Organizing and Delivering a

Persuasive Speech
JANICE L. LANGIT
Teacher
Let's Warm Up

1. The class will be divided into five groups.

Read the following scenario.
Five famous world personalities are in a hot air ballon. The ballon is quickly
losing heat, and only one safety parachute is available to save a person.

2. With your group mates, think of a famous

personality from any field or descipline
who you think contributed much to the
world. Then, think of various reasons why
your chosen personality has to receive the
parachute.
3. Choose a representative who will assume
the persona of your chosen personality. All
representatives will stand in front of the
class.
4. They then have to present their
arguments. Based on the arguments, the
teacher will choose who will get the
parachute.
Definition of Persuasive Speech

Persuasive speaking is the form of

commuication that people of diverse
backgrounds mostly engage in. This kind of
speech can enter on any arguably interesting
topic under the sun. When you deliver your
persuasive speech, your primary goal is to
influence the thoughts, feelings, actions, and
behaviors or attitudes of your listeners (Gamble
& Gamble, 2012). Likewise, you also aim to
change their perception and convince them that
your argument is more important, practical,
attainable, or feasible. In essence, you - as a
persuasive speaker - advocate for whatever
your message is.
Qualities of an Effective Persuasive Speech

Quality Guide Questions

 What is your specific goal in mind?

 Do you expect your audience to think
1. Well-defined goal
differently, act differently, or both, after they
listen to your speech?

 Is the main point of your speech clear to you?

2. Clear main point
 Is it specific and focused?

 Do you have factual statements, reliable

3. Sufficient supporting ideas sources, or solid evidence to support your main
point?
 Qualities Guide Questions

 How will you state your arguments?

 Will you use any of the following?
4. Logical reasoning (concrete
 deductive (general evidence to specific)
reasons why your listeners
 inductive (specific evidence to general)
should support your ideas)
 causal (cause/s and effect/s, or vise versa)
 analogy (compared to things or situations)

 Do you use any of the following effective

techniques to grab the attention of your
listeners and engage them in your speech?
5. Effective and powerful ways to
 powerful and relevant question
gain the attention of your
 striking statistics
audience
 shoking incident
 memorable anecdotes
 humorous observations or experiences
 Qualities Guide Questions

6. Compelling ideas to make your  Do you appeal to your listener's minds?

target audience feel and think  Do you appeal to your listeners' hearts?

 Do you motivate your audience by

7. Salient motives to target the
incorporating ideas and thoughts important to
salient needs of your audience
thier growth and development as individuals?
Types of Claims in Persuasive Speeh

1. Speech that Questions Fact

This type questions the existence of

a particular event or happening. In this
case, the persuasive speaker poses
questions of fact, derives conclusions from
diffferent sources of information, and
attempts to convince and a sample outline.

Below are a sample argument and a

sample outline.
Argument: Death penalty as a punishment
is not effective, as it does not deter crime.

A. Purpose: To persuade listeners that the death penalty is

ineffective as a punishment as it does not dter crime.

B. Main Point: Death penalty does not work as an effective

punishment because it does not deter crime.

C. Supporting Idea: In a survey of various experts from the

American Society of Criminology, the Academy of Criminal
Justice Sciences, and the Law and Society Association, it
was found that majority of the experts did not see death
penalty as a deterrent to homicide (Radelet & Lacock, 2009)
2. Speech that Questions Value

This type focuses on questions of

value regarding topics on the self, family,
friendship, religion, governement,
freedom, love, and money, among others.
In this case, the persuasive speaker (1)
makes a statement or claim which reflects
his/her judgment, (2) attempts to convince
his/her audience of his/hers judgment, and
(3) justifies it based on standards.

Below are a sample argument and a

sample outline.
Argument: Sentencing crminals to death is
wrong.

A. Purpose: To persuade listeners that the death penalty is

wrong.

B. Main Point: Sentencing criminals to death is wrong

because human life is precious; no man has the right to
sentence a fellow human being to death, and even so
there is no fair way of meting out this punishment.

C. Supporting Idea: Criminals might be sentenced to death

based on other external factors, such as their race. In fact
a study by the American Civil Liberties Union (2003),
found that there is a racial bias in the application of the
death penalty.
3. Speech that Questions Policy

This type questions the current state of

things which can impact the future. In this
case, the persuasive speaker aks relevant
questions that can help in making decision
on whether or not something should be
implemented, observed, or done.

Below are a sample argument and a

sample outline.
Argument: The government should not
revive death penalty.

A. Purpose: To persuade listeners that the death penalty

should not be revived by the government.

B. Main Point: The government should not revive death

penalty as it does not directly decrease the crime rate.

C. Supporting Idea: In the United States, it was found that

states with no death penalty have lower murder rates
compared to those which have death penalty in place
(Bonner & Fessenden, 2000).
Organizational Patterns

The following are some of the

suggested patterns that you can use
organize your persuasive speech.
1. A.F.O.R.E.S.T. (anecdotes, facts and
figures, opinion, rhetorical questions,
emotive language, superlatives, tripling)

Below are the rules in applying this

pattern.
(1) Anecdotes. Begin your speech with a personal
story, observation, or experience.
(2) Facts and figures. Provide striking statistics
that can support your ideas.
(3) Opinion. Add in your opinion. You can begin
your statement with, "I believe that...".
(4) Rhetorical questions. Think of and add
engaging rhetorical questions (i.e., questions
which do not intend to elicit answer, but to make
a point).
(5) Emotive language. Appeal to your audience's
emotion.
(6) Superlatives. Use superlatives to exaggerate
an idea.

(7) Tripling. The rule of three in the English writing

principle simple entails using three words
together to reinforce your point. This may add to
the effectiveness of your persuasion. A classic
example is Julius Caesar's statement:"Veni, vidi,
vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered).
Below is an example.

Anecdote 1.0 Introduction

1.1 It is sad to share how my
friend's father died of lethal
injection years ago.
2.0 Body
Facts and Figures 2.1 When RA 7659 or the Death
Penalty Law was still active,six
innocent people out of 10
convicts were executed.
Opinion 2.1.1 Reviving this is unjustifiable
Rhetorical Question 2.1.2 How many more innocent
men and women will suffer?
Emotive language 2.1.3 We are a nation that values
life and thinks that everyone
deserves chances to change
and live for their families.
Superlatives 2.1.4 Revive the law only when
the lives of those wrongly
sentenced are revived.
Tripling 2.1.5 Think. Analyze. Act.
2. Problem-Solution
Here's how:
(1) Identify the problem.
(2) Provide a solution, which will show the practicality of
your proposal.
For example:
A. Purpose: Persuade listeners that the LGBT community
should be protected from discrimination.
B. Main Point: LGBT members deserve to be protected by
the state against exclusively in any workplace or office.
C. Supporting Idea: There have been horrible reports and
cases of discrimination at work in terms of promotion and
benefits. Hence, there is a need to create and implement
a policy related to this.
 1.0 Introduction
1.1 Current status of LGBT in
the workplace
Problem 1.2 Discrimination of LGBT in
the workplace
2.0 Body
Solution 2.1 Policy that clearly defines
the rights of LGBT
Support 1 2.1.1 for protection
Support 2 2.1.2 for recognition
3. Problem-Cause-Solution

Below are the rules in applying this pattern.

(1) Identify the problem.
(2) Analyze the root causes of the problem
(3) Provide a solution to the problem
For example:
A. Purpose: Persuade listeners why the state or
government needs to converge with the private sector in
maintaining and protecting national heritage sites.
B. Main Point: Preserving our national heritage sites such
as century-old churches, theaters, and other artifacts is
the least priority of the government, so they should tie-up
with private establishments to maintain these historical
places.
Supporting Idea One can observe that these sites are
losing their historical and cultural value.
1.1 Introduction
1.1 List of historical sites in the
Philippines
Problem 1.2 Not priority of the government
2.0 Body
Root cause 2.1 Budget allocation
Support 1 2.1 .1 Percentage allocated to
preservation of sites
Solution 2.2 Promote public-private
partnership
Support 2.2.1 Reports showing
successful partnerships
4. Comparative Advantages
Below are the rules in applying this pattern.

(1) Identify the problem.

(2) Present at least two solutions to the problem.
(3) Compare the two in terms of practicality and feasibility.

For example:

A. Purpose: Persuade listeners on the need for political

reform.

B. Main Point: Politics in the Philippines is very dirty.

C. Supporting Idea: There have been a lot of anomalies

and illegal transactions going on in the political system.
 1.1 Introduction
1.1 Vision of Philippine politics
Problem 1.2 Dirty politics
2.0 Body
Solution 1 2.1 Pass the geniune Freedom of
Support 1 Information (FO1) Bill into law
Support 2 2.1.1 achieve transparency
Solution 2 2.1.2 achieve good governance
2.2 Abolish Priority Development Assistance
Support 1 Fund (PDAF) or Pork Barrel
Support 2 2.2.1 Minimize illegal transaction
Comparison 2.2.2 Minimize corruption
Support 1 2.3 Can be good solution
Support 2 2.3.1 Practical
2.3.2 Feasible
5. Monroe's Motivated Sequence
Allan Monroe, a professor from Purdue
Unniversity, created an outline for making
speeches based on the psychology of
persuasion (Ehninger, Monroe, & Granbeck,
1978). This outline is known as Monroe's
Motivated Sequence.

Here's how to apply this technique.

1. Grab the attention of the audience by
identifying the challenges you plan to confront,
or the problem you plan to address.
2. Establish the need or urgency to address the
identified challenge or problem.
3. Present possible solutions to your audience to
satisfy the need.
4. Help your audience visualize. Use vivid words
to convince your audience about the benefits
they can gain from the solutions you presented.
5. Engage the audience to participate in promoting
change through a call for action.
For example:
A. Purpose: Persuade the audience to abstain
from consuming alcohol.
B. Main Point: Abstaining from alcohol will help
students live a healthy and safe life for
themselves and those around them while
avoiding any criminal actions.
 Campaign Against Underage Drinking

Attention-grabber 1. Picture the following situation: It is Friday night;

classes have ended, and you and your friends are
looking for something fun to do. Everyone heads to
your classmate's house, and soon bottles of
alcohol are being passed around. As the night
deepens, everyone falls under the spell of alcohol,
things get out of hand, and some commit mistakes
they would not do when sober.
a. This phenomenon of underage drinking is
steadily affecting more young Filipinos, as a
study from the University of the Philippines
found that 5.3 million youths drink alcoholic
beverages.
b. I have researched this topic heavily, and today I
will present the startling facts about underage
drinking that many teenagers might not know.
 c. This speech aims not only to inform you of the
risks of underage drinking, but also to convince
you to take action and campaign against
underage drinking to protect the youth.
Need 2. According to a study on the alcohol drinking
patterns of high school students in selected parts
of the Philippines, a little more than one-third of the
sample population drink alcohol. These can have
serious effects on underage drinkers, such as the
following:
a. Studies have shown that people who drink at a
young age are more likely to experiment with
harder drugs.
b. People in an inebriated state have higher
chances of being victims of sexual assault.
c. Alcohol abuse among the young could lea to
sexual behavior, which in turn leads to teenage
pregnancy or sexually-transmitted diseases.
Satisfaction 3. We have to educate the youth about the dangers of
drinking alcohol.
a. Videos and posts on the risks of underage drinking
can be shared on various social platforms.
b. In school, events can be organized to promote
knowledge of the disadvantages and
consequences of underage drinking.
Visualization 4. We have to take it upon ourselves to act now if we do
not want the youth to be victims of the following
potential effects of underage drinking:
a. Accidents caused by underage drinking
b. Dropping out of school due to alcohol addiction
c. Sexual assault brought by drunken behavior
d. Teenage pregnancies
e. Alcoholism
Call to action 5. I earnestly challenge you to abstain from alcohol
and to take action and campaign against underage
drinking. Are you with me?
Method of Persuasion

Consider what Lucas (2011) writes about

how the audience can be persuaded by a
speaker. The audience can be persuaded by the
following reasons.

• They perceive that the speaker has credibility.

• They are convinced by the evidence presented
by the speaker.
• They are convinced by the speaker's reasoning.
• Their emotions are touched by the speaker's
ideas or use of language.
 The above ideas highlight some of the
methods you can use in your persuasive
speech. These methods are commonly
used and proven to be effective by any
prominent and exellent speaker across the
globe. The following are some tips on how
to enhance your credibility, how to use
evidence, how to use reasoning, and how
to observe ethics and emotional appeal in
a persuasive speech.
1. How to enhance your credibility

a. Expalin how you became an expert on the

topic.
You can do this by sharing how well you
read, investigated, or researched the topic.
For example: You could share that in the
beginning you did not know about your
topic until you researched about it. By
saying you researched on your topic, your
audience will feel that you made an effort
in building your credibility by collecting
information.
 b. Connect your experiences, beliefs, values
or attitudes with your audience's.
You can do this by telling your audience that you
have the same experiences, beliefs, values or
attitudes.

For example: In the beginning of your speech, you

can emphasize to your audience that regardless
of background, status, age, gender, beliefs, and
values, among others, you all have one thing in
common. By saying this, your audience will feel
respected and comfortable because you can
identify with their experiences, beliefs, or values.
c. Practice more often so you can
deliver your speech with conviction.
You can do this by exposing yourself more
often to speaking situations such as
reciting and reading announcement in
class, introducing people in a program,
hosting events, participating in debates, or
acting as a spokesperson of a group. Also,
simply praticing more often before your
actual speech performance will increase
your confidence and help you deliver your
speech with conviction.
2. How to use evidence

a. Specify evidence

You can do this by citing statistics, research

studies, and other valid and credible information.
For example: When stating a fact, do not simply
say a general detail. Instead of sying, "There is a
law that protects women and their children
against violence," state the exact details, as in,
"RA 9262 is an ast that protects women and
their children against violence." By specifying
your evidence, you give the impression that you
know what you are saying.
 b. Avoid outdated evidence.
You can do this by reading and digging new
evidence to keep yourself updated on the
significant facts and figures.
For example: I f you are arguing about social
networking site addiction and you are using data
taken from 2000 or earlier, your speech might
not hold enough credibility and it might not retain
th interest of your audience as well. Since we
are now in the Information Age, data quickly get
old and replaced by more current ones, so they
quickly become irrelevant. Therefore, always
make sure to use current available data. This
way, your speech will be more accurate and your
audiences will be more interested to listen.
 c. Choose reputable or credible sources for
your evidence.
You can do this by carefully identifying and
evaluating your sources.
For example: You are persuading your audience
that your solution i improving the interest of
readers in Philippine literature is the most
efficient method, but you cite sources such as
fan site, Wiki answers, Yahoo answers, or blogs.
This creates a bad impression, as it might come
off that your arguments and points are based on
unrealiable facts. As a guide, Google, Yahoo, or
any search engine can provide you a wealth of
reputable or credible sources for your evidence.
3. How to use reasoning
Avoid logical fallacies or errors in reasoning.
You can do this by studying the types of logical
fallacies. The following are some of the most
common errors in reasoning.
• Ad Hominem: This happens when you attack
the character of a person instead of his
argument.
Example: Professor X does not deserve to be
the head of this organization because he is
separated from his wife.
How to avoid: When you give your rebuttal,
focus on the arguments of the person, not on
his/her character or values.
• Circular Argument: This happens when the idea of a
stated argument is repeated.
Example: My mother is a good teacher because she
teaches me well.
How to avoid: Do not repeat the argument; instead,
prove it.
• False Analogy: This happen when two things, which
might be alike in some respects, are compared and
assumed to be similar in other ways.
Example: President Aquino is the Socrates of the 21st
century.
How to avoid: Look at the characteristics, features, or
components of two people or objects closely to see
whether they can really be compared or not.
• False Authority: This happens when a statement of
someone who is not an expert in the field in question is
being used in an argument.
Example: I avoid drinking coffee at night because of the
advice of my English teacher.
How to avoid: Check properly the qualifications of the
perso being cited.
• False Cause and Effect: This happens when the
connection between two consecutive events are not
clear.
Example: Because I attended a party, I got a high grade
in my persuasive speech.
How to avoid: Clarify the connections between the
events by explaining both backgrounds clearly.
• Hasty Generalization: This happens when a
conclusion is drawn from insufficient evidence.
Example: The senator stuttered while giving his
speech, therefore government officials are not
good in public speaking.
How to avoid: Provide enough pieces of
evidence before making any conclusions.
• Red Herring: This happens when the answer
does not address the question.
Example: Question: Should the President sign
Cyberbullying bill into law? Answer: The
President has other priorities.
How to avoid: Do not avoid opposing arguments.
Instead, address them properly.
4. How to use emotional appeal

a. Internalize what you are saying.

The audience will be more convinced of
your message if you also show conviction
in what you are saying.
For example: If you use emotionally
charged words, but you deliver it in a
monotonous voice, the audience wil not
see the sincerity of your message.
Instead, make sure to observe your non-
verbal cues and to ensure that you believe
in what you are saying.
b. Use emotion appropriately.
Although a well-executed emotional appel can
be used as a strong weapon in persuasive
speech, take not to use it only when appropriate
to the message. Use it as an accessory only;
make sure not to replace evidence and
reasoning with pure emotion.
For example: If you are making a speech on a
question of fact, there is little need to use
emotional appeal to your audience since you are
dealing with facts and information. Howerver, if
you are making a persuasive speeh to change a
certain policy, you can add emotional appeal to
your speech to capture not only the minds but
also the hearts of your audience.
 I'm
JOENALYN S. TIMON

THANK YOU FOR

WATCHING!!!!