The Persuasive Speech

AN INTRODUCTION

The Persuasive Speech

Ideas adapted from http://pirate.shu.edu/~yatesdan/persuasion.html

What is a persuasive speech?

Oratory meant to…Convince an audience that the speaker

is an authority on a topicSway the audience to a certain point

of view

What are the good and bad portions of these speeches?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1gVjWtwVrU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jgtISu0WWw

OF A PERSUASIVE SPEECH

Basic Structure

Introduction

I. Attention GetterII. Topic StatementIII.Establish CredibilityIV.Preview Main Points

Attention Getter

Catches, hooks, and interests the audienceUsing a prop to show something

important about a particular debateStating a shocking statisticTelling a dramatic storyAsking a rhetorical question (but not one

that people will feel like they need to answer; also avoid asking questions like “how many people agree/disagree with…”)

Topic Statement

State your topicState your standBe clear, be concise

Today I will be speaking to you about just how wrong the death penalty is.

Today I will be speaking to you about just how necessary the death penalty is.

Establish Credibility

be specificWhy are you an expert on this topic now? Be

specific. My personal experiences with bullying have shown me

the horrors of this criminal act. Furthermore, articles written by Genie Howe and Keven Tyler support the fact that bullying is indeed a crime. Despite the fact that some critics, such as Jennifer Hoxie, may disagree, each point can be counter argued by the following…

Preview Statement

State your main pointsYou should have at least 2 claims, and you

should refute at least 1 counterclaim for this assignment Everyone should be required to server two years in

the military after graduation because it would help keep our country protected and provide a well-disciplined work force for the future. Even though some people claim that this would violate our freedoms, it would actually protect our freedoms and our rights.

Body

I. Basic InformationII. Present 3 points

Basic Information

simple explanation of your topic give a definition of your topic ** required element of the speech.

Persuasive Approaches

1. Deductive Reasoning: going from a general idea to a specific idea (syllogisms)

If all will agree with the first general statement and the second still general statement , then they must agree with the last statement, which in the case of the speech is your opinion on the topic.

2. Inductive Reasoning: Going from a specific idea to a general one usually using the laws of probability.

Over the last 35 years gold has decreased in value by 5% each year, therefore it is logical to induce that gold will continue to decrease in value. The final statement should be your stand on the topic.

Persuasive Approaches

3. Carrot-Stick - gives both sides of the issue and shows that one side clearly outweighs the other.

List both pros and cons in the speech Be careful to list them all, so you are not destroyed in the

Q&A portion. Pro/con list in decision making process

4. Primacy/Recency - dictates where you will put your strongest argument in the body of the speech.

Start with your strongest point, end with your weakest. (anti-climatic)

Start with your weakest point, end with your strongest (climatic)

What Evidence Is Appropriate?

Statistics Testimony (a direct quote from an authority on the issue) Personal Testimony – (telling us about something that

specifically happened to you). This is GREAT because it helps the audience connect emotionally.

Deanchoring Beliefs – (appeal to the audience’s emotions to change their minds.) Fear is the most common emotion to appeal to. Psychiatrists say

adults share 3 basic fears: the fear of losing food, shelter and clothing the fear of losing freedom the fear of the unknown - which includes death

Other emotions are pride, sympathy/pity, anger, affection, guilt, etc.

Conclusion

I. Summary – restate topic statementII. Concluding Remarks - make sure the

audience knows the speech is over

Q&A

Take questions from the whole group - not just the people you know

Respond to the whole group – others may like to know the same thing

Compliment the questioner - That's a great question, Thanks for asking, etc.

Never reprimand the questioner - Well, if you had been listening or Well, that's a stupid question, etc.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU

Speech Logisitics

Required elementsFor the speech itself

2 outside sources; both sides of the issue you chose

Notes from the sources (see attached notes page)

Works Cited with the sourcesThorough outline (see attached) Appeal to pathos/logos/ethosUse of at least 2 rhetorical

devices (questioning, parallel structure, restatement, repetition, antithesis)

Minimum of 3 minutes in front of the class

Required elementsDuring the presentations

You must ask at least 1 substantial question to a classmate

You must fill out the peer evaluations during/after the speeches

Points are deducted for any disruptions during the speeches

LET’S GET STARTED!

Questions?

What are the good and bad portions of these speeches?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1gVjWtwVrU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jgtISu0WWw