Analysis of Informative Speeches: Acupuncture and Chili Peppers

1. What are the general purposes of each speech?
The speech about Acupuncture, its general purpose is to inform. Chili Peppers' general purpose is also informal.
2. What would be the specific purpose for Chili Pepper speech?
The specific purpose for Chili Peppers would look something like this. To inform my audience about chili peppers.
3. What is the Central Idea (thesis) for each speech?
The central idea for Chili Peppers is: "history of chili peppers, why they can be so spicy, what to do when you consume a too-hot pepper, and some of the ways peppers are used other than in food."
The central idea for Acupuncture is: "explaining what happens when you receive an acupuncture treatment, how acupuncture works, the kinds of medical conditions that can be treated by acupuncture, and the growing use of acupuncture in combination with Western medical techniques."
4. How do the speakers catch attention?
In Acupuncture, the speaker starts out by relating topic personally to how her grandmother used it.
In Chili Peppers, the speaker begins giving a clear mental picture of what to expect when eating a hot chili pepper.
5. How does author of Chili Peppers show credibility?
The author has the name of the sources he used. It tells us where they found their information. This tells us that they put effort in finding research for this essay.
6. List the previews for each speech.
In Acupuncture here is the preview. Today I will share part of what I have learned by explaining what happens when you receive an acupuncture treatment, how acupuncture works, the kinds of medical conditions that can be treated by acupuncture, and the growing use of acupuncture in combination with Western medical techniques.
In Chili Peppers here is the preview. Today I would like to share with you what I have learned about the history of chili peppers, why they can be so spicy, what to do when you consume a too-hot pepper, and some of the ways peppers are used other than in food.
7. What type of organizational pattern are used for each of the speeches?
Chili Peppers used the Topical organizational pattern.
Acupuncture used the Problem-Solving organizational pattern.
8. List statistics cited in one of the speeches.
In Acupuncture: "Performed for well over 2,000 years in China and other parts of Asia, acupuncture is becoming more and more popular in U.S. and other Western countries for one simple reason-it works." "The World Health Organization lists more than 40 conditions that can be effectively treated with acupuncture"
Black pepper was first cultivated in Asia
9. List Authorities cited or quoted in one of the speeches.
In Acupuncture the author cites a book called Acupuncture: The Ancient Chinese Art of Healing and How it Works Scientifically by Dr. Felix Mann-President of the Medical Acupuncture Society.
A quote from Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer is acupuncture “really does help. Most children accept acupuncture, and in fact, really feel good about it.”
10. What stories or narratives does the author of Acupuncture speech tell to illustrate their ideas?
The author explains that her grandmother had arthritis in both of her knees and using acupuncture relieved much of her pain and was able to get around more on her own independently. Also the author explains that he or she had migraine headaches and that once he or she did acupuncture the pain was completely gone.
11. Consider both speeches. First give one example of a transition between two main ideas in one speech. Second, give one example of a transition in the second speech. In other words, what do the authors say to smoothly go from one point to a new point?
Here is a transition from one point to the next from Acupuncture. Now that you know what happens when you’re treated by an acupuncturist, you’re probably wondering how acupuncture works.
Here is a transition from Chili Peppers. Although chili peppers are prized above all for the flavor they add to food, they have other benefits as well.
Both of the authors use transitions that will give you a follow up of what they are going to talk about in the next paragraph.
12. Compare and contrast the conclusions of the speeches. How are they alike and how do they differ?
In acupuncture the conclusion refers back to her grandmother from her introduction paragraph.
In acupuncture the conclusion is missing the three main points and thesis.
In Chili Peppers it also refers back to introduction paragraph by summarizing the main points.
In Chili Peppers, it also recaptures the central idea (thesis).
Both conclusions refer back to introduction paragraphs. They are different, because one summarizes main points, and one does not.
3. How do the author's build credibility?
Acupuncture builds credibility by having the topic personally related. It talks about how the author and grandmother used acupuncture and both had great results.
Chili Peppers build credibility by having a few sources mentioned. The sources indicate that they did research and found evidence and some facts or statistics to relate to their essay. The author involves doing research for the essay.
5. Choose one of the two speeches: What are the strengths and weakness of the speech?
Strengths for Chili Peppers that are strong are that it is structured very organized. You can easily see the main points. Also, cites many sources, which tell that the author did a lot of research on the topic. The introduction does a great job letting the audience have a visual picture of what is should be like to eat a hot chili pepper. The essay has really good transitions.
Weakness for Chili Peppers that could be improved is that the conclusion could end with a stronger sentence. The last sentence to me doesn’t seem like a good finish. The essay has really good transitions but is missing one after the introduction paragraph to let the audience know that they will be talking about the first main point.