Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 identify an entertainment speech,

 distinguish the types of speeches according to purpose, and
 follow some tips on how to make and deliver an entertaining speech.

What are the three types of speeches according to purpose? How do you differentiate them?

Let’s Review!
So far, you have learned the following types of speeches according to purpose:

 An expository or informative speech aims to provide the audience with information about a
topic or to expand their knowledge about a topic with which they are already familiar. The
three types of informative speeches are description, definition, and demonstration
speeches.
 A persuasive speech aims to influence the audience to accept the speaker’s position or
stand on an issue, and to urge the audience to take a particular action. The three modes of
persuasion are ethos, pathos, and logos.

Now, you will learn about the last type of speech: the entertainment speech.

Learn about it!

Entertainment Speech
Entertainment is any activity that holds a person’s attention and interest or that provides
amusement or enjoyment to occupy spare time. There are different forms of entertainment. You can
entertain yourself by reading a book, watching TV, listening to music, playing a musical instrument,
solving a puzzle, drawing an artwork, going to the movies, chatting online with your friends, and
surfing the Internet, among others. Often, amusement comes from storytelling or watching others
give a performance (e.g., dance, music, drama).

You have probably listened to people give an entertaining talk at various social occasions. These
include casual dinners, parties, graduations, and weddings. An entertainment speech aims to
amuse audience members and put them in a jovial mood. Although it can also inform or persuade,
its primary focus is to entertain an audience or create a pleasant or interesting diversion.

There are various ways to make a speech entertaining. Here are some of these ways:

 Tell a funny or a scary story.

 Use a humorous story or an anecdote.
 Relate a personal experience.
 Incorporate drama by using narration and dialogue.
 Use sarcasm, exaggeration, or pun (play on words which suggests two or more meanings,
such as “A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired”).

It is important to note, however, that an entertainment speech does not need to be funny all the time
and all throughout. It should be interesting enough to hold the attention of the audience members,
and it should create an enjoyable experience for them.

Learn about it!

Tips on Making and Delivering an
Entertainment Speech
Giving an entertainment speech can be difficult since you need to ensure that your speech will
create a pleasant atmosphere and that the audience will have an enjoyable experience. The
following are some pointers on how to successfully entertain an audience:

1. Know your audience. As for any type of speech, it is important to know and assess your
audience. Since the audience members usually gather to have a good time, find out what
interests them. Think about how you can give them what they came for. Remember that you
are there to entertain the audience, not yourself.
2. Decide on a topic or theme. Choose a significant topic that is appropriate to the audience
and the occasion. Talk about things familiar to the audience. Although an entertaining
speech is meant to be amusing, it should still convey an essential point. Use entertaining
strategies to impart a serious message.
3. Start with an attention-grabber. Have an engaging opening in your introduction. You can
open with a joke, an incident, or a striking fact that is related to your topic.
4. Use simple language and vivid descriptions. Since your main purpose is to entertain, this
is not the time to use technical or complex words. Use simple words so it will be easy for the
audience to follow your speech. Also, bring a strong image into the minds of the audience
members through vivid descriptions. Use sensory words that appeal to their senses.
5. Use humor effectively. The ability to make people laugh is not an easy task. Humor is
subjective, so what may be humorous to you may not be humorous to another or to other
cultures. Nonetheless, humor is a great way to make the audience feel relaxed. You can add
a little humor, but you should make sure that it does not offend or insult others.
6. Use appropriate nonverbal cues. To add flair to your speech, use appropriate facial
expressions (e.g., flashing a big smile), body movements (e.g., moving around the stage),
and large gestures (e.g., spreading hands apart to indicate length, distance, or size).

Remember, to deliver an entertainment speech successfully, create a delightful experience for the
audience. Also, it is important to be yourself, have a good time, and enjoy the experience as well.

Learn about it!

Example:
For an example of an entertainment speech, go to this link (accessed on 20 May 2016). The speech
was delivered by Jim Carrey during a graduation at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield,
Iowa on 24 May 2014.

Explanation:
The commencement speech was delivered in an inspiring, funny, and enlightening way. It captured
and sustained the interest of the audience. The speaker opened his speech by using irony. He said
that the painting he brought was not one of his "bigger" pieces when in fact, the painting he brought
was huge. The introduction was funny, making the audience laugh and feel relaxed. He continued by
using informal language in welcoming the guests. He then talked about planting a seed (figuratively)
and made a joke about it by referring to Monsanto, an agricultural company that sued farmers for
alleged seed patent infringement. Also, the speaker used sarcasm when he said, “Excuse me if I
seem a little low energy tonight – today – whatever this is,” for it is apparent that he was energetic.
The speaker then went on by sharing serious, profound thoughts, incorporating humor to create an
amiable atmosphere.

Overall, the speaker gave an entertaining speech with a truly uplifting and fitting message:

You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world and after you walk through those doors
today, you will only ever have two choices: love or fear. Choose love, and don’t ever let fear turn you
against your playful heart.
Summary
An entertainment speech aims to amuse audience members and put them in a jovial mood. Some
ways to make a speech entertaining include:

 telling a funny or a scary story;

 using a humorous story or an anecdote;
 relating a personal experience;
 incorporating drama using narration and dialogue; and
 using sarcasm, exaggeration, or pun.

In making and delivering an entertainment speech, you should:

1. know your audience,

2. decide on a topic or theme,
3. start with an attention-grabber,
4. use simple language and vivid descriptions,
5. use humor effectively, and
6. use appropriate nonverbal cues.

1. The three types of speeches according to purpose are the expository or informative speech, persuasive
speech, and _ speech.
 Exact Value
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 Q2
 _ is a play on words which suggests two or more meanings.
 Exact Value
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 Q3
 The following are forms of entertainment except _.
 Multiple Choice
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 Q4
 Which of the following speech situations calls for an entertainment speech?
 Multiple Choice
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 Q5
 Which of the following is not an appropriate occasion to give an entertainment speech?
 Multiple Choice
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 Q6
 Identify the main purpose of the following text delivered during a wedding:
 “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Hmmm . . what is there to say about my best friend who is n
ow the luckiest man alive to have married such a great girl, Jenny? As for you, Jenny, what were yo
u thinking?”
 Multiple Choice
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 Q7
 Gino gave an entertainment speech, but it was not successful. What could be a possible reason why his spe
ech was unsuccessful?
 Multiple Choice
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 Q8
 Ms. Dizon, a CEO of a company, is asked to deliver an entertainment speech during a party for the young pr
ofessionals of the company. Which of the following would not make an interesting or entertaining speech top
ic?
 Multiple Choice
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 Q9
 Identify possible topics for an entertainment speech.
 Multiple Choice
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 Q10
 Identify the appropriate type of speech where each given statement can be used.