Persuasive speech on question of fact

Tactics	Communicative means	Examples
Appeal to logic	Argumentative words	fact, prove, persuasive
	Reason-sequence words	first, consequently, summing up, as a result, that’s why that's why, that’s how
Appeal to common knowledge	We/you/you and I remember/ know/ see/ hear	You remember at the Christmas holidays that year his family described his situation. You know why he said it to get money. You see that. You see that with your own eyes.
Evidence	evident, obvious, clear from	This fact is absolutely evident. They ignored the obvious clues. You saw it with your own eyes.
Appeal to reality	Statistics (numbers, tables, graphs) Testimony Terms
	Proper names	If you will recall the two marches to the Amphitheatre that got as far as 16th and 18th streets on Michigan had occurred earlier
	Names of professions, status	top manager, executive officer
	Appeal to documents, laws,etc	according to
	Time, place and manner clauses	No bodies were found on the tenth floor, no bodies were found on the eighth floor, no bodies were found on the roof.
	Reality reflecting words	naturally, really, сcommonplace, everyday – They are ordinary and commonplace transactions, such as occur everyday and to almost everyone.
	words of movement	plummet, skyrocket, etc.
Appeal to common sense	Conditionals
	Quant words	anybody, any , everyone - Would it have been a prudent resolution in them, or in anybody in their situation, to have stood still, to see if the sailors would knock their brains out, or not? Anyone would do it.
Comparative analysis	Comparison of past and present, present and future	Three years ago ….and now, then… and today you can see We all have heard of the energy crisis, but some may think that it is over.  It's not.  In my research I discovered that . .
	Quality, Space comparison	We are better, they are … Here we… and in European countries…

NEED, PLAN, PRACTICALITY

first step: need: * convince listeners there's a need or problem * more willing to accept recommendations if they believe problem exists

flip side: speaker believes no need for change: --convincing problem does not exist

second, plan: * what is the solution to the problem? * it is easy to complain, difficult to offer better alternatives * identify major features (7 to 9 minute speech) * explain aspects that might affect audience's willingness to accept

third: practicality: * how well will it work? what are the implications? * showing plan is workable * citing expert testimony * citing successful implementation elsewhere

• flip side: opposing shift in policy

• show it is impractical

• causes more problems

PLAN. Problem-Solution

One way to organize a persuasive speech on a question of policy focuses on defining a problem and a solution by covering three basic points:

• The Need: Convince the audience that there is a problem that must be addressed or a need for change. It is essential to get the audience to believe that a problem exists so they will implement a plan for a solution.

• The Plan: Convince the audience that it is not good enough to just sit around and complain. Tell them what actions they must take. Be sure to address any aspects of the solution that might make the audience less willing to act.

• The Practicality: Show the audience that the plan can succeed. Address the implications, cite expert testimony, and reference the successful implementation of similar plans in other places.

Problem-Solution with Cause

A common variation on the problem-solution organization includes consideration of the causes. Discussing the causes of the problem directs attention to specific points that the solution must address. The basic points of this organization are:

• The Problem: Describe the nature and extent of the problem. Specifically, describe that the problem exists and how important or big the problem is.

• The Causes: Consider the direct relationship between the problem and its causes. Think about the problem as an "effect," and consider the causes that produced the effect. Show a direct relationship between the problem and causes, not just a correlation where one thing occurred before, after, or at the same time as another.

• The Solution: Use the causes as criteria to evaluate the solutions. If the speech says that the problem was caused by x, y and z, then the solution or new policy needs to address x, y, and z in order to solve the problem.

There are six basic steps in the persuasion process:

1. Locate a problem.

2. Study the problem.

3. Consider possible solutions and select the best one.

4. Prepare to defend the solution.

5. Present the solution to the group.

6. Abide by the decision of the group to reject the problem or the solution.

LOCATING A PROBLEM

The first step in the persuasion process is to locate a problem. Most of the time, problems in groups are easy to come by. Usually when a problem affects a group, more than one person becomes irritated and conscious that there is a problem. However, there are times when a problem is felt by just one person, and the rest of the group is unaware that a significant problem exists.

I f the group is generally aware o f a problem, your main task is to inspire the group to want to solve the problem. On the other hand, if you are the only one

who senses the problem, then you have a different task. In this case, you will have to make the group aware that there is a problem.

For example, you find the vending machines in your student lounge frustrating. They take only exact change. You seldom have the exact change and suspect this might be true of your classmates as well. You mention your irritation to your friend, but she does not have the same irritation. She works part-time waiting tables and always has plenty of change from her tips. You talk to other students, and they do not seem concerned. You are convinced, however, that your frustration with the vending machines is real and justifiable. What you need to do is make a large number of your classmates aware that, whether or not they recognize it, they too have a problem.

Keep in mind that often it is the individual who leads the way in securing changes that benefit the group.

Use the following guidelines for preparing your preliminary report.

I . Tell the class the specific problem you propose to talk about. O o n '( dw ell on the nature, causes, or extent of the problem. Give no more than one example to indicate the nature of the problem. Don’t discuss solutions; don’t try to persuade anyone of anything; be strictly informative. Tell the class the specific group that has this problem.

3. Give the important data you gathered in your survey. If your survey indicated that members of the group did not think the problem was important, but you are planning to speak on it anyway, 'justify your decision to the Class.

Effective organization is another valuable tool in persuasive speaking. There

are five key steps to organizing a speech to persuade:

1. Get the audience’s attention.

2. Show the nature of the problem.

3. Present your solution.

4. Visualize your solution.

5. Appeal for audience action on your solution.

Show the Nature o f the Problem. You will want to demonstrate the extent of the

problem. Use examples, statistics, and expert opinions.

You will also want to demonstrate the effects of the problem. What is the problem doing to the people affected? Use examples and facts. Similarly, you should try to demonstrate the causes of the problem. (Sometimes it’s not possible to determine causes.)

Finally, you should demonstrate how the existence of the problem affects the

listeners.Draw vivid descriptions of evil conditions. If your listeners feel person­

ally involved in the problem, they will be more willing to accept your solutions.

Present Your Solution. Make a clear statement of the procedure and methods to

be used. Make clear the cost, the time, and the number of people the solution

will require. Show where similar solutions have worked elsewhere.

Visualize Your Solution. Show how the solution will eliminate the causes; re­

duce or eliminate the symptoms; help people; result in great advantages; re­

duce costs; increase efficiency. At the same time, paint a word picture for the

audience showing them what will happen if the solution being offered isn’t

adopted.

Appeal fo r Audience Action. Speak directly to the audience and appeal to their

sense of fair play, their desire to save, their desire to be thought helpful, their

desire to be thought intelligent, their pride in ownership, or their pride in com­

munity.

Ask the audience to help in the adoption and development of your proposed

solution. You should also return to the beginning of your speech—your

attention-getting device—and tie it in with your final appeal for action.

In the closing portion of your speech, you should do the following:

1. Challenge the audience to do something.

2. Provide a summary of the important points.

3. Indicate your own intention to do something.

Always be sure to close with a strong appeal for action.

Comparative Advantages of Solutions

When the audience is already aware of and accepts that there is a problem, the speech can focus primarily on comparing the advantages of one solution over another, as follows:

• Summarize the Problem Briefly: Do not focus on convincing the audience to believe that there is a problem that needs to be solved.

• Compare Different Solutions: Discuss different solutions, and find the one that solves the most aspects of the problem. Compare one solution with others to select and propose the best to the audience.

• Final Appeal: Ask the audience to accept and implement that solution as the policy.