Communication 1545
Fred Owens, PhD
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You must take an “unpopular” position on an issue which is
a. controversial in nature, and
b. of public importance.
Your topic and specific purpose must be approved via email.
You must advocate a change in belief/behavior and you must urge action.
Hence, you may not persuade the audience to do what they already do or
to believe what they already believe. You may not inform/persuade them
of “common sense” or of what a conscientious, college-educated
universal audience should/would believe and do.
Students sometimes pick topics from high school themes, essays and
speeches. These and similar topics will not be approved for this course.
Students sometimes choose religious topics or evidence from religious
works such as the Talmud, Koran or Bible. Topics and arguments based
on personal religious faith are not appropriate for speech assignments in
this course.
You may not persuade the audience to engage in a commercial
transaction; nor may you represent a conflicted interest (such as “I work at
a tanning salon, and I’m here to persuade you that tanning beds are
safe.”)
You may not argue propositions which have already been settled by
received science or by public policy (such as the need for bike helmets).
Not less than 8 minutes, not more than 9
Bring no “street” drugs, fireworks, explosives or firearms to class
Manila folder containing
1.
Email from me containing SPECIFIC PURPOSE approval
2.
Complete preparation outline
3.
Page of sources including
<
At least one printed source
<
At least one expert interview
•
Powerpoint slides (6/page)
•
Two (2) copies of Persuasive Critique with
Brief speaking note(s)
Prohibited topics, in general. Personal Health: There are significant issues such as
universal access to health care or to prescription drugs, but avoid worn topics such as
the dangers of smoking and obesity, the rewards of exercise and a balanced diet.
Sports: There are significant sports issues, such as slot machines as games of skill, but
avoid trivial topics such as the greatness of Tiger Woods or Poker. The Too Familiar:
Many topics are important as measured by their prominence in news media and
everyday communication. That very prominence makes them bad speech topics
because audiences are tired of them. Important but overly familiar topics include
wearing seat belts, drinking and driving, and capital punishment.
Specifically: Diseases (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis), Gardasil,
condoms, food pyramid, tanning beds/skin cancer, OTC medicines, food supplements,
gun control, DUI, legal age, drug legalization including medical marijuana, smoking,
abortion including “morning after” pill, eating disorders, capital punishment,
fraternity/sorority, organ (especially blood) donation, violence/sex in media, adopting a
pet; spay/neuter, affirmative action, recycle programs, CPR,
Arguments are the material of persuasion. They, in turn, are made up of claims
supported by evidence. Below are outlines of the traditional “need” and “comparative
advantage” cases. Virtually all persuasive speeches use the “need” format.
If the audience is not supportive of you personally or of your specific purpose, then DO
NOT use the introductory “orienting material.” To telegraph your intention (to persuade
them) is to invite them to stop listening. Proceed simply by building your case,
argument by argument, with careful use of commonplace examples and excellent
sources.
PERSUASIVE SPEECH FORMAT - “MOTIVATED SEQUENCE” or
“NEED/PLAN” MODEL
General Purpose: To persuade
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience (that/to)__________________
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. Attention Material (i.e. the “hook”)
a. A story or example that “sets the scene” for your reader and gets them
interested in what you want to argue.
b. A clear segue that tells the reader, “I use this story in order to discuss the
issue of_______________ .”
B. Orienting Material
a. Statement of your argument (“I want to show you that
___________________”)
b. Reason why this issue is important, and why these people should care
c. Summary of where you are getting the research you’ll cite; your connection to
the topic
d. Definitions for any crucial terms you’ll be using.
C. Transitional device
II. BODY:
A. Identify the problem with the status quo (the need)
a. Name Dimension #1
1. Explain Dimension #1
2. Evidence to back up Dimension #1
b. Name Dimension #2
1. Explain Dimension #2
2. Evidence to back up Dimension #2
c. Name Dimension #3
1. Explain Dimension #3
2. Evidence to back up Dimension #3
[Additional dimensions of status quo, but be careful!]
You must put a transition sentence here
B. Explain your solution/plan
a. Use examples, illustrations
b. Show feasibilitiy/practicality
c. Anticipate objections, if any
d. Include costs, if any
C. Show how solution/plan meets need
a. Dimension #1
b. Dimension #2
c. Dimension #3
D. Show how solution/plan would not create new problems/needs
III. CONCLUSION
A. Summary
a. Re-statement of the Need
b. Re-statement of the Plan
c. Re-statement of how the Plan meets Need
B. Clincher
a. Figure out a snappy way to end your speech
b. You might want to create a picture in your audience’s mind of the world as you
are advocating it to them (called Visualization), and(or)
c. Appeal to action
PERSUASIVE SPEECH FORMAT - “COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE” MODEL
Specific Purpose To persuade my audience (that/to)__________________
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. Attention Material (i.e. the “hook”)
a. A story or example that “sets the scene” for your reader and gets them interested in what you
want to argue.
b. A clear segue that tells the reader, “I use this story in order to discuss the issue of
_______________ .”
B. Orienting Material
a. Statement of your argument (“I want to show you that ___________________”)
b. Reason why this issue is important, and why these people should care
c. Summary of where you are getting the research you’ll cite\
d. Definitions for any crucial terms you’ll be using.
C. Transitional device
II. BODY:
A. Explanation of new plan or policy
a.
b.
c.
B. Advantage
Element #1
Element #2
Element #3
#1
a. Explanation of advantage #1
b. Evidence to back up advantage #1
C. Advantage #2
a. Explanation of advantage #2
b. Evidence to back up advantage #2
[Additional “good reasons,” but be careful!]
You must put a transition sentence here
D. Statement of Objection to your position: #1
a. Further explanation of the objection
b. Your refutation of the objection
c. Evidence to support your refutation
E. Statement of Objection to your position: #2
a. Further explanation of the objection
b. Your refutation of the objection
c. Evidence to support your refutation
III. CONCLUSION
A. Summary
a. Re-statement of the first thing you want your audience to remember
b. Re-statement of the second thing you want your audience to remember
c. Re-statement of the third thing you want your audience to remember
B. Clincher
a. Figure out a snappy way to end
b. Appeal to action