Organizing for Persuasive Speaking



PLANNING A PERSUASIVE SPEECH

Note: Persuasive speaking is an area in which students should pay particular attention to ethical considerations. Persuasion can be self-serving (e.g., persuasive sales techniques). Sometimes speakers justify the use of unethical methods by convincing themselves they are right and know better than the audience. When a speaker asks audience members to alter their beliefs, opinions, or behavior, the speaker must be sure he or she is using facts and sound logic rather than unethical methods.

CHOOSING A TOPIC

Students should keep the following three guidelines in mind when they are selecting a topic for their persuasive speech. Good topics are:

• Controversial

• Clear

• Supported by evidence.

Before choosing a topic, consider the following:

• What goal am I trying to achieve? What action (e.g., read the newspaper every day) or non-action (do not smoke) do I want my audience to take? What attitudes and beliefs am I trying to alter?

STATING THE PROPOSITION

Your proposition must be in the form of a declarative sentence which states a claim. There are four general types of propositions: propositions of fact, value, policy, and definition.

A fact claim is a statement about how things were in the past, how they are in the present, or how they will be in the future. A fact claim is not a fact; it only claims to be a fact. What makes it arguable is that the speaker has no direct way of establishing the truth of the claim. For example, "The Earth is round" is a proven fact. "In our right-handed world, left-handed people are discriminated against" is a fact claim. A persuasive speaker must provide arguments which build a case in favor of the claim, showing that the claim is probably true, or at least is more likely true than false.

Value claims are arguable statements concerning the relative merits of something which is measured subjectively (e.g., "Victoria is a better place to go for summer vacation than Calgary"). What makes a value claim arguable is that different people may disagree on the criteria used to evaluate something (e.g., weather, live entertainment, water sports). Differing value claims may be used to argue the value of a variety of topics (e.g., movies, styles of living, community organizations). Defending a value claim involves offering a set of criteria for consideration, defending the set of criteria as legitimate and showing how applying the criteria justifies the claim.

A policy claim is a statement regarding the merits of one course of action as opposed to other courses of action. What makes a policy claim arguable is that, even though people and institutions may not be totally certain about the proper course of action to take, they still must act. To argue in defense of a policy claim is to state that, given the knowledge we have at the present time, it is best to act in the manner proposed rather than in some alternative way.

A definition claim is a statement telling how a particular word or phrase should be defined in a certain context. A definition claim is arguable because different people use the same word in contradictory ways. Therefore, the claims made by different people may also be contradictory, when these claims are based on their own special interpretations of word usage and meaning.

ORGANIZATION FOR PERSUASIVE SPEECH

PURPOSE (Proposition)

Your purpose will be to persuade your audience to accept your views on the topic and to convince the audience to take a particular course of action. Persuasive speeches attempt to effect a change of some sort. The thesis of your speech, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction, summarizes opposing arguments and states with clarity the points you will argue.

INTRODUCTION

The introduction brings the subject of your speech to the audience, and it should capture the attention of the audience by presenting a debatable issue or problem. The paragraph should begin broadly and should gradually become more specific as you move toward the thesis statement. In essences, the thesis statement reveals the topic of your speech. Speakers sometimes use the following devices to begin their persuasive essays.

• Incident

• Analogy

• Quotation

• Definition

• Description

• Example

• Startling statement

BODY PARAGRAPHS

The body paragraphs represent the bulk of your speech. This is the portion of the speech that allows you to support the points in your thesis. You must cite your sources as you are speaking.

• Choose the type of reasoning to develop your arguments (Ethos, Pathos, Logos).

• What other appeals will I use? (e.g. reason, emotion, needs)

• How will I convince the audience I know what I am talking about? (Stating the proposition.)

• What values, attitudes, and beliefs might I encounter in my audience?

• Either refute the opposition on each point (see Point-by-Point Outline Structure), or concede to the opposition at the beginning of your speech and follow with arguments for your proposition (see Specific-Point Outline Structure).

• Use the point-by-point structure if you can directly refute your opposition on various issues. Use the specific-point structure if you have strong opposition but lack arguments that directly counter those of your opposition.

• Develop each section or idea in your thesis statement in a separate supporting paragraph. Develop your points in the order in which they are stated in your thesis statement. You must cite your sources as you are speaking.

• Each supporting paragraph should contain facts, examples, incidents, reasons, analogies, or descriptions. You must cite your sources as you are speaking.

Reminders:

Persuasive speeches are intended to convince your audience to take action or to effect a change; so, be sure to:

• use citations that lend credibility to your statements and be highly specific in your citation of sources.

• use specific examples to support your general statements.

• cite your sources as you are speaking.

CONCLUSION

Create a conclusion that clinches your argument. In addition to restating the main points of your speech, try to broaden your audience’s awareness of the problem by offering solutions or calling for action. The audience should feel enlightened, thoroughly satisfied that your thesis can withstand opposing arguments, and willing to reconsider or to act upon issues you have presented. Although you may include quotations as you summarize, close the speech by reinforcing your strongest arguments with your own memorable words.

Each of the steps below is a separate grade. You must complete this work in order. You cannot just write your speech.

DUE DATES:

1. Yes/No research handout is due on: ___________________________

2. Claim/reasons handout is due on: ___________________________

3. Ethos, Pathos, Logos Venn Diagram is due on: ___________________________

4. Your completed outline is due on: ___________________________

5. Your written speech is due on: ___________________________

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