The document provides guidance for choosing a topic for a persuasive speech. It states that the topic should be about a current, controversial issue with two defensible perspectives. It suggests avoiding one-sided issues like alcoholism or pollution. Instead, issues like euthanasia or the driving age that have multiple viewpoints are better topics. It also provides examples of other possible topics that meet these guidelines.

1. The proposition of this speech may be one of fact, value, or policy. The
topic should focus on a current, controversial issue with two defensible
sides or points of view. Alcoholism, pollution, or littering should be
avoided because they represent one-sided issues. However, topics such as
euthanasia, assisted suicide, the driving age, capital or corporal
punishment, prayer in the schools, not guilty by plea of insanity, and
many, many more qualify with two defensible points of view.
The proposition of this speech may be one of fact, value, or policy. The topic should focus on
a current, controversial issue with two defensible sides or points of view. Alcoholism,
pollution, or littering should be avoided because they represent one-sided issues. However,
topics such as euthanasia, assisted suicide, the driving age, capital or corporal punishment,
prayer in the schools, not guilty by plea of insanity, and many, many more qualify with two
defensible points of view.The proposition of this speech may be one of fact, value, or policy.
The topic should focus on a current, controversial issue with two defensible sides or points
of view. Alcoholism, pollution, or littering should be avoided because they represent one-
sided issues. However, topics such as euthanasia, assisted suicide, the driving age, capital or
corporal punishment, prayer in the schools, not guilty by plea of insanity, and many, many
more qualify with two defensible points of view.Although your goal will be to refute your
opponents’ leading arguments, you will need to know the leading arguments on your own
side of the issue as well. Thus, you should begin by making a T-table of arguments on both
sides of your issue. Then your job will be to refute – to dampen, discredit, point up the
weaknesses and inconsistencies – in your opponents’ arguments in order to strengthen
your own stance. Logical fallacies are falsehoods, misleading calculations, errors in logic,
deceptions.• Appropriateness to the Audience & Occasion – Again, select a topic about
which you have some knowledge and/or experience, and which interests you. Also, select
one which is likely to interest your audience, and which can be covered sufficiently within
the time allotted. You must be convicted about your topic!Introduction • Attention Getter
– Creatively grab our attention using a combination of attention getting devices! • Reason
to Listen – What’ s in it for us? Provide reasons as to why we need to know about your
controversy. Also provide any background information necessary to understand your issue,

2. such as definitions of key terms, legal, political, or ethical information, historical backdrops,
limitations in your topic scope, and so on. Use as much common ground and
emotional/motivational appeal as you can. • Credentials – Reveal your knowledge,
experience, interests, and/or research surrounding this topic. Play up your
credibility!Thesis • Clear Proposition – You are to state your stance as a clear persuasive
proposition of fact, value, or policy. Begin with your general purpose (to + persuasive verb),
then a reference to your audience, and finally the stance you are arguing for in a clear,
complete, concise statement. • Preview of Main Points – Within the same sentence as
started above, preview your main points in the Body, which should consist of from 2 to 5 of
your opponents’ reasons for their stance. • Enumeration – Again, enumerate each main
point (e.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or A, B, C, D, E).Organization • 5-Step Refutative Design –
Each main point is to be an opponent’ s reason; as such, the Body of your speech falls into a
statement of reasons method of organization. However, in aIDition, you are to use the
following 5-step Refutative design to organize and develop each main point:(DIRECT
REFUTATION – REQUIRED FOR 2-5 REASONS) I. State the opponent’ s argument you
are going to refute. A. Explain how you are going to refute the argument. (i.e. point out the
logical fallacies). B. Present your evidence to refute this argument. 1. Present facts (&
figures). 2. Present expert testimony/opinion. 3. Present general, nonprobative support,
such as examples, narratives, descriptions, illustrations, visual aids, and so on. C. Draw the
logical conclusion based on the evidence that dampens or weakens your opponents’
argument. D. Play up the significance of the argument’ s weakness or falsehood with
analogies, mini-stories or examples, etc.(INDIRECT REFUTATION – USE AS
APPROPRIATE!) E. State your own argument which further demonstrates why your
refutation is significant. 1. Explain how you are going to support your argument.
2. Present your evidence. a. Present facts (& figures). b. Present expert
testimony/opinion. c. Present general, nonprobative support. 3. Draw the logical
conclusion of your own argument & how it further dampens or weakens your opponents’
argument. 4. Play up the overall significance of your argument. • IBC Format – Include
the 3 units of any speech as your most basic structural format. • Clarity – Continue to
enumerate major subpoints as well as main points. Also, use parallel language for your main
points.Supporting Material • Facts/Statistics, Experts/Authorities, & General Support –
Keep the ABC Format of Support as your guide throughout your speech: A= Facts/Statistics,
B= Experts/Authorities, and C= General Support, including examples, stories, personal
experiences, comparisons, contrasts, descriptions, and so on. • Variety of Support Forms
– Again, vary your support under “ C” above. • Factors of Attention & Interests – In
aIDition, continue to try to employ 3 figures of speech, including vivid descriptions,
repetition with parallel construction, similes or metaphors, alliteration, onomonopea,
and/or personification. Also, continue to try to employ factors of attention and interest,
including humor, audio-visual aids, startling information, and other general support forms.
• Emotional/Motivational Appeals – Apply theoretical principles, as you did before, to
your support in order to help boost your persuasiveness throughout this speech whenever
and wherever possible!Oral Citations • Minimum of 5 – A minimum of 5 outside sources
of information are to be cited orally. • Who, When, Where? – Each citation should include:

3. 1) Who said it (e.g. an individual, a group, a co.) and what is their authority; 2) When was it
said (i.e. include at least the year); and 3) Where did the information come from (i.e. the co.,
written source, www, an interview and so on)? • What (Quotations/Paraphrases) – What
was said is either presented as a direct quotation or a paraphrase. You may present these
from note cards, from the actual source or a Xeroxed copy, or on a visual aid.Visual Aids
• Selection – Use class notes and handouts to help you select appropriate visuals for this
speech. Use your visuals to clarify and emphasize key ideas. Visuals can be very persuasive,
but choose them wisely and realistically. Avoid too many or too few visuals. Balance them
per main point. • Preparation – Allow plenty of time to prepare your visuals. Also take
careful note of the pointers presented in class and on handouts for maximum visual
effectiveness. • Presentation – Prepare against all hazards, and avoid playing with your
visuals. Talk to the class not the visual aid. Also, apply the general tips for presenting
effectively with visuals as covered in class and on handouts.Conclusion • Summary or
Review – Signal the end of your speech with “ In closing,” “ In conclusion,” or “ In summing
up my talk.” End by again highlighting the main points of your speech. Avoid any new
points! • Clincher Parallels Introduction w/Appeal – Parallel your attention and/or
reason to listen step(s) in the Introduction. End on a high note. Also appeal to us to agree
with your proposition in a lasting way.Outline • Follows General Guidelines – Follow the
guidelines set forth in class, in your text, and on class handouts. • Approximately ½ # of
words spoken – Remember, “ A speech is not an essay on its hind feet.” You know the
routine here by now. • Careful & Complete Preparation – Include the IBC format as well
as transition statements, oral citations, a reference page, visual aid notes, delivery notes,
and 2 goals to work on with your paperwork for this speech.Quality of Research
• Minimum of 5 Outside References – You must have a minimum of 3 written sources (e.g.
library, internet, institutional sources). If all of your sources are not written, then 2 may be
from interviews speeches or other live communication, or media references. Your own
personal experiences and observations do NOT count as references, but certainly may and
should be discussed within your speech. • Appropriate Use of 4 C’ s – Make sure the final
sources you select are 1) Current, 2) Credible, 3) Complete, and 4)
Comprehensible.PRESENTATION: Wording • Clarity – Use wording that is precise,
specific and concrete, direct and to the point. Avoid technical jargon and other professional
language unless you must, and in these cases, be sure to define your terms. • Vividness –
Use wording that creates mental images through detailed descriptions and figures of
speech. • Appropriateness – Avoid offensive language and slang. Use Standard American
Spoken English.Transitions • Enumeration – Enumerate main points and supporting
material. • Signposts – Bridge your main points by signaling the end of one and the
beginning of the next. This should include a recap of the previous point, and a lead in into
the next one without giving the next one away. For example “ Now that we have looked at
why the opponents’ first argument is incomplete, let’ s turn to key weaknesses in a second
reason of theirs.” • Words and Phrases – Continue to employ clear transitional words
(e.g. and, or, but, however, therefore, so) and phrases (e.g. in aIDition, last but not least,
more specifically, of greatest importance).Use of Notes • Key Words & Phrases Only –
Avoid complete sentences on note cards, except for quotations or opening or closing

4. lines. This is to prevent reading note cards! • Maximum of 7 Cards – No more than 1 card
per minute of speaking time. This also prevents reading! • Follows General Guidelines –
Prepare 3” x 5” or 4” x 6” note cards, white or manila. Limit your notes to one side of each
note card. Lift your cards up and lower your eyes. Avoid laying your cards down and
lowering your head. Hold in one hand only!Delivery • Body Language – Focus on eye
contact with the audience as well as gestures and movement! You will also want to work on
facial expressions, posture, and stance. • Vocal Dynamics – Focus on clear articulation, an
appropriate volume, pitch, and rate, and overall vocal variety. Project enthusiasm and
conviction in your voice! • Reduced Vocal Dysfluencies – Reduce “ uhs,” “ ums,” “ you
knows,” “ okays” , and “ likes” . • Dress – Dress the part! Be as professional and polished
as you can be.Overall Effort • Apparent Study – Does your speech follow enough criteria
to demonstrate time and effort studying? • Rehearsal – Is your speech presented in such a
way that it reflects a polished presentation? Rehearse your speech at least 5-6 times alone,
with family or friends, and perhaps in the classroom when it is vacant! Use covert,
behavioral, and in vivo methods. Strive for spontaneity and variation during rehearsals.
• Time Limit – Does your speech fall within the allotted time limit?2 GOALS TO WORK ON
FOR THIS SPEECH:EXAMPLE OUTLINE FOR REFUTATION SPEECH WITH VISUAL AIDS
“ Nuclear Versus Coal Fired Power” INTRODUCTIONI. ATTENTION GETTER: When you
think of nuclear plants, do you think of the Chernobyl disaster of Three Mile Island, for
example? Or, if not a nuclear meltdown, do you picture the gruesome, disfiguring effects
some people have experienced as a result of high doses of radiation leaked into the
environment? Perhaps you equate such debilitating scars with radiation leakages from
nuclear power plants? Or perhaps your images are more benign, involving only the image
of radiation as a slow, insidious stalker claiming the lives of innocent victims? II. REASON
TO LISTEN: Well, I am here today to clear up these and other misunderstandings about
nuclear power plants. Although such ideas are common, they actually represent distorted
images of nuclear power plants and their products. Within the US broader and within our
own local communities, we currently are experiencing an energy crisis. This is in part due
to dwindling supplies of fossil fuels. If we must expand our energy sources in the near
future, we must begin to consider alternative fuel sources. Nuclear fuel is a far larger
energy source than any fossil fuel sources. As such, utilizing nuclear power sources to a
greater extent in the U.S. could allow our country to preserve its own fossil fuels and meet
our country’ s energy needs with greater efficiency and effectiveness. III. SPEAKER’ S
CREDENTIALS: As a chemistry major, I am interested in how nuclear power works. I have
studied this issue somewhat in some of my chemistry classes, and have researched the
subject further on my own. IV. THESIS: My goal is to prove to you that nuclear power is a
safe form of energy by refuting two of my opponents’ leading arguments: first, my
opponents would have you believe that nuclear power plants are highly susceptible to
nuclear meltdowns which threatens the health and safety of residents near and far; and
second, my opponents would have you believe that nuclear power plants emit high levels of
radiation which threaten the health and safety of nearby residents.BODYORAL CITATIONS
& VISUAL AID CUES: I. OPPONENT’ S REASON #1: First, my opponents would have you
believe that nuclear power plants are highly susceptible to nuclear meltdowns which

5. threaten the health and safety of residents near and far. A. This belief is an example of a
hasty generalization in that there is an insufficient amount of data to support such an
argument. B. On the contrary, a majority of evidence supports the fact that there is a very
minute chance of a full-blown meltdown. 1. It is estimated that there is more than one in a
million chance of a nuclear meltdown actually occurring. 2. Even if a nuclear meltdown did
occur, the effects would not be as devastating as believed; there would be no detectable
deaths in 98 out of 100 meltdowns 3. If one were to investigate the Chernobyl accident,
they would find that the total projected collective radiation does received by the world’ s
population as a result of the Chernobyl accident will be less than 6% of the collective doses
being received by the same population each year from natural resources. 4. Meltdowns,
like Chernobyl, have occurred in less than ½% of the time. C. Therefore, nuclear power
plants are highly unlikely to experience a meltdown; and when and if a meltdown does
occur, deaths are rare and the effects of radiation exposure are minimal. D. Thus, my
opponents’ argument is “ a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing,” as the great literary
master, William Shakespeare, penned in his famous play Hamlet. E. In fact, nuclear power
plants cause even less deaths than our coal-fired power plants which the U.S. depends on
for much of its energy production. 1. There is solid statistical evidence to support this
contention. 2. Allow me to present my research. a. There is a 1 in 10,000 chance of a
boiler explosion in a coal-fired plant versus a 1 in a million chance of a meltdown in a
nuclear power plant. b. Also there are detectible deaths in 75 out of 100 coal-fired plant
boiler explosions. c. That is, if a nuclear meltdown and a boiler explosion occurred
tomorrow, it would be more likely for deaths to result from the boiler explosion.
3. Therefore, nuclear power actually causes fewer fatalities than our coal-fired power
plants, although we believe coal plants are much safer. 4. This is an example of a
misperception similar to that of the religious and political leaders of Galileo’ s time. Even
though Galileo had proved that the earth was round, the leaders from the religious and
political sects of the time insisted that it was flat. Today we find it incredulous to believe
that there was a time when people didn’ t believe that the earth was round. Similarly,
perhaps one day nuclear power will be so obviously safe and efficient that people will no
longer fret a meltdown. And perhaps they will even see that coal-fired power plants cause
more fatalities than nuclear plants. (Overhead projector with 1st reason revealed).
"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"Share this
entryShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google+Share on PinterestShare on
LinkedinShare on TumblrShare on VkShare on RedditShare by Mail