Speech Communications
Final Speech- Taking a Position
GUIDELINES
Ms. Radlinger
4 - 5 minutes
The aim of an informative speech is to give information as impartially as possible, while the aim of a persuasive speech is to argue for a particular point of view in an attempt to convince the audience to believe you.
Topics for persuasive speaking deal with controversial issues that involve people’s most basic attitudes, values and beliefs.
Go to: http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Welcome_to_Debatepedia%21 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/persuasive-speech-examples.html
For your final speech you will present a QUESTION OF VALUE speech in which you will TAKE A POSITION on a controversial issue stating the right/wrong, good/bad, morality/immorality of it and WHY!
Approach your topic in a question form that can be answered from different
sides.
Example Should abortion be legal?
_____ 2. From this preliminary question choose ONE side of the issue and develop the major points of your argument with REASONS why you have chosen that side.
Abortion should (not) be legal because 1, 2, and 3.
___ 3. Support your position with a variety of types of evidence from :
 Facts or statistics
 Anecdotes (short story) or case studies (observations)
 Scenarios (what if? futuristic speculation)
 Testimony (interview quotes or survey results)
___ 4. Counter argue by presenting objections to your position and prove them wrong.
 Acknowledge objections to your position. Shows you are open minded and thorough. Introduce objections with leadins such as “Some critics say…” or
“One argument against…” or “Those that disagree argue…” or “One student at M.G.H.S. feels…” Use quotes from sources including surveys!!!
 Accommodate objections by incorporating them into your argument.
 Refute objection s. “Ok you’ve got some good points, but I am still right.”
“Even though Mr. Smith makes a valid point he neglects to recognize….”

___ 5. Persuasive, Rhetorical & Figurative Language will make your argument stronger. Include,
and label
of the following:
 parallelism
 repetition
 figure of speech (simile, metaphor…)
 rhetorical question



 historical/literary allusions emotional appeal logical appeal personal appeal
___ 6. SOURCES You are expected to cite at least 10 bits of information from three different sources in your speech.
 Use lead ins
– According to…… (must see TEN!) HIGHLIGHTED!!!!!!
 Provide a proper bibliography.
SPEECH Requirements


Speech Outline MUST BE TURNED INTO ME B/4 SPEECH
Introduction & Conclusion in complete sentences attached
Must be memorized!!!!


Body
– OUTLINE FORMAT (Roman numerals, etc.) with lead-ins & parenthetical documentation
Bibliography page attached
 Visual Aid – Powerpoint required!!!!!!!!!!!

NAME:________________
Preliminary Question:_______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
Preview Statement (THESIS)
Position:____________________________________________________
Reason1:___________________________________________________
Reason 2:__________________________________________________
Reason 3:___________________________________________________
I. Reason 1
A. Evidence
1.____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________( ).
2.____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________( ).
B. Counterargument
1. Acknowledge Objections a._________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________( ). b._________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________( ).
2. Refute Objections____________________________________
___________________________________________________
_____________ __________________________________________
II. Reason 2
A. Evidence
1.____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________( ).

2.____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________( ).
B. Counterargument
1. Acknowledge Objections a._________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________( ). b._________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________( ).
2. Refute Objections____________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
II. Reason 3
A. Evidence
1.____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________( ).
2.____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________( ).
B. Counterargument
1. Acknowledge Objections a._________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________( ). b._________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________( ).
2. Refute
Objections__________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________