Persuasive Speech Assignment

This speech can be either a speech to convince or actuate. Particular attention should be paid to use of adequate evidence and reasoning, as well as the use of the best organizational pattern and materials for the majority audience opinion held toward the purpose of the speech. Also, focus on a convincing delivery. Your task is to:

• Orally present a speech persuading your audience to believe and/or do something that is of significance.

• Limit your speech to 6-8 minutes in length. You will be stopped at 8 minutes.

• Create a message, which contains:

• An introduction which

• gains the attention of the audience and
• makes the topic relevant to the audience

• A position statement stated clearly somewhere in the speech before the conclusion. (Where it is placed will be dependent on what attitude the audience holds toward what you are persuading them to do or believe.)
• Transitions which

• overview your major points
• review the previous points in the body before moving on to the next point, and
• preview the next point before moving into a description of that point

o A body that uses an effective organizational pattern for arranging the main arguments/points of your speech. (This also should be determined by the audience's attitude toward your topic.)

• Verbal citations of sources used.
• A conclusion that

• provides logical and psychological closure and
• clinches the speech

• Work for an effective language style (e.g., clear, concrete, colorful).

• Work for a convincing and charismatic extemporaneous delivery, both vocally and physically.

• Use visual aids.

• Turn in a bibliography of at least five sources used in your speech.

• Turn in a formal outline of your whole speech.

Example of a Problem-Solution Outline

Persuasive Speech Evaluation Form

Student:

Topic:

	needs work	below average	average	above average	Wow!	COMMENTS
1. Introduction Did it get our attention? Was the position statement clear? Is the topic made relevant to the audience? Were major points previewed?	2	4	6	8	10
2. Transitions Were they effectively used to preview and review?	1	2	3	4	5
3. Body · Effective Organizational Pattern?_____________ Enough information for audience understanding? (Is there support for each main point?) Adequate source citations?	5	10	15	20	25
4. Conclusion Provide logical and psychological closure? Clinch the speech?	2	4	6	8	10
5. Delivery · Volume? Articulation? Rate? Pitch? Gestures? Eye Contact?	4	8	12	16	20
6. Visual Aids Good selection and design (quality of illustrations)? Good use (well displayed and discussed)?	4	8	12	16	20
7. Outline Formal principles of outlining? Bibliography? 5 sources?	2	4	6	8	10

Time: ____________ (6-8 minutes) Grade:_______ x 2 = ______/200

©2007 Amy Aldridge Sanford