Persuasive Speech

Updated 1/2016

Persuasive Speech Description: A speech designed to change, instill, or intensify the audience’s attitudes, beliefs, values, or behaviors. Requirements: • 6-9 minutes, or as directed by instructor. • 2-5 mainheads, or as directed by instructor. • 4 sources minimum, other than yourself, a dictionary, or an encyclopedia, or as

directed by instructor. (2 sources for each side of the argument, totaling 4 sources.) • An audience of at least 3 adults is required.

Guidelines: • Select a debatable topic. • Build your speech in the refutation format.

o Do not state anything in the opposing view that you cannot refute. o Give the opposing view first and your view last; it is remembered better. o State the arguments for the other side, then state why and how the arguments for

the side you support are better. • Dress to suit the situation and audience (it affects your credibility). • Remember that the proposition urges the audience to make choices; it does not

simply provide neutral information like the thesis statement. o Avoid the use of the word persuade in your proposition because you want your

audience to choose your proposal based on the proof you provide to support your argument. (Example: “I would like you to choose not to drink and drive.)

• Give accurate definitions of terms; make sure your audience understands specifically what you are talking about (example: CDs).

• Be fair and non-judgmental . • Use visual aids if appropriate. Forms of argumentation: • Deductive argument – goes from general information to specific information. • Inductive argument – goes from specific information to general information. • Argument by analogy – relates one idea to a similar situation.

Past Persuasive Speech Topics: Chewing tobacco study a foreign language Taser guns College football playoff Wal-Mart smoking ban Music education curfews seat belts Cell phones while driving live/stay in North Dakota tanning Diesel fuel animal experimentation recycling Aristotle’s four modes of proof: Toulmin’s Model: • Ethos = ethical proof. Claim- Argument • Pathos = emotional proof. Data- Evidence to support

Updated 1/2016

• Logos = logical proof. Warrant- Reasoning behind claim

• Mythos = cultural values or beliefs.

Updated 1/2016

Updated 1/2016

Refutation Format Choose either issue or opposing view formats: For both formats, develop the Introduction as you would for an informative speech. Include: I. Introduction: Attention getter, background, proposition For the Body of the speech you can choose either format using 2 – 5 main points. II. Body for Issue OR II. Body for Opposing View

A. Issue 1 (i.e. cost) 1. opposing view

a. evidence (supporting material b. evidence (supporting material

2. My view a. evidence to counter issue of above b. evidence to counter issue of above

B. Issue 1 (i.e. cost) 1. opposing view

a. evidence (supporting material b. evidence (supporting material

2. My view a. evidence to counter issue of above b. evidence to counter issue of above

C. Issue 1 (i.e. cost) 1. opposing view

a. evidence (supporting material b. evidence (supporting material

2. My view a. evidence to counter issue of above b. evidence to counter issue of above

III. Conclusion A. Summary

1. Issue 1 a. opposing view b. my view

2. Issue 2 a. opposing view b. my view

3. Issue 3 a . opposing view b. my view

B. Closing appeal/Restatement of proposition 1.

A. Opposing View (2-5 issues) 1. Issue 1 (Supporting Material i.e. cost) 2. Issue 2 (Supporting Material i.e. space)

B. My view 1. Refute opposing view issue 1 2. Refute opposing view issue 2 3. More of your view if you want

III. Conclusion

A. Summary 1. Opposing View

a. b.

2. My view a. b.

B. Closing appeal/Restatement of proposition

1. 2.

Updated 1/2016

Persuasive Speech Description: A speech designed to change, instill, or intensify the audience’s attitudes, beliefs, values, or behaviors. Requirements: • 6-9 minutes, or as directed by instructor. • 2-5 mainheads, or as directed by instructor. • 4 sources minimum, other than yourself, a dictionary, or an encyclopedia, or as

directed by instructor. (2 sources for each side of the argument, totaling 4 sources.) • An audience of at least 3 adults is required.

Guidelines: • Select a debatable topic. • Build your speech in the refutation format.

o Do not state anything in the opposing view that you cannot refute. o Give the opposing view first and your view last; it is remembered better. o State the arguments for the other side, then state why and how the arguments for

the side you support are better. • Dress to suit the situation and audience (it affects your credibility). • Remember that the proposition urges the audience to make choices; it does not

simply provide neutral information like the thesis statement. o Avoid the use of the word persuade in your proposition because you want your

audience to choose your proposal based on the proof you provide to support your argument. (Example: “I would like you to choose not to drink and drive.)

• Give accurate definitions of terms; make sure your audience understands specifically what you are talking about (example: CDs).

• Be fair and non-judgmental . • Use visual aids if appropriate. Forms of argumentation: • Deductive argument – goes from general information to specific information. • Inductive argument – goes from specific information to general information. • Argument by analogy – relates one idea to a similar situation.

Past Persuasive Speech Topics: Chewing tobacco study a foreign language Taser guns College football playoff Wal-Mart smoking ban Music education curfews seat belts Cell phones while driving live/stay in North Dakota tanning Diesel fuel animal experimentation recycling Aristotle’s four modes of proof: Toulmin’s Model: • Ethos = ethical proof. Claim- Argument • Pathos = emotional proof. Data- Evidence to support

Updated 1/2016

• Logos = logical proof. Warrant- Reasoning behind claim

• Mythos = cultural values or beliefs.

Updated 1/2016

Updated 1/2016

Refutation Format Choose either issue or opposing view formats: For both formats, develop the Introduction as you would for an informative speech. Include: I. Introduction: Attention getter, background, proposition For the Body of the speech you can choose either format using 2 – 5 main points. II. Body for Issue OR II. Body for Opposing View

A. Issue 1 (i.e. cost) 1. opposing view

a. evidence (supporting material b. evidence (supporting material

2. My view a. evidence to counter issue of above b. evidence to counter issue of above

B. Issue 1 (i.e. cost) 1. opposing view

a. evidence (supporting material b. evidence (supporting material

2. My view a. evidence to counter issue of above b. evidence to counter issue of above

C. Issue 1 (i.e. cost) 1. opposing view

a. evidence (supporting material b. evidence (supporting material

2. My view a. evidence to counter issue of above b. evidence to counter issue of above

III. Conclusion A. Summary

1. Issue 1 a. opposing view b. my view

2. Issue 2 a. opposing view b. my view

3. Issue 3 a . opposing view b. my view

B. Closing appeal/Restatement of proposition 1.

A. Opposing View (2-5 issues) 1. Issue 1 (Supporting Material i.e. cost) 2. Issue 2 (Supporting Material i.e. space)

B. My view 1. Refute opposing view issue 1 2. Refute opposing view issue 2 3. More of your view if you want

III. Conclusion

A. Summary 1. Opposing View

a. b.

2. My view a. b.

B. Closing appeal/Restatement of proposition

1. 2.