persuasive speech
(noun)
A persuasive speech makes a convincing case for its position or viewpoint.
Examples of persuasive speech in the following topics:
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Persuasive Speeches
- In a persuasive speech, a speaker attempts to persuade the audience to adopt his/her position in relation to a topic.
- A persuasive speech can be seen in the image where William Jennings Bryan gives a campaign speech.
- The purpose of a persuasive speech is to convince the audience to adopt the speaker's perspective on a given topic.
- The core of a persuasive speech is pathos: appealing to and resonating with the audience's feelings and emotions.
- In addition to pathos, persuasive speeches contain appeals to ethos and logos.
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Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Value
- In persuasive speeches on questions of value, we argue something is right or wrong, moral or immoral, or better or worse than another thing.
- In this unit, our focus will be on persuasive speeches of value.
- Persuasive speeches on questions of value imply certain actions, but they are not a call to action.
- When analyzing any type of persuasive speech, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- How does the structure of the speech help the speaker to make the argument?
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Persuasive vs. Informative Speaking
- Informative and persuasive speeches differ in what they want the audience to walk away with: facts or an opinion.
- Informative (or informational) and persuasive speaking are related, but distinct, types of speeches.
- Like informational speeches, persuasive speeches use information.
- Persuasive speeches may use some of the same techniques as informational speeches, but can also use emotions to convince the audience.
- A sales pitch is one example of a persuasive speech.
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The Goals of a Persuasive Speech: Convincing, Actuation, and Stimulation
- Persuasive speeches can be designed to convince, incite action, or enhance belief by the audience.
- The overall goal of a persuasive speech is for the audience to accept your viewpoint as the speaker.
- Persuasive speeches can be designed to convince, actuate, and/or stimulate the audience.
- For example, suppose you are giving a persuasive speech claiming that Coke is better than Pepsi.
- Persuasive speeches can also be used to enhance how fervently the audience believes in an idea.
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Defining a Persuasive Speech
- Persuasive speeches aim to convince the audience to believe a certain view.
- An example of a persuasive speech is a sales pitch.
- Using an attention grabbing device is a powerful way to begin a persuasive speech.
- The effectiveness of a persuasive speech also depends on factors beyond the words of the speech.
- Audience analysis is an important factor when giving a persuasive speech.
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Informative vs. Persuasive Speeches
- Many speeches will contain elements of both informative and persuasive speeches.
- A persuasive speech may discuss the pros and cons of Roe v.
- As noted above, all persuasive speeches will be informational in nature, but not all informational speeches may be persuasive.
- This specific speech makes it clear that a speech can combine the features of informative and persuasive speeches.
- The State of the Union is an example of a speech that combines elements of persuasive and informative speeches.
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Sample Persuasive Speech
- The main purpose of persuasive speaking is to change, reinforce, or instill the attitudes, beliefs, and values of the audience.
- There are no formal rules on what topics, formats, or viewpoints qualify as persuasion.
- However, most persuasive speeches are based on policies that require the acknowledgement and support of governments, public bodies, organizations, and constituents .
- Although his speech is often described as one of the greatest persuasive speeches of modern times, the large peacetime military budgets established during his administration have continued for half a century.
- You can listen to the full audio of Eisenhower's speech here:
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Practical Tips for Speaking in Non-Academic Settings
- Two types of speeches given in non-academic settings are entertainment speeches and persuasive speeches.
- Persuasive speeches may be given as part of a political campaign or at a charity event.
- To be as persuasive as possible, a speaker needs to understand some basic information about persuasion:
- Focus on the end result of your speech when preparing - all parts of your speech should focus on the end goal of your persuasive topic.
- This is particularly important for persuasive speeches requiring a quick action by the audience.
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Speeches for Special Occasions
- Some special occasions require speeches which will be different than a speech that intends to inform or persuade an audience.
- As the name implies, special occasion speeches are speeches that are given on special occasions.
- Special occasion speeches are usually shorter than informative or persuasive speeches.
- Special occasion speeches might inform the audience.
- Differentiate a special occasion speech from an informative or persuasive speech
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The Ethics of Persuasion
- Not all persuasion is ethical.
- Furthermore, some methods of persuasion are wholly written off as unethical.
- Ethical persuasion has a series of common characteristics that are missing in unethical persuasion.
- Ethical persuasion seeks to achieve the following three goals:
- An ethical persuasive speech must have all of the following components: