How to develop Your Persuasive speech 16.4 367
SPECIFIC PURPOSE: After listening to my speech, audience members
should sign a petition calling for the abolition of
academic tenure.
MAIN IDEAS: I. Academic tenure is outdated.
II. Academic tenure is abused.
III. Academic tenure contributes to ineffective
education.
Here’s another outline for a persuasive speech based on a proposition of
policy. This one uses a problem–solution organization Again, note how the ma-
jor ideas are propositions of fact used to support the proposition of policy.
TOPIC: Computer education
GENERAL PURPOSE: To persuade
PROPOSITION: Every person in our society should know how to
use a personal computer.
SPECIFIC PURPOSE: After listening to my speech, all audience mem-
bers who have not had a computer course should
sign up for one.
MAIN IDEAS: I. Most people who own a personal computer
do not know how to use most of its features.
II. Computer skills will help you with your aca-
demic studies.
III. Computer skills will help you get a good job,
regardless of your major or profession.Gather Supporting Material
When gathering supporting material for your persuasive message, look for the
available means of persuasion to support the main ideas that you have developed
to achieve your specific purpose. Recall from earlier in this chapter that Aristotle
proposed three primary ways, or available means, of persuading listeners:
(1) being a credible and ethical speaker, which includes using credible and ethical
supporting material; (2) using effective logic and reasoning to support your main
ideas; and (3) using appropriate emotional support. Because the supporting mate-
rial that you develop and use is vital to the effectiveness of your persuasive goal,
we devote a major portion of the next chapter to these three means of persuasion.
Organize Your Persuasive Speech
After identifying and gathering ethical, logical, and appropriate emotional support
for your message, you’ll make final decisions about how to organize your message.
As with any speech, you’ll have an introduction that should get the audience’s at-
tention, give the audience a reason to listen to your message, introduce the subject,
establish your credibility, and preview your main ideas. The body of your speech