COMM 1020: SPEECH TO PERSUADE –Assignment Description
General Purpose: to establish, reinforce, or change a belief OR to motivate action
Length: 5 to 6 minutes
Learning Objective: You will apply techniques of ethical persuasion. In other words, you will present
• accurate information
• that assists well-informed listeners in making decisions
• that serve the audience’s best interests, not yours.
Research: Cite at least three authoritative references in addition to stating you own views. Points will be deducted if you forget to say all three
references out loud in your speech or if you forget to write a formal bibliography at the end of your speech, listing all three references
in alphabetical order. Refer to the document on your web site for information about citing references. Read Ch 11 carefully for advice
about citing sources.
Content: Choose a focused topic about which you are a “mini-expert.” Please, no speeches on broad topics about which you have plenty of
opinions but probably do not have real expertise (outworn topics such as abortion, gun control, legalizing marijuana, or capital
punishment).
Arrange your claims according to one of the patterns of organization covered in Ch 13. Warrant your claims by including solid
evidence your audience will accept. Also, incorporate a strong motivational strategy.
Examples of topics used by former students (don’t use one of these; think of your own):
Note that each of these topics is tightly focused. The students who presented these topics all had expertise about their subject matter,
either from a class they'd taken, from a job they'd held, or from a hobby they had pursued. These students used propositions that
were easy to believe or achieve.
A Flossing a Day Keeps the Dentist Away
Why You Should Become a Communication Major
Discover Your Inner Artist
Consume Less Sugar
Why A College Degree Is Worth the Money
Winterizing Your Car Keeps Everyone Safe
Install Double-pane Windows to Save Energy
Buy a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
Take a Hike to Relieve Stress
Wear Quality Sunglasses to Protect Your Eyes
Play Educational Games with Toddlers
Learn Avalanche Awareness
Save Money By Bringing Your Own Lunch to School
The Significance of the First Amendment to our Constitution
Materials to submit: Check your class calendar for due dates.
1. Draft of Outline: [earn up to 5 points]
Create a draft of your Persuasive Speech Outline, using the "Persuasive Speech Speaking Notes Outline Template" (posted on
your class web site). Submit your draft to the Turnitin.com web site. You’ll find instructions for using Turnitin in the first section of
your course packet. Include the audience assessment. If you don’t understand any of the concepts, ask your instructor!
Your speaking notes must be in outline format. A word-for-word manuscript is not acceptable. Use complete sentences for the
hook, thesis, main points, and conclusion. Use KEY WORDS ONLY, not complete sentences, for all supporting points. Your
instructor will review your outline and give you suggestions. Use these suggestions to revise your outline before your in-class
dress rehearsal. Revise again, based on classmates’ feedback, after your in-class practice.
.
2. Revised Version of Outline:
Bring the revised version of your key-word speech outline on the day you present your speech. Use this key word outline as your
speaking notes when you deliver your presentation to your classmates. As soon as you finish your speech, please hand the
outline to your instructor. If you use PowerPoint, please attach to your outline a one-page summary of your slides.
3. Evaluation Forms:
Write your name and topic on the three Persuasive Speech evaluation forms (one professor evaluation and two peer
evaluations). Bring these to class on the day of your speech.
Criteria for evaluation: Refer to the evaluation forms in the last section of your class packet.