Stack Exchange Network

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Q&A for work

Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.

What is the difference between "presentation" and "demonstration"?

What is the difference between presentation and demonstration ?

  • differences

RegDwigнt's user avatar

4 Answers 4

In the context of my work at a software company, a presentation would include powerpoint slides with lists or screen shots of software functionality. A demonstration would include using the software to show, or demonstrate the functionality or how to complete a task.

mkennedy's user avatar

  • Absolutely agree (speaking also from a software/technical background). The interactivity involved in a demo has resulted in a fairly common turn of phrase "if the demo gods are with us" to indicate that a demo can (and often does!) go wrong. –  Loquacity Commented Jul 3, 2011 at 0:26

For one thing, a demonstration could involve hundreds of thousands of people marching through the streets, some of them maybe throwing petrol bombs.

A presentation rarely involves more than a handful of 'presenters', and usually it's just one person standing up in front of an audience and talking.

Without more context it's hard to be more specific. In some cases the words are interchangeable.

FumbleFingers's user avatar

Assuming that by "demonstration" you mean somebody showing something to others rather than angry mobs in the streets:

A demonstration is a type of presentation. A presentation is any situation where you present some material to others. The typical presentation is a lecture with visual aids like slides. A demonstration is where you actually show something.

If the bulk of the time will be taken with showing the thing being demonstrated, you usually call it a demonstration (or "demo") even if there are also some accompanying slides. If most of the time will be spent with slides and talking and a demonstration is only a small part of it, it's better to call it a presentation (or a presentation that includes a demo) to set people's expectations correctly.

Monica Cellio's user avatar

Demonstration is when someone is showing something to someone on how it works.

Presentation is when someone is presenting something to a group of person either by charts diagram, slides etc.

natesia haynes's user avatar

Your Answer

Sign up or log in, post as a guest.

Required, but never shown

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy .

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged differences nouns or ask your own question .

  • Featured on Meta
  • Bringing clarity to status tag usage on meta sites
  • Announcing a change to the data-dump process

Hot Network Questions

  • How to go from Asia to America by ferry
  • Is there a way to read lawyers arguments in various trials?
  • How to fold or expand the wingtips on Boeing 777?
  • Filtering polygons by name in one column of QGIS Attribute Table
  • Is it suspicious to write about research with no accompanying letter from a PI for PhD admissions?
  • Are fuel efficiency charts available for mainstream engines?
  • What is the resulting initiative order when a readied action triggers after a summoned monsters action but before the summoner?
  • Does Psalm 127:2 promote laidback attitude towards hard work?
  • Is this host and 'parasite' interaction feasible?
  • How does a miner create multiple outputs in a coinbase transaction?
  • What is this phenomenon?
  • Weird error in RegionPlot3D?
  • What was the typical amount of disk storage for a mainframe installation in the 1980s?
  • Power of Toffoli vs T in quantum logic
  • Starting with 2014 "+" signs and 2015 "−" signs, you delete signs until one remains. What’s left?
  • How does registration work in a modern accordion?
  • Minimal permutation degree of the dihedral group
  • Why does each leg of my 240V outlet measure 125V to ground, but 217V across the hot wires?
  • Would it be out of style to start a history book with a poem I wrote?
  • Why do "modern" languages not provide argv and exit code in main?
  • lib/xorg/Xorg →lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libc.so →xorg/modules/drivers/nvidia_drv.so causes a segmentation fault. Should I report that to Debian team?
  • Somebody used recommendation by an in-law – should I report it?
  • Where is this railroad track as seen in Rocky II during the training montage?
  • How can I make this equation look better?

define presentation and demonstration

ESL Activities

ESL Games, Activities, Lesson Plans, Jobs & More

in Speaking

How to Do a Demonstration Speech | ESL Presentation Lesson

Delivering an effective demonstration speech is a skill that transcends language barriers. It is a type of speech that you want your ESL students to be able to do in order to become better English speakers and communicators. In this article, we will delve into demonstration presentation, learning what it is, why it is important, and how you do it. With our easy breakdown of this type of speech, you’ll be able to give an awesome ESL speaking lesson focusing on presentations.

  • Demonstration Speech

A speech is a spoken communication delivered by a person to convey a message or express thoughts, often in front of an audience. It involves organized and purposeful verbal expression to inform, persuade, or entertain. There are many different types of speech, including informative , persuasive, motivational, impromptu, expository, and debate. And demonstration presentation is also one of them.

What is a Demonstration Speech?

A demonstration speech is a form of presentation where the speaker explains a process or activity, accompanied by a live demonstration. The primary objective is to educate and enlighten the audience on the steps involved in a particular task or the functionality of an object. In simple terms, the speaker wants to inform or illustrate something.

Key Elements of a Demonstration Speech

Here are the three most important elements of a successful demonstration speech:

  • Clarity in Explanation: A successful speech relies on clear communication, avoiding jargon, and using simple language. This is especially important in an ESL context.
  • Engaging Visuals: Incorporate visual aids to enhance understanding. Whether it’s slides, props, or multimedia, a visual component adds depth to your presentation.
  • Sequential Flow: Ensure a logical flow of steps. Organize your speech in a sequential manner, allowing the audience to follow along effortlessly.

How to do a Demonstration Speech

The following are the basic steps of giving a demonstration speech.

Introduction: Begin with a Hook

A compelling introduction sets the stage for your demonstration. Begin with a hook that captures your audience’s attention. A nice hook gives your audience a reason to listen to you. Then, provide a concise overview of what you will be demonstrating.

Body: Actual Demonstration

Break down the process into distinct steps, providing a detailed explanation for each. Use clear and concise language, reinforcing key points with visual aids. Be mindful of your pacing, allowing the audience to absorb information without feeling overwhelmed.

Encourage audience participation by incorporating interactive elements like hands-on activity. Engaging your audience fosters a dynamic learning environment.

Summarize the speech topic and what the audience learned. You may include a Q&A session to address their questions.

How to Prepare a Demonstration Speech

Keep these two things in mind when preparing your demonstration.

Choose the Right Topic

Selecting an appropriate topic is essential to a successful speech. Consider your audience’s interests and proficiency level in English. Opt for topics that resonate with them and align with their learning objectives.

Plan and Practice

Thorough preparation is the key to a flawless demonstration. Break down the process into manageable steps, ensuring each step receives due attention. Rehearse your speech multiple times to iron out any potential hitches.

Demonstration Speech Lesson for ESL Students

Learning how to do a presentation is very important for ESL students. A great way to teach them how to do it is by making them actually do one. Assign your students with a demonstration presentation project.

Presentation Project

You will need to divide these different steps into separate classes depending on the duration and schedule of the lesson. Plan the project accordingly so you can cover all of these elements.

  • Objective : The goal of this project is to enable ESL students to deliver a clear and effective speech on a simple topic of their choice, applying the principles and structures discussed in class.
  • Topic Selection : Students choose a simple and practical topic for their speech. Topics can include cooking a dish, creating a craft, performing a basic task, etc. Encourage variety and creativity in topic selection.
  • Outline : Provide students with a template for a speech outline.
  • Visual Aids : Emphasize the importance of visual aids and make sure students prepare any necessary visual aids, such as pictures, diagrams, or objects, to enhance their presentation.
  • Language Practice : Review and practice using sequencing words and phrases (e.g., first, next, then, finally) to guide the audience through the steps.
  • Practice : Students practice delivering their speech to a partner or small group.
  • Rehearsal : Students rehearse their speeches individually, ensuring they are comfortable with the timing and flow of their presentations. This is the time to address any concerns or questions they may have with the teacher.
  • Presentation : Each student presents their speech to the class. Encourage a supportive and positive atmosphere. Allow time for brief questions or comments from the audience.
  • Feedback and Reflection : After all presentations are complete, provide constructive feedback on each student’s performance. Facilitate a class discussion where students reflect on the challenges they faced and what they learned from the project.

ESL Speaking Resources

If you are looking for more ESL speaking lesson resources, check out the following articles.

  • Practice Speaking English
  • Small Talk Ideas for ESL Lessons and Conversation Classes
  • Closing a Conversation in English Politely and Easily
  • Deep Philosophical Questions
  • Debate Topics

FAQs About Demonstration Speech

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about demonstration presentations.

What is a demonstration speech?

A demonstration speech is a type of informative speech that aims to teach the audience how to do something or how something works. It involves presenting a step-by-step process or explaining a concept using visual aids and practical examples.

What is an example of a demonstration?

An example of a demonstration could be showing how to tie a specific knot, prepare a recipe, assemble a piece of furniture, or perform a simple science experiment. It involves a hands-on approach to conveying information.

What is the main focus of a demonstration speech?

The main focus of a demonstration speech is to provide clear and practical instructions to the audience, enabling them to understand and replicate a specific process or activity. Visual aids and hands-on examples are often used to enhance comprehension.

What type of speech is a demonstration speech?

A demonstration speech is a type of informative speech. While informative speeches provide information on a particular topic, demonstration speeches go a step further by actively illustrating how to do or understand something.

Is a demonstration speech an informative speech?

Yes, a demonstration speech is a type of informative speech. While all demonstration speeches are informative, not all informative speeches are demonstrations. Informative speeches can cover a wide range of topics, including presenting facts, explaining concepts, describing processes, or analyzing issues.

What are the different types of speech?

Here is the list of the different types of speech:

  • Informative Speech
  • Persuasive Speech
  • Entertaining Speech
  • Special Occasion Speech
  • Motivational Speech
  • Expository Speech
  • Impromptu Speech

Please enable JavaScript

Demonstration Speech: Join the Conversation

Have you ever delivered this kind of speech? Please share your experience doing it in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 20 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including Business English Vocabulary Builder , 67 ESL Conversation Topics ,and 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities for Teenagers and Adults . She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at: YouTube Facebook Instagram

Top Selling ESL Activity Book

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

More ESL Activities and Games

Esl st. patrick’s day activities, games, lesson plans & worksheets, business english esl activities, games and lesson plan ideas, top 10 american english idioms | speak english fluently, juneteenth lesson plans, activities, worksheets & more, about, contact, privacy policy.

Best-selling author and English teacher Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL activities and games since 2015. The goal is to bring you the best ideas, lesson plans, and activity recommendations for your TEFL classes.

Get in touch: About + Contact

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Email: [email protected]

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

  • Speech Writing
  • Delivery Techniques
  • PowerPoint & Visuals
  • Speaker Habits
  • Speaker Resources

Speech Critiques

  • Book Reviews
  • Browse Articles
  • ALL Articles
  • Learn About Us
  • About Six Minutes
  • Meet Our Authors
  • Write for Us
  • Advertise With Us

How to Master the Demonstration Speech

Demo speeches are ubiquitous. They are assigned to students in high school and college. They are a staple in corporate and other adult training environments. They are among the most common speeches given in Toastmaster clubs.

Due to the popularity of this speech form, the well-rounded speaker must master the demonstration speech . Despite this, many speakers don’t know the basics to delivering an effective demonstration speech. Do you?

In this article, we present a demonstration speech outline which gives the best chance for success, and discuss the necessary elements for a great demo speech .

Definition: The Demonstration Speech

A demonstration speech is a form of informative speech where the speaker’s primary purpose is to teach the audience how to complete a task (or process) , and this is largely accomplished by demonstrating the task (or process) through a series of steps.

“ A demonstration speech is a form of informative speech where the speaker’s primary purpose is to teach the audience how to complete a task (or process). ”

Demonstration speech topics are numerous, including all of the following:

  • How to prepare a recipe (as in standard cooking shows)
  • How to operate a software application
  • How to tie a knot
  • How to calculate a mortgage payment
  • How to swim the back stroke
  • How to process a purchase order
  • How to throw a frisbee
  • How to compose a photograph
  • How to line dance
  • How to write a limerick
  • How to set up a blog
  • How to make origami
  • and many, many more

The Demonstration Speech Outline

Just as there are many demonstration speech topics, there are many ways to organize a demonstration speech. You will rarely go wrong, however, if you apply this basic speech outline:

  • Start with why
  • Give a brief overview of the entire process
  • For each, describe it, then show it
  • (Optional) Discuss options, extras, or variations
  • Allow time for Q&A
  • Summarize briefly

1. Start with why

A demonstration speech is about training the audience to perform a task or complete a process. Just as with any educational task, it helps tremendously if your audience is motivated to learn.

This is why it’s important to tell your audience how they will benefit from the knowledge you are about to share. Once your audience knows why they are learning this new task, they will be motivated to learn.

Will learning this new task or process help your audience:

  • Earn or save money?
  • Earn a promotion?
  • Build their range of skills?
  • Save them time?
  • Make their life easier?
  • Provide enjoyment or satisfaction?
  • Make them happy?

There are many ways to motivate your audience, but one of the best ways is to open with a story. Paint a picture of how their life will improve with this new knowledge.

2. Give a brief overview of the entire process

Before you dive too deep in the details, it is essential to present an overview of the overall task or process.

  • A brief, high-level overview of the steps involved provides a mental framework for the audience upon which they can hang the details as you provide them later in the speech.
  • When learning a new task, some people in your audience will fear that it is complicated. An early overview assures your audience that it is not overly complex . For example, “We’re going to discuss how to cook a quiche in just four easy steps…”
  • If you fail to present an outline, it’s difficult for your audience to see how the steps will fit together later on. The audience won’t have the necessary context.

A great way to present the overview is with a diagram illustrating the steps of the task at a high level. You can refer to this diagram throughout.

Along with the overview, you should also list the prerequisites needed for the task, and any assumptions you are making. For example, what is needed before one begins this task? What supplies or resources are assumed?

3. Go through the steps, one-by-one

From a speaker’s perspective, one of the best things about a demonstration speech is that the core of your outline is prepared for you : you simply need to go through the steps of the task in sequential order.  (Occasionally, you may decide to present the steps in a different way, but be sure to let your audience know that you are breaking a convention.)

Keep the series of steps as simple as possible . Break the process down to the most essential steps that will lead your audience successfully from start to finish. There’s no “best” number of steps, but keep the number of steps as low as possible. Don’t present a 19-step process unless your goal is utter confusion.

Defer optional steps for later in your presentation (or, for the Q&A). It is best to avoid complicating matters on the first pass.

For each step , you should:

  • Explain the purpose of the step ( why is this step necessary)
  • Explain the step in simple, straightforward language ( what needs to be done)
  • Show how to complete the step ( how should it be done)

4. (Optional) Discuss options, extras, or variations

Now that your audience has seen the task or process demonstrated from start to finish, you can (if time permits) provide some additional options or variations.

For example, if you are explaining how to cook a certain recipe, start with the basic version first. After that’s done, you can discuss alternate ingredients, different flavours to try, and other ways to build on the basic recipe.

5. Allow time for Q&A

Many types of speeches benefit from taking questions from the audience and answering them, and a Q&A session is particularly well-suited for a demonstration speech . This allows the audience to seek clarification on any of the steps which were unclear.

Depending on your topic and the forum in which you are speaking, you may choose to take questions at the end, or you may invite questions throughout your demonstration. Either way, monitor your time.

6. Summarize briefly

Finally, you should summarize the process briefly, and recap the benefits which your audience will realize if they perform the desired process or task.

How to Elevate Your Demonstration Speech

Once you’ve mapped your topic onto the basic speech outline given above, there are many ways that you can elevate the quality of your content and the manner in which you present it to maximize the effectiveness for your audience:

A. If you can, get audience members doing it.

Your options for audience participation are often determined by how long your presentation is, the setting in which the demonstration takes place, and the availability of supplies which can be shared by the audience.

Having said this, it’s great if you can get the audience participating in the demonstration. Actively engaging the audience and having them perform the steps will improve the likelihood that they will remember the steps and be able to carry out the task or process independently long after your presentation.

If the situation doesn’t allow for you to involve the whole audience, try to get one or more audience members to help you out as volunteers.

B. Visuals are critical for a demonstration speech.

Nearly every demonstration speech can be made better by incorporating appropriate visuals to accompany your verbal descriptions and instructions.

You have many options:

  • Your body is often the best visual. If your speech is about some physical task to perform (e.g. throwing a ball), then the most important visual is your own body. You can demonstrate each of the steps individually, and “animate” the process at various speeds to enhance the demonstration.
  • Physical props make it real. There are two main types of props: “real” and models. Real props include the actual objects that are used when performing the task. Models include both “fake” versions of the real objects, as well as scaled-down versions.
  • Use photographs or diagrams as necessary. If your body and props aren’t sufficient, use photographs and diagrams. As you present these, it sometimes helps to immerse yourself in the photograph or diagram to animate the action that would be involved.

Whatever visuals you choose to include, be sure that your audience can easily see them . If they cannot see your visual (if it is too small, or their view is obscured), their understanding will suffer.

C. Extend your demonstration by providing follow-up resources.

A single demonstration — whether it be a 5-minute speech, or a 5-hour training session — is often not enough to guarantee that the new knowledge is learned perfectly. To improve the likelihood that your audience will successfully practice the task or process, it helps to provide resources they can use after your demonstration is complete.

This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Websites, books, pamphlets, or other expert sources which they can consult for deeper information, or more advanced training.
  • Handouts you prepare which summarize the steps in the process, as well as diagrams or photographs which illustrate key details.
  • Contact details so your audience can ask questions in the future as they try to apply the knowledge you have imparted.

What do you like or dislike about demonstration speeches?

Do you have any tips to share about how to give an excellent demonstration speech?

Or maybe you’ve witnessed some particularly good or bad demo speeches?

Please share in the comments .

Please share this...

This is one of many public speaking articles featured on Six Minutes . Subscribe to Six Minutes for free to receive future articles.

Image credit: djeyewater

Add a Comment Cancel reply

E-Mail (hidden)

Subscribe - It's Free!

Follow Us

Similar Articles You May Like...

  • How to Ace the Impromptu Speech
  • How Many Slides Should You Have? How Many Slides Do You Need?
  • Toastmasters Speech 2: Organize Your Speech
  • How to Introduce a Speaker: 16 Essential Tips for Success
  • 5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama’s Inaugural Speech
  • Speech Preparation #3: Don’t Skip the Speech Outline

Find More Articles Tagged:

16 comments.

Which other resources (books, mainly) would you recommend for the demonstration speech?

Cheers, Juan Amorocho

I don’t know of any books which focus entirely on this presentation form, but there are several which provide assistance with some of the needed skills.

On the training side, Telling Ain’t Training comes to mind to help with structuring the demo to enhance “learnability.”

On the visuals side, any number of books on slide design would help. In particular, slide:ology is excellent.

hey Andrew i’m working on a demonstration speech for MMA submissions and this is very helpful thx

I struggle with giving demonstration speeches. As an IT guy, figuring out the tech level of the audience can be infuriating. Especially when there’s a large variety.

I understand your struggle. Demonstration speeches can be very difficult to plan if your audience comes in with vastly different knowledge levels. I’d recommend aiming at the low knowledge end with your content (so you don’t leave anyone behind), but then interact with the audience to determine if you can move through the early steps at a quicker pace (to avoid boring too many people).

I’m hoping to provide help with this challenging issue in the audience analysis article series.

Are there any aspects beyond audience analysis that you particularly struggle with?

Joseph, unless you are absolutely sure your audience is full of IT “freaks :)” or scientists, you speech should not be too technical. Play it safe and consider your audience more from the “human” perspective. Even IT people want to entertained.

My #1 piece of advice for a demonstration speech is “show ’em the finished product first”. Think about a cooking show where they show you how to bake a beautiful cake. The first thing they show you is not the list of ingredients, but what the finished cake looks like!!

This is great advice, John.

It is consistent with “Paint a picture of how their life will improve with this new knowledge.” In the case of a cooking show, the finished product gets the audience dreaming about how good it will taste… and thus how their life will improve.

For me the most important element is that the “Demonstration Speech” starts with a “hook”. I usually start with a question, quotation, etc. As mentioned earlier here, you can start by showing the product, but I would leave it for a little bit later, so the audience get a sense what to expect. Let them play with an imagination for a bit. Also, I know this is a very specific type of speech, but I love stories, so I would definitely try to incorporate some short story to support the product. Short story how to use the product, how to overcome some challenges etc…

Starting with a hook, telling stories, and building anticipation are solid techniques which can be applied to any speech, including demonstration speeches. These techniques can be used to tweak and enhance the basic speech outline given in the article.

The goals of your demonstration speech could be: to show how to do something, how to make something, how something is done or how something works. The most easier thing is choosing to demonstrate something you know about.

I wish more people followed your outline. Demonstration presentations should be fun and easy, but some of the ones I’ve seen have been terrible.

Some move too fast (they assume we know something when it should be explained).

My favorite ones and teachers do this is to start with the end product and say: “this is what we will want to do today” and then walk us through this.

This is a terrific web site! Many thanks.

It gives us good reading about a subject many of us has avoided.

It is easy to get around.

You have books recommded to continue to learn.

And I learned! You taught me to be specific in my comments.

What I dislike about demonstration speeches is when speakers who are so comfortable with their talk that they speak too rapidly. I presume they believe that what they are sharing is as simple to understand for others as it is for them.

Indeed, Sherre. Presenters are often guilty of “The Curse of Knowledge” — they know something so well (and for so long) that they have forgotten what it is like to not know it.

Excellent outline and easy to follow. I was looking for additional tips for the kids I teach, and these work well! Thanks! 🙂

Recent Tweets

Cómo dominar una conferencia sobre demostraciones [en]: http://t.co/EH23kj6Z /de @6minutes #presentaciones — Gonzalo Álvarez Dec 12th, 2012
RT @ArtePresentar: Cómo dominar una conferencia sobre demostraciones [en]: http://t.co/EH23kj6Z /de @6minutes #presentaciones — Luis Minguez Dec 12th, 2012
How to Master the Demonstration Speech http://t.co/AyPYndxO — Adam Sicinski Dec 12th, 2012
How to Master the Demonstration Speech http://t.co/R6loqwUi via @6minutes — Geekspeak Dec 12th, 2012
RT @ArtePresentar: Cómo dominar una conferencia sobre demostraciones [en]: http://t.co/EGC5kYQN /de @6minutes #presentaciones — Marcelo Acrogliano Dec 13th, 2012
How to Master the Demonstration Speech http://t.co/TqNPgYCu via @6minutes — محمد ف. الهاجري Dec 13th, 2012
How to Master the Demonstration Speech http://t.co/dg5rQnYw — janell payne Dec 19th, 2012
How to Master the Demonstration Speech http://t.co/9IAjkoLG — Ryan Coates Dec 19th, 2012
How to Master the Demonstration Speech http://t.co/w4ol2slC — Presenting Away Dec 21st, 2012
How to Master the Demonstration Speech https://t.co/iMuMLS7AMq by @6minutes — @PaulaGruben May 23rd, 2017

Featured Articles

  • Majora Carter (TED, 2006) Energy, Passion, Speaking Rate
  • Hans Rosling (TED, 2006) 6 Techniques to Present Data
  • J.A. Gamache (Toastmasters, 2007) Gestures, Prop, Writing
  • Steve Jobs (Stanford, 2005) Figures of speech, rule of three
  • Al Gore (TED, 2006) Humor, audience interaction
  • Dick Hardt (OSCON, 2005) Lessig Method of Presentation

Books We Recommend

[ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] [ ]
Follow Six Minutes

Six Minutes Copyright © 2007-2019 All Rights Reserved.

Read our permissions policy , privacy policy , or disclosure policy .

Comments? Questions? Contact us .

What Is a Demonstrative Speech? (Topics + Examples)

June 7, 2023

In the realm of public speaking, there are various types of speeches designed to inform, persuade, entertain, and inspire. One captivating form is the demonstrative speech . In this genre, the speaker not only conveys information but also demonstrates how to perform a particular task.

The following comprehensive article dives into the exciting world of demonstrative speeches, providing you with a clear understanding of what they are, their purpose, and some captivating examples. Additionally, we’ll explore how Yoodli, an AI communication coach, can elevate your delivery and transform your speech into a remarkable experience.

Understanding Demonstrative Speeches

A demonstrative speech is a form of speaking where the presenter showcases and explains a process, task, or concept to the audience. The primary objective is to educate and engage the listeners by providing step-by-step instructions, visual aids, and real-time demonstrations.

Demonstrative speech examples are typically found in educational settings, such as workshops and conferences. Today, they are increasingly delivered on online platforms.

The Purpose of Demonstrative Speeches

The purpose of a demonstrative speech is twofold: to inform and to illustrate. By combining verbal explanations with visual aids and live demonstrations, speakers aim to educate the audience on a specific topic or teach them how to perform a particular task.

These speeches are highly effective in both engaging the audience and enhancing their understanding through hands-on learning experiences.

How to Use AI to Practice a Demonstrative Speech

To deliver a remarkable demonstrative speech or any type of presentation, leveraging the power of Yoodli , your AI communication coach, can make a significant difference. Here’s how Yoodli can enhance your public speaking skills and ensure your speech captivates the audience.

Real-time feedback and analysis

Yoodli’s advanced AI algorithms provide real-time feedback on your speech, pace, clarity, and non-verbal cues. By analyzing your delivery, Yoodli helps you identify areas for improvement, ensuring you maintain a captivating presence throughout your speech.

Customized coaching and recommendations

Yoodli tailors its coaching based on your specific needs and goals. By analyzing your strengths and weaknesses, it offers personalized recommendations to enhance your demonstrative speech, including guidance on vocal projection, body language, and slide design.

A screenshot of Yoodli, an AI-powered speech coach that can help you practice your demonstrative speech

Interactive practice sessions

Yoodli offers interactive practice sessions where you can rehearse your demonstrative speech in a low-stress, judgement-free environment. It simulates a realistic audience experience, providing follow up questions in real time and boosting your confidence as you refine your delivery.

Accessible anytime, anywhere

With Yoodli, you can practice your demonstrative speech at your convenience. Whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the go, Yoodli’s accessibility allows you to refine your skills and deliver outstanding presentations whenever and wherever you choose.

Embrace the power of Yoodli, and witness the transformation of your speech into an engaging, informative, and memorable experience.

4 Demonstrative Speech Ideas

If you’re ready to write your speech, you’ll need to narrow it down a bit further. To find a demonstrative speech idea, you need to consider a few factors.

How to choose a demonstrative speech topic

Choosing a topic can be difficult at first, but after you consider a few factors, you should be able to nail down exactly what you’d like to talk about.

To start, think about how you’d answer the following questions:

  • What types of topics are you genuinely interested in?
  • Why do you want to give this speech? What’s the goal of your demonstrative speech?
  • Who’s your audience?

Answering these questions can help ease the process of choosing a topic.

Demonstrative speech ideas

To grasp the essence of these speeches, let’s explore a few examples of demonstrative speech topics that highlight the diversity and impact of this speech genre. Here are four demonstrative speech ideas to explore.

1. How to tie a perfect necktie

Imagine a speaker confidently demonstrating various tie knots, sharing tips and tricks to achieve a flawless necktie. Through clear explanations and physical demonstrations, the audience gains valuable knowledge and practical skills they can apply in their everyday lives.

2. The art of origami: Crafting a beautiful paper crane

shallow focus photography of paper crane. One example of a demonstrative speech topic is "The Art of Origami: Crafting a Beautiful Paper Crane"

In this demonstrative speech topic example, the speaker takes the audience on a journey of creativity and craftsmanship by guiding them through the step-by-step process of creating an intricate paper crane. The visual demonstration and hands-on experience make the learning process engaging, enjoyable, and accessible overall as one of the best demonstrative speech ideas.

3. Mastering latte art: Creating stunning coffee designs

With this demonstrative speech idea, the speaker combines their expertise in coffee-making with the art of creating visually stunning latte designs. They walk the audience through both the techniques and secrets of achieving impressive patterns, enabling coffee enthusiasts to elevate their barista skills and create their own coffee masterpieces.

4. The science of baking: perfecting chocolate chip cookies

This demonstrative speech topic example delves into the realm of culinary delights. The speaker shares the science behind baking the perfect chocolate chip cookies, discussing the ingredients, measurements, and techniques that result in delectable treats. The audience not only gains a delicious recipe but also a deeper understanding of the chemistry involved in baking.

Demonstrative Speech Examples

To best illustrate the concept, here are the best demonstrative speech examples to motivate and inspire you.

1. “How to Make a Beautiful Gift Basket”: In this video, speaker Megan Harrell explains how to create a stunning gift basket that people will love.

2. “How to Make Frozen Hot Chocolate”: If you’re in the mood for a cold drink, this explainer will teach you step by step to concoct the perfect frozen hot chocolate.

3. “How to Make a Dalgona Coffee”: In this demonstrative speech example, the speaker guides the audience through the process of making a dalgona coffee, a whipped coffee that only needs a few ingredients to make.

4. “How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube”: Solving a Rubik’s cube can be a little tricky, but following this speaker’s instructions on how to solve one might be exactly what you need to figure out this puzzle.

5. “How to Make Slime”: This demonstrative speech example teaches the audience how to make slime at home. Slime has gone viral on social media apps like TikTok for its versatile appearance and types, so learning how to make it yourself can save you a few bucks.

3 Tips for Giving Your Demonstrative Speech

When giving a speech, it’s important to remember a few key points. Here are three quick tips to ace your speech.

  • First, be sure to keep your audience engaged by using engaging visuals and stories that are relevant to the topic.
  • Second, keep your speech concise and organized by breaking it down into manageable parts.
  • Finally, practice what you’re going to say before the presentation so you don’t get too caught up in details or lose your train of thought during the demonstration.

Demonstrative Speech FAQs

Here are the most common demonstrative speech FAQs that you need to know.

1. What’s the difference between a demonstrative speech and an informative speech?

While both types of speeches aim to educate the audience, a demonstrative speech goes beyond verbal explanations by incorporating live demonstrations and visual aids to showcase a process or task. An informative speech primarily focuses on providing knowledge and understanding through verbal communication.

How long should a demonstrative speech be?

The length of a demonstrative speech can vary depending on the topic and complexity of the demonstration, as well as time constraints set by the event or occasion. Generally, it’s recommended to aim for a duration of 5 to 10 minutes to ensure that you provide sufficient information and engage the audience effectively.

What are some effective visual aids to use in a demonstrative speech?

Visual aids play a crucial role in enhancing the impact of a speech. Some popular visual aids include props, slides or PowerPoint presentations, videos, charts, diagrams, and samples. Choose visual aids that complement your topic and demonstration, ensuring they are easily visible and understandable by the audience.

How can I make my demonstrative speech more engaging?

To make your speech more engaging, consider the following tips:

  • Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction to pique the audience’s curiosity.
  • Clearly explain the purpose and relevance of the demonstration.
  • Use storytelling techniques and real-life examples to connect with the audience.
  • Incorporate interactive elements, such as asking questions or involving volunteers from the audience.
  • Maintain a conversational tone and avoid excessive jargon.
  • Conclude with a concise summary and a call-to-action to encourage the audience to apply what they’ve learned.

Can Yoodli provide assistance with speech organization and structure?

Yes, Yoodli can help with speech organization and structure. Yoodli automatically analyzes the top keywords of your speech or presentation. After practicing with Yoodli, check to make sure your top keywords align with your intended message. If they don’t, then go back to your script and rework the structure and content of your presentation until Yoodli catches the correct top keywords.

How can I incorporate visual aids into my demonstrative speech?

It’s important to use props, slides, videos, or other visual elements to enhance the audience’s understanding and engagement during your demonstration.

Is Yoodli suitable for both beginner and experienced speakers?

Yes, Yoodli is designed to benefit speakers of all levels, from beginners looking to build confidence to experienced speakers seeking to polish their skills. Yoodli’s personalized feedback and tailored recommendations cater to your individual needs, helping you improve and refine your speaking skills regardless of your current proficiency level.

Remember, if you have any specific inquiries or need further assistance, you can always refer to Yoodli’s official website or reach out to their support team for detailed and up-to-date information.

Demonstrative Speeches in Summary

Demonstrative speeches have the power to educate, inspire, and entertain. By combining verbal explanations with visual demonstrations, these speeches create engaging and interactive experiences for the audience.

With the assistance of Yoodli , your AI public speaking coach, you can refine your delivery, boost your confidence overall, and elevate your presentation skills to new heights. Embrace the art of demonstrating, captivate your audience, and unleash your communication power with impactful demonstrative speeches.

Start practicing with Yoodli.

Getting better at speaking is getting easier. Record or upload a speech and let our AI Speech Coach analyze your speaking and give you feedback.

SkillsYouNeed

  • PRESENTATION SKILLS

What is a Presentation?

Search SkillsYouNeed:

Presentation Skills:

  • A - Z List of Presentation Skills
  • Top Tips for Effective Presentations
  • General Presentation Skills
  • Preparing for a Presentation
  • Organising the Material
  • Writing Your Presentation
  • Deciding the Presentation Method
  • Managing your Presentation Notes
  • Working with Visual Aids
  • Presenting Data
  • Managing the Event
  • Coping with Presentation Nerves
  • Dealing with Questions
  • How to Build Presentations Like a Consultant
  • 7 Qualities of Good Speakers That Can Help You Be More Successful
  • Self-Presentation in Presentations
  • Specific Presentation Events
  • Remote Meetings and Presentations
  • Giving a Speech
  • Presentations in Interviews
  • Presenting to Large Groups and Conferences
  • Giving Lectures and Seminars
  • Managing a Press Conference
  • Attending Public Consultation Meetings
  • Managing a Public Consultation Meeting
  • Crisis Communications
  • Elsewhere on Skills You Need:
  • Communication Skills
  • Facilitation Skills
  • Teams, Groups and Meetings
  • Effective Speaking
  • Question Types

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and start improving your life in just 5 minutes a day.

You'll get our 5 free 'One Minute Life Skills' and our weekly newsletter.

We'll never share your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time.

The formal presentation of information is divided into two broad categories: Presentation Skills and Personal Presentation .

These two aspects are interwoven and can be described as the preparation, presentation and practice of verbal and non-verbal communication. 

This article describes what a presentation is and defines some of the key terms associated with presentation skills.

Many people feel terrified when asked to make their first public talk.  Some of these initial fears can be reduced by good preparation that also lays the groundwork for making an effective presentation.

A Presentation Is...

A presentation is a means of communication that can be adapted to various speaking situations, such as talking to a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team.

A presentation can also be used as a broad term that encompasses other ‘speaking engagements’ such as making a speech at a wedding, or getting a point across in a video conference.

To be effective, step-by-step preparation and the method and means of presenting the information should be carefully considered. 

A presentation requires you to get a message across to the listeners and will often contain a ' persuasive ' element. It may, for example, be a talk about the positive work of your organisation, what you could offer an employer, or why you should receive additional funding for a project.

The Key Elements of a Presentation

Making a presentation is a way of communicating your thoughts and ideas to an audience and many of our articles on communication are also relevant here, see: What is Communication? for more.

Consider the following key components of a presentation:

Ask yourself the following questions to develop a full understanding of the context of the presentation.

When and where will you deliver your presentation?

There is a world of difference between a small room with natural light and an informal setting, and a huge lecture room, lit with stage lights. The two require quite different presentations, and different techniques.

Will it be in a setting you are familiar with, or somewhere new?

If somewhere new, it would be worth trying to visit it in advance, or at least arriving early, to familiarise yourself with the room.

Will the presentation be within a formal or less formal setting?

A work setting will, more or less by definition, be more formal, but there are also various degrees of formality within that.

Will the presentation be to a small group or a large crowd?

Are you already familiar with the audience?

With a new audience, you will have to build rapport quickly and effectively, to get them on your side.

What equipment and technology will be available to you, and what will you be expected to use?

In particular, you will need to ask about microphones and whether you will be expected to stand in one place, or move around.

What is the audience expecting to learn from you and your presentation?

Check how you will be ‘billed’ to give you clues as to what information needs to be included in your presentation.

All these aspects will change the presentation. For more on this, see our page on Deciding the Presentation Method .

The role of the presenter is to communicate with the audience and control the presentation.

Remember, though, that this may also include handing over the control to your audience, especially if you want some kind of interaction.

You may wish to have a look at our page on Facilitation Skills for more.

The audience receives the presenter’s message(s).

However, this reception will be filtered through and affected by such things as the listener’s own experience, knowledge and personal sense of values.

See our page: Barriers to Effective Communication to learn why communication can fail.

The message or messages are delivered by the presenter to the audience.

The message is delivered not just by the spoken word ( verbal communication ) but can be augmented by techniques such as voice projection, body language, gestures, eye contact ( non-verbal communication ), and visual aids.

The message will also be affected by the audience’s expectations. For example, if you have been billed as speaking on one particular topic, and you choose to speak on another, the audience is unlikely to take your message on board even if you present very well . They will judge your presentation a failure, because you have not met their expectations.

The audience’s reaction and therefore the success of the presentation will largely depend upon whether you, as presenter, effectively communicated your message, and whether it met their expectations.

As a presenter, you don’t control the audience’s expectations. What you can do is find out what they have been told about you by the conference organisers, and what they are expecting to hear. Only if you know that can you be confident of delivering something that will meet expectations.

See our page: Effective Speaking for more information.

How will the presentation be delivered?

Presentations are usually delivered direct to an audience.  However, there may be occasions where they are delivered from a distance over the Internet using video conferencing systems, such as Skype.

It is also important to remember that if your talk is recorded and posted on the internet, then people may be able to access it for several years. This will mean that your contemporaneous references should be kept to a minimum.

Impediments

Many factors can influence the effectiveness of how your message is communicated to the audience.

For example background noise or other distractions, an overly warm or cool room, or the time of day and state of audience alertness can all influence your audience’s level of concentration.

As presenter, you have to be prepared to cope with any such problems and try to keep your audience focussed on your message.   

Our page: Barriers to Communication explains these factors in more depth.

Continue to read through our Presentation Skills articles for an overview of how to prepare and structure a presentation, and how to manage notes and/or illustrations at any speaking event.

Continue to: Preparing for a Presentation Deciding the Presentation Method

See also: Writing Your Presentation | Working with Visual Aids Coping with Presentation Nerves | Dealing with Questions Learn Better Presentation Skills with TED Talks

Presentation

  • Written By Gregg Rosenzweig
  • Updated: June 4, 2024
We’re here to help you choose the most appropriate content types to fulfill your content strategy. In this series, we’re breaking down the most popular content types to their basic fundamentals so you can start with a solid foundation — simple definitions, clarity on formats, and plenty of examples.

What is a Presentation?

A communication device that relays a topic to an audience in the form of a slide show, demonstration, lecture, or speech, where words and pictures complement each other.

Why should you think of presentations as content?

The beauty of content creation is that almost anything can become a compelling piece of content . It just depends on the creativity used to convert it and the story that brings it to life.

define presentation and demonstration

The long and short of it

Although the length of a presentation in terms of time can depend on the overall approach (Are you talking a lot? Are you referring to the screen in detail or not?), consider the number of informational content slides when tallying the overall presentation length. For instance, don’t include title slides in your tally when conveying length to a content creator.

A general guide to presentation length:

  • Short Form (5 content slides)
  • Standard Form (10 content slides)
  • Long Form (20+ content slides)

Popular use cases for presentations…

Let’s consider TED Talks for a minute: one of the best examples (bar none) of how words, pictures, and a narrative can make people care about something they otherwise might not.

These “talks” pre-date podcasts and blend a compelling use of language and imagery in presentation format to spread ideas in unique ways.

TED Talks have been viewed a billion-plus times worldwide (and counting) and are worth considering when it comes to how you might use video-presentation content to connect with your customers in creative, cool, new ways.

Business types:

Any company that has a pitch deck, executive summary, sales presentation, or any kind of internal document can repurpose them into external-facing content pieces — without pain.

Presentation Examples – Short Form

Here are some short-form examples with curated to help inspire you.

define presentation and demonstration

Presentation Examples – Standard Form

define presentation and demonstration

Presentation Examples – Long Form

define presentation and demonstration

Understanding Content Quality in Examples

Our team has rated content type examples in three degrees of quality ( Good, Better, Best ) to help you better gauge resources needed for your content plan.

In general, the degrees of content quality correspond to our three content levels ( General, Qualified, Expert ) based on the criteria below. Remember though, multiple variables determine the cost, completion time, or content level for any content piece with a perceived degree of quality.

define presentation and demonstration

How to Get Exceptional Content That Elevates

If you want to impress your clients, co-workers, or leadership team with your next presentation or product demonstration, to might want to consider working with proven content creators.

At ClearVoice, we have a Talent Network of 4000+ professionals across 200+ industries. That means we can find creators with the exact skill sets and expertise you need to create content that gets results.

Talk to a content specialist today to start the conversation.

Stay in the know.

We will keep you up-to-date with all the content marketing news and resources. You will be a content expert in no time. Sign up for our free newsletter.

Elevate Your Content Game

Transform your marketing with a consistent stream of high-quality content for your brand.

Marketer showing high-quality content.

You May Also Like...

Brand and Editorial Guidelines with an SEO Focus

Brand and Editorial Guidelines with an SEO Focus: Why Your Content Strategy Needs Both

ClearVoice Team Spotlight Interview Harlan Gatlin

ClearVoice Team Spotlight: Harlan Gatlin

ClearVoice Team Spotlight Interview Marena McKeen

ClearVoice Team Spotlight: Marena McKeen

  • Content Production
  • Build Your SEO
  • Amplify Your Content
  • For Agencies

Why ClearVoice

  • Talent Network
  • How It Works
  • Freelance For Us
  • Statement on AI
  • Talk to a Specialist

Get Insights In Your Inbox

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Intellectual Property Claims
  • Data Collection Preferences

Easy Demonstration Speech Ideas

12 September, 2020

9 minutes read

Author:  Mathieu Johnson

If you ever dreamed of becoming an instructor and teach others, you can use an excellent opportunity to act like one while giving a demonstration speech. Believe us: there’ll be no better chance to engage yourself in such an exciting activity. This is probably the most encouraging task professors could ever give you. And you can now use it to share knowledge with others and learn something yourself during the process.

Demonstration Speech

Demonstration speech definition

As the name implies, demonstration speech is a speech devoted to teaching the audience how to do a particular thing. It is a clear, step-by-step practical guide which intends to show people methods of using regular items and even improve someone’s life with it. Demonstration speeches exist in different forms: they can be lengthy and detailed, short and straightforward, or medium and accurate. But either way, the very essence of this task is to teach you how to put thoughts into one, well-structured, and logical sequence of steps. It might seem dubious to take such a specific assignment, but if you take time to explore all the nuances and requirements for this task, it’ll be much easier to handle it eventually. So, what are the processes involved in demonstration speech writing, and what makes trivial persuasive topics sound brilliant?

Follow our guide for more insight.

How to Write Demonstration Speech

Choose Your Topic Carefully

Like with any other essay type, demonstration speech starts with topic selection. You have a vast field of “how to” speech ideas to talk about, but the ultimate choice is always on you. Also, professors often tend to give a specific topic to their students. In cases like this, it’s even easier. Regardless of what your final topic is, there’s always a need for research. Once the topic is defined, and you’re 100 percent confident that it’s going to fit the timeframe for delivery, go on to the next step, which is the audience analysis.

Examine Your Audience

There are specific criteria which can help you study the audience prior to delivering a speech. These factors include age, occupation, preferences, interests, and so on. So for example, if your listeners are professional gardeners, they’ll probably expect some useful advice on their sphere of interest. Instead of nurturing them with something as banal as “How to grow a plant,” give them real information, like “How to grow and take care of palm Washingtonia.” Likewise, if your audience composes of teenagers, speak about something thought-provoking, yet not too professional and dull. Take, for instance, the topic on how to become successful, or how to deal with depression.

Look for Credible Sources

Before writing the demonstration speech, you’ll first need some assistance to prove the credibility of your sayings. If you don’t want the audience to think like the entire speech is a fly of your imagination, you should arm yourself with relevant evidence to prove the mentioned points. There are many places you can go to, like local libraries. They contain countless books on your topic, so you can use them for your advantage. Alternatively, consider using online resources, but only credible ones if you don’t feel like walking anywhere. Even if such assistance is not enough for you, ask relatives or friends for help. Some of them might be experts in your topic, and more than willing to explain how this or that thing works.

Write a Motivational Conclusion

The best way to finish your demonstration speech is to give your audience a great insight into the process they haven’t experienced themselves. For this, you can call listeners to action and motivate them to follow your practice. Let’s review an example of a proper ending: “Now that you’ve learned about the basics of DIY table creation, you can craft one easily by yourself without costly materials and mountains of time.” Such a prominent calling will make people not only have a positive impression of your speech but also encourage them to make something useful.

Demonstration speech outline

An outline is a way to structure the information that you want to share with your audience. The outline should explicitly showcase the order of steps that you will use in your demonstration speech. Many students seem to neglect the power of creating outlines for their academic writing tasks, but in vain. The key feature that makes outlines as significant as other processes of speech creation is a schematic representation of the main ideas. It means that writing the final variant of your demonstration speech will be much easier as you have an exact plan, and you don’t need to think of the main points on the fly. As for the structure of an outline, it should contain the following elements:

  • three sections – introduction, main body, and conclusion.
  • the main part should be broken up into different stages of the process.
  • headings and subheadings marked with letters and numbers for easier navigation throughout the outline

Outline for demonstration speech

At the phase of plan creation, it’s also vital to adhere to theses and use them as reference points. These can be either sentences or just keywords. Do as you are accustomed to doing and feel comfortable with making amendments before proceeding with writing the speech text. For each statement, use examples from personal life to validate the adequacy of described steps. Vast reasoning is, of course, excellent, but without specifics, they do not cling. To find the response in the heart of the audience, make your how-to-do instructions more understandable. For example, if you want to explain to your audience how to make and install a wall-mounted folding table, don’t just enumerate the instruments required and tell people how to fold and unfold the table. Rather, give them proper instructions. 

How to write instruction

5-minute demonstration speech topics

  • How to savor wine
  • How to make a Spanish salad
  • How to clean the house with minimum effort
  • How to live the day like it’s the last one
  • How to forget the past and move forward
  • How to sew clothes
  • How to enjoy the moment
  • How to practice speed reading
  • How to adjust to the realms of massive consumerism
  •  How to control finances and save money

Funny demonstration speech topics

  • How to stop forgetting about turning off the iron
  • How to clean up the mess after your “Project X” party
  • How to survive in college
  • How to master the art of lying with a poker face
  • How to get rid of annoying friends
  • How to pretend that you’re present in a class
  • How to get an A+ for homework while doing nothing at home
  • How to stop biting nails and eating hair when you’re nervous
  • How to watch horror movies with your eyes open
  • How to pretend that you like your birthday present

Demonstration speech ideas for college students

  • How to paint using the acrylic pouring technique
  • How to find motivation
  • How not to burn out in college
  • How to find common ground with any professor
  • How to understand the subject you hate most of all
  • How to decorate a dormitory room for enhanced productivity
  • How to force yourself to get out of bed
  • How to be a leader in your class
  • How to prepare for an exam without psychological suffering
  • How to reach new heights in education

Now you have a guide on how to write a demonstration speech, as well as easy speech topics in addition to basic theory. These demonstrative speech topics are a surefire way to give a memorable, informative, and perhaps funny talk, which will undoubtedly crack the audience up. Our essay writers described you the essentials of speech writing, and now it’s your turn. Be patient, take your time, and tailor a blazingly meaningful speech.

Feel free to buy essay tasks if you’re facing some problems with your essay !

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Due to human nature, we draw conclusions only when life gives us a lesson since the experience of others is not so effective and powerful. Therefore, when analyzing and sorting out common problems we face, we may trace a parallel with well-known book characters or real historical figures. Moreover, we often compare our situations with […]

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on ethics is not an easy task, especially if you do not possess excellent writing skills and do not like to contemplate controversial questions. But an ethics course is obligatory in all higher education institutions, and students have to look for a way out and be creative. When you find an […]

Art Research Paper Topics

Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

define presentation and demonstration

  • Partners: Bloggers
  • Partners: Podasters
  • Partners: Virtual Event Hosts
  • Partners: Toastmasters Clubs
  • Partners: Bookstores & Live Venues
  • Partners: Sponsors
  • Digital Press Kit
  • What people are saying …
  • Interior Art
  • Acknowledgements
  • Other Books by Carma
  • Featured Speakers
  • The Public Speaking Superhero’s Journey
  • Individual Speaker Coaching
  • Public Speaking Super Powers for Live Video
  • Persuasive Speaking with Confidence
  • Developing Your Leadership Skills
  • Video Marketing Super Pack
  • Wedding Speech Templates
  • Creating Your Ideal Audience Avatar
  • Public Speaking Superhero’s Journey
  • Training & Mastermind Program
  • Boost Your Self-Confidence 7-Day Challenge
  • Speaking Palooza! 2019
  • Recommended Reading
  • For Book Clubs
  •         - ORDER NOW!
  •                 - Partners: Bloggers
  •                 - Partners: Podasters
  •                 - Partners: Virtual Event Hosts
  •                 - Partners: Toastmasters Clubs
  •                 - Partners: Bookstores & Live Venues
  •                 - Partners: Sponsors
  •         - Digital Press Kit
  •         - What people are saying …
  •                 - Cover Art
  •                 - Interior Art
  •         - Acknowledgements
  •         - Other Books by Carma
  •         - Contact
  •         - Excerpt
  •         - The Public Speaking Superhero’s Journey
  •         - Speaker
  •         - Individual Speaker Coaching
  •         - Public Speaking Super Powers for Live Video
  •                 - Persuasive Speaking with Confidence
  •                 - Developing Your Leadership Skills
  •                 - Video Marketing Super Pack
  •                 - Wedding Speech Templates
  •                 - Creating Your Ideal Audience Avatar
  •                 - Public Speaking Superhero’s Journey
  •                 - Training & Mastermind Program
  •         - Boost Your Self-Confidence 7-Day Challenge
  •         - Speaking Palooza! 2019
  •         - Podcast
  •         - Recommended Reading
  •         - For Book Clubs

Types of Speeches: The Demonstration

A demonstration speech is an educational or promotional presentation that explains a process, activity or product. It walks the audience through the keys points so that, after the presentation, they can repeat the process or activity or know how to use the product.

Types of Speeches: The Demonstration

If you decide to become a professional speaker or use speaking as an integral part of your marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the various types of speeches you might be asked to give. In this series of posts, I’ll give you the basics of a variety of types of presentations you can prepare. At the end of this post, I’ve listed previous articles in this series.

How do you demonstrate something?

Regardless of what you’re demonstrating, you need to break it down into easy to understand steps. A simple outline for a demonstration presentation might look like this:

Things to keep in mind when doing a demonstration:

  • Be as clear and specific as possible. Remember, you are training your audience so that they can repeat what you are doing and perform the process, engage in the activity or use the product once you are done. Use strong visual words in addition to physically showing them what to do.
  • Give them a reason to listen. You want to motivate your audience to pay attention to your presentation. While entertainment can be motivating, you want to give them something more, as well. Why should they learn about the process, activity or product you are demonstrating. For example, have you ever seen those cooking product demonstrations at the fair? The demonstrators are usually pretty good at letting the audience know the benefit gained by owning the product being demonstrated!
  • Plan, plan, plan. Make sure you have all the tools you need and that you can smoothly move from one to the other. You don’t want to waste time moving from one place to another or retrieving another object when simple planning can put these in the right places for best effect.

Resources for developing your demonstration speech:

  • eHow: How to Give a Demonstrative Presentation
  • Best-Speech-Topics.com: Demonstration Speeches
  • WikiHow: How to Write a Demonstrative Speech
  • Ian’s Messy Desk: How to Give a Demonstration Speech Like a Food Network Star
  • How to Master the Demonstration Speech /li>

Did you miss these?

Here are the previous posts in this “Type of Speeches” series:

  • The Keynote Address
  • The Training Session
  • The Motivational Speech
  • The Entertaining Speech

The next post in this series is The Information Dump .

Did you like this post? Please share!

' src=

About the author

Carma Spence, is author of Public Speaking Super Powers. She is fiercely committed to guiding women to Owning their Superpowers and turning their knowledge and interests into a profitable business. She is masterful at helping her clients see what is possible for them and supporting them on the journey from where they are to where they want to be, releasing the Mind Goblins of self-doubt, self-sabotage and second-guessing that keep them stuck.

With 20+ years experience in marketing communications and public relations, natural intuitive skills and certification in using some of the most effective transformational coaching tools available, Carma’s mission and commitment is to unleash the inner power every woman entrepreneur possesses so they can boldly go out into the world, transforming the fabric of people’s lives in meaningful and positive ways.

You can find her on Facebook , Twitter , Google+ and LinkedIn . Her website is CarmaSpence.com .

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

  • Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

  • Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

  • Google Tag Manager
  • Infographics
  • Daily Infographics
  • Popular Templates
  • Accessibility
  • Graphic Design
  • Graphs and Charts
  • Data Visualization
  • Human Resources
  • Beginner Guides

Blog Beginner Guides 8 Types of Presentations You Should Know [+Examples & Tips]

8 Types of Presentations You Should Know [+Examples & Tips]

Written by: Krystle Wong Aug 11, 2023

Types of Presentation

From persuasive pitches that influence opinions to instructional demonstrations that teach skills, the different types of presentations serve a unique purpose, tailored to specific objectives and audiences.

Presentations that are tailored to its objectives and audiences are more engaging and memorable. They capture attention, maintain interest and leave a lasting impression. 

Don’t worry if you’re no designer —  Whether you need data-driven visuals, persuasive graphics or engaging design elements, Venngage can empower you to craft presentations that stand out and effectively convey your message.

Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface, extensive presentation template library and customizable design options make it a valuable tool for creating slides that align with your specific goals and target audience. 

Click to jump ahead:

8 Different types of presentations every presenter must know

How do i choose the right type of presentation for my topic or audience, types of presentation faq, 5 steps to create a presentation with venngage .

define presentation and demonstration

When it comes to presentations, versatility is the name of the game. Having a variety of presentation styles up your sleeve can make a world of difference in keeping your audience engaged. Here are 8 essential presentation types that every presenter should be well-acquainted with:

1. Informative presentation

Ever sat through a presentation that left you feeling enlightened? That’s the power of an informative presentation. 

This presentation style is all about sharing knowledge and shedding light on a particular topic. Whether you’re diving into the depths of quantum physics or explaining the intricacies of the latest social media trends, informative presentations aim to increase the audience’s understanding.

When delivering an informative presentation, simplify complex topics with clear visuals and relatable examples. Organize your content logically, starting with the basics and gradually delving deeper and always remember to keep jargon to a minimum and encourage questions for clarity.

Academic presentations and research presentations are great examples of informative presentations. An effective academic presentation involves having clear structure, credible evidence, engaging delivery and supporting visuals. Provide context to emphasize the topic’s significance, practice to perfect timing, and be ready to address anticipated questions. 

define presentation and demonstration

2. Persuasive presentation

If you’ve ever been swayed by a passionate speaker armed with compelling arguments, you’ve experienced a persuasive presentation . 

This type of presentation is like a verbal tug-of-war, aiming to convince the audience to see things from a specific perspective. Expect to encounter solid evidence, logical reasoning and a dash of emotional appeal.

With persuasive presentations, it’s important to know your audience inside out and tailor your message to their interests and concerns. Craft a compelling narrative with a strong opening, a solid argument and a memorable closing. Additionally, use visuals strategically to enhance your points.

Examples of persuasive presentations include presentations for environmental conservations, policy change, social issues and more. Here are some engaging presentation templates you can use to get started with: 

define presentation and demonstration

3. Demonstration or how-to presentation

A Demonstration or How-To Presentation is a type of presentation where the speaker showcases a process, technique, or procedure step by step, providing the audience with clear instructions on how to replicate the demonstrated action. 

A demonstrative presentation is particularly useful when teaching practical skills or showing how something is done in a hands-on manner.

These presentations are commonly used in various settings, including educational workshops, training sessions, cooking classes, DIY tutorials, technology demonstrations and more. Designing creative slides for your how-to presentations can heighten engagement and foster better information retention. 

Speakers can also consider breaking down the process into manageable steps, using visual aids, props and sometimes even live demonstrations to illustrate each step. The key is to provide clear and concise instructions, engage the audience with interactive elements and address any questions that may arise during the presentation.

define presentation and demonstration

4. Training or instructional presentation

Training presentations are geared towards imparting practical skills, procedures or concepts — think of this as the more focused cousin of the demonstration presentation. 

Whether you’re teaching a group of new employees the ins and outs of a software or enlightening budding chefs on the art of soufflé-making, training presentations are all about turning novices into experts.

To maximize the impact of your training or instructional presentation, break down complex concepts into digestible segments. Consider using real-life examples to illustrate each point and create a connection. 

You can also create an interactive presentation by incorporating elements like quizzes or group activities to reinforce understanding.

define presentation and demonstration

5. Sales presentation

Sales presentations are one of the many types of business presentations and the bread and butter of businesses looking to woo potential clients or customers. With a sprinkle of charm and a dash of persuasion, these presentations showcase products, services or ideas with one end goal in mind: sealing the deal.

A successful sales presentation often has key characteristics such as a clear value proposition, strong storytelling, confidence and a compelling call to action. Hence, when presenting to your clients or stakeholders, focus on benefits rather than just features. 

Anticipate and address potential objections before they arise and use storytelling to showcase how your offering solves a specific problem for your audience. Utilizing visual aids is also a great way to make your points stand out and stay memorable.

A sales presentation can be used to promote service offerings, product launches or even consultancy proposals that outline the expertise and industry experience of a business. Here are some template examples you can use for your next sales presentation:

define presentation and demonstration

6. Pitch presentation

Pitch presentations are your ticket to garnering the interest and support of potential investors, partners or stakeholders. Think of your pitch deck as your chance to paint a vivid picture of your business idea or proposal and secure the resources you need to bring it to life. 

Business presentations aside, individuals can also create a portfolio presentation to showcase their skills, experience and achievements to potential clients, employers or investors. 

Craft a concise and compelling narrative. Clearly define the problem your idea solves and how it stands out in the market. Anticipate questions and practice your answers. Project confidence and passion for your idea.

define presentation and demonstration

7. Motivational or inspirational presentation

Feeling the need for a morale boost? That’s where motivational presentations step in. These talks are designed to uplift and inspire, often featuring personal anecdotes, heartwarming stories and a generous serving of encouragement.

Form a connection with your audience by sharing personal stories that resonate with your message. Use a storytelling style with relatable anecdotes and powerful metaphors to create an emotional connection. Keep the energy high and wrap up your inspirational presentations with a clear call to action.

Inspirational talks and leadership presentations aside, a motivational or inspirational presentation can also be a simple presentation aimed at boosting confidence, a motivational speech focused on embracing change and more.

define presentation and demonstration

8. Status or progress report presentation

Projects and businesses are like living organisms, constantly evolving and changing. Status or progress report presentations keep everyone in the loop by providing updates on achievements, challenges and future plans. It’s like a GPS for your team, ensuring everyone stays on track.

Be transparent about achievements, challenges and future plans. Utilize infographics, charts and diagrams to present your data visually and simplify information. By visually representing data, it becomes easier to identify trends, make predictions and strategize based on evidence.

define presentation and demonstration

Now that you’ve learned about the different types of presentation methods and how to use them, you’re on the right track to creating a good presentation that can boost your confidence and enhance your presentation skills . 

Selecting the most suitable presentation style is akin to choosing the right outfit for an occasion – it greatly influences how your message is perceived. Here’s a more detailed guide to help you make that crucial decision:

1. Define your objectives

Begin by clarifying your presentation’s goals. Are you aiming to educate, persuade, motivate, train or perhaps sell a concept? Your objectives will guide you to the most suitable presentation type. 

For instance, if you’re aiming to inform, an informative presentation would be a natural fit. On the other hand, a persuasive presentation suits the goal of swaying opinions.

2. Know your audience

Regardless if you’re giving an in-person or a virtual presentation — delve into the characteristics of your audience. Consider factors like their expertise level, familiarity with the topic, interests and expectations. 

If your audience consists of professionals in your field, a more technical presentation might be suitable. However, if your audience is diverse and includes newcomers, an approachable and engaging style might work better.

define presentation and demonstration

3. Analyze your content

Reflect on the content you intend to present. Is it data-heavy, rich in personal stories or focused on practical skills? Different presentation styles serve different content types. 

For data-driven content, an informative or instructional presentation might work best. For emotional stories, a motivational presentation could be a compelling choice.

4. Consider time constraints

Evaluate the time you have at your disposal. If your presentation needs to be concise due to time limitations, opt for a presentation style that allows you to convey your key points effectively within the available timeframe. A pitch presentation, for example, often requires delivering impactful information within a short span.

5. Leverage visuals

Visual aids are powerful tools in presentations. Consider whether your content would benefit from visual representation. If your PowerPoint presentations involve step-by-step instructions or demonstrations, a how-to presentation with clear visuals would be advantageous. Conversely, if your content is more conceptual, a motivational presentation could rely more on spoken words.

define presentation and demonstration

6. Align with the setting

Take the presentation environment into account. Are you presenting in a formal business setting, a casual workshop or a conference? Your setting can influence the level of formality and interactivity in your presentation. For instance, a demonstration presentation might be ideal for a hands-on workshop, while a persuasive presentation is great for conferences.

7. Gauge audience interaction

Determine the level of audience engagement you want. Interactive presentations work well for training sessions, workshops and small group settings, while informative or persuasive presentations might be more one-sided.

8. Flexibility

Stay open to adjusting your presentation style on the fly. Sometimes, unexpected factors might require a change of presentation style. Be prepared to adjust on the spot if audience engagement or reactions indicate that a different approach would be more effective.

Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the best type of presentation may vary depending on the specific situation and your unique communication goals. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the most effective presentation type to successfully engage and communicate with your audience.

To save time, use a presentation software or check out these presentation design and presentation background guides to create a presentation that stands out.    

define presentation and demonstration

What are some effective ways to begin and end a presentation?

Capture your audience’s attention from the start of your presentation by using a surprising statistic, a compelling story or a thought-provoking question related to your topic. 

To conclude your presentation , summarize your main points, reinforce your key message and leave a lasting impression with a powerful call to action or a memorable quote that resonates with your presentation’s theme.

How can I make my presentation more engaging and interactive?

To create an engaging and interactive presentation for your audience, incorporate visual elements such as images, graphs and videos to illustrate your points visually. Share relatable anecdotes or real-life examples to create a connection with your audience. 

You can also integrate interactive elements like live polls, open-ended questions or small group discussions to encourage participation and keep your audience actively engaged throughout your presentation.

Which types of presentations require special markings

Some presentation types require special markings such as how sales presentations require persuasive techniques like emphasizing benefits, addressing objections and using compelling visuals to showcase products or services. 

Demonstrations and how-to presentations on the other hand require clear markings for each step, ensuring the audience can follow along seamlessly. 

That aside, pitch presentations require highlighting unique selling points, market potential and the competitive edge of your idea, making it stand out to potential investors or partners.

Need some inspiration on how to make a presentation that will captivate an audience? Here are 120+ presentation ideas to help you get started. 

Creating a stunning and impactful presentation with Venngage is a breeze. Whether you’re crafting a business pitch, a training presentation or any other type of presentation, follow these five steps to create a professional presentation that stands out:

  • Sign up and log in to Venngage to access the editor.
  • Choose a presentation template that matches your topic or style.
  • Customize content, colors, fonts, and background to personalize your presentation.
  • Add images, icons, and charts to enhancevisual style and clarity.
  • Save, export, and share your presentation as PDF or PNG files, or use Venngage’s Presentation Mode for online showcasing.

In the realm of presentations, understanding the different types of presentation formats is like having a versatile set of tools that empower you to craft compelling narratives for every occasion.

Remember, the key to a successful presentation lies not only in the content you deliver but also in the way you connect with your audience. Whether you’re informing, persuading or entertaining, tailoring your approach to the specific type of presentation you’re delivering can make all the difference.

Presentations are a powerful tool, and with practice and dedication (and a little help from Venngage), you’ll find yourself becoming a presentation pro in no time. Now, let’s get started and customize your next presentation!

Discover popular designs

define presentation and demonstration

Infographic maker

define presentation and demonstration

Brochure maker

define presentation and demonstration

White paper online

define presentation and demonstration

Newsletter creator

define presentation and demonstration

Flyer maker

define presentation and demonstration

Timeline maker

define presentation and demonstration

Letterhead maker

define presentation and demonstration

Mind map maker

define presentation and demonstration

Ebook maker

15 Demonstration Speech Ideas and Key Techniques for Your Next​ Speech

If you have ever been called upon to teach an audience with the help of some visual aids, then you have done a demonstrative speech or a demonstration speech. Hopefully, you did a great job. This article aims to show you how to best carry out a demonstrative speech that does what it is meant to do; teach. Demonstration speeches are pretty common in especially in academic settings where professors share their knowledge and students are called upon to give presentations. So, if you just came in to get some demonstration speech ideas for your next presentation, then please check the last part of the post.

Definition of a Demonstration Speech

This is one of our posts on the types of speech series, should you be interested in learning about other types of speeches, please click on of the links below when you are done reading this article.

Types of Speech Series

Part II . 9 Tips for Writing and Amazing Informative Speech and 120+ Topic Ideas

Part III. 5 Quick Tips on how to Give an Effective Motivational Speech

Part VI. 6 Key Tips for a Memorable Entertaining Speech + Topics and Ideas

Part VII. Explanatory Speech: 7 Key Tips to Help You Deliver an Effective Speech

Part X. Public Speaking Contests: 7 Ways to Nail at Forensic Speech Competitions

Part XI. 80+ Impromptu Speech Topics & 7 Ways to Nail One

Part XIV. Eulogy Guide: How to Give a Heartfelt Funeral Speech (with 4 Eulogy examples)

How to Carry Out an Effective Demonstrative Speech.

1. why should your audience listen what’s in it for them.

How do you secure the attention of your audience at the start and throughout your speech? By telling them what they stand to gain by listening to you. 

Explain to them why what you are about to teach is valuable. How it will help them achieve a goal or become more knowledgeable individuals. This way, any audience member who is interested in the benefits you outlined (hopefully they all are) will listen closely to your speech. 

You can also share your personal experience with the audience. Tell them how this particular knowledge you are about to share has helped you in your personal life. 

 2. Give Your Audience an Outline

In order to simplify the details of your speech, especially for audience members who may see the topic as being too complex or complicated. A simple guide on how your speech is structured will help your audience know what to expect and mentally prepare to receive it. 

Sometimes, before we start reading a book, we usually browse through the table of contents section before we commence reading the book. Remember how you become much more motivated and enthusiastic to read the book after seeing what it contains. Your outline serves the same purpose; to keep the audience in an anticipatory mood.

3. Go Over Each Step in Detail

After the appetizer comes the main course. The introductions are over and it is now time to get down to business. Demonstrative speeches usually involve practical demonstrations, you are expected to show your audience how to complete a particular task in a step by step manner. As a speaker, this makes things easier, you are not expected to ramble on about unrelated topics. Just tell your audience why a particular step is important, how it is supposed to be carried out and then go on to actually show them how it is done, that’s it. 

Carry your audience along every step of the way, make sure they understand a particular step before you move on to the next step. Explain in simple words with the help of a clear diagram or a prop. 

4. Q & A Session

Depending on the setting, you may be expected to answer some questions from the audience. Sometimes, members of the audience may not have completely understood some of the concepts you tried to explain. A Q and A segment give you an opportunity to iron out any kinks members of the audience may have with your speech. 

5. Summarize

Before signing off, give a summary of your speech, highlighting the key points you have made and what your audience stands to gain if they do what you have shown them. you can also suggest some resources that will help your audience get a deeper understanding of the topic.

15 DEMONSTRATION SPEECH IDEAS / DEMONSTRATIVE SPEECH IDEAS

Demonstration speech ideas and topics in tech and media, demonstration speech ideas and topics on health and fitness, demonstration speech ideas and topics in business.

Always remember that the purpose of a demonstrative speech is to teach. Do all you can to ensure that your audience leaves your speech armed with new information on a particular topic. And how to use this new knowledge to achieve their desires.

REFERENCES & FURTHER READING

Similar Posts

17 ways to help your child develop public speaking skills (public speaking tips for kids), rhetoric: definition, types of rhetoric, 38 rhetorical devices and examples, 9 tips for delivering a stellar case presentation interview, 21 social skills competency questions examples, 11 tips for delivering entertaining virtual presentations, 26 motivational and inspirational quotes on life, success, and positive thinking to make your day.

Examples

Demonstration Speech

Demonstration speech generator.

define presentation and demonstration

Some tasks can be difficult or challenging to do. Especially when you have no clue on where to start and how to start. So being able to do the challenge perfectly or to a T can sometimes be tiring. But even the most challenging tasks, there are always solutions for them. That solution could be in the form of a person teaching you the steps or a speech telling you how. Here are some 10+ demonstration speech examples to help you out. 

10+ Demonstration Speech Examples

1. demonstration speech assignment.

Demonstration Speech Assignment

Size: 67 KB

2. Demonstration Speech Template

Demonstration Speech Template

Size: 32 KB

3. Outline for Demonstration Speech

Outline for Demonstration Speech

Size: 10 KB

4. Standard Demonstration Speech

Standard Demonstration Speech

Size: 174 KB

5. Demonstration Speech Statement

Demonstration Speech Statement

Size: 377 KB

6. Demonstration Speech Planner

Demonstration Speech Planner

Size: 47 KB

7. Basic Demonstration Speech

Basic Demonstration Speech

8. Audience Demonstration Speech

Audience Demonstration Speech

Size: 13 KB

9. Printable Demonstration Speech

Printable Demonstration Speech

Size: 123 KB

10. Teaching Demonstration Speech

Teaching Demonstration Speech

Size: 248 KB

11. Expository Demonstration Speech

Expository Demonstration Speech

Size: 135 KB

Definition of Speech

The meaning of speech is a formal address, a formal lecture or discussion delivered to an audience. A way to communicate a person’s thoughts through spoken words. In addition to that, a speech is a formal talk often given in special events like a wedding or a graduation. It is often given to a large group of people.

Definition of Demonstration

Demonstration is the act of proving or presenting something. It could be in the form of reasoning or a show of evidence. The ability to exhibit the steps of doing something to someone. In addition to that, it is to serve as proof or to support the evidence of something being done.

Definition of Demonstration Speech

This speech is a type of informative speech. A demonstration speech is where the speaker’s purpose is to educate the audience on how to complete a set of tasks. It can also mean to educate the audience on how to finish a task being given or to educate about the process. To be able to do this, it is largely accomplished by showing how the task is done through a series of carefully thought out steps.

Importance of Demonstration Speech

The importance of this type of speech is to show the process. To explain to an individual or a group of people the steps to how things are done. To point out the solutions in the form of a speech. To illustrate how something is done. To be able to educate the audience through a step by step process. Often given with visuals to make it easier.

Tips for Presenting a Demonstration Speech

Let’s face it. Presenting speeches can be scary sometimes and is not everyone’s strongest point. So if you are told to make a presentation speech, the first instinct is to let someone else do it for you. But like your topic, there is a way to present the speech. Check out these step by step tips to guide you.

  • Know your audience – The first thing you need to do before presenting your speech is to know your audience. If you are preaching to a group of middle school students , use words fit for their level. The reason for this is because there may be some words that are not appropriate for younger audiences and vice versa.
  • Avoid difficult explanations-  As much as possible, avoid using difficult explanations. The purpose of your speech is to help them. To give them information on how to do this and that. Not to confuse them even more. Use general terms and words when explaining. This is not only universal, but it is also easy to understand.
  • Make eye contact-  Even when you are showing them the process of how it is done, do not forget to make eye contact. This not only draws attention to you and your presentation, but this also helps you see if they have understood you and the purpose of your speech or not.
  • Use visual aids –  some people learn better with visual aids. Visual aids also help them see the steps and how it is done. Especially if your visual aids show different photos step by step and explanations.
  • Understand the needs of your audience-  Understand that your objective is to put yourself in their shoes. Say you are explaining to a university student where their experiment went wrong. By showing them the steps and to inform or guide them, you will surely hit your target. Also, avoid having to lose your patience or temper when you present. Remember, you must understand their needs, and that happens to demonstrate how it is done.

What is a demonstration speech?

This speech is a type of informative speech. It gives you information like how to demonstrate your topic.

What use is a demonstration speech for students?

A demonstration speech for students is a type of informative speech. This helps students understand and learn the steps or to learn how to educate through step by step instructions.

Do you need to place objectives in your speech?

The objectives are only your guidelines on what you want to achieve or talk about in your speech.

A demonstration speech is simply an informative speech. You give out information on how to do this and how to do that. You use this type of speech when you are presenting something. For students, this helps them with explaining step by step instructions to do something that may be too difficult. Presenting one can be tricky since you should not make it too long or too short. But with practice and the tips above, you surely are going to make it work out.

Twitter

Text prompt

  • Instructive
  • Professional

Create a demonstration speech for a cooking class

Help me write a demonstration speech for a DIY home repair workshop

Informative Speeches — Types, Topics, and Examples

What is an informative speech.

An informative speech uses descriptions, demonstrations, and strong detail to explain a person, place, or subject. An informative speech makes a complex topic easier to understand and focuses on delivering information, rather than providing a persuasive argument.

Types of informative speeches

The most common types of informative speeches are definition, explanation, description, and demonstration.

Types of informative speeches

A definition speech explains a concept, theory, or philosophy about which the audience knows little. The purpose of the speech is to inform the audience so they understand the main aspects of the subject matter.

An explanatory speech presents information on the state of a given topic. The purpose is to provide a specific viewpoint on the chosen subject. Speakers typically incorporate a visual of data and/or statistics.

The speaker of a descriptive speech provides audiences with a detailed and vivid description of an activity, person, place, or object using elaborate imagery to make the subject matter memorable.

A demonstrative speech explains how to perform a particular task or carry out a process. These speeches often demonstrate the following:

How to do something

How to make something

How to fix something

How something works

Demonstrative speeches

How to write an informative speech

Regardless of the type, every informative speech should include an introduction, a hook, background information, a thesis, the main points, and a conclusion.

Introduction

An attention grabber or hook draws in the audience and sets the tone for the speech. The technique the speaker uses should reflect the subject matter in some way (i.e., if the topic is serious in nature, do not open with a joke). Therefore, when choosing an attention grabber, consider the following:

What’s the topic of the speech?

What’s the occasion?

Who’s the audience?

What’s the purpose of the speech?

Attention grabbers/hooks

Common Attention Grabbers (Hooks)

Ask a question that allows the audience to respond in a non-verbal way (e.g., a poll question where they can simply raise their hands) or ask a rhetorical question that makes the audience think of the topic in a certain way yet requires no response.

Incorporate a well-known quote that introduces the topic. Using the words of a celebrated individual gives credibility and authority to the information in the speech.

Offer a startling statement or information about the topic, which is typically done using data or statistics. The statement should surprise the audience in some way.

Provide a brief anecdote that relates to the topic in some way.

Present a “what if” scenario that connects to the subject matter of the speech.

Identify the importance of the speech’s topic.

Starting a speech with a humorous statement often makes the audience more comfortable with the speaker.

Include any background information pertinent to the topic that the audience needs to know to understand the speech in its entirety.

The thesis statement shares the central purpose of the speech.

Demonstrate

Include background information and a thesis statement

Preview the main ideas that will help accomplish the central purpose. Typically, informational speeches will have an average of three main ideas.

Body paragraphs

Apply the following to each main idea (body) :

Identify the main idea ( NOTE: The main points of a demonstration speech would be the individual steps.)

Provide evidence to support the main idea

Explain how the evidence supports the main idea/central purpose

Transition to the next main idea

Body of an informative speech

Review or restate the thesis and the main points presented throughout the speech.

Much like the attention grabber, the closing statement should interest the audience. Some of the more common techniques include a challenge, a rhetorical question, or restating relevant information:

Provide the audience with a challenge or call to action to apply the presented information to real life.

Detail the benefit of the information.

Close with an anecdote or brief story that illustrates the main points.

Leave the audience with a rhetorical question to ponder after the speech has concluded.

Detail the relevance of the presented information.

Informative speech conclusion

Before speech writing, brainstorm a list of informative speech topic ideas. The right topic depends on the type of speech, but good topics can range from video games to disabilities and electric cars to healthcare and mental health.

Informative speech topics

Some common informative essay topics for each type of informational speech include the following:

Informative speech topics
What is the electoral college? Holidays in different cultures/different countries Best concert Bake a cake
What is a natural disaster? Cybersecurity concerns Childhood experience Build a model (airplane, car, etc.)
What is the “glass ceiling?” Effect of the arts Day to remember Build a website
What is globalization? How the stock market works Dream job Apply for a credit card
What is happiness? Impact of global warming/climate change Embarrassing moment Change a tire
What is humor? Important lessons from sports Favorite place Learn an instrument
What is imagination? Influence of social media and cyberbullying First day of school Play a sport
What is love? Social networks/media and self-image Future plans Register to vote
What is philosophy? Evolution of artificial intelligence Happiest memory Train a pet
What was the Great Depression? Impact of fast food on obesity Perfect vacation Write a resume

Informative speech examples

The following list identifies famous informational speeches:

“Duties of American Citizenship” by Theodore Roosevelt

“Duty, Honor, Country” by General Douglas MacArthur

“Strength and Dignity” by Theodore Roosevelt

Explanation

“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” by Patrick Henry

“The Decision to Go to the Moon” by John F. Kennedy

“We Shall Fight on the Beaches” by Winston Churchill

Description

“I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Pearl Harbor Address” by Franklin Delano Roosevelt

“Luckiest Man” by Lou Gehrig

Demonstration

The Way to Cook with Julia Child

This Old House with Bob Vila

Bill Nye the Science Guy with Bill Nye

  • More from M-W
  • To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

demonstration

Definition of demonstration

  • demo [ British ]

Examples of demonstration in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'demonstration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English demonstracioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French demonstration, demustracioun, borrowed from Latin dēmonstrātiōn-, dēmonstrātiō "action of pointing out, description, explanation" (Late Latin, "deduction, proof"), from dēmonstrāre "to indicate, describe, show" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at demonstrate

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing demonstration

  • counter - demonstration

Dictionary Entries Near demonstration

demonstrate

demonstrative

Cite this Entry

“Demonstration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonstration. Accessed 9 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of demonstration, medical definition, medical definition of demonstration, more from merriam-webster on demonstration.

Nglish: Translation of demonstration for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of demonstration for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about demonstration

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries.  Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and possessive names: a guide, 31 useful rhetorical devices, more commonly misspelled words, absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat, 7 shakespearean insults to make life more interesting, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 9 superb owl words, games & quizzes.

Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

  • Daily Crossword
  • Word Puzzle
  • Word Finder
  • Word of the Day
  • Synonym of the Day
  • Word of the Year
  • Language stories
  • All featured
  • Gender and sexuality
  • All pop culture
  • Writing hub
  • Grammar essentials
  • Commonly confused
  • All writing tips
  • Pop culture
  • Writing tips

Advertisement

demonstration

[ dem- uh n- strey -sh uh n ]

a belief incapable of demonstration.

They sent a check as a demonstration of their concern.

a demonstration of methods of refining ore.

  • the act of exhibiting the operation or use of a device, machine, process, product, or the like, as to a prospective buyer.

His demonstration of affection was embarrassing.

  • a public exhibition of the attitude of a group of persons toward a controversial issue, or other matter, made by picketing, parading, etc.
  • a show of military force or of offensive operations made to deceive an enemy.
  • Mathematics. a logical presentation of the way in which given assumptions imply a certain result; proof.

/ ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən /

  • the act of demonstrating
  • proof or evidence leading to proof
  • an explanation, display, illustration, or experiment showing how something works
  • a manifestation of grievances, support, or protest by public rallies, parades, etc
  • a manifestation of emotion
  • a show of military force or preparedness
  • maths a logical presentation of the assumptions and equations used in solving a problem or proving a theorem

Derived Forms

  • ˌdemonˈstrationist , noun
  • ˌdemonˈstrational , adjective

Other Words From

  • demon·stration·al adjective
  • demon·stration·ist noun
  • counter·demon·stration noun
  • predem·on·stration noun
  • redem·on·stration noun
  • subdem·on·stration noun
  • super·demon·stration noun
  • undem·on·stration·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of demonstration 1

Example Sentences

ClearFlame is also conducting a demonstration on a Cummins engine platform supported by funding from the Department of Energy.

Next month, the company will unveil a demonstration aircraft called the XB-1, a new supersonic-capable plane that is one-third the size of what they hope their commercial airliner will be.

Federal officials have arrested more than 300 people since the demonstrations began.

There’s a lot of demonstrations that were happening in LA for years that I didn’t know about until all of this.

It was the beginning of a week of unrest and protests that mirrored destructive demonstrations seen earlier this summer following police violence.

The reviews in themselves constitute a demonstration of why the regime restricts the Internet.

As Sarah and her sister and mother headed for the warmth of home, the demonstration continued.

Not that the demonstration had anything to do with this couple, whom Sarah seems to see as a fairy tale come to life.

There is an extreme demonstration of this divide in the nation.

For anyone who cared to watch, the event and its denouement provided a graphic demonstration that the Iron Curtain was crumbling.

But for the delinquency of his son, she had ocular demonstration; and her indignation was hardly to be repressed.

Already its demonstration had tried her temper, but to-night, for the first time, she felt her whole being set on edge by it.

He determined therefore to make a threatening demonstration by day and slip past it by night.

When they form short chains, demonstration of the capsule is necessary to distinguish them from streptococci.

This truth is as old as Homer, and its proofs are as capable of demonstration as a mathematical axiom.

Related Words

  • manifestation
  • presentation

Look up a word, learn it forever.

Demonstration.

Other forms: demonstrations

A demonstration is a show, or display. If you are against war, you might go to an anti-war demonstration in front of the White House. You might need to see a demonstration of napkin folding before you take a job as a waitress.

Dressing well for a job interview and showing up on time is considered a demonstration of your seriousness about the job. Crying is a demonstration of your feelings. If you sell website design you can make a demonstration site, or demo , so clients can see what they would get if they hired you.

  • noun a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view “he gave the customer a demonstration ” synonyms: presentation , presentment see more see less types: show 19 types... hide 19 types... exhibition the act of exhibiting exposure presentation to view in an open or public manner performance the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment lecture demonstration presentation of an example of what the lecturer is discoursing about counterdemonstration a demonstration held in opposition to another demonstration dramatic performance , dramatic production the act of performing a drama encore an extra or repeated performance; usually given in response to audience demand extemporisation , extemporization , improvisation a performance given extempore without planning or preparation juggle , juggling throwing and catching several objects simultaneously conjuration , conjuring trick , deception , illusion , legerdemain , magic , magic trick , thaumaturgy , trick an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers musical performance the act of performing music one-night stand a performance in one place on one night only interpretation , rendering , rendition the act of interpreting something as expressed in an artistic performance last hurrah , swan song a final performance or effort (especially before retirement) debunking , repudiation the exposure of falseness or pretensions production (law) the act of exhibiting in a court of law rodeo an exhibition of cowboy skills program , programme a performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation reprise the act of performing a role again type of: show the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
  • noun a visual presentation showing how something works “the lecture was accompanied by dramatic demonstrations ” “the lecturer shot off a pistol as a demonstration of the startle response” synonyms: demo see more see less types: show 8 types... hide 8 types... display , show something intended to communicate a particular impression expression , manifestation , reflection , reflexion expression without words exemplification , illustration showing by example lamentation , mourning the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief big stick a display of force or power gaudery , pomp cheap or pretentious or vain display act a manifestation of insincerity blowup , ebullition , effusion , gush , outburst an unrestrained expression of emotion type of: visual communication communication that relies on vision
  • noun a public display of group feelings (usually of a political nature) “there were violent demonstrations against the war” synonyms: manifestation see more see less examples: Boston Tea Party demonstration (1773) by citizens of Boston who (disguised as Native Americans) raided three British ships in Boston harbor and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor; organized as a protest against taxes on tea types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... work-in occasion when workers continue to work as a protest against e.g. proposed dismissal or closure of the factory protest march occasion when you can express opposition by marching (usually on some government institution) without a license vigil a peaceful, stationary demonstration or protest, especially at night peace march a protest march against (a particular) war and in favor of peace type of: dissent , objection , protest the act of protesting; a public (often organized) manifestation of dissent
  • noun a show of military force or preparedness “he confused the enemy with feints and demonstrations ” see more see less type of: show the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
  • noun proof by a process of argument or a series of proposition proving an asserted conclusion synonyms: monstrance see more see less type of: proof a formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it

Vocabulary lists containing demonstration

view more about the vocabulary list

On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Speaking from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., King stood before an estimated quarter of a million people who had gathered to demonstrate for passage of the Civil Rights Act.

The Academic Vocabulary Toolkit focuses on words used across different subject areas and careers in spoken and written communication. Learn these lists to help you succeed in school and work: Words 1-10 , Words 11-20 , Words 21-30 , Words 31-40 , Words 41-50 , Words 51-60 , Words 61-70 , Words 71-80 , Words 81-90 , Words 91-100

view more about the vocabulary list

Richly illustrated with archival photos, this book offers an account of the 1961 Freedom Ride, a protest of unconstitutional racial segregation on buses.

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement..

Module Two: Informative Speeches

Elements of an excellent demonstration speech.

You will prepare a 4 to 5 minute speech showing the audience how to do something. The speech must include visual aids. Your topic must be appropriate for your audience. You topic must be approved.

I. Nature of a Demonstration Speech: In a demonstration speech, you inform your audience by showing them…

  • How to make something (e.g., food; crafts; household decorations; technological gear);
  • How something works (e.g., part of a car; a machine; computer software)

II. Selecting a Topic: It’s best to choose something which…

  • You know well
  • Can be shown within reliable time boundaries
  • Isn’t highly technical and doesn’t include too many steps
  • Can easily be shown to a large group
  • Will expand listeners’ knowledge

III. Organization:

  • Organize the body of your speech into 2-5 main points which correspond to parts of your process- -rather than in a long series of steps
  • Provide clear “signposts” for each main step in the process

IV. Preparation:

  • Arrange and test any AV equipment beforehand
  • Practice repeatedly so you can handle items easily
  • Lay everything out ahead of time and make sure the entire audience can see your work area

V. Presentation:

  • Be as clear as possible; use simple language; explain jargon; define acronyms
  • Use easy-to-follow, step-by-step processes, and large, visible visuals

C. Avoid obstructions; make sure everyone in the room can see you without having to strain

VI. Momentum

  • Talk while you demonstrate; avoid “dead air time”

VII. After your presentation:

  • Be prepared to answer any questions
  • Quickly clear your items away so the next speaker can get ready
  • Elements of an Excellent Demonstration Speech. Authored by : Phil Venditti. Provided by : Clover Park Technical College, Lakewood WA. License : CC BY: Attribution

Online Language Dictionaries

'; audChoice = audChoice.replace(/ selected=["']selected["']/gm, '');var audT = document.getElementById('audT');if ((audT) && (audPref)) { //Parse the content if(audPref.indexOf(':') > -1) { var audPrefAccent = audPref.split(':')[0]; var playbackRate = audPref.split(':')[1]; } else { var audPrefAccent = audPref; var playbackRate = 1; } var re = new RegExp('( UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃ n/

USA pronunciation: IPA/ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(dem′ən strā shən)

| | | | | | |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024
dem•on•stra•tion      n. [ ]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024
dem•on•stra•tion   shən),USA pronunciation n.  a show of military force or of offensive operations made to deceive an enemy. Math.]a logical presentation of the way in which given assumptions imply a certain result;
proof. (stem of equivalent. to ( ) (see demonstrate) + -ion 1325–75 tion•al, adj. 
tion•ist, n. 

/ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən/ n
adj n ' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations): - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , , , , , a demonstration [site, product, project, program], give a demonstration speech, a [real-life, physical, practical] demonstration,

Forum discussions with the word(s) "demonstration" in the title:


































Go to page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.

In other languages: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | |
Advertisements
Advertisements

use for the fastest search of WordReference.
© 2024 WordReference.com any problems.

COMMENTS

  1. What is the difference between "presentation" and "demonstration"?

    The typical presentation is a lecture with visual aids like slides. A demonstration is where you actually show something. If the bulk of the time will be taken with showing the thing being demonstrated, you usually call it a demonstration (or "demo") even if there are also some accompanying slides.

  2. What Is a Demonstration Speech? (And How To Write One)

    Demonstration speeches inform audiences about a topic or instruct them in performing a particular task, like preparing a recipe or using a product. Learning about demonstration speeches, their importance and how to format them effectively can help you feel confident when presenting them. In this article, we explain what a demonstration speech ...

  3. What is a Demonstration Speech?

    A demonstration speech is a form of presentation where the speaker explains a process or activity, accompanied by a live demonstration. The primary objective is to educate and enlighten the audience on the steps involved in a particular task or the functionality of an object. In simple terms, the speaker wants to inform or illustrate something.

  4. How to Master the Demonstration Speech

    Definition: The Demonstration Speech. A demonstration speech is a form of informative speech where the speaker's primary purpose is to teach the audience how to complete a task (or process), and this is largely accomplished by demonstrating the task (or process) through a series of steps.

  5. What Is a Demonstrative Speech? (Topics + Examples)

    What Is a Demonstrative Speech? (Topics Examples)

  6. What is a Presentation?

    What is a Presentation?

  7. Demonstrations

    Demonstrations to Generate Interest. A demonstration can serve two different purposes in a speech. First, it can be used to generate interest and "wow" the audience. Showing off the features of your new product, illustrating the catastrophic failure of a poorly tied climbing knot, or launching a cork across the room during a chemistry experiment are all ways of capturing the audience's ...

  8. What Is a Presentation? Definition, Uses & Examples

    What Is a Presentation? Definition, Uses & Examples

  9. Demonstration Speech Ideas, Topics and Outline

    Demonstration speech definition. As the name implies, demonstration speech is a speech devoted to teaching the audience how to do a particular thing. It is a clear, step-by-step practical guide which intends to show people methods of using regular items and even improve someone's life with it. Demonstration speeches exist in different forms ...

  10. Elements of an Excellent Demonstration Speech

    Elements of an Excellent Demonstration Speech

  11. Types of Informative Speeches

    Types of Informative Speeches | Principles of Public ...

  12. Types of Speeches: The Demonstration

    A demonstration speech is an educational or promotional presentation that explains a process, activity or product. It walks the audience through the keys points so that, after the presentation, they can repeat the process or activity or know how to use the product. If you decide to become a professional speaker or use speaking as an integral ...

  13. 8 Types of Presentations You Should Know [+Examples & Tips]

    8 Types of Presentations You Should Know [+Examples & ...

  14. 15 Demonstration Speech Ideas And Key Techniques To Help You

    Definition of a Demonstration Speech. A demonstrative speech is aimed at educating an audience about a particular topic. Although it may be very similar to an informative speech, the differentiating factor is that live demos are done by the speaker. The speaker can employ any means, usually diagrams to demonstrate how to do something, or better ...

  15. Demonstration Speech

    Definition of Demonstration. Demonstration is the act of proving or presenting something. It could be in the form of reasoning or a show of evidence. The ability to exhibit the steps of doing something to someone. In addition to that, it is to serve as proof or to support the evidence of something being done.

  16. Informative Speeches

    Informative Speeches — Types, Topics, and Examples

  17. Demonstration Definition & Meaning

    How to use demonstration in a sentence. an act, process, or means of demonstrating to the intelligence : such as; conclusive evidence : proof; derivation… See the full definition

  18. PDF ART OF EFFECTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS

    THE ART OF EFFECTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS

  19. PRESENTATION Definition & Meaning

    Presentation definition: an act of presenting.. See examples of PRESENTATION used in a sentence.

  20. DEMONSTRATION Definition & Meaning

    Demonstration definition: the act or circumstance of proving or being proved conclusively, as by reasoning or a show of evidence. See examples of DEMONSTRATION used in a sentence.

  21. Demonstration

    A demonstration is a show, or display. If you are against war, you might go to an anti-war demonstration in front of the White House. You might need to see a demonstration of napkin folding before you take a job as a waitress.

  22. Elements of an Excellent Demonstration Speech

    The speech must include visual aids. Your topic must be appropriate for your audience. You topic must be approved. I. Nature of a Demonstration Speech: In a demonstration speech, you inform your audience by showing them…. II. Selecting a Topic: It's best to choose something which…. III.

  23. demonstration

    demonstration - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free. ... Collocations: a demonstration [site, product, project, program], give a demonstration speech, a [real-life, physical, practical] demonstration, more... Forum discussions with the word(s) "demonstration" in the title: a / the demonstration a ...

  24. People born with neurodivergence. They don't choose to be different

    Most people reacted to Gus' love for his dad as a touching demonstration of a close-knit family. Neurodivergence is something with which people are born. They do not choose to be different.