Steps for Writing a Persuasive Speech

Researching your subject will help you write speeches that will influence others.

If you are faced with the task of giving a speech there are standard steps you can take to write a successful presentation that will have a significant influence. A key point is to really know and understand the positive and negative arguments on your topic. You need to be able to anticipate the audience's concerns and address them in a satisfactory manner and then present a justifiable solution.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen
• Computer
• Word processing software

Instructions

Know Your Topic Thoroughly

1. Choose a topic that is somewhat controversial, but that most of all, is of personal interest to you and that you know a great deal about. Research the topic thoroughly from every standpoint. You want to talk about something you are invested in emotionally or as a result of your personal values or belief systems. Prepare to write about two conflicting perspectives regarding your subject. Decide whether your objective is to get your audience to agree with your perspective or to motivate the listeners to take action.

2. State your personal position on the topic. It could be a statement of value based on a personal opinion of yours such as some activity is/is not beneficial or moral. an example might be that "it is wrong to use animals for fashion purposes". Another option is to state a fact so that a topic is/is not true, for example, "it is not true that plastic wrap used in a microwave oven causes cancer". Be sure to support any true or false claims with research-based evidence. You could also state a policy about a process or response that should/should not be done, for example, "marijuana should not be legalized in the United States."

3. Present your case and prove your perspective. If you believe the audience holds a different opinion than yourself, explain research findings and rationale to them. When you believe the audience holds the same perspective as you, then motivate them to a particular action. When you know the listeners are adamantly opposed to your topic, your goal is to get them to shift their attitude, even slightly by knowing the obstacles the audience faces with the subject and address them effectively. It will be necessary to have a specific strategy for overcoming the perceived obstacles to dissipate opposition.

4. Eradicate any perceived opposition by utilizing a problem solving technique. The first half of your presentation should describe the problem and the second part of your speech should present one or more solutions to the problem. Describe all causes, the ramifications of the problem, and the people affected by the problem. Offer two or three plausible solutions to the problem. Describe a hypothetical, yet realistic, scenario which the audience can relate to and then explain how your solutions will meet their needs for safety. Ask the listeners to visualize themselves in the same scenario without utilizing your proposed solutions. Compare the consequences of utilizing the solutions with not implementing the solutions.

5. Summarize your reasons to support your solutions, stating the least important reason in the beginning and ending with the most significant reason. Point out the weaknesses of other solutions aside from the ones you have cited. Demonstrate how your solutions make the most sense for an appropriate and dramatic conclusion to persuade the audience to your viewpoint.

References

• Your Dictionary: Steps For Writing A Persuasive Speech
• Northeastern State University: The 10 Steps To Writing A Persuasive Speech
• Easy, Free Speeches: Writing Persuasive Speeches

Resources

• Toastmasters International: Become The Speaker And Leader You Want To Be