Focus on a specific action you want the audience to take.Be sure the actions advocated are clear, specific, and realistic for your audience.
Have realistic expectations for change.Attempting to change fundamental beliefs is not a realistic speaking goal.That’s why you should appeal to the audience’s existing beliefs and values.Speeches rarely change values.
Be a role model.Do not ask your audience to do something that you are not prepared to do.Remember, in persuasion, you’re acting as a leader.
Use good evidence.Be sure your claims are supported with evidence of proper reasoning.Watch out for fallacies (false statements, etc.).
Anticipate and refute criticisms of your argument.This simply means that you should mention the opposition’s major arguments and provide counter arguments or counter evidence to reinforce your own position.
You must have at least one visual aid: posters, graphs, charts, etc.These may be presented in a Power Point if you so choose.The use of effective visual aids will improve your score.
Cite your sources for the information you used.(Tell us where you found your information.)
Possible Persuasive Speech Topics:
Become an organ donor.
Don’t let credit cards rule your life.
Recycling:it’s worth the trouble.
Steroids could ruin your health.
TV Violence is harming our children.
Use your seatbelt.
Is advertising liquor on television and radio irresponsible?
Do television liquor ads promote underage drinking?
Are movie ratings effective in curbing violence?
Should video games be censored?
Should television programs be censored?
Are Americans becoming too materialistic?
Has the increase of large chain stores such as Walmart been beneficial to consumers and their communities?
Does television violence contribute to juvenile crime?
Are curfews effective and constitutional?
Are women victims of discrimination in the workplace?
Does divorce help or hurt children?
Are student dress codes a violation of civil rights?
Do students uniforms affect the culture of a school?
Is cosmetic surgery a good or bad thing?
How old should you be to get cosmetic surgery?
Should school dropouts lose their driver’s licenses?
Should students be allowed to drop out from school?
Should employees be tested for drugs?
Should students’ lockers and belongings be searched for drugs?
How should drunk drivers be punished?
Should we have year-round school?
Should school start later in the day?
Should recycling be required?
Is global warming a serious threat?
Are electric cars a good strategy for reducing air pollution?
Are living wills beneficial?
Are flu shots necessary?
Why is it important to study foreign languages in school?
Is DNA fingerprinting reliable?
Should the government provide health coverage for everyone?
Is plastic surgery safe or necessary?
Is alternative medicine safe and effective?
Can mental attitude affect biological disease?
Should students be required to fulfill community service before graduating?
Should states require a minimum competency test for high school graduation?
Should America admit all immigrants?
Should women be allowed to go to war?
Should people riding motorcycles be legally required to wear helmets?
Does popular music teach immoral values?
Why is music and fine arts education so important?
Should parents be held accountable for the actions of their children?
Should we be able to get prescription drugs from Canada?
Are the drug companies running up the cost of health care?
Will building more prisons solve prison overcrowding?
School safety – how much is too much?
Should men and women share domestic responsibilities?
Has women’s increased participation in the work force harmed society?
Should smoking be banned in all restaurants?
Should professional athletes be looked at as role models?
Persuasive Speech
Guidelines and Topics
Possible Persuasive Speech Topics:
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