The Art of Persuasion

1. The Art of Persuasion Elements of a Persuasive Speech

2. Project Description • Objectives • Directions • About the Author

3. Objectives Students will learn how to… • Gather & organize evidence to support a position • Present evidence clearly and convincingly • Support & defend ideas in public forums Return to Project Description

4. Directions • Follow the links to the selected reading material • Watch the video to see information from the readings as it is applied in real-life debates • Demonstrate understanding of the presented information by taking the provided quiz Return to Project Description

5. About the Author Miss Kim Papy—11th Grade English Teacher at Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, VA Goals: • Preparation of students for standard 11.1 of the Virginia Standards of Learning • Heightened interest in persuasive writing and development of self-truths for students Return to Project Description Next Slide

6. Menu • The Persuasive Speech Defined • Examples of Persuasive Speaking—The Political Debate • Challenge!: Putting the Persuasive Speech into Practice Return to Project Description

7. The Persuasive Speech is… • Meant to change our beliefs/actions • Presented to show us your opinion on a subject (i.e. good/bad, right/wrong, moral/immoral) Return to Menu

8. Preparing a Persuasive Speech: 6 Key Steps • Choose your topic—particularly a subject for which you feel strongly • Make a thesis statement—What point do you want to get across? • Create points that support your thesis • Develop support for your thesis that will: increase interest, provide evidence necessary for solid support, & enhance the topic through multimedia resources • Write the introduction (use an attention-getter), & conclusion (tie the speech together) • Deliver the speech—practice presenting as effectively as possible! Return to Menu

9. Types of Organization for the Persuasive Speech • Problem-Solution • First point—show there is a harmful problem • Second point—provide a proposal & proof that it will solve the problem • Wrong/Right • List out an agreeable standard for judging (i.e. people who kill should be punished) • Demonstrate that the topic you are speaking of does violate the standards you have set • Main Reasons Approach • Simply list the reasons why your thesis is true Return to Menu

10. The Political Debate as an Example of Persuasive Speaking • Some of the greatest examples of persuasive speaking are seen in the political arena • As you watch this video on some of the “great debates of the late 20th century,” take note of the recognizable elements of persuasion. A quiz follows—it will not be graded but simply tests your knowledge of the material! Return to Menu

11. Video: Techniques of Persuasion Return to Menu

12. Quiz: Techniques of Persuasion You’ve watched the video—now for the fun part! Test what you know. Username: eci530student Password: odustudent Return to Menu

13. Challenge! Now that you are familiar with the elements of a Persuasive Speech, it’s time to practice for yourselves! Here is a list of suggested topics to get you off on the right foot. Return to Menu

14. Topic Ideas • War on Terrorism • Abortion • Death Penalty • Steroid use in Major League Baseball • The Marriage Amendment • Flag Burning as Freedom of Speech If you want me to explain any of these topics so that you better understand the issue then just say the word—I am here to help! Return to Menu Last Slide

15. The Challenge Continues… Once you have picked your topic—and remember, it does NOT have to be one of my suggested topics—begin research to decide for yourself what stand you will take on the issue. Remember: this is YOUR personal belief so think it through! Return to Menu