Example Persuasive Topic Proposal
1st example: Policy claim
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Topic: Legalizing Prostitution
Specific purpose: At the end of my of my speech the audience will be in favor of legalizing
prostitution.
Thesis: Today, I’m going to persuade you that the United States should legalize prostitution.
Type of claim: Policy (has the word should in it)
Organization pattern: Problem/Solution
2nd example: Fact claim
• Topic: Bigfoot exists
• Specific purpose: At the end of my speech the audience will believe that Bigfoot exists.
• Thesis: “Today I’m going to convince you that Bigfoot exists”
• Type of claim: fact
• Organization pattern: direct method (only option for fact claims)
3rd example: Value claim
• Topic: Lucky charms is the greatest sweet cereal of all time.
• Specific purpose: At the end of my speech the audience will agree that Lucky Charms is the
greatest sweet cereal of all time.
• Thesis: “Today I’m going to convince you that Lucky Charms is the greatest sweet cereal of
all time.
• Type of claim: value
• Organization pattern: criteria/standards (only option for value claims)