SPH 106 Persuasive Speech Assignment
You will be preparing and presenting a 6-8 minute persuasive speech dealing with a
significant and worthwhile topic. Your goal is to use rhetorical skills and persuasive
techniques to influence your target audience.
Your persuasive speech should meet all the guidelines for effective informative speaking
such as adequate introduction and conclusion, clear organization of two to five main
points, effective use of connectives, adequate supporting materials, extemporaneous
delivery, etc. In addition, you should demonstration an understanding of the
psychological processes of persuasion by appealing to shared core values. A major
emphasis (25 percent) will be on providing adequate development of supporting reasons
which help make each main point credible to the listeners. You will need to cite at least
three different sources in your speech. Special emphasis should focus on the citation and
qualification of your sources of evidence. You must use at least one visual aid during
this speech.
You will use appropriate organization for a persuasive speech. Your main points will be
organized in Problem-Solution order or you will use Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence is used for speeches designed to get the audience to take
action (joining Cahaba River Society, buying a home water purification system, etc.). Be
sure to use transitions to carry your audience from problem to solution OR to carry your
audience through each of the five steps of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. There are two
evaluation forms attached. One form will be used if you are using Problem-Solution
organization (see pp.309-310). The second form will be used if you are using Monroe’s
Motivated Sequence (see pp.310-312). These two methods of organization will be
discussed during class lecture. Please let me know if you have questions.
You will turn in a complete sentence outline when you get up to speak. This complete
sentence outline includes a bibliography, and the outline will count 15 of the 100 points
for this assignment.
Remember: You will turn in a complete sentence outline for this speech. You will use at
least one visual aid in your speech. You must cite three sources of evidence, and your
speech should be 6-8 minutes in length.