Persuasive Speaking
Get one of each of the handouts
What is a persuasive speech?
Establishes a fact
 Changes a belief
 Moves an audience to act on a policy

Types of persuasion
Question of Fact

Concerns statements that can be seen
as true or false

You offer proof to support a
statement.
 EX: Recycling can save local community
money.

Types of persuasion

Question of belief
◦ Focuses on what is right or wrong, good or
bad, best or worst, moral or immoral.
◦ EX: Small schools are better for most
students.
◦ EX: It is morally wrong to avoid jury duty.
Types of persuasion

Question of policy
◦ Focuses on a particular action. Convinces
audience that some policy should be changed.
◦ EX: The senior class should have special
parking privileges.
Preparing your topic
Choose a topic that is important to you.
 Choose a debatable topic.
 Decide will you use question of fact, of
belief, or of policy.

Writing your thesis statement
You will construct a thesis statement to
be used at some point in your
introduction.
 The statement will do one of the
following:

◦ State the fact you want to establish
◦ State the belief you want others to believe.
◦ State the policy you want changed and how
you intend to change it.
Techniques to use

Logos-explains or justifies your thesis
◦ Cite evidence from statistics, professionals in
field, surveys.

Pathos- Use emotional appeals by
◦ Citing specific personal incidents
◦ Using vivid language
◦ Creating an urgency with personal references.
Ethical Standards in persuasion

It is unethical for public speakers to
◦
◦
◦
◦
Lie or deceive
Distort facts
Engage in name-calling
Engage in personal attacks of character unless
giving solid evidence.
◦ Deny the opposition the right to reply.
Counter argument
The argument against your position.
 You want to address (refute) the
opposition in order to get rid of all
doubts.

Types of Delivery
Impromptu
 Manuscript
 Memorized
 Extemporaneous

Delivering your speech
Appearance
 Eye contact
 Effective gestures
 Good posture
 Vocal pauses
 Enthusiasm

Delivering your speech
Articulation-shaping of distinct speech
sounds into recognizable words.
 Pronunciation
 Enunciation-distinctness of the sounds.

Requirements
No more than 5 minutes-No less than 3
 You may use note cards, but you may
NOT simply read.
 Must have a visual aid.
 Must use at least three persuasive devices.
 You will turn in a copy of the speech to
me with devices highlighted and labeled.
 Reference citation page

Visual Aid
Should be large enough for the audience
to see clearly.
 Use contrasting colors for easy visibility
 Should be NEAT
 Should serve a purpose and be referred
to in the speech.

Process
Choose topic of interest
 Write research questions
 Gather information
 Complete planning guide
 Write speech
 Practice, practice, practice!!!
 Speeches will be presented last week of
school.

Choosing a topic- For today

Turn in to me
◦ Three topics/type (see below) in order of
importance
◦ Each topic should have research questions
that would guide your research and support.
◦ Ideas for visual aide for each topic.
 Establishes a fact
 Changes a belief
 Moves an audience to act on a policy