Mr. Ransaw
Com 101 Speech Assignment # 3
Persuasive Speech
Required Length: 4-6 Minutes
Minimum Sources Allowed: 3 – 4 Sources, 3 non-Internet
Notes Allowed: No more than eight 3 ½ x 5” note cards or two 8
1/2 x 11” pieces of paper (in presentation outline format, not speaking
outline format).
Speech Description:
A Speech of 4 to 6 Minutes Designed to Persuade the
Audience For or Against a Question of Policy
The purpose of a speech on a question of policy is to seek either
passive agreement or immediate action from the audience. Encourage
immediate action only if there is appropriate action for the audience to
take, such as joining an organization or donating blood. In either case, you
should be sure to deal with all three basic issues of policy speeches—need,
plan, and practicality. attitudes, values, and beliefs
Unlike speeches to inform, persuasive speeches on questions of fact
take a partisan view of the information and try to persuade the audience to
accept the speaker’s view about that information. A speech on a question
of policy must state the current policy somewhere within the speech. Be
sure to anticipate counter arguments, and diverging points of view during
your speech.
This speech will require considerable research and skillful use of the
methods of persuasion found in chapter 15, and 16 of your textbook. Special
emphasis should be given to critical thinking. This will also provide you
with an opportunity to apply skills you have learned form Chapter 5,
audience analysis and adaptation.
Students will turn in a complete preparation outline at the end of
their speech, the speech itself should be delivered extemporaneously from
a brief speaking outline. Requiring a speech on a question of policy will
help you analyze the speech thought process prevalent in personal,
business and political settings.
Focus on basic matters such as establishing eye contact, avoiding
distracting mannerisms, formulating a sharp specific purpose statement,
fulfilling the functions of an introduction and conclusion, limiting main
points and arranging them properly, and employing transitions and
signposts effectively.
Outline and cover page due at the beginning of speech.
COM 101 Evaluation Criteria
Criteria for a D
The speech must meet the time limit requirements for the assignment. On minute over or under
will result in the deduction of 5 points on your over all grade.
The speaker must turn in a typewritten outline of the speech at the beginning of the speech in
proper outline form.
The outline should include a bibliography for source citations in MLA/APA/Chicago Book of
Style format.
The speech must be delivered extemporaneously.
The speech must seek either passive agreement or immediate action from the audience – if
appropriate.
The speech must effectively deal with all three basic issues of policy speeches—need, plan, and
practicality.
The speech must emphasize evidence and reasoning.
A speech a question of value must be sure to identify standards for judgment and to justify value
judgment in light of those standards.
Criteria for a C
The speech must meet all of the requirements for a D grade.
The speech must be intellectually sound in developing a topic of worth.
The speech must be of the type assigned
The speech must have a clearly organized thesis, or main idea.
There must be a reasonable effort to establish the speaker’s credibility on the topic and to identify
with the audience.
Appropriate transitions in the speech must be clearly recognizable and easy to follow, such as
signposts and recognizable transition words and phrases.
The speech must incorporate supporting material listed in the bibliography of the outline.
Supporting material must be attributed orally to its source during the speech.
Both content and delivery of the speech must be well adapted tot he audience.
Delivery must be reasonably correct, communicative, and free of gross errors in grammar,
punctuation and articulation that detract from the message.
Delivery must be free of mannerisms, unnecessary movements, poor posture, ect that detract from
the message.
Reasonable eye contact with the audience must be maintained.
Criteria for a B
The speech must meet all of the requirements for a C grade.
The speech must provide new and relevant insight into the topic that you are persuading.
Both content and delivery of the speech must be particularly well adapted tot the audience.
Delivery must incorporate appropriate nonverbal elements – movement, gesture, facial
expressions, and the like.
Delivery must be above average in terms of fluency, vocal variety, poise, and preparation
Criteria for an A
The speech must meet the criteria for a B.
The speech must make a genuinely individual contribution to the thinking or the persuasion of the
audience with regard to topic importance and salience.
The speech must establish a high degree of rapport through exceptional adaptation of both content
and delivery to the audience.
Delivery must be exceptional in terms of fluency, clarity, poise, and preparation.
Speech Evaluation Form
Speaker___________________Topic___________________Date____
Introduction
Drew the audience in
Introduced topic clearly
Previewed body of speech
12345
12345
12345
Body
Thesis
Need, plan, and practicality
Well organized
Use of evidence and reasoning
Related topic to audience
Good use of transitions
12345
12345
12345
12345
12345
12345
Conclusion
Summary of main points
Reemphasized thesis
12345
12345
Delivery
Extemporaneous
Eye Contact
Verbal (volume, rate, clarity)
Nonverbal (gestures, dress)
12345
12345
12345
12345
Overall
Meet Assignment
Purpose and topic
Held audience interest
Time limit- one point deducted
for every 15 seconds over or under
12345
12345
12345
_____
Outline
Correctness
Bibliography/Citations
12345
12345
Total Grade_________