Persuasive Speech Outline

I. Introduction

a. Attention Getter

b. Reason to Listen

c. Speaker Credibility

d. Thesis Statement

e. Preview your Main Points

II. Body

a. Main Point 1: Establish the problem, the harms, or the significance to change.

This stage arouses people’s interest and sparks their desire to listen. You should describe the issue by answering the following types of questions (these questions are simply meant to help you brainstorm and serve as a guide, you may have additional information or may not need to cover each and every question):

• Make the topic personal or relevant to the audience.

• Please Listen to me!

• What is the issue? Describe the problem with details, examples, citations.

• Why is this issue significant? Something must be done!

• Why is there a need to listen to you? Why is there a need to change?

TRANSITION

b. Main Point 2: Causes or Barriers

Describe the causes that created this problem or that stand in the way of this problem being solved. How did we get to this point? How did it get this bad? Identify the source of this problem. Where did it happen first? Why?

• Explain the reasons we are dealing with your topic.

• Why is this still a problem? Why hasn’t it been solved already?

• Who is responsible for this problem?

TRANSITION

c. Main Point 3: Solution

Propose a plan of action

• Explain: “this is what should be done.”

• Be sure that your solution has an action step that the class can do on their own.

• Provide the class with detailed info so we can actually help in solving your problem. Make it easy for us to want to get involved or educated.

• What exactly do you want us to do, think, be, say, to resolve your problem?

• What are the details of your proposed solution?

• What are the potential costs to your solution?

• Paint a very clear and vivid picture for us.

III. Conclusion

a. Restate your thesis statement

b. Review your main points

c. Provide a Reason to Remember