: The purpose of this speech is to choose a topic that will be relevant to your immediate audience, and argue a value, fact or policy claim around that issue.

/in /by

Delivery Type: Extemporaneous (outline the speech, then present from note cards)

Time: 5 – 7 minutes

Point Breakdown: 190 pts

Purpose: The purpose of this speech is to choose a topic that will be relevant to your immediate audience, and argue a value, fact or policy claim around that issue.

Specific Requirements:

  1. Choose a topic that will be interesting to your audience, and one that you care about too. Decide on your specific policy claim, then develop 2 – 3 main points about the topic for the speech Body (try to guess how the audience likely feels about your argument, then go from there). Choose the strongest aspects of your argument to present!
  2. Must have a solid Introduction and Conclusion, with all 4 parts of each. Clearly state your claim somewhere at the beginning of the speech. The Call to Action at the end should be specific, strong, and clear – what should we do? What can we do realistically?
  3. Bolster your ideas using supporting materials. A minimum of 5 credible sources must be cited in your outline, on the Works Cited page, and orally during the speech. Please use MLA or APA style citations (see the OWL Purdue website for citation help; may also use online citation generators like easybib.com or knightcite.com, etc.).
  4. Should demonstrate an approach that is specifically tailored to your immediate audience. Make sure to relate your topic to your audience throughout the speech. If you connect your argument to the audience well, they will understand why they should care, listen, and hopefully act!
  5. Must submit a typed outline, via email or Canvas, when you submit your speech. Please use the Persuasive templates provided and modify to fit your argument! Make sure to include a Works Cited/Bibliography page as the last page of the document. Hereis an example persuasive speech outline.
  6. Make note cards based off your outline to present from. Put all major ideas on the cards to help guide you through the speech. Make sure to include all source citations, so your audience knows where your outside information comes from. You may also include delivery or visual aid reminders (“flip to slide 4” or “smile here,” etc.). After practicing the speech, revise your note cards if needed.
  7. You will lose points if you are over or under time.
  8. Carefully plan what kind of visual aid you will use, and when and how you will use it during the speech. You may use a simple object like you did for the Self-Introduction Speech, or you may use a PowerPoint or show a video clip, demonstrate something, etc. (see chapter 14). You may use multiple visual aids if you want! The visuals here should be persuasive in some way if possible.
  9. Practice the entire presentation, all together, as many times as possible, and be sure to time yourself. Make sure to account for your visual aid – are you showing a video clip that will take 30 seconds of the speech? Will it take you some time to explain something on a graph?
  10. Appropriate attire and appearance are required for this speech – think business casual. As a professional rule, a speaker should be dressed a little better than their audience.

Acceptable Sources                                                               

  1. Books (print or web)
  2. Journal articles (print or web)
  3. Newspaper articles (print or web)
  4. Websites ending in .edu or .gov
  5. OSU databases
  6. Interviews done by you (with transcript)
  7. TED Talks
  8. Podcasts
  9. Documentaries