How does an informative speech differ from a persuasive speech?

An informative speech is designed primarily to educate the audience about a specific topic, providing them with facts, explanations, and information that enhances their understanding. In contrast, a persuasive speech aims to convince the audience to adopt a certain viewpoint, take a specific action, or change their beliefs based on the arguments presented.

The essence of an informative speech lies in delivering unbiased, factual information without attempting to sway the audience's opinions. This distinction highlights the fundamental purpose of each speech type: one focuses on imparting knowledge (informative), while the other centers on influencing attitudes or behaviors (persuasive).

Additionally, the notion that an informative speech aims merely to entertain or that it is necessarily shorter than a persuasive speech does not capture the core difference in their objectives. Each type of speech can vary in length and still fulfill its primary function, whether that be to inform or persuade. Thus, option C accurately encapsulates the defining characteristics of the two speech formats.