Persuasive Speech COM115

Objectives:

1. To allow students to demonstrate the culmination of their learned organization and delivery skills
2. To provide students with the opportunity to persuade the class into taking a specific action
3. To allow students to discern the most appropriate organizational pattern for their call-to-action criterion

Speech Details

This assignment finally gives you a chance to persuade your audience! This presentation will be 6-8 minutes long
and will let you argue passionately for your favorite cause or belief. The goal of your persuasive speech will be
either to convince audience members to take action of some sort or to passively agree with your position.

There are different organizational patterns for different types of persuasive speaking. This presentation is meant to
improve your ability to make and evaluate arguments. You must have at least 4 sources for this presentation that
incorporate many types of valid evidence, including examples, statistics, testimony, etc. Let logic and solid
reasoning guide your presentation making sure to avoid fallacies.

Organizational Guidelines:

Speech must have an introduction, body, and conclusion

An organizational pattern must be indicated on the outline
Plan to speak from brief notes not a word-for-word manuscript
o This is called extemporaneous delivery
o Eye contact is vital for successful presentations
Speech must be grounded in logic but appeal emotionally to audience
Practice your speech several times before presentation day.
o You should know your time and get a feel for the flow of your speech.
o Time and eye contact are very important elements of memorable presentations.
The speech must be 6-8 minutes, with 10 seconds forgiveness either side.
A minimum of 4 sources need to be included and orally cited in addition to your peer survey reference (use
either MLA or APA citation style)
A Visual Aid is required (PowerPoint, Prezi, Keynote, Google Slides, etc)

Speech Day Guidelines:

Wear clothing appropriate for your audience and occasion. You will be standing.
Turn in typed outlines the day you present.
A Visual Aid IS REQUIRED for this speech. Prepare it before the start of class
o If it is a digital file, have it saved in MULTIPLE locations (flash drive, e-mail, student drive) and make sure
the format is compatible with software in the classroom.

Jodie Bowers
1
 Persuasive Speech COM115

Evaluation Rubric
Speaker: Day/Section:
Topic/Title: Date:

INTRODUCTION /20 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS /25

Introduced Topic Clearly (5) Prep. Outline Content (5)
Established Credibility/Ethos (5) Prep. Outline Format(5)
Previewed Body of Speech (5) Speaking Outline Content(5)
Gained Attention (5) Speaking Outline Format (5)
Bibliography (5)
BODY /65
Organizational pattern clear (10)
Content is relevant/worthwhile/appropriate (10)
Desired audience action is clear (10)
Effective Transitions (5)
Included strong and diverse sources (10)
Content Clearly/Equally Covered (5) Great Job! You nailed it!
Oral Citations: (15)
Peer Survey: yes no

CONCLUSION /10
Summarized Speech (5)
Strong Concluding Remarks (5)

PRESENTATION AID(s) /10

Preparation Evident (5)
Smooth integration into Presentation (5)

DELIVERY /25
Eye Contact (5) Pay more attention to:
Body Language (5)
Vocal Projection/Variety (5)
Extemporaneously Delivered (5)
Delivered within 6-8 minutes: (5)

OVERALL PRESENTATION /45

Appeared Prepared (5)
Appeared Committed to Topic (10)
Included Persuasive Message (10)
Demonstrated logical (logos) appeal (5)
Demonstrated emotional (pathos) appeal (5)
Adapted message and content to audience (5)
Met Assignment Goals (5)

Total /200
Additional Comments:

Jodie Bowers
2