How to Write a Persuasive Speech

Persuasive speech has the purpose of persuading an audience to do something. Whether it’s calling for votes, stopping littering, or changing listeners’ minds on an important issue, persuasive speeches are an effective way to influence listeners. There are many factors that contribute to the success of a persuasive speech. With preparation and practice, you will make an impressive speech.

Table of Contents

Prepare to write

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Learn the topic. It is important to have a clear understanding of the subject matter. If it’s a topic you’re not familiar with (such as a specified topic), do your research and learn as much about that topic as you can.

If the topic is a controversial issue, the more you need to be familiar with the arguments on all sides of the issue. ^{[1] X Sources of Research} Whatever your point of view, mentioning opposing points of view will make it easier for your listeners to be persuaded.
Spend time reading books or articles related to the topic you are working on. You can borrow books from the library or find articles online. Find reliable sources of information such as major media outlets, books or scholarly articles.
You can also find out other people’s views on the topic you’re working on by finding directional sources such as editorials, radio programs, or television news. However, you should not rely entirely on these sources. Such information can be very biased. ^{[2] X Research Sources} Please consult a variety of viewpoints before deciding to use them for your speech.

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Know the goal. It is important to clearly understand the message you want to convey through your speech. Once you have this in mind, you can shape your content to fit the purpose of your speech. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

For example, if you are working on the topic of recycling, it is important to be informed about the topic. Above all, your speech needs to convey exactly what you hope your audience will do. Are you trying to get people to vote in favor of a citywide recycling program? Or are you trying to convince them to sort the glass and cans into a separate bin? Different messages make different speeches, so identifying the goal of your speech early on will help you craft your message better.

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Understand listeners. Understanding your audience and their perspective on the topic you’re working on is also important to the success of your speech. Not only that, this will also affect the content of the speech. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

For an audience that is not familiar with the topic you are about to cover, you need to provide more background information and use simpler language, while knowledgeable audiences may see the speech as so it’s bland. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Similarly, it will be easier to convince an audience that already shares your opinion on the subject. You don’t have to try to convince them that this point of view is true, just push them to take action. Meanwhile, you need to convince the opposing audience that they will consider your point of view. ^{[6] X Research Sources}
For example, imagine you want to convince your audience to support a citywide recycling program. If your audience also agrees with you that recycling is important, you just need to convince them of the practical value of this program. On the other hand, if your audience isn’t interested or opposed to recycling, the first thing you need to do is make them believe that recycling is worthwhile.

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Choose the right persuasion. Depending on the subject and different audience, you will have different ways of persuasion. Since the time of ancient Greece, presenters have relied on three main directions of persuasion.

Ethos. This is a call aimed at the morals and standards of the listener. ^{[7] X Research Source} For example, make the following appeal: “Recycling is the right thing. Resources are limited, waste at this moment is the theft of resources by future generations. It’s immoral.”
Pathos. This is a call to hit the audience’s emotions. ^{[8] X Research Source} Example: “Think of the animals that lose their homes when trees are cut down every day. If we recycle more, these beautiful forests could be saved. living.”
Logic (Logos). This is a call to hit the logical and intellectual thinking of the audience. ^{[9] X Research Source} Example: “We all know that natural resources are limited. We can use this resource longer by recycling.”
The above methods can be used separately or in combination.

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Outline the main ideas. Once you’ve chosen the best way to convince your audience, think about the main points you’ll make in your speech.

The number of points to get your point across depends on the length of the speech. ^{[10] X Research Source}
As a general rule, three to four points in a speech are a reasonable number. ^{[11] X Research Source}
For example, in your speech about recycling, you could use three main points: 1. Recycling saves resources, 2. Recycling reduces waste, and 3. Recycling saves expense.

Write a speech

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Write an impressive opening. Before you start persuading your audience, you need to start your persuasive speech in some way that will grab your audience’s attention. An impressive opening includes five key elements: ^{[12] X Research Sources}

Attract attention. You can use a statement (or sometimes an image) to grab your audience’s attention. It’s a good idea to create something that surprises or impresses the audience in the opening. For example, you might start with information (or pictures) showing a nearby landfill that’s almost become overcrowded.
Connect with the audience. This is a way to show that you and your audience have something in common. Give a background or share empathy on an issue. This will depend on the understanding of the audience. For example, if you are a parent, share with other parents who may express your own concerns about your children’s future. If you share a common interest or ideology with your audience, emphasize that.
Use your experience background. This shows that you have knowledge or authority on the topic of the speech. Highlight the research you’ve done on the topic you’re working on. If you have any personal or professional experience with the topic, be sure to mention it in the keynote. As an example of recycling, you might say, “I’ve invested many hours researching recycling and the various programs that have been and are being implemented in other cities.”
Aim towards. Explain to the audience the message you want to convey and what you want to accomplish through this speech. For example: “I believe that through this speech, you will agree with the citywide recycling program.”
Direction. Finally, talk to your audience about the main points of your persuasive speech. For example, “I believe we need to implement a recycling program for three reasons…”.

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Present convincing evidence. The body of your persuasive essay should cover the points you outlined in Part 1 of this article. You need to use different arguments to convince your audience to agree with your point of view.

Organize your ideas logically. Instead of jumping from one point to another and then going back to the first point to speak, complete one idea before moving on to other ideas with a logical lead. ^{[13] X Research Source}
Use reliable sources of information from what you have researched to support your speech. Even if you’re presenting emotional ideas (Pathos), include some factual information to help make your point more coherent. For example, “According to a study by the American Institute of Recycling, about 40,000 forests are cleared every year to produce paper.”
Use real-life examples that are relevant to the audience. Even arguments based on facts and logic (Logos) need to be relevant to the lives and interests of the audience. Example: “In these tough economic times, I know many of you worry that a recycling program will raise taxes significantly. But, the city of Springfield has started a program. like this three years ago. So far they have seen the program have helped increase their income. Many people have also noticed that taxes have been reduced.”

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Mention opposing points of view. While this isn’t a must, mentioning opposing points of view can make your persuasion more impressive. This is an opportunity to help you address the objections that are forming in the hearts of your audience and help your persuasive speech get into the hearts of the audience. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Make sure you are portraying opposing points of view fairly and objectively. Consider whether people with opposing views accept the description of their views the way you do. If you’re not sure, find someone with such an opinion and consult with them! ^{[15] X Research Source}
For example, you shouldn’t say: “Those who disagree about recycling are the ones who don’t care about wasting our precious resources or our money.” This is not an objective description of their views.
Instead, you should say, “Those who disagree with recycling may think it is more expensive to recycle than to use new materials,” then offer your suggestions. arguments to demonstrate that recycling is more cost-effective.

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End with a call to action. You should repeat the main points you conveyed in the conclusion. This will also help your audience understand clearly and precisely what you want to convey.

Rather than simply restating the main points in a cliché, verbatim way, as you have done in previous sections, use this opportunity as a way to reinforce key points to support your claim. Call to action to the audience. Example: “In a nutshell, I’ve covered items a, b, and c. These three undeniable facts demonstrate that a citywide recycling program is a logical and humane step forward. The most we can do to create a more stable future together. Join me in this program in November by voting ‘yes’.”

Presentation of speech

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Practice. The most important thing you need to do is practice as much as you can. This is how you will make effective speeches in real life.

Try to practice in front of the mirror. This can help you see how you are speaking, paying attention to facial expressions and body language. Facial expressions and body language can affect your persuasion either positively or negatively. ^{[16] X Research Source}
For example, when practicing in the mirror, you may find that your shoulders are drooping or that your collar is untidy. These details can make the audience think that you are not confident.
An even more effective way is that you can use your camcorder to record your presentations and review them. That way you can see your own weaknesses. ^{[17] X Research Source} This will help you hear the speaker’s voice and won’t distract you as much as when practicing in front of a mirror.
After practicing a few times on your own, try giving a presentation in front of a group of friends or family members. Ask them to give some comments on your content and delivery. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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Wear appropriate clothing. On the day of your speech, dress appropriately for the setting and audience. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Broadly speaking, this would mean wearing formal clothing when giving a speech. However, the level of formality and formality will be different. Dressing up for a speech in front of a movie club will not need to be as formal as in a speech to the directors of a film distribution company. ^{[20] X Source of Research} In case you will be speaking in front of directors, the suit will be appropriate for the speech to the directors but the suit will be a bit “too much” attire when you are speaking in front of the directors. a club.

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Keep your mind at ease. Many people find it intimidating to speak in public, but you should try to relax and be yourself while speaking anyway.

Be friendly and make eye contact with the audience. ^{[21] X Research Source}
Move in an appropriate space, but don’t be nervous or act like holding clothes or hair. ^{[22] X Research Source}
Don’t just read the speech. It’s fine if you use some notes to keep the proper order, but you need to remember most of the speech. ^{[23] X Research Sources}
Be strong and tough. If you make a mistake, don’t let it ruin your persuasive speech. You can joke a little bit and move on. ^{[24] X Research Source}

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Attract audience. If there’s something specific you want your audience to do, show them how or provide the means to help them do what you want. It’s not easy to get people to take action, but if you make it simpler, your audience will be more interested in doing it. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

For example, if you want them to contact the mayor to request a recycling program, don’t just ask them to do it, but provide them with a postage stamp, mailing address or phone number and email address. of the market. If you do this, it’s likely more people will do it.

Advice

Look forward when speaking, conveying your voice to your audience with confidence. Do not look at the floor while speaking.
Try to cite statistics and use reliable sources, not one-way information.
During your audience research, find out what motivates them. Try to convince them with similar ideas or values that they agree with.
Don’t be afraid to show off a little in the proper way during the speech. This can make tough topics easier to hear and make you more likeable to your audience. ^{[26] X Research Sources}
Look around the audience, make eye contact, especially when you pause between sentences or paragraphs while giving a speech. If you’re nervous about this, pick one person in the audience and imagine you’re just talking to him/her. After a while, choose someone else and repeat. ^{[27] X Research Source}

Warning

Do not appear arrogant or conceited while giving a speech. Be humble and receptive for questions, suggestions and feedback.
Avoid confrontation when possible. Do not be sarcastic or sarcastic when discussing points of view that differ from your own. This can cause the majority of the audience (even those who share the same opinion) to have a less favorable view of you.

Steps

Prepare to write

Write a speech

Presentation of speech

Advice

Warning

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