366 16.4 Understanding PrinciPles of PersUasive sPeaking
It is better for teachers to carry concealed weapons than to be defenseless
against violent school intruders.
Each of these propositions either directly states or implies that something is
better than something else. Value propositions often compare two things directly
and suggest that one of the options is better than another.
Manny designed his speech to convince an audience that reggae music is
better than rock music.
TOPIC: Reggae music
GENERAL PURPOSE: To persuade
PROPOSITION: Reggae music is better than rock music for three
reasons.
SPECIFIC PURPOSE: After listening to my speech, the audience should
listen to reggae music more often than they listen
to rock music.
MAIN IDEAS: I. Reggae music communicates a message of
equality for all people.
II. Reggae music and its rhythms evoke a
positive, uplifting mood.
III. Reggae music draws on a variety of cultural
and ethnic traditions.
ProPosition of PoLicy The third type of proposition, a proposition of
policy, advocates a specific action—changing a policy, procedure, or behavior.
Note how all the following propositions of policy include the word should; this is
a tip-off that the speaker is advocating a change in policy or procedure.
The Gifted and Talented Program in our school district should have a full-
time coordinator.
Our community should set aside one day each month as “Community
Cleanup Day.”
Wealthy senior citizens should pay for more of their medical costs than the
poor senior citizens.
In a speech based on a proposition of policy, Paul aimed to convince his
audience that academic tenure for college professors should be abolished. He
organized his speech topically, identifying reasons academic tenure is no longer
a sound policy for most colleges and universities. To support his proposition of
policy, he used several propositions of fact. Note, too, that his specific purpose
involved specific action on the part of his audience.
TOPIC: Academic tenure
GENERAL PURPOSE: To persuade
PROPOSITION: Our college, along with other colleges and univer-
sities, should abolish academic tenure.