PERSUASIVE SPEECH
SPEECH 101
Persuasion, according to DeVito, “generally. . .refers to the process of influencing another person’s attitudes, beliefs, values, and/or behaviors” (259). Your persuasive speech, then, will attempt to change your audience members’ attitudes, beliefs, or values with regard to a particular issue or topic. Again, according to our textbook, “ultimately, your goal is to get people to do something,” so your overall purpose is to motivate your audience members to some sort of action (259).
In deciding on a topic for your persuasive speech, consider issues that are both controversial and to which you are committed. A controversial topic will involve the audience; a topic to which you are committed will make it easier for you to speak with passion and conviction.
Using an audience-centered approach, it is imperative to analyze your audience: are the members of the audience receptive, neutral, or unreceptive to what you are proposing to change? As you prepare your speech, continue with an audience-centered approach. Remember that your credibility, your reasoning, and your emotional appeals will ultimately persuade your audience.
Give careful consideration to how you will organize your speech. Our textbook suggests two designs especially suited to persuasive speeches: motivated sequence
(covered in detail on pages 149-53 and then on pages 290-91) and problem-solution (see page 147-8 in our textbook). A third design, refutation, will be reviewed in class.
Be sure to prepare an effective introduction and conclusion for this speech, giving special attention to the motivation component of the conclusion with a call to action.
Your persuasive speech should be 7-10 minutes in length. As always, visual aids are encouraged to enhance your speech. For the written part of this assignment, turn in the following typed components on the day you deliver your speech:
1. Design outline (35 points) – Follow the format of one of the three model speech designs provided with this handout (problem-solution, motivated sequence, or refutation design).
3. A Works Cited page that cites a minimum of three sources using MLA documentation (15 points).
The written part of this assignment is worth a total of 60 points (it includes 10 points for the persuasive speech planning form). The persuasive speech itself is worth 150 points.
As noted on the syllabus, if you call to let me know that you are unable to present your speech on its due date, you will be rescheduled and your speech will be penalized one letter grade. If the class schedule permits, students who do not show up for a speech and do not call prior to class will be rescheduled, but their speech will be penalized two letter grades.
This speech should prove to be the most challenging and the most provocative.
We will do our best to schedule time for the rest of the speakers in our class to react to the issues in your persuasive speech. GOOD LUCK!