Persuasive Group Speech Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to provide students with experience in persuasive speaking.  This assignment is the culmination of the principles that have been examined in this course.  Groups are expected to present a persuasive message that is audience adapted, well reasoned, clearly organized, and extemporaneously delivered. 

Select from one of the following types of persuasive speeches. 

1.                  Adjusting listener attitudes, beliefs and values:  The goal of this speech is to provide good reasons why audience members should adjust their attitudes, values or beliefs on a particular topic.

2.                  Urging Action: This speech attempts to connect the inner world of the listener to some desired action.  The action should be workable and provide some degree of solvency.

3.                  Answering Opposing Views:  In this speech an advocate attempts to show why a prevailing belief or viewpoint is problematic.

Each of these types requires the group to use evidence and reasoning in an appropriate manner.

Procedures:

I.                Select one of the above and develop a group presentation, your group will have the entire class period to present.

II.               Visual aids are mandatory, groups must create a “group” power point – although group members may have individual aids the group power point is mandatory.

III.             Group members must use an extemporaneous speaking style. (Do not read!)

IV.            A full sentence group outline, and a group reference page (utilizing APA) are required and due one class date prior to the first assigned speech date.

V.             Audience participation is vital to all speeches therefore everyone will be assigned audience evaluation sheet on the days they are not speaking. Another group will be selected to ask questions of each speaker and the group as a whole. The questions should be well thought out and point out something that either needs clarification or some inconsistency in the speech. The question and answer portion will be part of the group grade. Plan your timing to allow 10 to 15 minutes for questions.

VI.           Reflection papers are due one class day after the last scheduled speech and they are to be 2 – 3 pages in length, these must be TYPED.

VII.          Each person is to cite a minimum of four credible sources verbally in the text of the speech and provide a TYPED proper reference page. (4 to 9 on the APA Reference page, please indicate member name and sources).