Tasks: Persuasive Speaking
Tasks to accomplish in the Introduction, Body and Conclusion of a Persuasive Speech Presentation

New Tasks

INTRODUCTION
Define Your Terms / Set Clear Parameters
• Give any relevant background information—only what we absolutely need to know (be brief!!!) in order to understand the reasoning behind your persuasive points. For example, you should briefly and clearly explain what you mean by “fastest” if you are going to assert later in the speech something like “The cheetah is the fastest animal in the world.” Here is where you should define your terms and set a clear parameter, which is directly related to your Specific Purpose (in the headings).
• In short, you must specify what change related to the issue that you want us to make. If you don’t set clear parameters we won’t know what you are proposing..

BODY
Address Opposing Arguments
• Address any opposing arguments that immediately come to mind, giving specific examples and using facts and/or testimony for support. Remember, you can’t pretend there are no opposing arguments and just not address them. The opposing arguments that are immediately apparent will leap into the minds of your audience (whether or not you mention them!) and they are likely to tune you out if you just pretend these arguments don’t exist. This, however, is a judgment call, because you don’t want to give undue attention to a minor opposing argument that might not otherwise occur to your audience. Opposing arguments often are based in apathy and/or denial.
o How should opposing arguments be incorporated into the three-point outline?
 Opposing arguments should be addressed as sub-topics or sub-sub-topics underneath whichever persuasive point of yours that is most relevant to it.