SPCOM 122 – Public Speaking
Gross
NAME ______________________
TOPIC CHOICE PAPER – PERSUASIVE SPEECH
1. Specific Purpose (One sentence about what position or action the audience should take as a
result of listening to your speech.)
2. Main Points (Two to five central ideas, issues or arguments you will be developing in the
speech.) See other side for typical organizational patterns.
3. Bibliographic Information (Complete citations for three sources, following guidelines from
the class and the assignment.)
SPCOM 122 – Persuasive Speech Topic Paper
Page 2
Common Organizational Patterns for Persuasive Speeches (Choose ONE)
Problem/Solution
Example: I. Problems of Obesity
II. Balanced Diet Options
Arguments Pro and Con
Example: I. Arguments Against Gay Marriage
II. Arguments For Gay Marriage
III. My Position
Topics
Example: Capital Punishment
I. Deterrence
II. Cost
III. Sentencing Inequities
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (To persuade audience to take action)
1. Attention
2. Need (Problem, how it affects audience – need that will not be met)
3. Satisfaction (Solution, how it fills need in audience)
4. Visualization (Vivid description of solution in place, need being filled)
5. Action (Immediate, concrete first step to move toward solution)