Persuasive Speech Assignment Outline and Rubric
English 10
“What we say is important…for in most cases the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
- Jim Beggs
Each semester in English Language Arts you will be required to deliver a speech.
This semester you will present a persuasive speech that must be three to five minutes in
length.
Wednesday October 23rd, 2013
Thursday October 24th, 2013
Friday October 25th, 2013
Monday October 28th, 2013
Tuesday October 29th, 2013
Wednesday October 30th, 2013
Thursday October 31st, 2013
Friday November 1st, 2013
Monday November 2nd, 2013
Introduction to Public Speaking
Non-Verbal Cues
What Makes a Good Speech?
Assignment Outline and Rubric
Begin Topic Choice
SSR Journal (due by end of class)
Article of the Week #6 (due by Monday)
“L.A. Unified’s English Learner Action
Upsets Parents, Teacher”
Computer Lab Booked (research)
Computer Lab Booked (research)
Class Time for Writing (five talking
points due by end of class)
Final Class Time for Writing
SSR Journal
Article of the Week #7
Speeches Delivered in Class
Persuasive Speech: A persuasive speech is a specific type of speech in which the
speaker has a goal of convincing the audience to accept his or her point of view. The
speech is arranged in such a way as to hopefully cause the audience to accept all or part
of the expressed view.
Persuasive speeches are composed of both logical and emotional appeals. Logic
appeals are arguments that present a set of information and show why a conclusion must
be rationally be true. Emotional appeals are appeals that seek to make the audience feel a
certain way so that they will accept a conclusion.
* Keep in mind the 11 different persuasive advertising techniques learned in class. You
must include at least one of these in your speech.
By Monday October 28th, 2013 students are to have their speech topic approved. The
topic must be school appropriate.
Example Topics:
- Why the school day should be shortened
- Why students should be allowed to used their PEDs during class time
- Why the legal age for attaining your drivers license should be lowered
You are allowed to have cards or paper while delivering your speech. Remember not
to read your speech, tell it. The difference between reading and telling is that telling
appears more interactive and personal to the audience; this is key because it helps get
them on your side.
Outline
A. Introduction
a. Introduce your issue
b. Take a position
c. Include a thesis statement with 3 main points
B. Background Material
a. Provide evidence that you have researched your topic
b. Provide a logical sequence to your argument
c. Appeal to your audience
d. Use persuasive techniques to make your point
C. Conclusion
a. Restate your argument and summarize the major points
Value: 110 points
Re-Submitting Rubric: 5 BONUS marks
Talking Points (10 points)
By the end of class on Wednesday October 30th, 2013 you are required to submit
five talking points. This will consist of the five main points of your argument and the
facts you have gathered in support of that argument. This can be done in point form.
Bibliography (10 points)
Keep track of websites that you visit while researching. You must submit a list of
at least three different websites.
Conduct During Speeches (10 points)
Allow other the opportunity to do well delivering their speech by providing a
positive and supportive environment.
Class Time (20 points)
Use your class time wisely. Your time both in class and in the computer lab is
limited and must be spent effectively.
Speech (60 points)
See rubric.
Good Luck 
Rubric for Persuasive Speech
10
Arguments are
organized
logically and
coherently.
8
Arguments are
coherent but at
times appear
slightly
disorganized.
Includes 5
major points
with evidence
(facts,
statistics,
examples, reallife
experience)
that support
the position
statement.
Words used
are striking but
natural, varied
and vivid.
Includes less
that 5 major
points but
includes
evidence to
support. (Facts,
statistics,
examples, reallife experience)
Speaker
includes
interesting
words that add
to their
presentation.
Writer
makes
routine
word
choices.
Non-Verbal Cues (X2)
Speaker makes
excellent use
of non-verbal
cues, adding to
the
presentation.
Speaker makes
good use of
non-verbal
cues.
Use of Persuasive
Technique
Makes
excellent use
of at least one
persuasive
technique,
weaving it
throughout the
speech.
Makes decent
use of at least
one persuasive
technique
including it
more than once
throughout the
speech.
Speaker
frequently
presents
non-verbal
cues while
sometimes
distracting
the
audience.
Uses at least
one
persuasive
technique.
Organization
Reasons & Support
Word Choice
Comments:
6
4
At times the
Very little
argument is
of the
not logically
speech is
organized
organized.
and/or the
Claims are
evidence
not
doesn’t
supported
support the by evidence.
claims.
Includes less that 5 major
points and shows minimal
evidence to support
position statement.
Word
choice
causes
potential
confusion to
the
audience.
Speaker
rarely
presents
proper nonverbal cues,
often
distracting
the
audience.
Persuasive
technique is
included but
it is difficult
to
determine.
2
Arguments are
illogically
organized and
incoherent.
Little to no
indication of
research or
evidence to
support
position.
Word choice
used is
inappropriate,
illogical or a
distraction to
the sequence of
the speech.
Speaker
presents no nonverbal cues.
Does not
include any of
the persuasive
techniques.
Score: