This document outlines the requirements for a persuasive speech assignment, including an introduction with an attention getter, credibility statement, and thesis. The body must have two main points with supporting evidence from credible sources cited verbally and in references. An organizational pattern, visual aid, conclusions, and adherence to a 6-8 minute time limit are also required. Students must conduct an audience analysis survey and adapt the speech based on the results. Formal outlines and extemporaneous delivery are expected.

1. This assignment should include the outline of
PERSUASIVE SPEECH:
INTRODUCTION:
I.
Attention Getter
II.
Credibility Statement
III.
Relating to the Audience
IV.
Thesis Statement (we should clearly hear your two MPs, the
problem and your proposed solution for that problem)
Transition
:
BODY:
I.
Main Point One (This is your problem)
A.
Supporting Point (Remember if you have an A you must also
have a B)
1.
Sub-subpoints (Remember to use a variety of sources: statistics,
peer testimony)

2. 2.
Sub-subpoints
(Remember to include your oral citations, According to a 2015
article in the New York Times, more than 50 million ….)
B.
Supporting Point (Remember all elements of the outline body
are just one sentence)
Directional transition
: (Summary/Preview)
II.
Main Point Two (This is your solution)
A.
Supporting Point (Show how your organization solves the
problem established in MP1)
1.
Sub-subpoints (Remember if you have a 1, you need to have a
2)
2.
Sub-subpoints
B.
Supporting Point (Make sure you tell me specifically HOW:
How to donate, how much to donate, exactly what the money
will go for, how money is used now, etc.)

3. Transition:
(Summary/Preview)
CONCLUSION
I.
Restate Thesis:
II.
Closing Statement or Clincher:
References
(Your references will be in APA Style on a new page)
TIME LIMIT: 6-8 minutes
OBJECTIVES:
1.
To persuade your audience on a proposition of policy; thus,
convincing your audience that a specific course of action should
be taken.
2.
To use effective methods of persuasion: building credibility,
using evidence, using logical reasoning, and appealing to
emotions.
3.

4. To use effective delivery techniques, descriptive language
techniques, audience analysis, and a variety of supporting
material.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Your formal persuasive speech is designed to help you develop
persuasive speech making skills. Your goal is to persuade your
audience for or against a Question of Policy. Questions of
Policy inevitably involve Questions of Fact and Questions of
Value BUT Questions of Policy
always
go beyond both to decide whether something should or should
not be done.
In other words, Questions of Policy attempt to persuade an
audience that a specific course of action should or should not be
taken.
You may seek either passive agreement or immediate action
from the audience, both of which should include all three (3)
basic issues of policy speeches – need, plan, and practicality.
A variety of topics would be appropriate. For example, you
might try to persuade us that same-sex marriage should be
legalized, to agree that a security fence should be constructed
along the US/Mexico border, to create a living will, to vote for
a total ban on human cloning, that school districts should not
allow soft-drink companies to stock their products in school
vending machines, or that we should put an end to the violence
on television.
REQUIREMENTS & EVALUATION CRITERIA:
1.
You must have an audience of at least 6 people over the age of
16, including your camera operator. You should pan your

5. audience before you begin your speech, begin your speech
without stopping or splicing the video, then pan the audience
again at the conclusion of your speech.
Failure to have less than the required 6 audience members will
result in failing the assignment.
2.
A visual aid is required for this presentation. Practice with your
visual aid ahead of time so it will fit smoothly into your
presentation. See Chapter 13 for types of visual aids you can
use.
3.
Your speech should be effectively organized following one of
the
organizational patterns
discussed in Chapter 16 of your text, outlined following formal
outline format, introduced and concluded.
4.
Your speech should be supported with at least
6
pieces of supporting materials. Your examples, statistics, and
quotations need to be cited in 1) your speech, 2) your speech
outline, and 3) your bibliography. You must use a minimum of
3
DIFFERENT TYPES of sources, with a minimum of
4
total sources in your bibliography. Of these sources no more
than 1 can be an interview. Be sure to cite the original source of
information (a data base like Wikipedia or Ebscohost is NOT a
source, but a compilation from many sources). WHO the source
is and why they are qualified must be cited out loud in your
speech, written into your Preparation Outline where the
supporting material from the source occurs, and listed in your
Bibliography/Works Cited list.

6. Remember to incorporate your sources and citations into your
speech delivery
(e.g. “Time reported in March, 2015, …).
5.
Your speech should include
vivid language
and arresting images by using a minimum of
2
language devices discussed in Chapter 12 (metaphors, similes,
alliteration, parallelism, antithesis, or repetition.)
Label the language devices on your preparation outline
.
6.
You should administer an audience analysis questionnaire in the
Session 13 Discussion Board (with 2 fixed-alternative
questions, 2 scale questions, and 2 open-ended questions – see
text example on page 112) using Survey Monkey
(www.surveymonkey.com). A tally of your survey results and
typed paragraph describing what you did in developing the
speech to adapt to your audience must accompany the outline
(you can make them all in one document to attach to your
speech in Connect).
You should plan to mention your survey results in your speech.
See supplemental handout – “Creating a Survey Monkey” in
Session 8 OR under the Resources tab.
7.
Your preparation outline must be prepared and
typed
following formal outline format (see the 10 Rules for Outlining
under Resources in Blackboard). You may request your
instructor to review a draft copy of your outline ahead of time.
8.

7. Your speech must be
delivered extemporaneously from brief notes
. Do NOT prepare a speech manuscript; do NOT memorize a
manuscript. Be sure your note card is clear, concise, brief, and
easy for you to see while delivering your speech.
9.
Attach both your Preparation Outline and Speaking Outline to
the assignment in Connect. After you submit the video, there is
a place to attach documents. Browse your computer to find your
Preparation Outline, then click on <+ add additional files> and
browse again to attach your Speaking Outline. In order for your
speech to count as “on time” you must submit both your
Preparation Outline and your Speaking Outline at the time you
submit your video and by the due date on the calendar.
10.
Practice your speech several times before you deliver your
speech in front of your audience. Check the timing to know
what will fit in the 6-8 minute time limit and make cuts as
necessary.
11.
After you submit your speech video, you should watch your
video again, and complete the self-evaluation on Connect. This
counts as part of your speech grade.
12.
This assignment is worth a possible ___ points. Evaluation
criteria include: Clear Persuasive Proposition, Introduction,
Motivational Appeals, Credibility Appeals, Supporting
Materials, Use of Transitions, Content Development, Logical
Organization, Conclusion, Delivery, Audience-Centeredness,
and Outlines.
CHECKLIST OF ITEMS DUE:

8. ___ Formal Preparation Outline & Bibliography
___ Speaking Notes
___ Audience Analysis w/ Tally & Paragraph
Persuasive Speech Grading Rubric
Each line is 0-5 points possible.
200 points total possible
.
SPEECH OUTLINE & PREPARATION – 20% POINTS
___ Preparation Outline in formal format (standard set of
outline symbols, indented)
___ Preparation Outline includes labeled sections headings, full
sentences, transitions
___ Preparation Outline includes detailed points
___ Preparation Outline includes APA in-text citations &
bibliography
___ Speaking Outlines has brief notes (30-50% of prep outline)
___ Speaking Outline is organized & easy to reference
___ Survey tally attached includes 6 questions (2 each type)
___ Survey Analysis Paragraph includes thoughtful reflection
on adapting to audience
INTRODUCTION – 15% POINTS
___ Captured audience’s attention for topic
___ Motivated audience to listen (related topic directly to the
audience)
___ Established speaker credibility (__ why & __ how you
know about topic)
___ Established speaker good will for the audience
___ Fully introduced topic (clear central idea)

9. ___ Preview of main points in strategic order
BODY (ORGANIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, &
TRANSISTIONS) – 30% POINTS
___ Each main point easily identified
___ Main points developed with appropriate details
___ Effective use of persuasive appeals (__ emotional, __
logical, __ ethical)
___ Used positive and negative motivational appeals
appropriate to topic
___ Sufficient supporting material used (minimum of 6)
___ Supporting material appropriate to topic, enhanced
argument
___ Required sources cited verbally (including name, date,
credibility & source)
___ Smooth connectives between main points (full transitions
used)
___ Creative connectives used
___ Mentioned survey results in speech
___ Adapts topic to audience based on survey results
___ Visual Aids were visible, neat, interesting, and enhanced
the presentation
PRESENTATION & DELIVERY – 20% POINTS
___ Strong eye-contact sustained throughout
___ Extemporaneous & conversational delivery
___ Used vocal variety to eliminate monotonous voice &
projected voice so all could hear
___ Paused effectively with few uhms
___ Used appropriate pronunciation, articulation, & vocal rate
(not too fast or too slow)
___ Sounded sincere, enthusiastic and/or passionate
___ Used 2 VIVID LANGUAGE DEVICES & used language
free of slang and profanity
___ Effective facial expression, gestures & animation

10. CONCLUSION – 10%
___ Signaled ending (using signpost)
___ Summarized main points (restated each main point)
___ Restated importance of topic to audience
___ Used vivid & memorable ending
TIMING & AUDIENCE (5%)
___ Adherence to time limit (6-8 minutes, within 30 seconds
over or under)
___ Showed audience of 6 adults before and after speech
without splicing video (failure to do this will result in an F for
the presentation)