Persuasive Speech Assignment Sheet
Speech Time
Limit
Sources Outline Notes Visual Aid Total
Pts
Persuasive 6 min At least 6 Required 3-3×5
cards
Optional 200
*The best way to start this speech is by choosing a topic you feel passionate
about! Create a list of 10 – 15 “things that make you upset”. From that list,
figure out which item is a problem with some universal appeal. If you can
research it and offer practical solutions, you have FOUND a topic that works
for this speech! WARNING – try to avoid overdone topics!
In this speech, you will most likely identify a problem, relate its significance to
the audience, explain what the causes of the problem are, and suggest
possible solutions to the problem. Sales-type presentations and group
presentations are not allowable for meeting this requirement. You must use an
appropriate persuasive pattern of organization such as
Problem-Cause-Solution, Cause, Effect, Solution, or Three Reasons. You
should emphasize appropriate and credible motivational, emotional and logical
appeals. Close attention should be paid to the use of supporting materials,
organization, analysis, word usage and delivery. As you work to create your
solution, remember the steps you followed for determining the causes of the
problem and make sure that your solution steps remedy those causes. Again,
as one of the two major speech assignments in the course, rigor and critical
thinking are essential for this assignment.
How to Claim Your Persuasive Speech Topic;
Claim your topic by posting a outline draft with an MLA works cited page
included below by no later than 11:59PM Sunday 5/29
*Please note, no topics may be repeated for this
speech.
Therefore, you must do your best to make sure the topic you’ve selected is
unique from the rest of your classmates. Topics will be considered “claimed”
once someone has posted their outline draft WITH the works cited page attached
– *first come, first to claim.
How to Create Your Works Cited Page (6 sources
required – minimum).
An MLA works cited page is required for any speech outline that utilizes
credible/formal research. Conduct research on your selected persuasive topic
using the elac.edu/library search engine and use *a minimum of 6 credible
sources to complete the outline draft of your persuasive speech. You may also
choose to use other web-based search engines as well as news paper
articles/textbooks to conduct your persuasive speech research. Please see my
tips below regarding research.
**Tip – the elac.edu/library page offers full MLA formatted source citations for
each source posted in the database. You may simply copy each citation from the
library database (*for each source you use) and and paste the citation into your
outline draft document. For creating citations from sources found OUTSIDE the
library data base (*such as textbooks and other web sources) please use a
credible MLA style guide from the internet OR a citation generator (such as;
citationmachine.net) then include that citation in your outline draft’s works cited
page.
Post your persuasive outline draft with your MLA works cited page included (*see
my example for guidance).
*Please follow the attached example for guidance on creating both the outline
draft and your (MLA) works cited page.
Conduct Research/Create a Works Cited/Bibliography Page (*6 sources minimum)
Using the elac.edu/library database, as well as regular web search engines
(*google/google scholar, etc.) search for credible/non-biased/fact-based sources
pertaining to your topic to help build you informative speech. You will need to
verbally cite the research in your speech and list each source used in your works
cited page (please follow my example and use proper MLA formatting with for the
works cited page).
*Tips on research – approach this topic as if your classmates have NEVER heard
of it before. Use credible sources to develop a fact-based persuasive speech that
does not rely on heavy bias/fallacies. Remember – the main goal of this speech is
to utilize credible and factual evidence to persuade/convince your audience to
adopt your call to action (*i.e. using credible research to persuade your audience
to believe your rhetoric and agree with your topic).
*For trouble with format of your works cited page – try a free citation generator
website such as;
https://www.easybib.com/
(Links to an external site.)
or https://www.citationmachine.net/
(Links to an external site.)
*Please note – you should always double check the generated works cited page to
make sure your citations were included correctly.
Persuasive Topic Claim – Outline/Works Cited Summary
● Use a minimum of 6 credible sources in your outline/works cited page –
Use search engines and campus library database to conduct your
research
● Include all 6 sources in your outline (*verbal citations) and make sure to
list the full MLA citation for those 6 sources in your works cited page.
● *Review my persuasive outline example AS WELL AS the attached
“Informative/Persuasive comparison” sheet for further guidance
● Post your outline/works cited page below (*see due date)
Submit your outline draft (*with the works cited page included at the end of your
speech content – see me example if you are unclear.) by no later than 11:59PM
Sunday 5/29.
Please read the following
comparison for your convenience
(*make sure your Persuasive outline, utilizes credible research and FACT-BASED
persuasive rhetoric. Follow this guide to help you keep your speech persuasive).
(*repost) Comparing Informative to Persuasive Speaking
Informative/Persuasive Similarities – *Speaker Credibility – how do we establish
that?
● Credible research
● Use of expert peer reviewed data
● Vocal clarity – *Tone, rate, volume, pitch, etc.
● Nonverbal control; eye contact and gestures are effective but do not
distract
● Practice and preparation
