Description of Persuasive Speech and Outline
Time: 6-7minutes
Outline: 40 Points / Speech: 60 Points
Objective:
 To further develop and refine organizational skills
 To further develop research skills
 To allow students to further develop argumentative techniques
In the persuasive research presentation you will be taking a position on a controversial topic and
attempting to persuade your audience through the use of strong and credible evidence. You will
be asked to choose a topic that you feel is problematic or needs to receive more public attention.
You will address what the current problems are and consequently propose a solution/policy that
may alleviate these problems. Remember that one of the most important aspects of this
assignment will be how well you support your arguments using credible sources.
Guidelines:
 You must take a clear stance on a topic and do the following in the body of your speech:
 MP 1: Address current problems associated with the issue and need for change
 MP 2: Provide solution and address how solution will change/benefit the public
 MP 3: Offer a visualization to show reasons why your solution is a good one
 Speech/Outline must be organized using Monroe’s Motivational Sequence
 2 notecards may be used. No Reading.
 At least 4 sources
 Must use at least 1 scholarly article (ex. journal found on ebscohost)
 Each source must be documented within outline and on reference page
 MLA format should be used
 At least 1 visual aid-power-point, pictures, graphs, charts, objects, etc.
 3 oral citations must be made
Organization:
Organization plays a central role in an argumentative presentation and writing. The speech must
logically establish why the audience must change a belief, attitude, or action. Unless audience
members believe there is something wrong with what they are doing or feeling, they are unlikely
to change. The following are the steps in Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, which is a problemsolution technique that is commonly used in argumentation (follow in sequence).
1. Gain audience attention. Attention-getters arouse curiosity about what is coming up
2. Identify what the problem is and the unfulfilled needs. The speaker must establish a clear,
urgent, and unfulfilled need in the mind of the audience. Use researched evidence to
describe the problem. This is a critical step. No solutions should be proposed here.
3. Propose a solution that resolves the problem or satisfies the need. Use research to back up
why your solution is a good one and how it will work. Knock down counter arguments.
4. Visualize the resulting satisfaction. Intensify audience members’ desire for the solution
by getting them to visualize what their lives will be like once they’ve adopted it. Use
vivid images and verbal illustrations to support the benefits of the proposed solution.
5. In the final step, the speaker must turn the audience’s agreement and commitment into
positive action. Tell audience members what they need to do to obtain the described
solutions and its benefits.
Outline Format for Persuasive Speech
Introduction
I. Attention-Getter: (Step 1)
II. Establishment of Credibility
III. Thesis Statement:
IV. Preview (each main point): First…Next…Finally…
Body (the number of supporting points, sub-supporting points will vary among speeches)
I.
Main Point 1 (Step 2-Need:Identifying or describing the problem in need of solution)
A. Supporting Point (ex. description of problem)
1. Sub-supporting point (ex. Causes, effects- examples, facts, statistics…etc)
2. Sub-supporting point
B. Supporting Point (ex. Importance of problem or who is affected)
1. Sub-supporting point
a. Sub-sub supporting point
b. Sub-sub supporting point
2. Sub-supporting point
(Transition Statement)
II. Main Point 2 (Step 3-Present solution that satisfies need)
A. Supporting Point (description of solution and how it satisfies need/how solution
can be implemented)
1. Sub-supporting point
2. Sub-supporting point
B. Supporting Point (you can also describe the plan of action in steps-what steps
need to be taken to reach results)
1. Sub-supporting point
2. Sub-supporting point
C. Supporting Point
(Transition Statement)
III. Main Point 3 (Step 4-Visualize results-best place to use pathos)
A. Supporting Point (describe benefits of solution by providing vivid description
and emotionally charged language)
1. Sub-supporting point
2. Sub-supporting point
B. Supporting Point
1. Sub-supporting point
Conclusion
I. Summarize/Sense of closure:
II. Call for action (Step 5)