Persuasive Speech
Day 1
What elements make up an effective persuasive speech?
What is the GOAL?
• Get the audience to take action with regard to a
particular issue.
• Help the listener to accept the idea, attitude, or
action being presented by the speaker.
• Persuasive speech in public speaking is the art
of using words to influence an audience.
• The Goal of Persuasive Speech is to get your
MWR (Most Wanted Response)
What are degrees of
persuasion?
• Persuasion involves any movement by a
listener from left to right.
Strongly
Opposed
Moderately
Opposed
Slightly
Opposed
Neutral
Slightly
in Favor
Moderately
in Favor
Strongly
in Favor
The Difference Between
Dialogue and Debate
Dialogue is…
Debate is…
Collaborative
Oppositional
About understanding
About proving others wrong
Listening for deeper meaning
Listening for flaws
Re-evaluating assumptions
Defending assumptions
Keeping an open mind
Close-minded
About respecting all participants
Demeaning others
Exploring different possibilities
Having one right answer
Open-ended
Seeking a conclusion
Informative versus Persuasive
1. Persuasive speaking urges us to choose from among
options, informative speaking reveals and clarifies
options.
2. Persuasive speaking asks the audience for more
commitment than does informative speaking.
3. The ethical obligations for persuasive speakers are
even greater than for informative speakers.
4. The Persuasive speaker is a leader; the informative
speaker is a teacher.
5. Persuasive speaking more often involves emotional
appeals that are out of place in speeches to inform.
How to Choose Persuasive
Topics
1. Pick something you feel strongly about.
2. Pick something controversial.
3. Pick a current event.
4. Pick a campus or local issue.
5. Pick an issue of interest to the audience.
6. Avoid tired topics.
7. Be cautious with issues that some audience
members might find offensive.
Think of a Topic
Take 2 minutes to think of a BROAD topic that follows
the criteria listed earlier and be prepared to share.
(This does not have to be the topic you will be giving your speech on.)
Example: Gun Control
Possible Persuasive Topics
1. Arranged marriage leads to a lasting relationship.
2. Are beauty contests harmful?
3. Sex education should/should not be introduced in schools.
4. Video games do/do not promote violence.
5. Exams give no real indication of ability.
6. Boarding school is/is not beneficial to children.
7. Genetically modified (GM) foods should /should not be
introduced.
8. Should mothers stay home and raise children?
9. Are sports really good for us?
Think of a Topic Statement
Take 4 minutes to write a topic in statement form.
(This does not have to be the topic you will be giving your speech on.)
Example: Stricter regulation on guns must be used
in order to help eliminate unnecessary
shootings.
Specific Purpose Statement
A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a
speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her
speech.
Examples:
1. To convince my audience there should be
tougher enforcement laws to protect the victims
of domestic abuse.
2. To convince my audience that drinking tea
benefits our body.
3. To persuade my audience that university
students should be actively involved in
charity/volunteer work.
Tonight’s Assignment
•
•
•
Come up with a topic and Specific Purpose
Statement by Wednesday. Write them on the back
of your Persuasive Speech Worksheet.
Check the AVID website a list of 100 possible
persuasive speech topics.
Speech presentations start 2 weeks from today.
www.whhsavid.weebly.com Go to: 11th grade and scroll down to: