A Lesson Plan Developed by
Karyn L. Hixson for
EDUC 5131

Persuasive speech offers an opportunity to practice
& develop:
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Your researching skills
Your writing skills
Your organizing skills
Your presentation skills

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Activate the students’ prior knowledge.
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Draw the students' attention and interest.
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Inform the students what they will be learning about.
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Provide a foundation or framework for the students to start from.

OPENING STATEMENT
OF INTEREST
MOTIVATE AUDIENCE
INTEREST
PROVIDE ORIENTING
MATERIAL

Use one or more of the following:
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A rhetorical question – “What would you do if…..”
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A startling statement – “City officials should enforce curfew”
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A quotation – “If we do not discipline ourselves, the world will do it for us……William Feather”

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An illustration or story – Santa Claus is real
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A reference to the subject – good health
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A reference to the occasion – if talking about holidays name a specific celebration

 is not generally used with the expectation of an answer but with some different, indirect force, such as
◦ a command
◦ a tentative statement, and
◦ an evaluation.


Begin with something to get the attention of the audience. This might be a startling statement, statistic, or your own story.
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Listeners pay close attention when a person begins with, “Two weeks ago as I was driving to work a car pulled out in front of me….”

Motivational Quotes . . . .
or cute sayings are a great way to inspire yourself and your audience.
Topics include funny, famous, cute love quotes, friendship, motivational quotes and inspirational quotes. Great for speeches!

This a powerful way to punch up your speech
An illustration or story can stir emotions, stimulate thinking, persuade a change in thought and motivate someone to action.
Because of the way our minds work, they are a great tool to enable the audience to remember the speech.

Here are five types . . . .
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Simile – two unlike things are compared
Metaphor figure of speech that suggests a resemblance
Comparison – the act of comparing; a likening
Allegory figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another
Parables – a statement that conveys meaning indirectly

Use reference books and articles :
◦ to get background information on an issue or topic
◦ to get statistical information
◦ to quickly scan a topic for keywords
◦ to get leads to other sources
(bibliographies)

Consider how the nearest occasion itself might present an opportunity to heighten audience receptivity.
Example: holiday, beginning of school,
Labor Day, birthday
Remind your listeners of an important date just passed or coming soon.

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The practical value of the information to your audience
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The reason to listen
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The audience’s sense of curiosity

Alluding to any first-hand experience you may have had
Alluding to sources of information you have consulted

Previewing main points
Simply identify the main points of the speech.
Cover them in the same order that they will appear in the body of the presentation.

Invention of the kite
Evolution of the kite
Different types of kites
Various uses for kites

For many speakers, delivery is the most intimidating aspect of public speaking.
Although there is no known cure for nervousness, you can make yourself much more comfortable by practicing with a few basic delivery guidelines.

Read your speech aloud, have someone listen
Once comfortable give speech from outline
Rehearse until you are confident
Practice in front of a mirror

It should be clear that coping with anxiety over delivering a speech requires significant advanced preparation.
The speech needs to be completed several days beforehand so that you can effectively deliver your speech with confidence.


Example of Persuasive Speech
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Organization of Persuasive Speech