1500 word Research Synthesis Assignment and Persuasive Speech

Persuasive Speech

For each step, idea, etc… consider having an image. Make the images large (too small is no buena!) Complete sentences are not necessary. Use key words or phrases only… keep the pages with LESS information rather than too much.

In-text citation is REQUIRED and any tables or charts you use must be legible to those in the back of the room.

I. Attention Step

Thesis/Preview

This step is your introductory "listen up" call. To make it effective it needs to grab the audience. It could be any of the following (or another great idea of yours):

· Poll everywhere question

· a startling statement (did you know…?)

· a rhetorical question

· a quotation

· a funny story

· a dramatic story

· a photograph or other visual aid

Consider "What's in it for me?" while deciding on your attention getter. Why should your audience listen? Is it relevant to them? How?  Why should they believe what you say? Have you established your credibility?

II. Need

1. The problem

2. Here’s proof that this is a serious problem

3. Here’s how this problem impacts your life, audience

4. Some people say this isn’t really a problem.

5. I say they’re wrong, and here’s why

This step develops the need for change. Now that you have your audience's attention you will clearly show them what the problem is and the extent of it.

To be effective use:

· examples to illustrate how it impacts on them - their happiness, future, health, family, neighborhood...

· statistics - facts, figures, graphs, diagrams... Remember to cite your sources and remember too that some are more credible than others. You need recognized sources to give your speech the credibility you want.

· expert witness testimony - the more authoritative, the better

Your goal at the conclusion of this step is to have your audience eager to hear your solution. They agree with you that there is a problem and want the answer.

Transition

III. Satisfaction

1. Here’s the solution to this problem:

2. Here’s how the solution works:

3. Here’s proof that this solution does work to solve the problem:

4. Some say this kind of a solution won’t work.

5. I say they’re wrong, and here’s why:

Now you outline your answer or solution and show the audience how it will work.

To do this well:

· outline your solution succinctly

· demonstrate how it meets the problem

· use examples to show how effective it is

· support with facts, figures, graphs, diagrams, statistics, testimony...

· if there is known opposition to your solution, acknowledge and counteract showing how your plan overturns it

The ideal outcome of this step is the audience saying to themselves: "Yes. This is possible, practical and sensible."  Your answer should give them "satisfaction".

Transition

IV. Visualization

1. Picture how much worse off we’ll be if we don’t move to use my solution (image!)

2. Picture how much better the world will be once we put my solution into place (image!)

3. In this step the audience "experiences" the solution. They see (feel, hear, taste...) what will happen if they do as you are suggesting contrasted against what will happen if they don't do as you are suggesting.

4. This step relies on your use of vivid imagery to portray the outcome of their action, or inaction. They see and feel the pleasure, or pain, in their imagination. To bring it home to your audience the pictures you provide, the stories you tell, need to be relevant and believable.

5. What you want folk thinking as you conclude this step is: "I can see that this would be good for me."

V. Action

1. Restate thesis:

2. Call to action:

3. Because if you don’t:

4. But if you do

5. Tie Down

 In this last step you present your call to action.

The call to action can be embedded in any combination of the following:

· a summary

· a quotation

· a challenge or appeal

· an example

· a personal statement of intent

To be effective the action step must be readily doable and executed as soon as possible. Make it as easy as you can for your audience. If you want them to sign up for something, have the forms available. If you wish them to lodge a personal protest in writing to your local government have stock letters and envelopes ready. In other words do the leg work for them!

Action steps that are delayed even for 48 hours are less likely to be acted on. We're human - life goes on. Other things intervene and the initial urgency is lost.

Sources: Must be in APA format and alphabetical