate speeches typically follow a certain set of rules and take place in a debating event. We can say that debate speech is a form of persuasive speech but includes plenty of facts and figures. 

In a debate speech, you only have to back your claims with plenty of strong facts, but your aim is not to convince the audience to support you. 

Tips to Conduct Effective Research for Your Speech

To make sure you research and deliver your speech in the best way possible, take a look at the tips mentioned below:

• Research Your Audience : Understand their opinions and thoughts and identify the best way to reach and engage them.
• Consider the Occasion or Location : Tailor your speech to the specific setting or event
• Focus on Your Expertise : Concentrate on your area of knowledge and gather comprehensive information on your topic
• Stay on Topic: Avoid getting off track and maintain a clear focus on your specific subject
• Present Balanced Evidence: Provide a balanced set of evidence for the audience to draw their own conclusions
• Keep It Concise: Avoid overwhelming the audience with excessive information. Just focus on delivering key points and takeaways effectively.
• Be Yourself: Convey passion and enthusiasm for your topic and connect with the audience on a personal level.
• Use Visual Aids: Make the speech more engaging by incorporating visual elements
• Use Reliable Sources: Utilize trustworthy and credible sources for data and statistics
• Properly Cite Sources: Build trust and credibility by citing your sources appropriately

In conclusion, for the various types of speeches, you have to tailor your preparation accordingly. With an abundance of speech types out there, one can get confused between them.

That’s why in this blog, we covered various types of speeches, covering all the essential details about each one. With the included examples, you can have an idea about how to pen down and deliver a wonderful speech.

If you require assistance with crafting any speech, feel free to reach out to our write my essay service . Our writers are exceptionally skilled, providing top-quality services 24/7.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the various speech style categories.

The various speech styles include:

• Formal style
• Frozen style
• Casual style
• Consultative style

Can you explain the difference between informative and persuasive speeches?

Informative speeches aim to educate or provide information to the audience. Persuasive speeches aim to convince or persuade the audience to adopt a specific viewpoint or take action.

What is an oratory or rhetorical speech?

 Oratory speeches are characterized by eloquence and persuasive language. They often use rhetorical devices and are designed to inspire or move the audience emotionally.

What is an acceptance speech?

An acceptance speech is given when someone receives an award or recognition. It expresses gratitude and often includes acknowledgments and thanks.

How do I choose the right type of speech for a specific occasion?

The choice depends on the event's purpose, the nature of the audience, and the goals of the speech. Consider what you want to achieve and the message you want to convey.

How do you adapt your speech style for a formal versus a casual setting?

In a formal setting, use more structured language and adhere to conventions. In a casual setting, you can be more relaxed and conversational.

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• English Grammar
• Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech - Definition, 8 Types and Examples

In the English language , every word is called a part of speech. The role a word plays in a sentence denotes what part of speech it belongs to. Explore the definition of parts of speech, the different parts of speech and examples in this article.

Table of Contents

Parts of speech definition, different parts of speech with examples.

• Sentences Examples for the 8 Parts of Speech

A Small Exercise to Check Your Understanding of Parts of Speech

Frequently asked questions on parts of speech, what is a part of speech.

Parts of speech are among the first grammar topics we learn when we are in school or when we start our English language learning process. Parts of speech can be defined as words that perform different roles in a sentence. Some parts of speech can perform the functions of other parts of speech too.

• The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines parts of speech as “one of the classes into which words are divided according to their grammar, such as noun, verb, adjective, etc.”
• The Cambridge Dictionary also gives a similar definition – “One of the grammatical groups into which words are divided, such as noun, verb, and adjective”.

Parts of speech include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections.

8 Parts of Speech Definitions and Examples:

1. Nouns are words that are used to name people, places, animals, ideas and things. Nouns can be classified into two main categories: Common nouns and Proper nouns . Common nouns are generic like ball, car, stick, etc., and proper nouns are more specific like Charles, The White House, The Sun, etc.

Examples of nouns used in sentences:

• She bought a pair of shoes . (thing)
• I have a pet. (animal)
• Is this your book ? (object)
• Many people have a fear of darkness . (ideas/abstract nouns)
• He is my brother . (person)
• This is my school . (place)

Also, explore Singular Nouns and Plural Nouns .

2. Pronouns are words that are used to substitute a noun in a sentence. There are different types of pronouns. Some of them are reflexive pronouns, possessive pronouns , relative pronouns and indefinite pronouns . I, he, she, it, them, his, yours, anyone, nobody, who, etc., are some of the pronouns.

Examples of pronouns used in sentences:

• I reached home at six in the evening. (1st person singular pronoun)
• Did someone see a red bag on the counter? (Indefinite pronoun)
• Is this the boy who won the first prize? (Relative pronoun)
• That is my mom. (Possessive pronoun)
• I hurt myself yesterday when we were playing cricket. (Reflexive pronoun)

3. Verbs are words that denote an action that is being performed by the noun or the subject in a sentence. They are also called action words. Some examples of verbs are read, sit, run, pick, garnish, come, pitch, etc.

Examples of verbs used in sentences:

• She plays cricket every day.
• Darshana and Arul are going to the movies.
• My friends visited me last week.
• Did you have your breakfast?
• My name is Meenakshi Kishore.

4. Adverbs are words that are used to provide more information about verbs, adjectives and other adverbs used in a sentence. There are five main types of adverbs namely, adverbs of manner , adverbs of degree , adverbs of frequency , adverbs of time and adverbs of place . Some examples of adverbs are today, quickly, randomly, early, 10 a.m. etc.

Examples of adverbs used in sentences:

• Did you come here to buy an umbrella? (Adverb of place)
• I did not go to school yesterday as I was sick. (Adverb of time)
• Savio reads the newspaper everyday . (Adverb of frequency)
• Can you please come quickly ? (Adverb of manner)
• Tony was so sleepy that he could hardly keep his eyes open during the meeting. (Adverb of degree)

5. Adjectives are words that are used to describe or provide more information about the noun or the subject in a sentence. Some examples of adjectives include good, ugly, quick, beautiful, late, etc.

Examples of adjectives used in sentences:

• The place we visited yesterday was serene .
• Did you see how big that dog was?
• The weather is pleasant today.
• The red dress you wore on your birthday was lovely.
• My brother had only one chapati for breakfast.

6. Prepositions are words that are used to link one part of the sentence to another. Prepositions show the position of the object or subject in a sentence. Some examples of prepositions are in, out, besides, in front of, below, opposite, etc.

Examples of prepositions used in sentences:

• The teacher asked the students to draw lines on the paper so that they could write in straight lines.
• The child hid his birthday presents under his bed.
• Mom asked me to go to the store near my school.
• The thieves jumped over the wall and escaped before we could reach home.

7. Conjunctions are a part of speech that is used to connect two different parts of a sentence, phrases and clauses . Some examples of conjunctions are and, or, for, yet, although, because, not only, etc.

Examples of conjunctions used in sentences:

• Meera and Jasmine had come to my birthday party.
• Jane did not go to work as she was sick.
• Unless you work hard, you cannot score good marks.
• I have not finished my project,  yet I went out with my friends.

8. Interjections are words that are used to convey strong emotions or feelings. Some examples of interjections are oh, wow, alas, yippee, etc. It is always followed by an exclamation mark.

Examples of interjections used in sentences:

• Wow ! What a wonderful work of art.
• Alas ! That is really sad.
• Yippee ! We won the match.

Sentence Examples for the 8 Parts of Speech

• Noun – Tom lives in New York .
• Pronoun – Did she find the book she was looking for?
• Verb – I reached home.
• Adverb – The tea is too hot.
• Adjective – The movie was amazing .
• Preposition – The candle was kept under the table.
• Conjunction – I was at home all day, but I am feeling very tired.
• Interjection – Oh ! I forgot to turn off the stove.

Let us find out if you have understood the different parts of speech and their functions. Try identifying which part of speech the highlighted words belong to.

• My brother came home  late .
• I am a good girl.
• This is the book I  was looking for.
• Whoa ! This is amazing .
• The climate  in  Kodaikanal is very pleasant.
• Can you please pick up Dan and me on  your way home?

Now, let us see if you got it right. Check your answers.

• My – Pronoun, Home – Noun, Late – Adverb
• Am – Verb, Good – Adjective
• I – Pronoun, Was looking – Verb
• Whoa – Interjection, Amazing – Adjective
• Climate – Noun, In – Preposition, Kodaikanal – Noun, Very – Adverb
• And – Conjunction, On – Preposition, Your – Pronoun

What are parts of speech?

The term ‘parts of speech’ refers to words that perform different functions in a sentence  in order to give the sentence a proper meaning and structure.

How many parts of speech are there?

There are 8 parts of speech in total.

What are the 8 parts of speech?

Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections are the 8 parts of speech.

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Examples: Edited Papers

Need editing and proofreading services, the eight parts of speech | types, uses & examples.

• Tags: English as a Second Language / ESL , Grammar , Language

Did you know that every word in the English language can be classified into roughly eight categories? This means that around 170,000 words are sorted into eight simple categories, also known as parts of speech. 

However, this categorization isn’t always easy to decipher and incorrect categorization leads to grammatical errors. To help you use these categories correctly,  we’ve explained what are the parts of speech with examples. Let’s start with a simple parts of speech definition. 

What are the parts of speech?

Parts of speech are specific roles and functions of a word in the English language. You can also think of parts of speech as characters in plays, movies, and books, each one having its function. Although the number may vary, modern English classifies these words into the following eight categories: 

• Conjunctions
• Prepositions
• Interjections

These parts of speech can further be classified into two categories: open and closed classes.

Open classes

The word classes where new words can be easily added are known as open classes. These include nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs. Open classes contain a greater number of words as compared to closed classes. 

Closed classes

Parts of speech that are more resistant to change are known as closed classes. These include conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections. New words are rarely added to these classes. 

Eight parts of speech

Each word in the English language performs one of eight roles. These eight parts of speech can be better explained with the help of the following chart:

Let’s look at all these categories of parts of speech with examples:

A name or title given to an object, person, group, or concept is known as a noun . It can either be the subject of a sentence (an individual who acts) or the object of the verb (receiver of the action). 

Nouns can be further divided into common nouns (A generic term used to refer to somebody or something) and proper nouns (A specific name used to refer to an individual, place, or concept). The first letter of proper nouns has to always be capitalized, whereas the first letter of common nouns is only capitalized at the beginning of a sentence. 

Other types of nouns include collective nouns, abstract nouns, and gerunds. Let’s look at the use of these nouns in a sentence.

• Collective noun: The team performed its best and won all the tournaments .
• Common noun: The inexperienced chef surprised everybody by creating a delectable dessert .
• Proper noun: Margot is vacationing in Normandy and Paris .
• Abstract noun: She finds happiness in traveling to different countries. 
• Gerund: Swimming always manages to calm me down.

2. Pronouns

To avoid repetition, pronouns  are used as stand-ins for nouns. A pronoun is usually used to indicate a noun that is already mentioned. It can refer to people, places, objects, or concepts.  Pronouns can further be divided into the following categories:

• Personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they)
• Possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs)
• Demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those)
• Interrogative pronouns (who, whom, whose, what, which)

Let’s look at a few example sentences with these different types of pronouns:

• Personal pronouns: Maria is a party animal, but values her alone time.
• Possessive pronouns: Lea is a voracious reader. The copy of The Death of Vivek Oji is hers . 
• Demonstrative pronouns: This is my cat, Milo. 
• Interrogative pronouns: Who do you think wrote the letter and to whom was it addressed?

3. Adjectives

A descriptive word that modifies a noun or pronoun is known as an adjective . It elaborates on characteristics and provides descriptions of the subject they modify. This may include physical characteristics, qualities, or quantity of the subject. 

Adjectives   can either be placed before or after nouns or pronouns. Here is an example:

My father gifted me a blue pen before my exams. It was a lovely pen with dark blue ink.

A word that indicates an action, an event, or a state of being is called a verb . It indicates the action the subject is performing by itself or on an object. A complete sentence must at least contain a subject and a verb. 

Verbs  can be altered according to the subject, tense, and tone of voice. They can further be divided into two categories:

• Regular verbs: Verbs whose simple past and past participle forms end with a d or ed .
• Irregular verbs: Verbs whose simple past and past participles are constructed differently.

Let’s take a look at examples of both these verbs:

Tara walked towards me and embraced me. 

Jamil came to meet me. 

An adverb is a descriptive word that gives more information about a verb, adjective, or another adverb. A rule of thumb to turn an adjective into an adverb is to simply add ly at the end. However, this rule is not applicable everywhere.

Adverbs  can be further divided into the following types:

• Adverb of manner: description of how something is done
• Adverb of degree: description of the extent something is taken to
• Adverb of place: description of where an event takes place

Here are a few examples of these adverbs in a sentence:

• Adverb of manner: Playing fast and loose will not always get you where you want.
• Adverb of degree: There is no normal, everyone is slightly deviant in their own way.
• Adverb of degree: Let’s get back inside , it’s raining cats and dogs.

6. Conjunctions

A conjunction is a word used to join two or more sentences, phrases, clauses, or words. There are three types of conjunctions :

• Coordinating conjunctions: Used to connect two grammatically equal entities.
• Subordinating conjunctions: Used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause.
• Correlative conjunctions: Used to connect two grammatically equal parts of sentences.

Here are a few example sentences with all three types of conjunctions:

Most animals have a fight- or -flight response to potentially dangerous situations. (Coordinating conjunction) 

Although it was snowing very heavily, the schools were still open. (Subordinating conjunction) 

Both Trixie and Katya like to indulge in psychological thrillers. (Correlative conjunctions) 

7. Prepositions

A preposition is a word or phrase that indicates the relationship of the noun or pronoun with the rest of the sentence. Prepositions  can be used to indicate aspects of time, space, location, and direction. Here are a few example sentences with prepositions:

Sam is the head of the department.

Capybaras swim with their heads above the water.

Shall we meet by the river at 6 pm?

8. Interjections

Interjections  are exclamations that form a separate part of the sentence. They are used to indicate emotions such as awe, joy, pain, or hesitation. They can also be used as a command or a greeting. Here are some example sentences with interjections:

Wow! What a game.

Ouch! That hurt. 

Psst! Do you have an extra pencil?

Hey! How are you today?

Shush! The baby is sleeping. 

Other parts of speech

The following categories at one point were considered separate parts of speech, but are now more or less integrated with the other eight parts of speech. Let’s take a look.

Determiners

Determiners are words that describe the qualities of a noun such as quantity, belonging as well as position. As per the traditional eight parts of speech, these are classified as adjectives or even pronouns. 

Here are a few example sentences:

That is my chair.

Few people believe in the power of positive reinforcement.

We met plenty of tourists tourists in Bangkok, many of whom were from our city.

Articles are used to modify a noun to indicate if it is general or specific. There are two types of articles.

• Definite articles (the): Used to indicate a specific version of a noun.
• Indefinite articles (a, an): Used to indicate a generic version of a noun.

Here are some examples of these articles: 

A cow was lazily grazing in the meadow.

He noticed that an eye of the pigeon was red. 

Although articles can be classified as a separate part of speech, they are generally included under the category of determiners.

Words functioning as multiple parts of speech

Certain words can function as multiple parts of speech depending on the way they’re used. Let’s look at a few example sentences with these words:

The word run can function as a verb, noun as well as an adjective depending on how it’s used. Here are a few example sentences with the word run used in different contexts.

Richard runs by the lake every morning. (Verb) 

We should start going for evening runs together. (Noun) 

Edgar scored the top grade but Violet certainly gave him a run for his money.(Adjective) 

The word lead can function as a noun as well as an adjective. Here’s how it’s used in both these cases:

She is the only lead we have. (Noun) 

The lead surgeon failed to show up for the operation. (Adjective) 

Work can be used as a verb as well as a noun depending on the circumstances. Here are a few example sentences of work in both contexts:

I usually leave from work at 5:00 pm. (Noun) 

You must work tirelessly to achieve success. (Verb) 

These differences may seem trivial at first but are key to perfect writing. As editing and proofreading experts, we realize the importance of understanding grammar concepts for flawless writing. 

We’ve created a useful list of resources to help you minimize such errors. We hope they help bring out the best in your words!

• Affect vs. Effect: Meaning, Difference, & Examples
• Homophones, Homonyms, and Homographs: What’s the Difference?
• 10 Most Common Grammar Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
• Their vs. There vs. They’re: Meaning and Differences
• Principal vs. Principle: Finance, School, & Other Uses

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eight parts of speech, how many parts of speech are there, eight or 9, how to identify parts of speech.

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• Published: 14 August 2024

Classifying coherent versus nonsense speech perception from EEG using linguistic speech features

• Corentin Puffay 1 , 2 ,
• Jonas Vanthornhout 1 ,
• Marlies Gillis 1 ,
• Pieter De Clercq 1 ,
• Bernd Accou 1 , 2 ,
• Hugo Van hamme 2 &
• Tom Francart 1  

Scientific Reports volume  14 , Article number:  18922 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

19 Accesses

Metrics details

• Auditory system
• Biomedical engineering
• Computational science

When a person listens to natural speech, the relation between features of the speech signal and the corresponding evoked electroencephalogram (EEG) is indicative of neural processing of the speech signal. Using linguistic representations of speech, we investigate the differences in neural processing between speech in a native and foreign language that is not understood. We conducted experiments using three stimuli: a comprehensible language, an incomprehensible language, and randomly shuffled words from a comprehensible language, while recording the EEG signal of native Dutch-speaking participants. We modeled the neural tracking of linguistic features of the speech signals using a deep-learning model in a match-mismatch task that relates EEG signals to speech, while accounting for lexical segmentation features reflecting acoustic processing. The deep learning model effectively classifies coherent versus nonsense languages. We also observed significant differences in tracking patterns between comprehensible and incomprehensible speech stimuli within the same language. It demonstrates the potential of deep learning frameworks in measuring speech understanding objectively.

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Decoding speech perception from non-invasive brain recordings

Imagined speech can be decoded from low- and cross-frequency intracranial EEG features

A neural speech decoding framework leveraging deep learning and speech synthesis

Introduction.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive method that can be used to study brain responses to sounds. Traditionally, unnatural periodic stimuli (e.g., click trains, modulated tones, repeated phonemes) are presented to listeners, and the recorded EEG signal is averaged to obtain the resulting brain response and to enhance its stimulus-related component 3 , 31 , 33 . These stimuli do not reflect everyday human natural speech, as they are repetitive, not continuous, and are thus processed differently by the brain 24 . Although these measures provide valuable insights about the auditory system, they do not provide insights about speech intelligibility. To investigate how the brain processes realistic speech, it is common to model the transfer function between the presented speech and the resulting brain response 11 , 18 . Such models capture the time-locking of the brain response to certain features of speech, often referred to as neural tracking. Three main model types are being used to measure the neural tracking of speech: (1) a linear regression model that reconstructs speech from EEG (backward modeling); (2) a linear regression model that predicts EEG from speech (forward modeling); and (3) classification tasks that associate synchronized segments of EEG and speech among multiple candidate segments 13 , 15 , 35 . For forward and backward models, the correlation between the ground truth and predicted/reconstructed signal provides the measure of neural tracking, while for the classification task, classification accuracy is utilized. Estimations of neural tracking with such models can be used to measure speech intelligibility. 40 showed a strong correlation between the neural tracking estimation obtained with linear models and speech intelligibility behavioural measurements.

To investigate how the brain processes speech, research has focused on different features of speech signals, which are known to be processed at different stages along the auditory pathway. Three main classes have hence been investigated:

Acoustics (e.g., spectrogram, speech envelope 18 , f0 34 , 39 )

Lexical segmentation features (e.g., phone onsets, word onsets, 17 , 30 )

Linguistics (e.g., phoneme surprisal, word frequency, 7 , 8 , 20 , 28 , 36 , 42 )

As opposed to neural tracking studies using broad features that carry mostly acoustic information, we here select linguistic features to narrow down our focus to speech understanding. Linguistic features of speech reflect information carried by a word or a phoneme, and their resulting brain response can be interpreted as a marker of speech understanding 7 , 20 . Considering the correlation between feature classes 12 , many studies accounted for the acoustic and lexical segmentation components of linguistic features 7 , 20 , while others did not 8 , 42 , potentially measuring the neural tracking of non-linguistic information.

Although the dynamics of the brain responses are known to be non-linear, most of the studies investigating neural tracking relied on linear models, which is a crude simplification. Later research attempted to introduce non-linearity, using deep neural networks. Such architectures relied on simple fully connected layers 14 , recurrent layers 2 , 32 , or even recently transformer-based architectures 15 . For a global overview of EEG-based deep learning studies see 35 .

Most deep learning work used low-frequency acoustic features, such as the Mel spectrogram, or the speech envelope 2 , 4 , or higher frequency features such as the fundamental frequency of the voice, f0 34 , 38 to improve the decoder’s performance. Although studies using invasive recording techniques showed the encoding of multiple linguistic features 26 , very few EEG-based deep learning studies involved linguistic features 15 . In a previous study 36 , we used a deep learning framework and measured additional neural tracking of linguistic features over lexical segmentation features in young healthy native Dutch speakers who listened to Dutch stimuli. This finding emphasized that a component of neural tracking corresponds to the phoneme or word rate, while another corresponds to the semantic context reflected in linguistic features. In addition, linear modeling studies 21 , 41 suggested the relationship between understanding and the added value of linguistics. 21 used two incomprehensible language conditions (i.e. Frisian, a West Germanic language of Friesland, and random-word-shuffling of Dutch speech) to manipulate speech understanding. However, within our deep learning framework, no investigations have been conducted on language data incomprehensible to the test subject.

In this article, we aim to investigate the impact of language understanding on the neural tracking of linguistics using our above-mentioned deep learning framework. Therefore, we fine-tune and evaluate our previously published deep learning framework to measure the added value of linguistics over lexical segmentation features on the neural tracking of three different stimuli: (1) Dutch, (2) Frisian, and (3) scrambled Dutch words. Additionally, we evaluate our model on a language classification task to explore whether our CNN can learn language-specific brain responses.

Participants

In 21 , 19 participants were recruited (6 men and 13 women; mean age ± std = 22 ± 3 years). We included participants that had normal hearing and Dutch as their native language. Participants with attention problems, learning disabilities or sever head trauma were excluded. The latter were identified via a questionnaire. Pure tone audiometry was conducted at octave frequencies from 125 to 8000 Hz to assess the hearing capacity. Participants for whom a hearing threshold exceeded 20 dB HL, were excluded from this study.

The participants listened to a comprehensible story in Dutch, a list of scrambled words in Dutch, and an incomprehensible story in Frisian. The three stories were narrated by the same male native Dutch speaker, who learnt Frisian as a second language. The Dutch story is derived from a podcast series about crime cases, and the Frisian story is a translation of the Dutch. Frisian is a language related to Dutch but poorly understood by Dutch native participants who have no prior knowledge of it. The list of scrambled words consists of randomly shuffled words from the Dutch story. This story plays the role of intermediary comprehension as words are in Dutch (understood), however there is no sentence structure.

The duration of the Dutch, scrambled Dutch and Frisian stories, from now on referred to as “nguage conditions”are 10, 9, and 7 min, respectively. For the Dutch story, the participants listened to it entirely without any break, and had to answer a content question to make sure they paid attention. The Frisian and the scrambled Dutch story were presented in fragments of 2 min, with a word identification task at the end of each fragment to ensure focus. For more details, see 21 .

For the pre-training of our model, we use an additional dataset from 36 , containing EEG of 60 young healthy native Dutch participants listening to 8 to 10 audiobooks of 14 min each.

Speech features

This study relates 4 features from EEG signals only including the linguistic features that showed a benefit over lexical segmentation features 36 .

The investigated lexical segmentation features are: the onset of any phoneme (PO) and of any word (WO). We then tested the added value of the following linguistic features:

Cohort entropy (CE), over PO

Word frequency (WF), over WO

on our model’s performance, measuring the neural tracking of speech.

Example phoneme-level features are depicted in Figure 1 a, and word-level features in Figure 1 b.

Lexical segmentation features: Time-aligned sequences of phonemes and words were extracted by performing a forced alignment of the identified phonemes 19 . PO and WO are the resulting one-dimensional arrays with pulses on the onsets of, respectively, phonemes and words. Silence onsets were set to 0 for both phonemes and words.

Active cohort of words: Before introducing cohort entropy, the active cohort of words must be defined. Following previous studies’ definition 7 , 20 , it is a set of words that starts with the same acoustic input at any point in the word. For example, should we find cohorts in English, the active cohort of words for the phoneme / n / in “ban” corresponds to the ensemble of words that exist in that language starting with “ban” (e.g., “banned”,“bandwidth” etc.). For each phoneme, the active cohort was determined by taking word segments that started with the same phoneme sequence from the lexicon.

Lexicon: For the Dutch language, the lexicon for determining the active cohort was based on a custom word-to-phoneme dictionary (9082 words). As some linguistic features are based on the word frequency in Dutch, the prior probability for each word was computed, based on its frequency in the SUBTLEX-NL database 27 .

For the Frisian language, the word-to-phoneme dictionary (75036 words) and the word frequencies were taken from 43 .

Cohort entropy: CE reflects the degree of competition among possible words that can be created from the active cohort including the current phoneme. It is defined as the Shannon entropy of the active cohort of words at each phoneme as explained in 7 (see Equation 1 ). \(CE_{i}\) is the entropy at phoneme i and \(p_{word}\) is the probability of the given word in the language. The sum iterates over words from the active cohort \(cohort_{i}\) .

Word frequency: For the Dutch language, the prior probability for each word was based on its frequency in the SUBTLEX-NL database 27 . Values corresponding to words not found in the SUBTLEX-NL were set to 0.

For the Frisian language, the word probabilities were used from 43 . WF is a measure of how frequently a word occurs in the language and is defined in Equation 2 .

More details about their implementation can be found in previous studies 6 , 20 , 36 .

Visualization of word- and phoneme-level lexical segmentation and linguistic features. ( a ) Cohort entropy is depicted in yellow, phoneme onset in black, over a 5 s window. ( b ) Word frequency is depicted in yellow, word onset in black, over a 10 s window.

Preprocessing

The EEG was initially downsampled using an anti-aliasing filter from 8192 to 128 Hz to decrease the processing time. A multi-channel Wiener filter 37 was then used to remove eyeblink artifacts, and re-referencing was performed to the average of all electrodes. The resulting signal was band-pass filtered between 0.5 and 25 Hz using a Least Squares filter of order 5000 for the high-pass filter, and 500 for the low-pass filter, with 10% transition bands (transition of frequencies 10% above the lowpass filter and 10% below the highpass) and compensation for the group delay. We then downsampled the signal to 64 Hz.

Lexical segmentation and linguistic features are discrete representation, namely vectors of zero and nonzero values. They were calculated at 64 Hz and no further pre-processing was needed.

The match-mismatch task

In this study, we use the performance of the match-mismatch (MM) classification task 13 to measure the neural tracking of different speech features (Figure 2 ). We use the same paradigm as 36 . The model is trained to associate the EEG segment with the matched speech segment among two presented speech segments. The matched speech segment is synchronized with the EEG, while the mismatched speech segment occurs 1 second after the end of the matched segment. These segments are of fixed length, namely 10 s for word-based features and 5 s for phoneme-based features, to provide enough context to the models as hypothesized by 36 . This task is supervised since the matched and mismatched segments are labeled. The evaluation metric is classification accuracy.

Match-mismatch classification task. The match-mismatch task is a binary classification paradigm that associates the herewith blue EEG and speech segments. The matched speech segment is synchronized with the EEG (blue segment), while the mismatched speech occurs 1 second after the end of the matched segment (black segment). The figure depicts segments of 5 s and 10 s, which will be lengths used in our studies for the phoneme and word levels respectively.

Multi-input features convolutional neural network 36

In 36 , we developed a multi-input convolutional neural network (MICNN) model that aims to relate different features of the presented speech to the resulting EEG. The MICNN model has 127k parameters and is trained using binary cross-entropy as its loss function (Adam optimizer, 50 epochs, learning rate: \(10^-{3}\) ). We used early stopping as regularization. It is trained to perform well on the MM task presented in "The match-mismatch task ". Through the MM task, the MICNN model learns to measure the neural tracking of speech features, which we can thereafter use to quantify the added value of one speech feature over another. By inputting multiple features, we make sure to account for redundancies and correlations between them and enable interpretation of what information makes the model better on the MM task. In our case, our models enable us to quantify the added value of a given linguistic feature (WF or CE) over their corresponding lexical segmentation feature (WO or PO, respectively)

To ensure that the model has enough data to identify a typical neural response to Dutch linguistic features, we always train the MICNN model on the dataset used in 36 as a first step. We use an identical training procedure.

Fine-tuning and evaluation on validation datasets

We performed two fine-tuning conditions: one subject-independent (language fine-tuning) and one subject-dependent (subject fine-tuning). For both, we keep the training parameters mentioned in " Multi-input features convolutional neural network ", and solely change the data used for training and evaluation.

For the language condition fine-tuning, we trained a separate model for each subject, including data from the other 25 subjects, for each of the three language conditions (i.e., Dutch, Frisian, and scrambled Dutch): We exclude a selected subject and separate the data from the 25 other subjects in an 60%/20%/20% training/validation/test split. For the 25 other subjects, the first and last 30% of their recording segment were used for training. The first half of the remaining 40% was used for validation (i.e., for regularization) and the second half to get an estimate of the accuracy of unseen speech data. Once the model is fine-tuned, we evaluate it on the selected subject.

For the subject-specific fine-tuning, a 25%/25%/50% training/validation/test split was performed. Compared to the language condition fine-tuning, selecting the data of a single subject divides the amount of data by a factor of 26 (i.e., the number of subjects) for training validation and testing. For the Dutch, Frisian and scrambled Dutch stories, the total amount of data is thus 10 min, 7 min and 9 min respectively. We thus modified the split ratio to increase the amount of data in the validation set to enable keeping the batch size constant across fine-tuning conditions. We used the validation set for regularization. The first and last 12.5% of the recording segment were used for training. The first third of the remaining 75% was used for validation and the two remaining thirds for testing. For each set (training, validation, and testing), each EEG channel was then normalized by subtracting the mean and dividing by the standard deviation.

Language condition classification

Inspired by the support vector machine (SVM) utilization for aphasia classification from 10 , we use the MM accuracy obtained with four models to classify the language presented to the participant. The four models are the following: the control (word onset or phoneme onset) and linguistic (cohort entropy or word frequency) models for both fine-tuning conditions. We chose to use only the fine-tuned conditions as the non-fine-tuned one was biased towards giving better performance on the Dutch condition. These four MM accuracy values constitute the features provided to the SVM to solve a one-vs-one classification: did the person listen to one or another selected language condition. We consider three language conditions: Dutch, scrambled Dutch, and Frisian, which in total leads to three binary classification tasks.

We used a radial basis function kernel SVM and performed a nested cross-validation approach. In the inner cross-validation, the C-hyperparameter (determining the margin) and pruning were optimized (accuracy-based) and tested in a validation set using 5-fold cross-validation. Predictions were made on the test set in the outer loop using leave-one-subject-out cross-validation. We computed the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculated the area under the curve (AUC), and further reported the accuracy, F1-score, sensitivity, and specificity of the classifier.

Impact of the language on the neural tracking of linguistic features

We only depict results with language or subject fine-tuning as pure evaluation would potentially give a performance advantage to the model on Dutch because of the pre-training on Dutch stimuli. We still show the non-fine-tuned results in Appendix A.

Evaluation of the trained MICNN across languages with language fine-tuning

Although not significant, at both the word and the phoneme levels, the neural tracking when adding the linguistics on top of lexical segmentation features is typically higher at the group level. We depict in Appendix B (see Figure B1a and B1b) the models performances at the phoneme and the word levels across stimuli.

Figure 3 depicts for all three stimuli, the difference in the MM accuracy between L and C conditions for phoneme-level features. We observed no significant difference when comparing the Frisian and the Dutch conditions (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, \(W=172, \textit{p}=0.94\) ), the Dutch and the Sc. Dutch conditions (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, \(W=160, \textit{p}=0.73\) ), and the Frisian and the Sc. Dutch conditions (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, \(W=149, \textit{p}=0.51\) ).

We also depict for all three stimuli, the L-C accuracy at the word level. We observed a significant increase of the L-C accuracy of Sc. Dutch over Frisian (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, \(W=97, \textit{p}=0.046\) ), however no significant difference in the Dutch-Frisian and Dutch-Sc. Dutch comparisons (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Dutch-Frisian: \(W=104, \textit{p}=0.07\) , Dutch-Sc. Dutch: \(W=163, \textit{p}=0.78\) ).

To see whether the model could be improved by introducing subject information, we add a subject fine-tuning step in the next Section (for details about the method, see " Fine-tuning and evaluation on validation datasets ").

L - C accuracy for three stimuli with a language-finetuned model. L corresponds to the MM accuracy obtained by (1) the cohort entropy model at the phoneme level; (2) the word frequency model at the word level. C corresponds to the MM accuracy obtained by (1) the phoneme onset model at the phoneme level; (2) the word onset model at the word level. Significance levels : \(p<0.05\) : *.

Evaluation of the trained MICNN across languages with language and subject fine-tuning

We depict results up to half of the recording length of the shortest stimulus for each subject (i.e., 3.5 min) as we used the other half to fine-tune the model.

Figure 4 depicts for all three stimuli, the L-C accuracy at the phoneme level. We observed no significant difference in the L-C accuracy in the Frisian-Sc. Dutch, Dutch-Sc.-Dutch and Frisian-Dutch comparisons (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, \(W=141, \textit{p}=0.39\) , and \(W=118, \textit{p}=0.15\) , and \(W=152, \textit{p}=0.78\) respectively).

We also depict for all three stimuli, the L-C accuracy at the word level. We observed a significant increase in the L-C accuracy of Dutch over Frisian (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, \(W=97, \textit{p}=0.046\) ). We observed no significant difference in the L-C accuracy for the other comparisons (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Dutch-Frisian: Dutch-Sc.Dutch: \(W=134, \textit{p}=0.30\) , and Sc.Dutch-Frisian: \(W=144, \textit{p}=0.44\) ).

L - C accuracy across recording lengths for three stimuli with a subject-finetuned model. L corresponds to the MM accuracy obtained by (1) the cohort entropy model at the phoneme level; (2) the word frequency model at the word level. C corresponds to the MM accuracy obtained by (1) the phoneme onset model at the phoneme level; (2) the word onset model at the word level. Significance levels : \(p<0.05\) : *.

Language classification task

Figure 5 depicts the SVM classification results of the three binary classification tasks: (1) Dutch vs. Frisian, (2) Dutch vs. Scrambled Dutch, and (3) Frisian vs. Scrambled Dutch. For more details about the methods, see " Language condition classification" .

When evaluated over all subjects, our SVM classifier correctly classified the scrambled Dutch from the Frisian condition with an accuracy of 61.5% for both the FTL and FTS conditions. In addition, the classifier correctly classified the scrambled Dutch from the Dutch condition with an accuracy of 69.23% and 71.15% for the FTL and FTS conditions, respectively. We do not show the results for the Dutch vs. Frisian task, as the classifier performed close to the chance level.

SVM performance across fine-tuning conditions. The performance is depicted for each condition as a ROC curve plotting the true positive rate as a function of the false positive rate. ( a ) Scrambled Dutch vs. Frisian classification with language fine-tuning; ( b ) with subject fine-tuning; ( c ) Scrambled Dutch vs. Dutch classification with language fine-tuning; ( d ) with subject fine-tuning.

We evaluated a deep learning framework that measures the neural tracking of linguistics on top of lexical segmentation features in different language understanding conditions. Although we used the same dataset, direct comparison with 21 is difficult, considering the difference in the models, and the features provided to the model.

As our model was trained uniquely on Dutch before, the model might not have learned the typical brain response to Frisian linguistics, or scrambled Dutch, thus leading to overfitting on Dutch, impairing the objective measure of linguistics tracking on other language conditions. To avoid this bias, we fine-tuned our model on Frisian and scrambled Dutch data before respective evaluations.

Since we are interested in the linguistics added value over lexical segmentation features, we compared the difference between the linguistic and lexical segmentation models’ performance across language conditions. For cohort entropy, although there is no significant difference between language conditions in the linguistics added value, the one of Frisian is systematically lower. For word frequency, we observed a significant increase in the added value of linguistics for scrambled Dutch over Frisian. In addition, although not significantly different, the linguistics added value also appeared lower for Frisian than Dutch. This finding suggests that a language that is not understood might show a lower linguistics added value. Regarding the scrambled Dutch results performing non-significantly different than Dutch, although the subjective rating of understanding was very low, individual words are still in Dutch and thus understood. Cohort entropy and word frequency are features that are independent of the order of words in the sentence, which might explain why we do not observe a drop in the neural tracking of linguistics.

Language processing in the brain is influenced by our memory, and top-down processing 23 , 29 , and might thus have a strong subject-specific component in the response to linguistic features. We therefore decided to fine-tune the models on each subject before evaluation on top of the language fine-tuning. The only significant difference we observed was for word frequency between Dutch and Frisian. This finding supports the conclusion drawn with language fine-tuning: the added value of linguistics is larger when the language is understood. We note that the subject fine-tuning diminished the data used per subject by 50% (i.e., up to  3.5 min of recording) for evaluation, which might not be sufficient to get a good estimate of the accuracy. We therefore do not interpret further the subject fine-tuning condition.

With SVM classifiers, we were able, from the match-mismatch accuracies on our different features, to classify the Frisian vs. the scrambled Dutch condition, as well as the Dutch vs. the scrambled Dutch condition. This suggests that neural tracking of linguistics and lexical segmentation features differs between continuous and scrambled speech. We expected the classifier to be able to differentiate Frisian from Dutch, as participants were not Frisian speakers. Our hypotheses to explain this phenomenon are fourfold: (1) Frisian is a language that is too similar to Dutch to measure a difference in linguistic tracking, therefore there is some understanding by the participants, as emphasized by the subjective rating from 21 (the authors reported that the speech understanding median subjective rating for the Dutch condition was 100%, while the Frisian and scrambled Dutch were 50% and 10.5%, respectively. The value for Frisian is strangely high and we believe it might in reality be lower.). On the other hand, we believe that within our framework, choosing a similar language is advisable. A very different language (e.g., Mandarin), could have caused a decrease of neural tracking for both lexical segmentation and linguistic features, obliterating our method relying on the added value of linguistics; (2) Linguistic and lexical segmentation features are too correlated, notably because their only differ in the magnitude, which might be too limited to describe the language complexity (3) the magnitude of linguistics has a distribution that tends to be skewed towards the value 1 (i.e., the magnitude of lexical segmentation features) in our three stimuli (see 21 ). A more controlled speech content (e.g., sentences with uncommon words) might make the impact of linguistics larger; (4) An additional concern can be added for word frequency: the most frequent words in the language are non-content words (e.g., “and”, “or”, “of”). In addition, most of these words are short words. The model might therefore have learnt a spurious content vs. non-content words threshold from the word frequency, which can be globally narrowed-down to short vs. long words. The length of words can possibly be derived from the word onsets as well. The model could therefore simply use word onset information and omit the magnitude provided by linguistics, which would explain the low benefit of adding word frequency over word onsets.

A possible shortcoming of our training paradigm is the use of a single language for pre-training (i.e., Dutch), which might provide the fine-tuning insufficient abilities to generalize to other language conditions. To solve this issue and preserve a necessary pre-training step for complex deep learning frameworks, we could change our experimental paradigm by: (1) keeping the same language across understanding conditions to avoid biasing the model during pre-training; and (2) avoid random word-shuffling to preserve the word context in sentences. Other non-understanding conditions could involve vocoded speech or degraded-SNR speech as done in 1 . We also evaluated our framework to a speech rate paradigm 41 . However, although we observed a decreased neural tracking of linguistics in challenging listening scenarios (i.e., very high speech rates), we also observed an equivalent decreased neural tracking of lexical segmentation features. We could thus not draw any conclusions whether the nature of this decrease was acoustic or linguistic.

Another pitfall in our comparison across languages is that our linguistic features both rely on word frequencies. The word frequency values were therefore calculated for Dutch and Frisian, respectively. Our participants being Dutch speakers not speaking Frisian, have an language representation in the brain corresponding to the Dutch word frequencies, and not to the Frisian one. This might thus result in a lower neural tracking of linguistics when listening to Frisian content compared to Dutch content.

Linguistic features, as we use them now, are very constrained: they mainly give information about the word or phoneme frequency in the language. Language models are known to capture more information. As an example, the Bidirectional Transformers for Language Understanding (i.e., BERT) 16 model carries phrase-level information in its early layers, surface (e.g., sentence length) and syntactic (e.g., word order) information in the intermediate layers and semantic features (e.g., subject-verb agreement) in the late layers 25 . Such representations could contain more detailed information about the language than our current linguistic features. 15 used larger pre-trained speech encoder models, and following up on this work, we could use language model layers, providing information about the structure of language that can be related to brain responses 9 , 22 .

In this article, we investigated the impact of language understanding on the neural tracking of linguistics. We demonstrated that our previously developed deep learning framework can classify coherent from nonsense languages using the neural tracking of linguistics. We explored the ability and the limitations of state-of-the-art linguistic features to objectively measure speech understanding using lexical segmentation features as our acoustic tracking baseline. Our findings along with the current literature support the idea that, considering this framework, further work should be dedicated to (1) designing new linguistic features using recent powerful language models, and (2) using incomprehensible and comprehensible speech stimuli from the same language, to facilitate the comparison across conditions.

Data availibility

The data that support the findings of this study can be made available from the corresponding author on reasonable request, so far as this is in agreement with privacy and ethical regulations. A subset of the pretraining dataset (i.e., 60 subjects, 10 stories) was published and is available online 5 .

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the participants for the recordings, as well as Wendy Verheijen, Marte De Jonghe, Kyara Cloes, Amelie Algoet, Jolien Smeulders, Lore Kerkhofs, Sara Peeters, Merel Dillen, Ilham Gamgami, Amber Verhoeven, Lies Bollens, Vitor Vasconcelos and Amber Aerts for their help with data collection. Funding was provided by FWO fellowships to Bernd Accou (1S89622N), Marlies Gillis (1SA0620N; additional Internal Funds KU Leuven: PDMT1/23/011), Corentin Puffay (1S49823N), Pieter De Clercq (1S40122N), and Jonas Vanthornhout (1290821N).

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C.P. wrote the manuscript, prepared figures and did the analyses, as well as the interpretation of the results present in the article. J.V. provided the main guidance, was heavily involved in the thinking process, and in the interpretation of the results. M.G. shared the data from her publication, provided help to C.P. in the preprocessing of data, was involved in the thinking process, and the interpretation of the results. P.DC. was involved in the thinking process and wrote the scripts for the SVM classification task. B.A. was involved in the thinking process, and provided the basis of the deep learning framework code. H.VH. and T.F. provided guidance and were involved in the interpretation of the results. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Puffay, C., Vanthornhout, J., Gillis, M. et al. Classifying coherent versus nonsense speech perception from EEG using linguistic speech features. Sci Rep 14 , 18922 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69568-0

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