Writer’s choice

Requirements

• This is a speech in which you will be given the opportunity to persuade your audience to one side of an issue or another or to move toward a certain action.  The primary objective of this assignment is to persuade, either by reinforcing or altering the audience’s beliefs, values, attitudes, and/or behaviors.
• TIME:  8-11 minutes.  One point will be deducted for going over or falling under the time limit in 30 second intervals.
• SOURCES (READ CAREFULLY):  A minimum of 5 sourcesare required and 3 of these must be non-.com/.net sources.  All 5 must be verbally cited in the speech
• Copy of the Evaluation Rubric is at the end of this document
• Outline Requirements:

Please note, an outline is required for this speech and a very specific outline template is provided above

• The Introduction, Body, and Conclusion of the speech are clearly labeled in the outline (remember, don’tnumber these… they are headings)
• All parts of the introduction should be clearly labeled (attention getter, thesis, relevance, speaker credibility, & preview of main points)
• All parts of the body are labeled (i.e. Monroe’s steps or Problem/Cause/Solution)
• All parts of the conclusion should be labeled (reiterate thesis, review of main points, & memorable close)
• The main points and sub-points are all written in COMPLETE SENTENCES; basically, the entire outline should be written in complete sentences (the only exception to this would be a list)
• Connectives/Transitions are clearly labeled and written out.
• The Outline must follow a consistent pattern of symbolization and indentation using traditional outline format (I. A. 1. a. etc.). Essays/Paragraphs/handwritten will receive a 0 and will notbe graded
• The Outline should provide a clear visual framework that shows the relationships among the ideas of the speech and thoroughlyreflect the content of the entire speech.
• Correct Spelling/Grammar/Punctuation.
• A bibliography that identifies all sources used in the speech following APA, MLA, or Footnote format.  Sources should be cited within the body of the outline as well.

Persuasive Speech Introduction Tips

Introduction

1. [Attention Getter] Start your speech off with a quotation, a short narrative, a mind blowing statistic—anything to wow your audience and grab their attention. Make sure your Attention Getter is topical, though. You don’t want to start off your speech praising Ryan Gosling’s good looks when the subject is clean city water.
2. [Thesis Statement] The thesis is simply your solution statement. Use it as a call to action for the audience. Example: “We need to find affordable and sustainable ways to produce clean water.”  DO NOT SAY “I WILL…”

III.  [Relevance Statement] In order to be persuasive, you need to establish common ground with your audience. They need to feel directly connected to the problem. Think about what you have in common with your audience—their values, interests, shared experiences—which can relate back to your topic. Explain why your topic is relevant to your audience. Remember the easiest way to word this is to say, “This topic is relevant to / matters to you because…”

1. [Credibility Statement] Explain what makes you qualified to speak on the subject. Your credibility statement answers the question, “why should we listen to you?” Where did you gain your knowledge? Why do you care about this subject. Remember the best way to word this is, “I am qualified/credible/able to speak on the subject because… “
2. [Preview of Main Points]

“Today I will discuss the problem, cause, and solution” for problem, cause, solution organization

OR

verbiage that reflects the Need, Satisfaction, Visualization and Action steps if using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence organization

OR

Each unique main point if using Comparative Advantage organization

Body


Make sure you clearly address each component of the organizational method you are using.  Use relevant and effective support