How to write a persuasive speech

A persuasive speech is a speech that aims to convince an audience to do something, e.g. buy a product, vote, donate to charity or change their mind on an important issue.

Here are some hints for writing a speech that will effectively persuade your audience.

1 Know what you’re talking about.
This may mean doing some research on the subject.

2 Have a clear aim.
What do you want your audience to do after you have finished your speech?

3 Tailor your speech to your audience.
How much do they know about the subject?
How much do they care about the subject?

4 Choose the appropriate technique(s) to persuade your audience.
· moral argument e.g. Saving elephants is the right thing to do.
· emotional argument e.g. To lose this magnificent animal is to lose one of the world’s great wonders.
· logical argument e.g. Elephants attract tourist revenue and that benefits local people.

5 Structure your speech.
Here is one way to do it:
· Begin by attracting the audience’s attention.
· Connect the subject to your audience.
· Explain the aim of your speech.
· Make your points and give evidence for each point.
· Deal with counter-arguments.
· Sum up and end with a call to action.