This webquest aims to help EFL students improve their persuasive speaking skills through tasks that have them discuss alternative energy sources in groups and present individually on a chosen topic to convince peers, providing resources on solar, wind and nuclear energy to support their arguments. Teachers are advised to manage time carefully if using this in class and ensure students have an adequate oral proficiency level for the higher-order thinking required.

1. Introduction A WebQuest for Upper-Intermediate EFL student
(Persuasive Speech)
Task
Process
Resources Designed by: Ahlam Ghurais
Evaluation Description: This webquest helps students
improve their speaking skill through
Conclusion convincing others of their point of view.
Teacher Notes Curriculum: Foreign Language.

2.  Persuasive speech is the opposite of informative speech; informative speakers
teach, clarify or reveal option. On the other hand, persuasive speakers lead, evoke
emotions and ask for audience commitment.
let's sing a song
 With the power of your voice, you can do much more than you imagine.
 In 1992, Severn Suzuki at the age of 12, and some friends from Vancouver, British
Columbia raised money to attend the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Suzuki gave
a five-minute speech to delegates gathered from around the world. She pleaded
eloquently for adults to stop the destruction of planet Earth.
The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes
 Persuasive speech can be used only when the audience already agrees that there is
a problem that needs to be solved.

3. Let's save our planet
Learn how to use the power of your voice to emphasise, tone-down and express
your opinions effectively.
 Fossil fuels will run out if we continue our present rates of consumption. There are
many possible ways to solve this problem using wind, solar or nuclear power, but
only one can really work, and I think that "nuclear power plants are superior energy
source“
Are you agree with or not? Why?
 Task 1
Discuss with your classmates this topic
briefly and try your best to convince
the audience of your point of view.
 Task 2
Oral presentation

4. We speak to influence our listeners. So, let's see how you will convince other
Task 1 (group discussion)
 Briefly discuss this topic nuclear power plants are
superior energy source, so whether or not you agree
with this statement you have to do your best to convince
others of your point of view.
 Practice how to persuade a listener using a variety of
resources and materials that have been provided.
Hint:
You could start your argument by:
I persuade you that nuclear power is the only viable
answer to our energy crisis.
You will expect these responses:
We could try to develop wind power.
or

5. Task 2 (oral presentation: in Pairs)
1. Decide who you would like to partner with.
2. Choose one of “the alternative energy resources;
wind, solar or nuclear power” that have been
provided in the resources to do your oral
presentation.
3. Read as much as you can about the chosen topic to
support your position.
4. The body of the speech must contain proof or
supportive materials in order to convince the
audience to accept your proposal.
5. To present the speech, include posture, body
language, facial expressions and eye contact as
essentials.
6. As an audience, take some notes to vote on whether
or not the speaker convinces you.

6. You can read these resources about three different alternative energy sources to
help you find evidence and to support your argument in the discussion or in the
presentation:
 Solar Energy
What is solar energy
How does solar energy work
Advantages of solar energy
Disadvantages of solar energy
Photovoltaic cells
solar power- Video clip
 Wind Energy
Advantages of wind energy
Disadvantages of wind energy
How wind turbines work
Offshore wind turbines
Wind power- Video clip
 Nuclear Energy
What is solar energy
How nuclear power plants work
Advantages of nuclear power
Disadvantages of nuclear power
Nuclear power- Video clip

7. CATEGORY Beginning Developing Very Good Excellent Score
Preparedness Student does not The student is Student seems Student is 25
seem at all somewhat prepared, pretty prepared completely points
prepared to but it is clear that but might have prepared and has
present. rehearsal was lacking. needed a couple obviously
more rehearsals. rehearsed.
Fluency Words are unclearly Some words are Only a few words Words are clearly 25
pronounced. Pauses frequently and unclearly are unclear. and correctly points
are recorded. mispronounced. Short pronounced. The
pauses are recorded. speech is smoothly
delivered.
Body language Poor performance of Hand gestures are Hand gestures Hand gestures and 25
body language frequent, but facial and facial facial expressions points
expressions are not expressions are are naturally used.
natural well performed Voice is in sensible
tone
Content Does not seem to Shows a good Shows a good Shows a full 25
understand the understanding of understanding understanding of points
topic very well. parts of the topic of the topic. the topic.

8. After completing this Webquest, you are expected to
gain information about a persuasive speech and how to
convince other. Through this webquest you can
practice discussing with your friends, enhancing your
ability to express your ideas, think deeply, give a
reason and make decision to convince others.

9.  Advice to Teachers
Because this webquest ask students to access some resources and then to discuss it with
their colleagues, it can take teacher a lot of time to assist students complete their
discussion Thus, if any teachers who want to use this webquest in classroom should
think and manage time carefully to get its benefits.
 Standards
This is a Webquest which assists students in persuasive speech, thus enhancing their
speaking skill. It is specially designed for upper intermediate students. So, as a teacher,
you have to consider that your students have adequate level of oral proficiency in order
to accommodate with this context and use the technique of higher order thinking
effectively.
 Credits
These are some important links that may help
http://www.wikihow.com/Develop-Persuasive-Speech-Topics
http://essaybank.degree-essays.com/languages/how-can-webquests-support-speaking-skills-in-language-
learning.php