Persuasive and Motivational Speeches
A persuasive speech is intended to change the beliefs,
attitudes, behavior, or actions of the listeners.
A motivational speech is a persuasive speech in which
the orator asks the audience to do something. Motivation
implies an action, so at the end of the speech the audience
should feel compelled to act on the speaker’s plan.
Occasions for persuasive and motivational speeches are, but are not limited to:
 Dedications
 Pep rallies
 Commencement exercises
 Sales promotions
 Religious gatherings
 Half-time sessions with a coach
 Conventions
 Debates
 Political rallies
In order to have a strong persuasive or motivational speech, a speaker must:
 Appeal to logos, ethos, and pathos.
 Be passionate about the topic.
 Appeal to the audience’s needs (see Maslow)
 Connect to your listeners’ values and beliefs (What is important to them?)
 State a need that must be addressed (e.g. winning a game, eating healthier, etc.).
 Suggest a plan of action to solve the need.
 Show the audience the benefits of following your plan.
 Acknowledge listeners’ reservations.
 Convince the audience to adopt new attitudes or take the speaker’s suggested
action.
 Restate the plan so the audience is clear as to what they are supposed to do.
 Be ethical—research, note biases, avoid fallacies
Requirements:
-Choose an interesting topic that you can research.
-Find at least three credible sources.
-Use the grading rubric to complete your full-sentence outline.
-The speech will be between 4-6 minutes long.
Want to see examples? Look up these speeches:
Martin Luther King, Jr. – “I Have a Dream”
Winston Churchill – “We Shall Fight them on the Beaches”
Margaret Sanger Speech – “Morality of Birth Control”
Mary Fisher – “A Whisper of AIDS”
George Patton – “Invasion on Normandy”
Mahatma Gandhi – “Quit India”
Patrick Henry Speech – “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death”
Persuasive or Motivational Speech
Student’s Name: ________________________________________ Channel: ________
Length of Speech: _______minutes ______seconds
Your Score/Possible Points
Timing (5 points)
/5
-Was within the given time limit (4-6) minutes
Audience Analysis (5 points)
/5
-Topic is audience appropriate
-Research and supporting evidence reflects audience’s knowledge base
Introduction (20 points)
-Gains the audience’s attention
-States the central idea (claim/thesis statement)
-Highlights the main points
/20
Body (20 points)
/20
-Ideas and evidence are well organized
-Uses appropriate and effective transitions
-Provides sufficient and credible supporting research
-Rhetorical devices are highlighted and labeled (at least three)
-Includes oral citations when necessary (at least one)
-Persuaded or motivated the audience
Conclusion (20 points)
-Reemphasizes the central idea and main points
-Connects back to the introduction
-Leaves the audience with a memorable and positive impression
-Does NOT say, “that’s it,” “so now you know,” “I’m done,” etc.
/20
Delivery (20 points)
/20
-Projection, Diction, Expression, and Pitch (speaks loudly and clearly with appropriate speed)
-Avoids fillers (uh, um, and, and uh, you know, like, so, I mean, well, etc.)
-Eye contact (looks at and speaks to all classmates)
-Posture (stands up straight, does not lean or sway)
-Effective use of note cards (places cards on lecture, does not flip/tap them, does not read)
-Avoids distracting gestures (too much hand movement, plays with hair/pen/hoodie, etc.)
-Appropriate language & word choice (avoids offensive speech, uses acceptable grammar)
Full-Sentence Outline (20 points)
-Typed, 12 pt font, correct format
-Includes rhetorical appeals with examples and an explanation
/20
Reference Information (10 points)
/10
-Includes a minimum of three sources
-Uses proper format for both in-body citations and reference list
Total: _____ / 120