Speech 04: Persuasive Speech
Kristoffer Stuvstad
Submitted to Professor Billington
COMM 1020-[xxx]
Speech 4: Persuasive Speech
April 15, 2015
Persuasive Speech: Audience Assessment
Specific Goal:
My audience will try to combat depression in teens.
Type of Claim: This is a claim of value
Ethos: Primary Ethos:
a) Competence: I am currently in high school, and my friends as well as myself have experienced depression at
least a couple of times.
b) Fairness: I am aware that we can’t stop all teens from committing suicide
Secondary Ethos: I will cite 3 references
Audience Assessment: Most of my audience members will probably have an attitude toward my proposition that is favorable. They
are probably willing to help but may not be aware of how big of an issue teen depression is.
Adaptation to Audience Attitude:
a. Common ground: I will provide statistics on why this is such a serious issue. This will convince the audience what I’m trying
to persuade them – prevention is the key to stopping teens from committing suicide
b. Latitude of acceptance: I think that the audience is willing to accept what I have to say, because they know who I am as a
teenager and can relate to similar experiences.
Baby Steps: I will provide my own story so that they can relate in their adolescence, as well as provide how to help
Pattern of Organization: Problem-Solution: I will offer statistics on why this is an issue and offer practical solutions
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Persuasive Speech: Key-Word Outline
Combatting Teen Depression
Introduction
Hook: Do you remember feeling down in the dumps during adolescence?
Proposition (or Hint at Proposition): Preventing teen depression is doable if action is taken. I can show you some practical ways to
help this.
Preview: There are two specific areas that I will cover in my speech:
1. Why teen depression is a critical issue
2. What you can do to help
Transition: So, how severe is teen depression?
I.
Body
Statistics for teen depression are astounding.
A.
Statistics on teen depression/suicide (jasonfoundation.com)
i. Suicide 2nd leading cause of death
1. Ages 10-24
ii. 5,400 attempts per day
iii. 4/5 attempts given warning signs
B.
Causes of depression (kidshealth.org)
i. Typically combination of things
1. Sometimes genetic
ii. Result of negative life events
1. Death of loved one
2. Family problems
3. Stress
4. Breakup
C.
My personal experience
i. Feels like world against you
ii. Hurts when others are hurting
Transition: These statistics may be discouraging, but this can be prevented if action is taken.
II.
There are several easy steps to prevent these numbers from increasing.
A.
Look for signs (kidshealth.org)
i. 5+ signs, 2+ weeks
1. Sadness for no reason
2. Lack of energy
3. Inability to concentrate
4. Feelings of worthlessness
5. Change in sleeping habits
B.
Be involved (www.health.com)
i. Show them you care
1. Stay active in caring
2. Talking with them
3. Staying in contact
C.
My personal experience
i. Talk to someone
ii. Spend time with friends
Conclusion
Depression in teens is a critical issue. Suicide rates for young people are severe. These numbers would not be so high if people would
have recognized that they were preventable. This calls for action – be the one to be there for someone who’s hurting by being there
for them before they hurt themselves.
Works Cited:
1. Youth Suicide Statistics. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 15, 2015, from
http://jasonfoundation.com/prp/facts/youth-suicide-statistics/
2. Understanding Depression.(2015, January 1). Retrieved April 15, 2015, from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/understanding_depression.html#
3. How To Help Someone Who's Depressed. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 15, 2015,
from http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20452135,00.html
PowerPoint:
None.