Assignment: Speech 4

Persuasive Speech
The goal of this speech is to either convince your audience to take some action or address a controversial topic on which a significant portion of your audience holds a view different from your own. You are seeking to modify your audiences beliefs, attitudes, and/or behavior by this speech. Use evidence and reasoning, not just emotional appeals. A formal outline must be handed in on your speaking day. You must have a minimum of four separate research sources. These sources must be cited in your outline using APA or MLA style, as well as orally cited in your speech. There will be a question and answer portion at the end of your speech. Your answers will be considered for part of your grade on the speech. Time Requirement: 6 8 minutes Visual Aids: at least one required Sources: 4 minimum (only 1 can be a website) Note Cards: 4 5 Outline: required Dress: business attire Turn in on the day of your presentation typed, annotated full-sentence outline and bibliography note cards Topic due: 10th April 2011 by 8p.m. Outline due: 14th April 2011 by 8p.m. Signup for speaking order: 16th April 2011 Presentations: 16th April 2011

Preparing an Effective Persuasive Presentation

Assignment: Speech 4
by Cynthia Duquette I find it helpful to visualize the persuasive speech as a cake. The elements of the cake itself are the most essential, while the frosting elements should only be added after the cake is done. This is a guide to the cake. Frosting elements include your dress, delivery, eye contact, gestures, vocal variety, and so on. An excellent delivery alone will not be enough to accomplish persuasion with an intelligent audience. This guide should acquaint you with elements of the persuasive speech with which you may be unfamiliar. Topic selection. Questions to ask yourself: 1. Is it controversial? 2. Am I really interested in it? 3. Is there new information available? 4. What side is my audience on? Thesis statement. The thesis of a persuasive speech should be a condensed, concise statement of your position on the topic at hand. 1. A thesis performs three major functions: a. Points out what your topic is b. Clearly illustrates your point of view c. Limits the range of your topic 2. An example would be, I am opposed to handgun laws in Ohio. Your argument. Illustrative of your point of view and rationale. Must accomplish the following: 1. Provide reasons to support your point of view (at least three) 2. Address the concerns of your opponents 3. Seek to refute your opponents arguments 4. Eventually move the audience toward your point of view
Be sure to provide ample support for your point of view. There are numerous forms of support. In general, your sources should

2. be as current as possible. 3. be from a substantial source (avoid popular magazines such as Mademoiselle, Vogue, Seventeen, The National Enquirer); use these sources to lead you to stronger sources (actual surveys and professional studies).
Your opening and closing arguments should be your strongest. Place your weakest argument in the middle of your speech in order to have the most effective open and close possible!

Opponents argument. Must be addressed for persuasion to succeed.

1. be as unbiased as possible (National Review is not an unbiased source!).

Assignment: Speech 4
1. Persuasion is based on the idea that human beings are rational and logical. Failing to address opposite points of view insults your audiences ability to come to their own decision. It is next to impossible to convince your audience that your view is better if they dont know what the inferior view is! 2. You can address your opponents argument in several ways: a. Before your own points, using your points to refute it b. After your points, discrediting the other view c. Before concluding, a generally weak way to address it Source citation. If you forget to cite, youll regret it! Call to action. Gives your audience a specific persuasive goal. 1. Asks your audience to take a particular action, such as voting, writing a congressperson, or thinking further about an issue. 2. Demonstrates that you have a specific, attainable goal. 3. It is much easier to persuade your audience to take a small but important action than to undergo a 360-degree change. Answering questions. Is a part of your grade and must be done effectively. Heres how: 1. Remain standing at the front of the room after your speech. 2. Select people from different parts of the audience. 3. Repeat the question before you answer it, so everyone hears it. 4. Answer the question succinctly and move on. Hints to Think About 1. Call on a specific person for your first question. 2. Signal when youll accept one last question. Crucial Steps in Preparing Your Speech 1. You absolutely must have a crystal clear thesis statement. 2. You should be clear about where your audience stands on your issue. 3. Cite your sources or perish! 4. You must have a clear goal for yourself, for example, I want to move my audience from X position to Y position with respect to my topic. Keep this goal in mind and direct all of your preparation to achieving it. 5. Have your speech clearly organized and make strong use of signposts. 6. Limit your topic to a manageable level: You cant possibly persuade an atheist to believe in God in an 8-minute speech! 7. Visual aids are strongly recommended; your audience has to understand to be persuaded. 8. Practice this speech more than any other!!

Assignment: Speech 4
Speaker: Topic: 0 1 2 3 4 5 Topic and Purpose Overall effectiveness of speech Organization Introduction of elements Organization of body Use of transitions Conclusion (summary, call to action and sense of completeness) Content Audience adaptation Use of supporting materials Language use Visual Aid Design Use Delivery Appearance Voice expressiveness (pitch, inflection, rate) Volume, pronunciation, and articulation Eye contact Gestures, stance, and movement Use of notes General preparation Overall Impression Date: Time:

Total Speech Points: /100 Grade: Time Penalty (-5%): Grade: Instructor: _____________________

Speech Outline

Assignment: Speech 4

Speaker:________________________ by:_______________________

Evaluated

Topic Choice: Rate the speakers choice of topic for this assignment and this audience, Did you learn something new from this speech? Organizational Elements: How did the speaker gain audience attention? Was it effective? Write the thesis statement of the speech. What were the main points of the speech?

How well did the signposts indicate that the speaker was moving from point to point?

What did the speaker do to conclude with impact?

Comment on the speakers delivery. Voice Eye contact and facial expression Gestures, stance and movement

Assignment: Speech 4
Content Development What supporting materials did the speaker use?

Which supporting ideas did you find most effective?

What special use of language did the speaker use to increase understanding, interest, or attention?

Comment on the speakers use of visual aids. Were all design elements effective? Were they presented well, in a timely manner?

Overall Evaluation The speakers greatest strengths, as evidenced in this speech, are

The speaker really needs to work on