5. Degrees of Persuasion
Strongly Moderately Slightly Slightly Moderately Strongly
Opposed Opposed Opposed in Favor in Favor in Favor
6. Degrees of Persuasion
Strongly Moderately Slightly Slightly Moderately Strongly
Opposed Opposed Opposed in Favor in Favor in Favor
• Persuasion involves any movement by a listener from left to
right
14. Question of Fact
• A question about the truth or falsity of an
assertion.
15. Persuasive Speech on a
Question of Fact
Specific Purpose:
To persuade my audience that another major earthquake will
hit California by the year 2025.
Main Points: I. California is long overdue for
a major earthquake.
II. Many geological signs
indicate that a major
earthquake may happen soon.
III. Experts agree that a major
earthquake could hit
California any day.
17. Question of Value
• A question about the worth, rightness, morality,
and so forth of an idea or action.
18. Persuasive Speech on a
Question of Value
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that
capital punishment is morally and
legally wrong.
Main Points: I. Capital punishment violates
the biblical commandment
“Thou shalt not kill.”
II. Capital punishment violates
the constitutional ban on
“cruel and unusual
punishment.”
20. Question of Policy
• A question about whether a specific course of
action should or should not be taken.
21. Persuasive Speech on a
Question of Policy
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that
action should be taken now to
solve the nation’s shortage of
nurses.
Main Points: I. The shortage of nurses has
become a serious national
problem.
II. The problem can be solved by
offering nurses better salaries
and better working conditions.
22. In two’s or three’s
• Determine three potential topics in each
of the following categories:
• Questions of fact
• Questions of value
• Questions of policy
• Rank each topic in terms of interest and
potential.
• Share your consensus.
25. Organizational Models For
Persuasive Speeches
• Problem-solution order
• Problem-cause-solution order
26. Organizational Models For
Persuasive Speeches
• Problem-solution order
• Problem-cause-solution order
• Comparative advantages order
27. Organizational Models For
Persuasive Speeches
• Problem-solution order
• Problem-cause-solution order
• Comparative advantages order
• Monroe’s motivated sequence
30. Problem-Solution Order
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that
action is needed to deal with the
safety problems caused by
motorists’ use of cell phones.
Main Points: I. The use of cell phones by
motorists is causing a
growing number of accidents.
II. The problem can be solved by
a combination of individual
and government action.
32. Problem-Cause-Solution
Order
Main point I: Documents the existence of
a problem.
Main point II: Analyzes the causes of the
problem.
Main point III: Presents a solution to the
problem.
33. Problem-Cause-Solution Order
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that
colleges should take stronger
action to control campus crime.
Main Points: I. Crime on college campuses is
a serious problem.
II. There are three major causes
for the growth of campus
crime.
III. An effective solution must
deal with all three causes of
the problem.
35. Comparative Advantages Order
• Each main point explains why a speaker's
solution to a problem is preferable to other
potential solutions.
36. Comparative Advantages Order
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that
the U.S. space program should
put greater priority on unstaffed
scientific missions.
Main Points: I. Unstaffed scientific missions
are less costly than staffed
space flights.
II. Unstaffed scientific missions
provide more practical
benefits than staffed space
flights.
37. Monroe’s Motivated Sequence *
* Monroe's motivated sequence is a technique for organizing persuasive speeches that
inspire people to take action. It was developed in the mid-1930s by Alan H. Monroe.
38. Monroe’s Motivated Sequence *
• A five-step sequence designed especially for
organizing persuasive speeches that seek
immediate action.
* Monroe's motivated sequence is a technique for organizing persuasive speeches that
inspire people to take action. It was developed in the mid-1930s by Alan H. Monroe.
40. Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Step 1
Attention: Gain the attention of the
audience
Step 2
Need: Show the need for change
Step 3
Satisfaction: Provide a solution to the
need
42. Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Step 4
Visualization: Intensify desire for the
solution by visualizing its
benefits
Step 5
Action: Urge the audience to take
action in support of the
solution
43. In your groups of two’s
and three’s
• Collaborate on a two minute persuasive
speech on one of your chosen topics.
• Identify and utilize one of the four
organizational models we have discussed
today.
• Problem-solution order
• Problem-cause-solution order
• Comparative advantages order
• Monroe’s motivated sequence
44. Potential Topics
Capital Punishment Censorship
Is capital punishment murder, morally wrong? Is it legal for schools to censor teachers?
When is capital punishment justifiable? Should students be allowed to voice their opinions?
Euthanasia
When is assisted suicide okay? Parenting
Is assisted suicide murder?
Should parents encourage their kids to follow a religion?
Should parents be responsible for rebellious behavior in public schools?
Health Insurance
How to make health insurace affordable to everybody
Would America be better off without health insurance?
