How to Deliver a Persuasive Speech

Delivering a persuasive speech is the ability to persuade others to do something you want them to do, to take your side on an issue or to see your point of view on a topic. This ability to persuade others is a great talent to have and use effectively. This article will show you some basic steps you can take next time you deliver a persuasive speech.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. When you deliver a persuasive speech, you need to think of your audience and what is their current opinion or thought on the topic you are speaking about. You need to know how the general audience feels, thinks or acts on the topic. Knowing this information is key to you delivering an effective persuasive speech. If necessary, do some research online, ask friends, family, neighbors, co-workers for their thoughts and opinions. Collect as much data as you can.

2. Summarize your research on the topic into one to three key points. Keep the summary short and easy to remember. Include key statistics and references to authoritative sources. This information will become part of your persuasive speech.

3. Write a draft of your persuasive speech. Outline your two to three points on the topic. Include facts and figures. Use the research from step two above in your persuasive speech. You will want to rewrite your persuasive speech a few times to ensure the speech is communicating your point of view clearly and concisely.

4. Practice delivering your persuasive speech. Persuading an audience to do what you want or to think like you or to validate your opinion then you need emotion, passion, energy as well as words on paper. Having these traits in your speech delivery could be the difference to moving the audience to your side or to the audience wishing they were listening to something else. Practice delivering the persuasive speech in front of family and friends. Use a video camera to tape yourself. Replay the video and ask yourself, do I feel moved? If not, practice again. Practice eye contact, vocal variety, body movement, gestures. Speak from the heart as you deliver your persuasive speech.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice, practice, practice.
• Watch others who deliver great persuasive speeches.

Resources

• Toastmasters
• Mind Tools Public Speaking
• Dale Carnegie

[jcoolcash11]

on 6/30/2009 Spot on pointers about delivering a persuasive speech! Have you checked out toastmasters? RRCR5*

[magnadea]

on 6/25/2009 Great pointers on delivering a persuasive speech. 5*