Persuasive Speeches

Persuasive Speeches:

Your final speech must be about a persuasive topic and it must be 4 to 6 minutes long. Type your outline on a computer and write your points and sub-points in full sentences but not in paragraphs. Remember, your final point must be about actions we can take to help solve the problem or

change something. Also, you must have emotion in your voice and body language. Be passionate and don't sound like a robot. Finally, you must use more than one visual aid this time. No videos!

Picking a Topic:

Make sure the answer to all of these questions is YES. 1) Can you argue against it?

2) Can you give academic evidence for it? 3) Can people change it with actions? 4) Is it important?

Outline:

I) Introduction: A) Grab the audience's attention B) Tie the material to your audience C) Establish credibility D) Preview your main points (3-6) 1) Your last main point should recommend some course of action(s). E) Transition

II) Body (What is the organization?): A) First main point 1) Sub-point 2) Sub-point 3) Transition B) Second main point 1) Sub-point 2) Sub-point 3) Transition C) Third main point 1) Sub-point 2) Sub-point

III) Conclusion: A) Indictate the conclusion B) Review your main points C) Tie back to the audience D) Leave the audience with a positive impression

Example Speech:

I) Introduction: A) Look at these pictures of hurricanes and drought. Our climate is changing. Nobody argues about this fact. I am here to tell you why. It is because of human beings. (show pictures) B) Humans, you and me, are the most powerful force on this planet. We can make

weapons more powerful than tsunamis and factories more powerful than volcanoes. C) For the past 4 years I have been researching evidence on both sides of human- created climate change, and though this is a controversial issue, I hope that today you will understand how our recent industrialization has caused changes in our atmosphere. D) I will start with the argument of my opponents and tell you some other theories about the causes of climate change, and also why they are all incorrect. I will then tell you about the real cause: mankind's industrialization. Finally, I will give you all some advice on how to help solve this problem. E) Let me tell you about what my opponents claim first, then we can talk about the truth.

II) Body: A) There have been many theories about climate change that attempt to take the blame away from us and our obvious boom in carbon emissions into the atmosphere. 1) In America, many politicians deny the fact that humans are causing climate change because people are afraid that doing something about it will harm the economy and decrease the number of jobs. a) They give many false explanations to the rising temperatures. b) They often point to a warm period in the middle ages to show how industrialization does not cause global warming. c) However, this period was a very gradual change and looked nothing like the fast changes we are seeing today. 2) The earth's orbit is changing and moving closer to the sun, causing average temperatures to rise. a) This is clearly not the primary cause. It happens at such a slow rate that it doesn't explain the recent jump in global temperatures. 3) The CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing due to natural causes. a) There is nothing that emits more CO2 into the atmosphere than human beings. b) Here is a graph showing the history of carbon output by human beings. (show picture) 4) (Transition) I think you will agree that we are the single biggest cause of the rise of greenhouse gases. B) The most obvious explanation is the greenhouse effect. (show picture) 1) All scientists agree that greenhouse gases are increasing, trapping the heat inside the atmosphere. 2) Scientists have examined all possible factors that can affect the climate, and none of them make sense other than human-caused factors. 3) Since 1960, CO2 levels have skyrocketed. (show picture) a) Scientists can tell the difference between natural CO2 and manmade CO2. They have different structures. b) Manmade CO2 is lighter and rises into the atmosphere faster. 4) Of course, cutting down trees also increases CO2, as plant life converts this gas into oxygen. a) If there is less plant life, there will be more CO2. 5) (Transition) There is hope, however. C) If humans are the main cause of the problem, we can be the solution as well. Here are some ways to help stop global warming. 1) China is already making many steps to reduce carbon emissions. a) China reuses glass bottles whereas America breaks them all down to make new ones, putting more CO2 into the atmosphere. b) China also charges money for plastic bags at the grocery store, encouraging people to use their own bags instead of producing more plastic and creating more CO2. c) I have also seen more electric scooters in China than I have seen

in any other country. Electric scooters do not emit CO2. d) This is the country to be in if you want to help stop this problem. 2) Spread the word. a) One person cannot make a difference. b) You have to tell your friends, especially those who study engineering and environmental science. c) Factories will not continue to produce unnecessary materials if people stop buying their unnecessary products. d) Encourage your local government to pass laws limiting the output of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. 3) Do your research. a) Perhaps you or your friend can even help to invent a new means of efficient transportation that does not emit CO2. b) I am sure you can find other ways to help solve the problem of global warming on the internet or elsewhere.

III) Conclusion: A) Now you know the truth. The last 100 years have seen dramatic changes in the way our society functions, and this has led to unforeseen consequences. B) Remember, I told you about other incorrect theories, then about the evidence for human-caused climate change, and finally some helpful actions we can all take. C) There is no reason not to reduce carbon emissions. CO2 is a harmful gas that pollutes the air, creates smog in places like Beijing and Jinan, and as I have said, causes climate change. D) One person cannot change the world, but if you all help to spread this message, you might be able to make some kind of change.