Creating a Persuasive Speech
Argumentation - Review

Every argument needs to have three
parts:
◦ Claim – Your main idea/point
◦ Evidence – Support from other sources (may
fall within logos, pathos and/or ethos)
◦ Reasoning – The explanation of how your
evidence supports your claim.

Repeat this basic structure as much as
you need to in a speech
Types of Persuasive Speeches

Question of Fact
◦ May be an issue answered absolutely, a
predication for the future or something
inconclusive. You will use hard logic/facts to
provide reasoning for your ideas

Question of Value
◦ More opinion based or morally based. Can still
use evidence to support your ideas, but the basis
is in your own value system

Question of Policy
◦ Deals with a specific course of action. Can be for
the government, for a school, for a family,
etc…May want to motivate action.
The Classical Argument
There are many ways to present your
argument, but the Classical Argument has
been used since rhetors (people who taught
the proper use of language) taught Greek
farmers this strategy to present their
sides in court cases during the fifth
century B.C.
 This argument is meant to be logical and
told to an open-minded audience.

Elements of the Classical Argument

The introduction, which warms up the
audience, establishes goodwill and rapport
with the audience, and announces the
general theme or thesis of the argument.
I will look for:
◦ Attention-getter
◦ Thesis Statement
◦ Preview of your main points
Elements of the Classical Argument

The narration, which summarizes
relevant background information
◦ Think about your audience. How much do
they know about this topic? Provide them
with any background information they are
going to need.
Elements of the Classical Argument

The confirmation, which lays out in a logical
order the claims that support the thesis,
providing evidence for each claim.
◦ This is where the elements of argumentation come in.
Repeat the process of claim, evidence and reasoning
as many times as you need to. What are all the
persuasive points you want to make? Why should the
congress vote for the bill? Why should the congress
vote against the bill?
Elements of the Classical Argument

The refutation and concession, which
looks at opposing viewpoints.
◦ The savvy speaker is going to look at the
other side of the argument and mention some
of the opposing arguments and answer them
before the argument is made. Why would
people vote against your bill? (If you are pro.)
Or, why would people vote for this bill? (If you
are con.)
Elements of the Classical Argument

The summation, which provides a strong
conclusion
◦ Review your main thesis, all the reasons why
they should vote your way – and tell them
how to vote.
Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Don’t forget the work of Aristotle. The
strongest persuasive speeches are going
to work in your credibility, emotion and
logic. Consider these three ideas and
work in as much of them as you can.
Beware of the Media
As you prepare
your ideas for your
speech, you do need
evidence/research to
back up your points.
Try to choose
sources that are
unbiased.
Think Critically

ASK: Who produced this media? What
kind of reality does this media create?
How accurate is this “reality”? What
stories are NOT being told and why?
◦ If there is bias in your source, acknowledge
that bias and explain why you chose to use
the source.
Be Aware
Wikipedia is not a valid source
 Beware of polls – How large and diverse
was the sample? Who sponsored the
poll?
 Is there bias in your news source?

Your Turn!
Bring your bill packet to class tomorrow.
 You will start by writing a Pro speech – a
speech in favor of a bill. (You may want to
write a speech for the bill you wrote)
 Next week you will write a Con speech –
a speech against one of the bills.
