Public speaking is a skill that not everyone has for various reasons. Some people have a fear of public speaking, which may be due to negative experiences in the past or natural shyness. Others lack the necessary knowledge and techniques for effective communication, which prevents them from expressing themselves clearly and confidently.
But this is only half the problem, the very first difficulties begin with the writing of the speech. The success of the entire speech may depend on this stage because a poorly written text, no matter how skillfully you deliver it, will not impress the audience.
Therefore, in this article, we will take a step-by-step look at how to write a persuasive speech that will captivate all audience members. Let’s start with the basics and end with examples of informative speeches that can make you choke to death.
Persuasive Speech In Education
So, what is a persuasive speech? Many universities provide their own definitions, but they are all very similar. The general idea is that a speech should convince the audience to accept a certain point of view, opinion or idea.
If your speech makes the audience think about some doubtful things and engage in mental debate, then you have done your job. Such a speech usually includes a description of facts, values, and policies.
Speaking is an invaluable skill that will come in handy more than once. Ever since school, we have been taught to present our thoughts in a logical manner. So it is not surprising that speeches are very important for your future academic and professional activities.
Richard Perloff also emphasizes in his book how important this skill is in the 21st century. He is convinced that the studying how to write first and then present is important because:
- Knowledge about beliefs allows you to analyze and resist false or manipulative message.
- Almost every industry now needs to convince people of something.
- It will help you understand why some speakers are more effective.
Types Of Persuasive Speech
If you are a student who needs to write a speech, you need to know some basic grammar. Without this knowledge, it will be difficult to sit down, come up with an idea, structure it, and write a speech. There are several types of persuasive speeches that can be used depending on the purpose and topic of the speech.
Definitional speeches
In such speeches, the emphasis is on defining terms or classifying a concept. They say that something is or is not a certain way. There is a basic structure to such a speech, which is as follows: X is (or is not) Y because it has (or does not have) traits A, B, or C.
Factual speeches
These speeches are focused on verifying facts and the truth or falsity of claims. Some facts can be easily checked for truth, such as: The first president of the United States of America was George Washington or the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.
But some, on the contrary, can cause a number of discussions and doubts: how the planet Earth came into being, whether the increase in population threatens the environment.
The goal of such a type is to confirm or refute information based on evidence and facts. They can include both obvious and complex issues that require detailed research.
Political speeches
It is undoubtedly the most common type of speech in the modern world, affecting all segments of society. These speeches are about proposals for policy changes or solutions to social problems. It is important to clearly articulate what exactly needs to be changed and how it will affect society.
If you want to write such a speech, here are some examples:
- The government should take steps to introduce free higher education for all students.
- The United States should move to a system of universal health insurance for all citizens.
- Legalization of cannabis will allow better control over the quality of the product and ensure consumer safety through market regulation.
Value speeches
Evaluate moral, ethical or aesthetic aspects. The goal is to convince the audience that a certain phenomenon or behavior is good or bad, right or wrong. These messages often include arguments as to why one point of view is better than another.
To conclude the discussion of different types of persuasive statements, it is worth emphasizing that each of these approaches has its own role in the art of public speaking. Understanding these types of statements helps not only in composing persuasive speeches, but also in developing critical thinking and the ability to argue your position.
How To Write A Persuasive Speech Step By Step
When we already know what a speech is and what types of speeches there are, it’s time to get down to business, namely the most creative part of the task – writing a speech. We have created a step-by-step guide for you from choosing speech topics to writing an enchanting conclusion.
Choose The Topic
Choosing a topic can be difficult because it seems like there are so many interesting topics out there, but they all seem to be a little off. The challenge is to find a balance between what is interesting to you personally and what will interest your audience. To make this process easier, you can use a brainstorming technique to help you approach the topic in a structured way.
There are 5 standard questions to help you get started: who, what, when, where, and why. Sit back, take a sheet of paper and start going through this framework step by step. The first question to answer is “Who is my audience?” Research what is currently interesting and relevant to your audience.
The next question is: “What?” Here you should think about your own interests and the interests of your audience. It’s also important to consider whether you have enough materials and resources to research the topic you’ve chosen.
The timing of your speech is another important factor. When answering the question “When?”, consider how much time you have for the presentation. If you only have 10 minutes, choose a specific and clear topic that can be covered in a short time. If you have more time, you can afford to go into a more detailed discussion.
Next on the list we have the question where, although it may not seem very important, but believe me, it can have a significant impact on the result. For example, if you are speaking in a conference room with access to multimedia, you can include visual elements in your presentation. If you are speaking outdoors, you may want to focus more on the verbal aspects.
Finally, the question “Why?” is the most important. Your goals may vary from informing to persuading to inspiring. It’s important to be clear about what you want to achieve and how your topic will help you do it.
Use Logical Structure
A persuasive speech is a powerful tool used to influence the thoughts, beliefs, and actions of an audience. To create an effective persuasive speech, you need to follow a certain structure that is commonly accepted among universities. It ensures you have a systematic approach to presenting your ideas and increases your chances of success.
Introduction
The first task you face is to attract attention. Don’t start your speech with hackneyed sentences that everyone has already heard. You need to grab everyone’s attention immediately. Start with a quote or a reliable, shocking statistic. Establish contact using professional language and thus improve communication with the audience.
It is important to initially indicate the reliability of all the facts that you will use during the speech. Therefore, it is better to write a sentence where you can state that: “all facts are based on numerous studies, practices and articles”.
Then you smoothly move on to the preview of the main points. This step will help to immediately understand the main points and the subject of the upcoming discussion. An example of such a sentence is given below:
Today we will cover X main points: thesis 1, thesis 2, thesis 3, etc.
And then your introduction must end with a transition sentence to the first thesis. This is important to make your speech logical and easy to understand.
Body
Now we are moving on to the most difficult, but most creative stage – presenting the main arguments. The main part of the speech consists of several main bullet points, each of which has its own sub-points, which allows for a clear and logical presentation of the material.
The first main point is a statement of the call to action. First, you describe the problems, its signs, symptoms, and consequences. For example, you can provide statistics, facts, examples, or testimonies that emphasize the importance of the problem.
Then, of course, you need to offer a solution for each problem. This is a must! Of course, each solution should be based on an analysis of various articles and studies. But your solution should bring a new perspective to the problem and meet the needs of the stakeholders.
You should also describe the steps and methods for implementing the solution, including practical aspects and possible difficulties. Ask yourself: How will my solution be implemented? How will it be executed?
Conclusion
In the conclusion, you summarize the main points of your speech, emphasizing once again the key aspects and importance of the proposed solutions. It is important to end your speech on a positive note, inspiring your audience to take action. You can call for specific actions or decisions to support your arguments and emphasize how this will positively impact the problem.
Also indicate what next steps can be taken to implement your plan and what results you expect to achieve. It is important to emphasize that your proposal is not only viable, but also necessary to improve the situation.
Use The Right Voice of Tone
The tone of your speech determines how you communicate with the audience. For example, if you are speaking at a gala event, your tone should be formal and respectful. It is an example of how important it is to consider the context and purpose of the speech. In another case, at an informal event, the tone can be more relaxed and friendly.
The writing style also depends on the topic and the target audience. It’s important that your tone and style are appropriate for the context of the speech and suitable for the audience, which includes using the right words and ideas.
It can be compared to developing an outline for an article or essay: you adapt the style and tone to the topic and purpose of the message. Just as in writing stories or essays, it’s important that your voice and delivery support the main points and act as a tool to achieve your goal.
Every word you use has an impact on the perception of your speech, so follow the tips and techniques to achieve the desired effect.
