Persuasive Speech: Writing Guidelines on Persuading Your Audience

Persuasive speaking is a skill that most human beings use in face-to-face conversations daily. Basically, a person uses a persuasive speech and writing when trying to influence a broader audience. As such, people must use correct themes, words, and writing techniques to persuade others successfully. In particular, a central focus on stock issues and a correct incorporation of rhetorical modes in a good persuasive speech make it a unique piece of writing that scholars may use to facilitate their works. For instance, when preparing any academic paper, it’s useful to know how to start a summary essay effectively.

What Is a Persuasive Speech and Its Purpose

According to its definition, a persuasive speech is a type and form of public speaking that aims to convince a target audience to adopt a particular viewpoint, take a specific action, or change their beliefs or attitudes on a given topic. For example, the main purpose of writing a persuasive speech is to influence people’s perceptions and motivate them to align with a speaker’s viewpoint (Breaden, 2021). In writing, a speaker uses a combination of logical arguments, emotional appeals, and credible evidence to influence audience’s opinions or behaviors. Writing a research essay on abortion often involves these techniques to persuade readers. Unlike informative speeches that focus on sharing knowledge, persuasive compositions are designed to change minds or encourage action (Carvalho, 2024). Basically, an author must engage an intended audience, establish credibility, and use a strategic mix of logos, pathos, and ethos appeals to make an entire case compelling. Moreover, by effectively organizing their message, using compelling writing language, and addressing potential counterarguments, speakers seek to create a strong connection with their audiences and motivate them to act in accordance with their goals (Hall, 2019). In terms of pages and words, the length of a persuasive speech depends on academic levels, assignment requirements, and contexts in which such compositions are delivered, while general writing guidelines are:

Types

Topics

1. Reimagining the Role of Technology in Enhancing Sports Performance
2. Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Global Health
3. Revolutionizing Patient Care Through Telemedicine
4. Addressing Gender Inequality in Sports: The Path Forward
5. Overcoming Gender Stereotypes in Sports
6. Roles of Art Education in Enhancing Creativity and Innovation
7. Why Financial Literacy Should Be a Mandatory Subject in Schools?
8. A Unique Case for Universal Healthcare Access
9. Why Plastic Bags Should Be Banned to Protect the Environment?
10. Benefits of Implementing a Four-Day Work
11. How Does Social Media Influences Political Opinions?
12. A Real Necessity of Stricter Cybersecurity Laws
13. Why Animal Testing Should Be Replaced With Alternative Methods?
14. Impacts of Fast Fashion on Global Waste and Pollution
15. Why Voting Should Be Compulsory in Democratic Nations?

Format

Note: Some writing sections of a persuasive speech can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, depending on specific instructions, speaking speed, and a depth of research or analysis required. For example, a standard persuasive speech format includes an engaging introduction with a clear thesis, a well-organized body presenting logical, emotional, and credible arguments and counterarguments, and a powerful conclusion with a call to action (Carvalho, 2024). In writing, the five parts of a persuasive speech are an introduction, a statement of need or problem, its satisfaction or solution, a visualization of potential benefits, and a conclusion with a call to action. Further on, a persuasive speech technique is a writing method used to influence people’s beliefs or actions, often involving emotional appeals, logical arguments, ethical reasoning, and other rhetorical devices, like repetition and storytelling (Varpio, 2018). A good example of a persuasive speech is Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” where he passionately advocates for civil rights and racial equality. As such, persuasive addresses are about convincing an audience to adopt a particular viewpoint, change their beliefs, or take specific action on an issue or topic (Breaden, 2021). Finally, to start a persuasive speech, people begin with a compelling hook, such as a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a striking fact, that grabs an intended audience’s attention and introduces their main argument.

How to Write a Persuasive Speech

To write a persuasive speech, people clearly state their positions, support them with credible evidence and emotional appeals, address counterarguments, and conclude with a strong call to action that motivates their audience to accept a central message. For example, the three main parts of a persuasive speech are an introduction, where speakers present their thesis; a body, where they provide arguments and evidence; and a conclusion, where they reinforce their message and issue a call to action (Carvalho, 2024). Additionally, reviewing expository conclusion examples can help improve clarity. In persuasive speech writing, the term “to persuade” means to convince or influence a specific audience to accept a particular point of view, belief, or course of action. Hence, some writing steps to follow include:

• Choose a Clear, Debatable Topic: Select a topic that is specific, relevant, and controversial with different viewpoints.
• Understand Your Audience: Research your audience’s values, beliefs, and concerns to tailor your persuasive speech’s content to their perspectives.
• Develop a Strong Thesis Statement: Create a concise statement that clearly covers your main argument or position you want to prove.
• Conduct Thorough Research: Gather credible evidence, statistics, and other examples to support your argument and strengthen your case.
• Outline Your Main Points: Organize your persuasive speech into key arguments that logically support your thesis, ensuring a coherent flow in writing.
• Start With a Compelling Introduction: Capture attention with a strong opening statement, such as a famous quote, question, or anecdote, and introduce your thesis as a central claim.
• Use Persuasive Techniques: Incorporate logical reasoning, emotional appeals, and ethical arguments to persuade your audience effectively.
• Address Counterarguments: Write about opposing viewpoints and refute them with well-reasoned responses, evidence, and other examples.
• Conclude With a Strong Call to Action: End your speech by urging your audience to take specific action or adopt your viewpoint.
• Practice Delivery: Proofread your persuasive speech to refine your delivery, ensuring writing clarity, confidence, and engagement with your audience.

Examples

Addressing Controversial Themes

People use persuasive speeches when covering controversial themes. For example, a persuasive speech is a unique technique of speaking tailored to convince a specific audience that their position on a topic is not necessarily correct. Basically, this writing style of speaking attempts to convert a logical argument into a persuasive argument (Breaden, 2021). Further on, a person designs a persuasive address with a careful consideration of an opposition’s argument. In this case, a speaker must skillfully use common grounds as a starting point for convincing an intended audience (Ta et al., 2021). This is similar to 3 point thesis statement examples, which provide clarity. Besides, writing a persuasive speech requires a speaker to understand an alternative position. Finally, an author must develop strategies for weakening an opposition’s commitment to that position. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a persuasive speech are:

• Imagine waking up one day to a world where [specific scenario], a world that may seem distant now but is quickly becoming our reality … .
• Today, we are at a crossroads, faced with a decision that will impact not only our lives but also those of future generations, and it is crucial that we choose wisely … .
• What if I told you that a simple change in our daily habits could drastically improve our quality of life, while many of us continue to overlook this opportunity … .
• In the next few minutes, I am going to explain why this issue is not just another talking point but also a crucial aspect that demands our immediate attention and action … .
• Picture this: a future where [describe a positive or negative scenario], a future that we have a power to create, starting with significant choices we make today … .
• We all recognize that [issue] is a challenge, but what if I told you that there is a solution within our reach, one that requires only our commitment to change … .
• It is time to take a stand on [issue], not just for ourselves, but for those who are counting on us to be a voice of reason and an agent of change … .
• Have you ever wondered why, despite the overwhelming evidence, we continue to ignore the signs that are right in front of us? Today, I am here to challenge our mindset … .
• Let me start by asking you a question that may seem simple but carries profound implications: What kind of future do we want to leave behind for a next generation?
• We can no longer ignore a fact that [issue] is not going away, and the longer we wait to address it, the more dire the consequences will become for all of us … .

Stock Issues

All structures used in an entire development of a persuasive speech include three stock issues: problem, plan, and practicality. Firstly, a problem issue defines a specific ideology or action, being in a status quo (Bullock et al., 2021). In writing, typical debatable issues lead to a unique creation of persuasive speech topics. Moreover, a speaker can clearly define a specific source of an entire disagreement, which is a problem. Further on, a plan stock issue consists of a set of actions or ideas that can solve a defined problem (Hall, 2019). In turn, a speaker must provide a good approach to reach a favorable solution. Finally, a practicality issue refers to a particular demonstration of an overall effectiveness of a suggested plan (Breaden, 2021). Hence, all three stock issues are equally essential elements in creating a convincing speech. Besides, persuasive writing allows a speaker to address all the stock issues.

Rhetorical Modes

A persuasive speech relies heavily on three rhetorical forms to influence a target audience: ethos, pathos, and logos. Firstly, ethos is a persuasion technique associated with a speaker’s ability to maintain a high level of credibility by demonstrating a clear understanding of a chosen topic (Carvalho, 2024). In writing, a speaker must create a high probability of convincing others and must be well-informed as compared to one with limited facts on a given issue. Then, pathos refers to a speaker’s use of an emotional appeal to sway a specific opinion of an opposition (Hall, 2019). Basically, triggering feelings of compassion or fear may make a target audience more susceptible to a speaker’s plan. Finally, logos is a persuasion technique that employs a particular use of facts and evidence (Breaden, 2021). Besides, this rhetorical mode makes an author’s position appear to be rational for writing and speaking. Thus, people can improve a unique effect of coercion through a combination of various writing modes of persuasion.

What to Include

Common Mistakes

• Lack of a Clear Thesis: Failing to present a strong, concise thesis statement in writing can leave an intended audience confused about your main argument.
• Ignoring an Audience’s Perspective: Not considering people’s values, beliefs, or knowledge level can make your speech less relatable and persuasive.
• Overloading With Information: Providing too many facts or statistics to audiences can overwhelm them and dilute your central message.
• Weak or Unorganized Structure: A persuasive speech without a logical flow or clear writing organization can make it difficult for any audience to follow and understand your arguments.
• Using Only One Type of Appeal: Relying solely on logos, pathos, or ethos without balancing all three rhetorical devices in writing can make your argument less compelling.
• Failing to Address Counterarguments: Ignoring opposing viewpoints or not refuting them effectively can weaken your credibility and argument.
• Overly Aggressive Tone: Being too confrontational or aggressive can alienate your audience, making people resistant to your message.
• Lack of Evidence: Making and writing claims without supporting them with credible evidence can cause your audience to doubt an overall validity of your argument.
• Neglecting a Conclusion: Ending abruptly without summarizing your main points or leaving out a call to action can make your persuasive speech incomplete and less impactful.
• Poor Practice and Delivery: Failing to practice your persuasive address after writing can lead to poor delivery, including stumbling over words, lack of confidence, and disengagement with a target audience.

Summing Up

A persuasive speech’s categorical presentation covers stock issues. Basically, a right reliance on ethos, pathos, and logos provides a distinct writing advantage to any speaker. In principle, people may design a persuasive address that aims to convince a target audience. Further on, this writing must be open-minded toward research findings that contradict longstanding theories. In turn, people may find a persuasive speech useful when trying to secure research grants through presentations to various organizational panels.

References

Breaden, B. (2021). Speaking to persuade (Vol. 3). Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

Bullock, O. M., Shulman, H. C., & Huskey, R. (2021). Narratives are persuasive because they are easier to understand: Examining processing fluency as a mechanism of narrative persuasion. Frontiers in Communication, 6, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2021.719615

Carvalho, W. (2024). The art of argument: Building powerful and effective speeches. Weslen Lucas Eredes Carvalho.

Hall, T. (2019). Writing to persuade: How to bring people over to your side. Liveright Publishing.

Ta, V. P., Boyd, R. L., Seraj, S., Keller, A., Griffith, C., Loggarakis, A., & Medema, L. (2021). An inclusive, real-world investigation of persuasion in language and verbal behavior. Journal of Computational Social Science, 5(1), 883–903. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-021-00153-5

Varpio, L. (2018). Using rhetorical appeals to credibility, logic, and emotions to increase your persuasiveness. Perspectives on Medical Education, 7(3), 207–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-018-0420-2