American Literature and Composition
Research Paper and Persuasive Speech Assignment
As a result of this speech assignment, students will:
1. Know when to use direct or indirect persuasion;
2. Learn to build a persuasive argument using sound reasoning and solid evidence;
3. Know what ethos (ethics), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic) are and how they relate to persuasion;
4. Cite sources in MLA style to add credibility to your arguments.
Task:
Select a topic about something that you feel strongly about and that would affect your audience. Find
sources related to your topic and read them to get supporting material and ideas for building your arguments.
Your opinion must always be the driving force- but please realize that these sources must ADD TO your
opinion.
Write a 800-word research paper / speech including these ingredients …
Your goal is to convince your audience that a problem exists and that it currently affects them in some
way, or will affect them in the near future. Use supporting evidence from credible sources (including
direct quotes in MLA style) to build your case.
The parts of the Persuasive Research Essay/ Speech
o A persuasive essay is an argument in writing. Follow these steps to plan and write a very persuasive
essay
o Form a thesis you can argue. Make sure it’s not a statement of taste (I like video games) or a statement
of fact (Video games are popular). No one can argue with that! Pick something that might be
controversial! For example: “Video games negatively affect teens’ health and should be illegal.”
o I’m sure some of you strongly disagree with that last statement!
o In order to write a persuasive paper you need to gather more information: the internet, the library,
newspapers, magazines, etc. If you have personal experience with the topic, that can be part, BUT
NOT ALL, of your evidence. In fact, personal references would be an excellent addition! Write your
facts as complete sentences, then develop each fact into its own paragraph.
o Try to predict how a reader might argue against your thesis. How would you defend it? How would
you show their response as incorrect?
o Finish up with a conclusion that restates your thesis. Then add a little extra- a prediction for the future
perhaps?
Topics To Consider (Choose one of these or something similar approved by me)
1. Physical Education in schools be required?
9. Should the government censor lyrics of
2. Parents be held morally and legally
songs that are violent or explicit?
responsible for the actions/needs of their
10. Television as a negative/ positive impact on
children?
society
3. Is physical force a justifiable method of
11. Should flag burning as a form of protest be
punishing children?
prohibited?
4. Governments be sending people into space?
12. Is it morally acceptable to experiment on
5. Should governments negotiate with
non-human animals to develop products
terrorists?
and medicines that benefit human beings?
6. Can terrorism ever be justified?
13. Should we be trying to prevent species
7. Negative advertising in political campaigns
becoming extinct? If so, why?
be banned
14. Should we ban the keeping of animals in
8. Should governments censor material on the
circuses?
Internet?
15. Should acts of hate be criminalized?
16. What acts should be considered hate
28. College students should be required to wear
crimes?
uniforms.
17. Should schools be allowed to teach
29. Let go of the past.
creationism alongside evolution as part of
30. Jury duty should not be mandatory.
their science curriculum?
31. Health insurance should be free to all.
18. Should school students face mandatory
32. Students should be exempt from taxes.
drug-tests?
33. As gas prices increase, wages should too!
19. Should HIV positive workers have to tell
34. Teachers should be required to provide
their employers of their status?
study guides for exams. 20. Should sex offenders be named and
35. Safety lights should be installed in all
shamed?
college parking lots.
21. Should medically assisted suicide be
36. Becoming a vegetarian makes for a
legalized?
healthier lifestyle.
22. Should mothers stay at home to raise their
37. Losing weight is a great way to change
children?
your life.
23. Should cell phone use in cars be banned?
38. Lying is a natural and necessary part of
24. Should gambling be legalized and
good relationships.
regulated?
39. Don't eat fast food!
25. The movie rating system is rigged.
40. Don't fall prey to fad diets!
26. Voting should be mandatory.
41. Minimum wage should be raised.
27. Students should not have to take
coursework unrelated to their major.
*******ONCE YOU HAVE SELECTED YOUR TOP THREE TOPICS, YOU MUST SIGN UP WITH
ME! ONLY TWO STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED PER ONE TOPIC! THIS IS ON A FIRST COME
FIRST SERVE BASIS, PLEASE REMEMBER YOU MAY COME UP WITH YOUR OWN TOPIC
BUT IT MUST BE PREAPPROVED WITH ME!
BELOW IS AN OUTLINE THAT WILL BE TURNED IN WITH YOUR PAPER FOR PART OF THE
GRADE! PLEASE DON’T FORGET THIS PART, IT IS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT FOR YOUR GRADE,
BUT ALSO FOR THE OVERALL ORGANIZATION OF YOUR ESSAY/SPEECH.
Outline format for a persuasive essay
1. First paragraph: state your opinion
a. CAPTURE: hook the reader’s attention
b. WRITER’S POSITION: What side of the argument are you on. You MUST choose one side
and stick to it. Don’t dance around different ideas; once you have stated your position support
it as if you believe it completely! Remember you must relate to your audience!!!!!
c. List supporting evidence: List the main reasons you believe your argument is correct
2. Second paragraph: first reason your argument is correct
a. First detail
b. Second detail
c. Third detail
3. Third paragraph: second reason your argument is correct
a. First detail
b. Second detail
c. Third detail
4. Fourth paragraph: third reason your argument is correct
a. First detail
b. Second detail
c. Third detail
5. Fifth paragraph: Opposing views. Reasons the other side is wrong: predict how will someone argue
against you. Why are you right and they’re not?
a. Present opposing views
b. Combat the opposing views with facts and research based items
c. Discuss the component of arguments the other side might address, why are you correct and
they aren’t? (This section might become it’s own paragraph)
6. Sixth Paragraph: Conclusion
a. Restate your thesis
b. Summarize your main points
c. Echo the capture
*Remember to include rhetorical questions, ethos, pathos, and logos throughout your paper!