January 19, 2016
Mrs. May
LRW
Argumentative Speech
Take out your yellow sheet and MLK/MX packet.
Write a strong opening.
Before you can begin persuading your audience, you need to open the speech in a way
that will make them want to pay attention.
A strong opening has five main elements:[12]
 An attention grabber. This is a statement (or sometimes a visual) that gets your audience's attention. It can be a
good idea to be a little startling or dramatic at the opening of your speech.

For example, you might start with a information (or pictures) showing how a nearby landfill is nearly full to capacity.
 A link to the audience. This is a means of showing that you have something in common with the audience. Show
that you have a similar background or share an emotional connection of some kind. This will really depend on
knowing your audience.


For example, if you are a parent, speaking to other parents, you might emphasize the concern for your own children's
future. If you share a common interest or ideological position with your audience, you can emphasize that.
Your credentials. This is a means of showing that you are knowledgeable or an authority on the
topic of the speech. Highlight the research you've done on your topic. If you have any
personal or professional experience with the topic, be sure to emphasize that, too.
 In the recycling example, you might say "I've invested many hours studying the recycling issue and the types of
programs available in other cities."

Your goal. Explain to the audience what you hope the speech will accomplish.
 For example: "I hope by the end of my talk that you will agree that we need a city wide recycling program."

A road map. Finally, tell the audience what the main points of the speech will be.
 For example, "I believe we must start a recycling program for these three reasons...."
Example
Offer persuasive evidence.

The main body of your speech should contain the points you outlined in Part 1.
It should provide the audience with several convincing reasons to support your
viewpoint. Arrange these points logically. Don't jump from one point to the
next, and then back again. Instead, complete an argument, then move on to
another the flows logically from it.[13]

Use credible sources from your research to back the points you are making.
Even if your point is more emotional (pathos), introducing some factual
information will make your argument stronger. For example "Each year, 40,000
acres of beautiful forests are destroyed to make paper, according to a study
from the American Recycling Institute."

Use real life examples that the audience can relate to. Even an argument
based on facts and logic (logos) should relate to the audience's lives and
interests. For example: "In these hard economic times, I know many of you are
afraid that a recycling program will mean a costly increase in taxes. But, the
city of Springfield started a program like this one three years ago. So far
they've seen an increase in revenue as a result of the program. Many residents
have seen a decrease in their taxes as a result."
Address the counter-argument.

Although it is not strictly necessary, your argument may be stronger if one
or more of your supporting points addresses the views of the opposing
side. This gives you a chance to address your audience's possible
objections and make your argument stronger.[14] Make sure that you
describe opposing views fairly and objectively. Consider whether
someone who actually holds that view would approve of the way you
are describing their position. If you aren't sure, find someone who think
that way and ask![15]

For example, you would not want to say: "opponents of recycling just
don't care if we waste our precious resources, or our money." That's not a
fair description of their opinion.

Instead, you might say: "opponents of recycling are concerned that the
cost might be much higher than just using new materials," and then go on
to offer an argument about why recycling might be the more costeffective option.
 Conclude
with a call to action. The conclusion of your
speech should remind your audience of what you have
told them. It should also make it clear exactly what you
hope they will do next. Don't just restate, verbatim, what
you've already said. Instead, use this as an opportunity to
reinforce the way your main points support your call to
action. For example: "To sum up, I've shown you (points a,
b, and c). These three undeniable facts point to a citywide recycling program as the most sensible and ethical
step we can take in helping create a more sustainable
future. Please, join in me in voting 'yes' on this program in
November."
Overview
 Study
the topic. Even if
you think that you are an
expert on the topic, you
must do your basic
research. Look for
evidence, especially
statistics, that supports
your position.
 Write
an attention-getting
introduction. Your
argument won't convince
anyone if nobody is
listening. Grab your
listeners' attention with an
engaging introduction.
Quote statistics, site an
expert or provide a
surprising fact at the
beginning of your speech
to draw in your listeners.
 Do
not assume that your listeners understand the
topic. Spend some time explaining the topic clearly
so that they understand it.
 State
your position clearly and quickly, backing it up
with supporting information that you gleaned during
your research.
 Conclude
your speech with a restatement of the
main points. Leave your listeners with no questions.
Point out any particularly relevant points once more,
reminding listeners a final time why your position is the
right one.