Becker/ Tegethoff
Adv. 11 2011
Final Persuasive Speech Assignment Sheet
Introduction:
We’ve analyzed marginalized characters in our unit surrounding The Harvest of Gypsies and Of Mice and Men. I
noticed in the Dialectical Journals that many of us were shocked by the conditions of the migrant workers as
seen in The Harvest of Gypsies. Some said, “This just couldn’t happen today...people would help them!” Well,
sadly, there are still marginalized groups in our society. In fact, there are several right here in Pennsylvania. As a
way to rouse our class to take action against some of the social ills that plagues our state, students will research a
PA based non-profit organization that looks to help a particularly marginalized group. Through a speech,
students will inform us about the marginalized group, the non-profit’s services, and persuade us to help. After
hearing all the presentations, each class will vote on which non-profit organization to support and we’ll do it!
Project Specifics:
Over the next week or so, you or you and a partner will be writing a persuasive speech which has as its purpose
to persuade you classmates to help a particular non-profit organization in Pennsylvania that helps a marginalized
group locally. It could be a larger organization, such as PA Special Olympics or Easter Seals, or it could be a
smaller group, such as the State College Area Food Bank. Once you or you and a partner have decided on which
group you will be supporting, you will wow us with a five-seven minute speech that incorporates three different
types of rhetorical devices, is structured in such as way that evokes a bit of ethos, pathos, and logos, and is
free from logical fallacies. You will, obviously, need to present the persuasive speech in a fluid manner, with
clear pronunciation, eye contact, and audibility. Visuals are encouraged, but not required. Each individual or
group will get a chance to present their speech to the class, and, based on a class vote, we will enact the winner’s
call to action and actually do a service project/ fund raiser/ consciousness raising activity/ whatever to help
support the local non-profit.
As mentioned previously, this will be either an individual or a partner activity. As a component of those involved
in a partner activity, you will have the opportunity to evaluate your partner’s contribution to your project, and
your evaluation of their work will be taken into consideration in the final grade for this assignment.
***This assignment meets graduation project requirement***