What Is a Process Speech?

By Staff Writer | Last Updated August 4, 2015

A process, or demonstration, speech teaches the audience how to do something. It often includes a physical demonstration from the speaker in addition to the lecture. Topics suitable for a process speech include “how to dress for a job interview,” “how to lift heavy objects correctly,” “how to jump start a car” and “how to re-pot a houseplant.”

There are several parts to a process speech. During the introduction, the speaker identifies the subject and explains why it is relevant to the audience. Next comes the list of materials. The speaker differentiates between which are necessary and which are useful but optional. Many speakers have these materials to display to the audience.

The next part of the speech focuses on all the activities needed to achieve the goal. They are described in order, while a transitional description is placed between steps to help the listeners note the progress being made. If a step has multiple possible approaches, the speaker identifies a preferred way and explains why it is better. During a process speech, the speaker often performs some or all of the actions for the audience.

At the end of the speech, the major steps to the process are briefly reviewed in order. The speaker reiterates why the process is important to the listeners. If a product has been created, the audience is sometimes invited to investigate it.