Persuasive Speech



Persuasive Speech Name ______________

Your goal is to persuade your audience to feel the same way that you do about a certain topic. Where applicable, you also want them to “move to action” to solve a problem or situation. The more facts that you have to support your opinion, the stronger your speech will be. Give your audience a way/method to get involved. They need concrete suggestions. Tell them what they must do to improve the situation. Remember that you need a strong thesis statement!

How to prepare:

1. Pick a topic that interests you.

2. Research your topic in the computer lab or in the library.

3. Find as many facts/statistics/details that you can to support your topic.

4. Talk to others about your subject (interview).

5. Type or write your outline.

6. Practice your speech at home and in front of friends.

7. Present it in class!

Below are some possible topic suggestions. Persuade someone to…

Go to college Eat healthier Join track (or some other sport)

Be well-behaved in school Not drink and drive Stop using inappropriate language

Vote Wear seat belts Wear bike/motorcycle helmets

Quit smoking Quit drinking Quit using any illegal drug

Exercise Not commit suicide Learn a new skill

Learn Spanish Not spank children Learn more about your culture

Do volunteer work Set goals Boycott violence movies/shows

Take responsibility for your actions Read more often Get homework done on time

Keep the environment clean Write letters Start a new hobby

Have pets spayed/neutered Stop gossiping Not be jealous/possessive

Count your blessings Go to Upward Bound Respect other people’s property

Maintain your home and yard better Go to vo-tech Support a certain sports team

Never join a gang Honor your parents Respect authority figures

Stop gambling Enlist in the service Not move away from this area

Support a certain political candidate Be friendly to everyone Buy a certain brand

Use sunscreen/stop tanning Live in Avon as an adult Show more respect to everyone

Below is a list of subjects that have two sides or are controversial in some way.

Pick one side of the issue and persuade the class to agree with your opinion.

Death penalty/capital punishment Welfare reform Criminal rehabilitation

Gun control Boarding schools Open school enrollment

Assisted suicide School uniforms Banning assault weapons

Economic development on reservations 5-cent deposit on cans Student lounge

School policy you’d like changed HMOs Affirmative Action

Govt. policy you’d like changed Plea bargaining Juvenile detention centers

Prayer in school UFOs Banning pit bulls/attack dogs

Rap music’s negative lyrics Herbal medicine Interracial adoption

Genetic engineering/cloning Buying junk food with food stamps

Replacing homecoming king/queen ceremony with a ceremony that honors ALL seniors

Eliminating Prom and using the money for an overnight class trip

Elvis is alive/dead. Stop drinking/eating aspartame (Nutrasweet)

Why whining works! Protein diets

Example Persuasive Speech Outline

This outline won’t fit all topics, so feel free to write your own version.

Reminder: When you have an A, you must have a B; when you have a 1, you must have a 2.

Introduction: Background/questions/quote/anecdote/startling statement/etc.

Thesis statement: _____________________________________________

I. Why it is a problem/Reasons why …. (Pick one heading that fits your topic.)

A.

B.

C.

D.

II. Suggestions on how to improve the problem

A.

B.

C.

D.

Conclusion (summary/move-to-action/etc.)

Thank you! (Pause, smile, and walk away!)

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download