PERSUASIVE SPEECH OUTLINE
Sample and template
Persuasive Speech Outline Template
Your Name:
COMS 101 Section ___
Date Due:
Organization: Identify your outline pattern here. Your only option for this speech is Problem-Solution (see the textbook, pp. 220–221).
Audience analysis: Provide a description of your audience (e.g., its demographics like age, gender, ethnicity, etc. as well as any other information about them that impacts the way you plan and present the speech (see the textbook, pp. 137–145).
Topic: In 1 or 2 sentences, identify the social problem for which you aim to prescribe a redemptive remedy in this speech (see the Persuasive Speech Guidelines document).
General Purpose: To persuade (see p. 98)
Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about [identify the topic here], and to persuade them that [identify a person, group of persons, organization, government, etc.] should do something [state what this is—provide an action verb here that describes, as specifically as possible, the outcome you are promoting through this speech] in response to this information. (see p. 98)
I. Attention-getter
Use an attention-getter to introduce the topic (see the textbook, pp. 238–239, 242–247).
II. Motive for Listening
Show the audience how this topic relates to them (see the textbook, p. 240).
III. Credibility Statement
Identify the credentials or experiences that qualify you to address this topic as an authority (see the textbook, p. 240).
IV. Thesis Statement
Present your thesis statement—a statement that encapsulates your speech’s main idea—here. State it as 1 complete sentence (subject, verb, complete thought).
V. Preview Statement
Present your preview statement here (see the textbook, p. 240). Briefly explain that you will now validate or prove the thesis by presenting Main Point 1 (state it), Main Point 2 (state it), Main Point 3 (state it), etc. Be sure to list each of the body section’s main points, in the order you will cover them.
Transition: Use a word, phrase, or sentence to notify your audience that you now will support your thesis by presenting the main points in their stated order and in greater detail (see the textbook, pp. 222–224).
Body:
I. Main Point 1. State it as 1 complete, declarative sentence. Works with the other main points to develop the purpose statement. Be sure it consists with the chosen organizational pattern you identified above.
A. An example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from an expert or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 1 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
B. Another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from an expert or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 1 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
C. If needed, another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quotes from an expert, or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 1 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
Transition: Use a word, phrase, or sentence to notify your audience that you are now transitioning from your first main point to your second main point (see the textbook, pp. 222–224).
II. Main Point 2. State it as 1 complete, declarative sentence. Works with the other main points to develop the purpose statement. Be sure it consists with the chosen organizational pattern you identified above.
A. An example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from an expert or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 2 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
B. Another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from an expert or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 2 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
C. If needed, another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quotes from an expert, or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 2 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
Transition: Use a word, phrase, or sentence to notify your audience that you are now transitioning from your second main point to your third main point (see the textbook, pp. 222–224).
III. Main Point 3. State it as 1 complete, declarative sentence. Works with the other main points to develop the purpose statement. Be sure it consists with the chosen organizational pattern you identified above.
A. An example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from an expert or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 3 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
B. Another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from an expert or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 3 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
C. If needed, another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quotes from an expert, or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main Point 3 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
Other Main Points: These are optional, depending on the needs of your speech. If you use them, they function in the same way as the preceding points.
Transition: Use a word, phrase, or sentence to notify your audience that you are now transitioning into your conclusion (see the textbook, pp. 222–224).
Conclusion:
I. Summary
Summarize your presentation’s main points (see the textbook, pp. 250–251). Your wording should be very similar to the wording you used when previewing the main points in the introduction section and when presenting the main points in the body section.
II. Call to Action
Restate your thesis in a way that tells the audience, explicitly, how they should respond to it (see p. 252).
III. Refocus Audience Attention (see the textbook, pp. 254–255).
Punctuate your speech’s thesis with an illustration, a quote, or a metaphor that makes it more memorable.
or References (if APA)
Using, APA style, present an alphabetized, properly formatted list of any sources that you cited parenthetically in the outline. For a helpful online guide to proper formatting in each of these styles, see the Hacker Handbooks “Research and Documentation” site via this link (right-click and select “Open Hyperlink”). For automated source formatting assistance, see Landmarks Citation Machine via this link (right-click and select “Open Hyperlink”).
Persuasive Speech Outline
Sally Student
Course Title Section ____
October 12, 2015
Organization: Problem-Cause-Solution
Audience analysis: The audience is college age and older, from all around the country, and predominantly Christian. They tend toward conservative Christian values and beliefs and have a concern with what God requires of His people. Since all are online college students at a Christian university, their common needs will be college related and spiritually related. They will mostly likely provide a friendly reception, especially if they feel their needs can be met by listening.
Topic: The problem I aim to address is that of sleep deprivation in America and how it hinders people from fulfilling God’s purpose of leading healthy lives.
General Purpose: To persuade
Specific Purpose: The persuade my audience members that sleep deprivation is a serious problem and that they should avoid it by managing their time and becoming good stewards of the bodies God has given them.
Introduction:
I. Attention-Getter
(Alarm clock) We all know this familiar sound. How do you feel when your alarm clock goes off in the morning? Tempted to press snooze several times before finally getting up? If so, you are not alone.
II. Motive for Listening
Getting the right amount of sleep is vitally important. Without it, you are unlikely to reach your full potential and to achieve your goals with excellence.
III. Credibility Statement
As a Christian, college student, (former) working wife, and now pregnant mother, I personally understand the issue of sleep deprivation and how it can have detrimental effects on the body. I also understand how difficult it can be
to have time for everything in the day and how this takes discipline.
IV. Thesis Statement
Sleep deprivation, as a common problem in America today, can have detrimental effects on society, but God calls his people to counter this problem in our own lives by utilizing good time management and discipline.
V. Preview Statement
I will validate this statement by discussing how sleep deprivation is a common problem, how the problem exists because people fail to deem it as important, and that a solution should be based around a Godly view of our bodies that urges us to be disciplined to manage our time better.
Transition: Let’s take a closer look at this important topic.
Body:
I. Main Point 1. Sleep deprivation is a common problem with detrimental effects.
A. Adults need 7–9 hours of sleep per night but the average American adult only gets about 6.9 hours (Drake, Kryger, Phillips, 2005).
B. Sleep deprivation causes cognitive and mood problems. A test by University of Pennsylvania that showed subjects who had gone 2 weeks with less than 6 hrs of sleep per night were just as impaired as people who had gone 48 hrs consecutively without sleep. (Epstein, 2010).
C. Sleep deprivation can also cause obesity. A University of Chicago study showed how sleep deprivation changes hormone secretion so that appetites increase, feeling of being full decreases, and the body’s response to sugar is altered. (Epstein, 2010).
Transition: This brings me to my second point.
II. Main Point 2. Despite these negative effects, Americans generally do not take their need for sleep very seriously.
A. Adults report the main reason they don’t get the sleep they need is that they are too busy. They know it’s a problem but they have trouble practicing healthy sleeping habits. (Key Findings, APA).
B. Adults wouldn’t have as much trouble getting more sleep if they simply would move good sleeping habits toward the top of their individual priority lists. I know from personal experience that if I fail to make something a priority and don’t see it as important, I likely will not do it well.
Transition: This brings me to my third and final point.
III. Main Point 3. The solution to the problem of sleep deprivation is to understand that God values our health and wants us to take care of the bodies He has given us.
A. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 reads, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…you are not your own…so glorify God in your body.” (ESV) As Christians, we must make it a priority to be good stewards of the body God has entrusted us with.
B. With this as our motivation, we understand that we must be good stewards of our time during the day so that we can be good stewards of our sleeping time at night.
C. Time management is key. This involves deliberately planning out your day, limiting potential distractions, saying no to non-essential tasks, and being disciplined enough to stick to your schedule. (Mayo Clinic, 2012)
Transition: This brings me to my conclusion.
Conclusion:
I. Summary
We see that Americans have a sleep deprivation problem. If we fail to get the sleep we need, we seriously risk doing harm to our bodies. This sleep problem exists largely because we refuse to make healthy sleeping habits our norm and to recognize that God expects us to take care of our bodies. The solution to this problem is to understand that getting enough sleep is our spiritual duty and to schedule our lives to be sure we are being faithful to God by practicing good sleep habits.
II. Call to Action
Take care of your body. Get the sleep your body needs in order for you to be as effective as you can be. Use your time deliberately and wisely.
III. Refocus Audience Attention:
I encourage you to analyze your own sleep habits. Make realistic goals for your day and give yourself enough time to get the sleep you need so that you are better able to glorify God with your body.
References
Drake, C., Kryger, M., & Phillips, B. (2005). Summary of Findings - Sleep Habits.
National Sleep Foundation, 1, 7.
Epstein, L. (2010, June 18). The Surprising Toll of Sleep Deprivation - Newsweek and
The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast. Retrieved from http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/06/18/the-surprising-toll-of-sleep-deprivation.html
Key Findings. American Psychological Association (APA). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/key-findings.aspx
Time management: Tips to reduce stress and improve productivity. (2012, June 20).
Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/time-management/wl00048