This document provides instructions and requirements for a persuasive speech assignment. Students are asked to partner up and deliver a 2-3 minute persuasive speech on a self-selected topic while sitting down. They must develop a survey to collect data from classmates, write a draft and final outline, and create a one-page handout. The speech must include a clear standpoint, citations, and allow time for debate. Guidelines are provided for the speech format, survey questions, outline structure, and evaluation criteria.
1. 1 please contactme at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
Public Speaking 205
Persuasive Speech Package
Revised March 5, 2014
If you all have any questions, please email me at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
2. 2 please contactme at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
Persuasive Speech
Speech # 2
ATTENTION ALL PERSUASIVE SPEAKERS
To persuade is to advocate, or to ask others to accept your viewpoint. The success in
persuasive speaking requires attention to what motivates your listeners. The most important
goals of a persuasive speaker are to influence the attitudes, beliefs, values, and acts of others.
Here Is Your Assignment
Partners will follow the same format as Speech # One ( You all are required to hand-in
the draft with outline/ make revisions and hand-in a final speech with outline on the day
that you all delivery the speech/review monthly outline for deadline)
Within each partnership, you all will decide the format of each speaker; however, you all
are required to share equal time in the delivery process
Professional hand-outs are required for audience members (only one page/front
and/or back, please make sure that both of your names are on the hand-out)
This speech will be delivered while you all are sitting down
Speech is required to be written in a creative and conversational manner with factual
information
The speech is timed/2 minutes or less (minus 10 points-if you all speak over 2
minutes)
If there are three people within the partnership, you all will have 3 minutes or less to
speak (minus 10 points-if you all speak over 3 minutes)
Speakers will have a chance to debate with audience members after the delivery of the
speech/STAND ON YOUR POSITION!
Partners, in your opening argument (introduction), you all are required to create a strong
standpoint(similar to what is known as a thesis/main point of view)
Partners, in your closing (conclusion), you all are required create a closing standpoint
Surveys from audience members will be used as part of the primary data within the
speech (survey information is part of the speech and can be used as part of the hand-out
as well)
All speeches are required to have 3 citations MLA format (or more)/ to build upon
supporting materials for the argument
All persuasive speakers are professionally dressed with portfolio(s) (For the survey
presentation and the delivery of the final Speech/ review monthly outline for delivery
dates and deadlines)
3. 3 please contactme at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
The speechformat is as follows:
Brainstorming topic
Select persuasive topic
Create standpoint/Closing standpoint
Develop survey questions (4 questions /open ended and/or close ended)
Outline & Speech (Draft & Final)
Hand-out (make enough copies for everyone in the class/after the hand-out is
approved by Instructor)
Videotape
Practice Delivery
Practice Delivery
Practice Delivery
Practice Delivery
Note: If you all do not follow the deadlines that are required (review month outline),
points will be deducted from your speech grade.
Keep in mind, one speech grade for two (or three) people!
4. 4 please contactme at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SURVEY
Professional Dress
Black Portfolios
Standpoint/ Example: We are strongly for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal
usage.
4 questions typed/ opened and/or close ended questions
Minus 20 points if you are late to class and/or unprepared
___________________________________________________________________
Examples of Survey Questions
Questionnaire--a series of open and closed ended questions
Closed ended questions—elicit a small range of specific answers.
Should marijuana be legalized in the United States?
Yes or No
Open ended questions—allows audience members to elaborate as much as they desire.
How do you feel about the legalization of marijuana?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. 6 please contactme at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR SPEECH
I. Introduction
A. Greeting: Good afternoon, my name is Dana Radford and my name is Jessica
Wilder
B. Attention Getter: We hope the sounds of Bob Marley’s One Love song has put
you in calm and relaxing mood. Because today we want to talk about legalizing
marijuana. Did you know according to the survey taken in this class 100% of the
class agree with us. However, 6% of the class feels it should only be legalized for
medicinal purposes (Radford/Wilder). Today we hope to show the 6% of you the
benefits of legalizing marijuana across the board.
C. Standpoint: my partner and I strongly feel marijuana should be legalized in the
Unites States for economic and medicinal purposes.
II. Body
A. The Huffington Post Information
B. Wordpress.com Information
III. Conclusion
Closing Argument & Standpoint: there are so many different ways marijuana can be
used to help. From boosting our economy to helping individuals with chronic pain
there seems to be many benefits of legalizing marijuana. We hope that the 6% of you
in the class who only think it should be legalized for medicinal purposes will consider
our point of view. Like we stated before we strongly feel marijuana should be
legalized in the United States for medicinal and recreational purposes. Thank you.
7. 7 please contactme at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
SAMPLE OF SPEECH/DRAFT TIME: 1:46
D: Good Afternoon My name is Dana Radford
J: And my name is Jessica Wilder
D: We hope the sounds of Bob Marley’s One Love song has put you in a calm and relaxing
mood because today we want to talk about legalizing marijuana.
J: That’s right, my partner and I strongly feel marijuana should be legalized in the United
States for economic and medicinal purposes.
D: Hey Jessica, did you know according to the survey taken in this class 100% of the class
agree with us. However, 6% of the class feels it should only be legalized for medicinal
purposes. Today we hope to show the 6% of you the benefits of legalizing marijuana
across the board.
J: We feel by legalizing marijuana, we would free up our law enforcement to work on
tracking hard crimes and criminals, while helping the economy by taxing the drug. The
Huffington Post states that by legalizing marijuana the United States would generate
about $20 billion per year; from the year 2000-2010 the United States spent $211 million
on enforcing marijuana laws (Miron).
D: Wow Jessica that’s really good information to know but, imagine your family member
with cancer and in constant pain. According to Wordpress.com the major benefits of this
herb are that it can kill pain of any intensity in a few minutes or sometimes hours.
Usually marijuana therapy is given to the patients suffering from AIDS, cancer, glaucoma
and many other chronic diseases (Wordpress.com).
8. 8 please contactme at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
J: Yes Dana you’re right, there are so many different ways marijuana can be used to help.
From boosting our economy to helping individuals with chronic pain there seems to be
many benefits of legalizing marijuana.
D: We hope that the 6% of you in the class who only think it should be legalized for
medicinal purposes will consider our point of view. Like we stated before, we strongly
feel marijuana should be legalized in the United States for economic and medicinal
purposes. Thank you.
10. 10 please contactme at: tracey.graham@hgtc.edu .
PERSUASIVE SPEECH EVALUATION FORM (TWO/THREE PEOPLE PER GROUP)
SPEAKERS: Time:
SURVEY points
Up To 20 points
_____ Did the speakers develop a survey?
_____ Were the speakers professionally dressed ((no jeans, sneakers,caps,shorts)?
_____ Did the speakers chew gum or do anything that created a non-professional
environment during the survey?
_____ Did the speakers arrive on time?
Comments:
WRITING PROCESS points
Up To 15 points
_____ Did the speakers use the data from their research?
_____ Where did the speakers use the survey data?
_____ Did the speakers present professional hand-outs?
(one & two sides with information/NOT MORE THAN ONE PAGE)
_____ Did the speakers hand in a draft of an outline & speech?
_____ Did the speakers create a persuasive written document/using persuasive language
that was clear & straight to the point (final copy of speech with outline)?
_____ Hand in all materials on time?
Comments:
DELIVERY(speaker #1) points
Up To 21 points
_____ vocal variety _____ posture _____ strategic pauses
_____ conversational style _____ professional
_____ eye contact _____ voice projection ____Arrived on time for speech?
Comments:
DELIVERY(speaker #2) points
Up To 21 points
_____ vocal variety _____ posture _____ strategic pauses
_____ conversational style _____ professional
_____ eye contact _____ voice projection ____Arrived on time for speech?
Comments:
DELIVERY(speaker #3) points
Up To 21 points
_____ vocal variety _____ posture _____strategic pauses
_____ conversational style _____ professional
_____ eye contact _____ voice projection ____Arrived on time for speech?
Comments:
DEBATE GRADE_____
Up To 2 points (if three people)
Up To 23 points (if two people)
_____ Did the speakers know the subject matter? Deductions ___________
Comments:
