ENG3U
Unit 1
Assignment – Persuasive Speech
Instructions: Write and present a persuasive speech on a topic of
your choice.
1. Choose a topic for your persuasive speech. You may choose a topic from the list provided, or you
may pick a topic of your own choice. Regardless of whether you chose your topic from the list or
chose a different topic, you MUST have it approved by Ms. Ryan before you begin your essay! No
more than two people can choose the same topic (unless they take opposing sides).
2. Then you must create a convincing argument (800 – 1000 words) that persuades the reader to
adopt your opinion on your chosen topic. You must include the following components in your
written copy (use this list as a checklist - check off each component BEFORE you hand in your good
copy):
 You must use at least five (5) rhetorical devices and employ persuasive appeals of logic,
credibility and emotion.
 The essay should include some research material about your topic from other sources to add
credibility; you need to use at least two (2) outside sources (must be listed in your works cited).
 Your essay MUST also contain your own ideas, thoughts and beliefs on the topic (it is a
PERSUASIVE essay, not a research essay); it is a fairly informal essay, so you MAY use first person
(“I”) and second person (“you”) for this essay!
 Open with an interesting beginning; identify your topic and thesis.
 Identify at least three supporting points and support those reasons with evidence and examples.
 Include at least one (1) quotation (in MLA format).
 Conclude with a memorable ending.
3. Present your speech to the class (live).
 If you want a level 4, you should have some of it memorized so that you can make eye contact
with the audience; you MUST rehearse the speech MANY times before presenting.
 Your oral communication skills will be evaluated (voice projection, clarity, pacing, expression,
eye contact, etc.).
 You will also answer questions and lead a discussion/debate on your topic once you have
finished your presentation.
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Unit 1
OR
Present a video recording of your speech to the class
 Upload your video on youtube or have it on a USB stick (flashdrive) so that it is easily accessible.
 Your oral communication skills will be evaluated (voice projection, clarity, pacing, expression,
etc.).
 You will also answer questions and lead a discussion/debate on your topic once you have
finished your presentation.
** On the due date, you will need to hand in ALL of the following (use this as a checklist!!):
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brainstorming/research notes
speech outline
rough draft
good copy of essay (in MLA format – with a works cited page!!),
a separate sheet of paper attached with the five (5) rhetorical devices labeled and
identification of the method(s) of development you used to formulate your argument.
** Failure to provide rough work will result in having to redo the assignment under
supervision (it will NOT be accepted without your rough work).
ALL OF THE ABOVE MUST BE HANDED IN ON THE FOLLOWING DUE DATE:
MONDAY, MARCH 23rd/2016
Additional Due Dates:
Speech outline due: Wednesday, March 9th, 2016
Speech rough draft due: Friday, March 11th, 2016
Speech good copy due: Monday, March 23rd, 2016
Presentations will take place on: Monday, March 23rd, 2016
*** You will need to do some research on the topic in order to better formulate and support your
argument. Make sure you keep track of ALL sources you use in your essay and include these in your
works cited page. Keep in mind plagiarism will result in a mark of zero – this includes taking ideas
from a website and putting it in your own words without including parenthetical citations!. Your
essay should include information obtained through research, as well as your own thoughts,
experiences, beliefs, knowledge (etc.) to support your argument.
ENG3U
Unit 1
For this assignment, follow the following steps:
Step 1:
Brainstorm on the topic. Think of all of the positives and negatives for your topic. Once
you have brainstormed, THEN you should begin researching the topic, add ideas to
your brainstorming (KEEP TRACK OF THE SOURCES USED!!!).
Step 2:
Decide whether you will argue FOR or AGAINST your topic. You may NOT
sit on the fence. If you are undecided, choose the side that you feel you have more
support for; remember, this is a PERSUASIVE speech – you have to be persuading us to
take your side. Come up with a thesis statement for your speech. Group together ideas
from your brainstorming; decide on your main points – make sure you have effectively
categorized your ideas and chosen (an) effective method(s) of development for your
argument.
Step 3:
Create an outline for your speech.
Step 4:
Write a rough draft of your speech. Make sure you are incorporating all of the
necessary elements.
Step 5:
Self-edit your rough draft; then have at least one classmate peer edit your essay as
well; remember, peer editing means providing feedback, highlighting errors, etc; your
peer may NOT make the changes FOR YOU (that is plagiarism!).
Step 6:
Write your good copy. It should be typed, in MLA format, using parenthetical citations,
with a Works Cited.
Step 7:
On a separate sheet of paper, identify the five (5) rhetorical devices used in the essay
(copy and paste them, and label them as well) and the method(s) of development you
used to formulate your argument. Attach this to your good copy.
Step 8:
Present your speech to the class (either live or via your video). At the end of your
presentation, lead a discussion/debate on your topic.
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Unit 1
Possible Topics:
**You MUST have your topic approved by Ms. Ryan before you begin your essay!
** No 2 people can choose the same topic (unless they are arguing opposing positions) – topics will
be assigned on a first come, first served basis!
1. Should genetic engineering be legal?
2. Should the right to possess fire arms be a right of Canadian citizens?
3. We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in businesses,
hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. Is this dependence on computers a good
thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?
4. Should cigarettes be illegal (just as drugs such as marijuana are)?
5. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?
6. Should zoos be banned? Discuss.
7. Education is the single most important factor in the development of a country. Do you agree?
8. Children should never be educated at home by their parents. Do you agree or disagree?
9. Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing
such things as food and education? Or is it a responsibility of the governments of poorer
nations to look after their citizens themselves?
10. In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50, while in others
people can work until they are 65 or 70. Do you think retirement should be mandatory at the
age of 50?
11. In your opinion, should government intervene in the rights of the individual with regard to
family planning (child rearing, birth, fertility, abortion, etc.)?
12. Do you believe it should be a legal requirement for all drivers should complete a safe driving
education course before being licensed to drive? Discuss.
13. The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and
clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far overweigh the disadvantages. Do you
agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.
14. Should children be taught sex education in schools?
15. Should money be spent on space exploration?
16. If children (under 18) break the law, should their parents accept responsibility and also be
punished?
17. Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or should jail time be reduced and
replaced with education and rehabilitation, (using community service programs for instance)?
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Unit 1
18. Should MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) be illegal?
19. Should recycling be mandatory?
20. Should college athletes be paid?
21. Should convicted sex offenders' names be made public?
22. Should affirmative action laws which give special privileges to minorities be eliminated?
23. Should a rookie salary cap be enforced in pro sports?
24. Should pros be allowed to draft college athletes before they graduate?
25. Should free, disposable needles be given to drug addicts?
26. Should off-shore drilling be banned?
27. Should students be required to pass proficiency tests (ie. the literacy test) in order to graduate
from high school?
28. Should there be restrictions on advertising for alcohol?
29. TV: would we be better off without it? Discuss.
30. The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have the greatest influence in shaping
people's ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for
your answer.
31. Tourism is becoming increasingly important as a source of revenue to many countries but its
disadvantages should not be overlooked. What are some of the problems of tourism? Should
it be discouraged or limited?
32. Should abortion be legal?
33. Should euthanasia be legalized?
34. Should marijuana be legalized?
35. Should voting be mandatory?
36. Should we allow/encourage children to believe in Santa Clause and other imaginary figures?
37. Should the drinking age in Ontario be raised/lowered?
38. Should countries/state still uphold the death penalty?
ENG3U
Unit 1
SPEECH OUTLINE
When creating your speech outline, be sure to include these headings:
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
 Introductory statement:
 Thesis statement:
 3 (or more) key points:
BODY PARAGRAPHS
 First supporting idea (topic sentence):
 Examples and Explanations:
 Concluding sentence (make sure you connect to thesis):
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Second supporting idea (topic sentence):
Examples and Explanations:
Concluding sentence (make sure you connect to thesis):
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Third supporting idea (topic sentence):
Examples and Explanations:
Concluding sentence (make sure you connect to thesis):
** You may add a fourth supporting idea if you wish
CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
 Conclusion: (summarize thesis statement):
 Refer to supporting idea(s):
 Final statements: