Persuasive Speech

Start with a clear position

Before writing your speech, decide exactly what you want your audience to believe or support.

Weak position:

Social media is an interesting topic.

Stronger position:

Social media companies should be required to verify the age of users under 16.

The second version gives the speech a clear direction.

Know your audience

A speech should be adapted to the people listening.

Ask yourself:

• What do they already know?
• What might they disagree with?
• What examples will they relate to?
• What language is appropriate?
• What would make them care?

A speech aimed at classmates will usually sound different from a speech aimed at politicians or parents.

Structure your argument

A persuasive speech often contains:

• an opening that gains attention
• a clear thesis or position
• two or three developed arguments
• evidence and examples
• a counterargument
• a conclusion and call to action

Use evidence

Persuasion becomes stronger when your claims are supported.

You might use:

• statistics
• research
• examples
• comparisons
• expert opinions
• personal experiences when relevant

Do not simply list facts. Explain why they matter.

End with purpose

A persuasive speech should leave the audience with a clear final message.

You might ask them to:

• reconsider an opinion
• support a proposal
• change a behaviour
• take action

This is often called a call to action.

Topic: Schools should start later in the morning.

Opening

Think about the last time you tried to concentrate after only five hours of sleep. Now imagine doing that every morning.

Position

Schools should begin later because teenagers’ sleep patterns make very early mornings especially difficult.

Argument

Lack of sleep can affect concentration, memory and mood.

Counterargument

Some people argue that later school hours would make afternoon activities more difficult to organise.

Response

That may require timetable changes, but school schedules should primarily support students’ ability to learn.

Closing

If we want students to arrive ready to learn, we should start by giving them a realistic chance to arrive rested.

1. Choose an issue with a clear debate.
2. Decide what position you want to defend.
3. Think about your audience.
4. Select two or three strong arguments.
5. Support them with examples or evidence.
6. Consider what the opposing side might say.
7. Write a strong opening and ending.
8. Practise aloud instead of only reading silently.

Weak: Trying to include five or six arguments.

Better: Develop two or three strong arguments properly.

Why: An audience has limited time to process information.

Weak: Reading every word directly from a script.

Better: Know the structure and use notes as support.

Why: Constant reading reduces eye contact and makes delivery less natural.

Weak: Using emotional language without evidence.

Better: Combine emotion with reasoning and credible support.

Weak: Ending with “That’s all.”

Better: End with your strongest message or a clear call to action.

Which opening is most likely to engage an audience in a speech about smartphone use in school?

• A. Today I am going to talk about smartphones.
• B. Smartphones are electronic devices that many people use.
• C. How many times have you checked your phone since you arrived at school this morning?
• D. My topic is whether smartphones should be allowed.

Answer: C. It involves the audience immediately and connects the issue to their own experience.

• Take a clear position.
• Adapt your speech to your audience.
• Develop a small number of strong arguments.
• Support claims with evidence and examples.
• Practise delivery, not only the written script.
• Finish with a clear final message.