Persuasive Speech Research Guide #1
1. Brainstorm five possible, different topics
a. ________________ b. _________________
c. ________________ d. _________________
e. ________________
2. Initial Research Search
Spend 10 minutes searching for information on each topic. Using your personal
interest, quality of information available, and complexity of topic, choose one and verify
it with Mr. Homan.
My topic:
3. Narrow your focus
General topic: _____________________________
Specific angle or slant on the topic: ________________________
Thesis statement: _____________________________________
4. Initial Sources- List 2 of the sources you plan to use. (Title, author,
brief description)
A.
B.
5. Outlining your argument
Decide the angle you are going to persuade us about. You will need 1 concession and
3 solid arguments in your favor. Write your ideas below. NOTE: These might
change, but this should help you focus your research.
Concession:
_______________________________________________________________
Main pt. #1:
_______________________________________________________________
Main pt. #2:
_______________________________________________________________
Main pt. #3:
_______________________________________________________________
Due: __________________________
Persuasive Speech Progress Checklist
Purpose Statement: To persuade my audience _________________________________
My speech explores a (circle one) question of fact question of value question of policy
Therefore, I plan to organize my speech using the following organizational structure:

Topical/Logical Outline (traditional outline)
 Problem-Solution Outline
 Problem-Cause-Solution Outline
 Comparative Advantages Outline
 Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Outline
Sources: You must have a minimum of 5 sources with at least 2 print sources. 4 of these
sources need to be externally cited in your speech.
Do you have all of the required sources for your speech?
Yes
No
SH
If not, what information/sources do you still need to find?
Outline and Works Cited Page
Is your introduction engaging? Yes No
Avoid asking a question. Try something new!
Have you externally cited 4 of your sources in your outline? Yes
Is your outline correctly formatted?
Yes
No
No
Is your Works Cited Page correctly formatted? Yes No
Concession
Did you include a concession in your outline? Yes
No
What are the other viewpoints on your issue?
Have you done any research on these other viewpoints? Do you have a source to back
up what you will say in your concession?
How do you plan to use your concession to strengthen your own argument?
SH
Manuscript
Your written speech manuscript must use rhetorical devices to increase the persuasive power of argument.
Paragraph One: Introduction- Attention grabber, background information, ends with
Thesis Statement.
Paragraph Two: Concession- Recognition of opposing viewpoints ending with a re-focus
on your stance. (will include cited research). Explain how your issue/topic
is controversial and acknowledge where audience disagreement may arise.
Paragraph Three: Main Point #1 and supporting evidence (will include cited research)
Paragraph Four: Main Point #2 and supporting evidence (will include cited research)
Paragraph Five: Main Point #3 and supporting evidence (will include cited research)
*Note: If your speech is a question of policy, paragraphs 3-5 may follow a slightly different order (ex: problem,
cause, solution).
Paragraph Six: Conclusion- re-state thesis statement, review main points of essay, leave
reader with a big idea to ponder or consider.
Manuscripts must be typed, double-spaced, 12 point font Arial or Times New Roman. 2-4 pages.
Visual Aid
Which type of visual aid(s) do you plan to use?

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Objects (ie: demo speech)
Models (ie: a scaled down version of the World Trade Center)
Photographs
Drawings/Sketches
Graphs (ie: line graph, pie graph, bar graph)
Charts and other graphic organizers
Posters that have a combination of the above information
Transparencies
PowerPoint slides
What materials/information do you need to gather to create your visual aid?
Gestures
How can you use gestures to enhance the persuasiveness of your speech? List two ideas below.
1.
2.
Delivery Practice
Based on your strengths and weaknesses from the informative speech, what aspects of
delivery do you need to practice for this speech?
Presentation Skills: Physical
 Eye Contact
 Posture, Gestures, Movement, Facial Expression
 Use of visual/audio aid to enhance delivery of information
Presentation Skills: Vocal
 Clarity & Volume (no mumbling or voice trailing off at end)
 Word Choice (concise, clear, no “umms and uhhs”)
 Expressiveness- Pitch and Tone variance
Presentation Skills: Mental
 Energy/effort
 Personality/creativity
Persuasive Speech Scoring Guide
Content and Organizational Skills:
Introduction
Attention getter
Establishes Speaker Credibility
Preview of Main Points/Thesis
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
General Persuasive Power
Rhetorical Language/Devices
Concession
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
Genuinely engages audience in topic
Well-organized “flow” of information
Well-chosen Research and Evidence
External Citation of Sources
Effective usage of transitions
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Conclusion
Clear Summary of Main Points
“Clincher”/Strong finish
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
Presentation Skills: Physical
Eye Contact
Posture, Gestures, Facial Expression
Use of visual/audio aid
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
Presentation Skills: Vocal
Clarity, Volume, and Rate
Word Choice (concise, clear, no fillers)
Expressiveness- Pitch and Tone variance
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
Presentation Skills: Mental
Energy/effort and Personality/Creativity
5
4
3
2
1
Things I liked about your performance:
Things that need continued improvement:
TIME of Speech: __________________________
Total Score= _________/100
Persuasive Speech Self-Evaluation
In the space below, write a complete paragraph in which you reflect on your persuasive
speech performance. What were your strengths? Weaknesses? What went better than
you expected? Worse? How did it feel to watch yourself on video? What did you notice
that you did not realize before watching? What will you work on for your next speech?
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