Final answer:
A persuasive speech aims to influence audience views and actions through argument, while an informative speech solely provides educational content without any intention to persuade the audience's beliefs or behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Persuasive and Informative Speeches
A persuasive speech differs significantly from an informative speech. The main objective of a persuasive speech is to influence the audience's beliefs, values, or behaviors by presenting arguments and evidence that lead the audience toward a particular viewpoint or action. Persuasive speeches often reinforce or change an audience's existing beliefs on a topic.
In contrast, an informative speech aims to educate the audience about a specific topic without trying to persuade them to adopt any particular viewpoint. This involves explaining, describing, or demonstrating information, and may utilize various media such as visuals or videos to illustrate the content more effectively to the audience. The speaker's intention is purely to inform and make the information comprehensible to audience members.
The key difference lies in the purpose of the speech: persuasive speeches are aimed at convincing and potentially changing the audience's mind, while informative speeches are aimed at enriching the audience’s understanding of a topic without seeking to affect their opinions or actions.