Types of Speaking

Types of Speaking — Briefing, Teaching Lecture, Formal Speech

Three Common Types

Three USAF Speaking Types

Typically, the types of speaking used in the USAF include:

The briefing
The teaching lecture
The formal speech

Briefing

Briefing Major Purpose

The major purpose of a briefing is to inform listeners about a mission, operation, or concept.

Other Briefing Purposes

Some briefings:

Direct or enable listeners to perform a procedure or carry out instructions
Advocate, persuade, or support a certain solution and lead the audience to accept the briefing

Three Briefing Qualities — ABC

Briefing ABC Qualities

Every good briefing has the qualities of:

Accuracy
Brevity
Clarity

Brevity Is Distinctive

Brevity Distinguishes

Accuracy and clarity characterize all good speaking, but brevity DISTINGUISHES the briefing from other types of speaking.

Briefer Behavior

A briefer must be:

Brief and to the point
Anticipate some of the questions that may arise

Unanswerable Questions

If a briefer cannot answer a question, he or she should NOT attempt an off-the-cuff answer. Instead, he or she should request an opportunity to research the question and follow up with an answer at a later time.

Teaching Lecture

Teaching Lecture Most Used

The teaching lecture is the method of instruction MOST OFTEN used in the USAF.

Primary Purpose

Teaching Lecture Purpose

As the name implies, the primary purpose of a teaching lecture is to teach an audience about a given subject.

Two Lecture Types

Teaching lectures are either formal or informal.

Formal Lectures

Formal lectures are generally one-way with no verbal participation by the audience.

Informal Lectures

Informal lectures are usually presented to smaller audiences and allow for verbal interaction.

Formal Speech

Formal Speech Three Purposes

A formal speech generally has one of three basic purposes:

To inform
To persuade
To entertain

Informative Speech

The informative speech is a narration concerning a specific topic, but it does NOT involve a sustained effort to teach.

Informative Examples

Orientation talks and presentations at commander's call are examples of informative speeches.

Persuasive Speech

The persuasive speech is designed to move an audience to believe in or take action on a topic, such as recruiting speeches to high school graduating classes.

Entertaining Speech

Entertaining speeches often include humor and wit to entertain listeners, such as a speech to entertain at a dining-out.