Persuasive Speech Outline: Updated 12.27.

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Name:
Date:
COMS 108. _____
Instructor:

TITLE OF SPEECH: ____________

General Purpose: To persuade.

Specific Purpose To persuade my audience to ___________. Why is this important?
and Significance:
Central Idea: This is your thesis; it should be a single, complete sentence.

ATTENTION STEP
Similar to all introductions

I. Attention Getter:

II. Specific Purpose Why does your audience need to know about this topic? How big is
and Need to Know: the problem? Who is affected? Why are you interested in this topic
as a speaker? What is your opinion? Use your FIRST SOURCE here!

III. Organizational What will you be discussing? Mention your three main points, teaser
Preview: of Visualization Step, and a line about possible solutions. This is a
transition sentence; this is your first movement!

NEED STEP
One sentence will not explain a subsidiary point; you may have to have two to three sentences
to do that. Each point (main, subsidiary, etc.) must be a single, complete sentence. Outline the
problem using facts, statistics, and examples to prove your point. Remember that persuasion
involves choice and change.
Five to eight sources will be used in the body of the speech; they must appear in bold type.

I. Main Point I: You must have a sentence heading to introduce the point.

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 Persuasive Speech Outline: Updated 12.27.14

A. Each main point needs facts and statistics to establish the need to solve the
problem.
1.
2.
B. Each main point needs an example to illustrate what you are discussing.
1.
2.
C.
1.
2.

Transition: Now that I’ve told you about _____, I will next discuss _____.
This is your second movement!

II. Main Point II: You must have a sentence heading to introduce the point.
A.
1.
2.
B.
1.
2.
C.
1.
2.

Transition: Now that I have discussed _____, I will finally explain _____.
This is your third movement!

III. Main Point III: You must have a sentence heading to introduce the point.
A.
1.
2.
B.
1.
2.
C.
1.
2.

Transition: Now that I have discussed _____, I will provide an example of what will
happen if you do/do not (choose one) change.
This is your fourth movement!

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VISUALIZATION STEP
Visualize for the audience what will happen if they choose to change or not change.

I. Provide your most enticing example to persuade the audience to change. What
are the positive or negative consequences for the audience should they choose to
change/not change? Choose which way you will approach this.
II. Restate your purpose and statement of significance here for audience retention.

Transition: This is your fifth movement!

SATISFACTION STEP
By this time in your speech, you will have induced your audience to change. Now you must
provide some solutions to the problem.

I. What is a solution to the problem? What have others done to solve the issue?
II. You must have a personal solution for your speech. What can your audience do
about the problem as soon as they leave this room?

ACTION STEP
Similar to all conclusions

I. Summary What all did you discuss? This is a transition sentence; this is your sixth
Statement: movement?

II. Restate Purpose Remind us of your purpose. Why did the audience need to know about
and Significance: this topic? What solution do you want your audience to remember?

III. Bookend Refer back to the attention getter.

Statement:

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 Persuasive Speech Outline: Updated 12.27.14

BIBLIOGRAPHY
List the sources cited in your speech alphabetically on a separate sheet of paper using proper
APA format.