By far, the best way to convince an audience is to write a stellar persuasive speech outline. However, crafting the perfect speech can be tricky, especially if you’re a beginner and haven’t written one before.
If you’re short on time, this blog will offer you all the necessary guidelines you ought to keep in mind while writing down a persuasive speech.
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How to write an amazing Persuasive Speech Outline
The key purpose of writing a persuasive speech or practically any speech at all is to convince your audience to agree with your point of view. While this may seem challenging, keep in mind that the task certainly isn’t impossible.
Most standard speeches start off with a killer hook statement, a couple of great convincing points followed by a summary towards the end. Here are a few steps that’ll help you create the perfect outline:
Step 1: Selecting the right topic
First things first, start by choosing a controversial topic that will baffle your audience. It’s worth speaking on an issue that you genuinely care about to make your speech more authentic.
Once you have the right topic in mind, the next step would be to explain your side of the story and pen down a compelling piece that would get the audience to agree with you.
Step 2: Share a personal story
As human beings, we relate better to emotions rather than statistics and factual data. That’s simply how our minds are wired. By sharing a story, you’ll be able to captivate your audience and reel their attention towards you.
This powerful strategy is used by most world leaders including American President, Barack Obama. You can share your story whichever way you want but remember to keep the audience in mind while mapping down your ideas.
Step 3: Establish credibility
Be authentic and establish credibility. That’s the only way you’ll be able to convince your audience. Use dates, statistics and references to support your claims in the most humane way possible.
Don’t just toss around big numbers to sound impressive: establish credibility by sharing your expertise and providing invaluable information.
Step 4: Summarize your points
If you’ve addressed an audience before then you’re probably aware that people have a very short attention span. For this reason, it’s essential you summarize your key points towards the end of the speech for extra measure.
Step 5: End it on an inspirational note
For better impact, end your speed on an inspirational note. The greatness of any speech has much to do with the values you are trying to instill so focus on leaving behind a meaningful impact on the audience.
Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics
Your topic will determine the main focus of your speech so it might as well be a great one. Here is a list of persuasive speech topics you can work with:
- Should journalists face legal consequences for distorting the facts intentionally?
- Are IQ tests the most reliable way to measure human intelligence?
- Why is it vital to discover your true potential?
- Can self-help/guidebooks substitute teacher-assisted learning methods?
- Why companies should hire young people
- Should high schools introduce placement programs to aid recruitment
- Should recycling products be made mandatory to help the environment
- Is human behavior based on genetics?
- Should people who fail to recycle be asked to pay a fine?
- Why organizations should work on Corporate Social Responsibility
- Should parents lie to their kids about Santa?
- Why workplaces should hire more women
- Why should businesses go green
- Why promoting diversity is necessary for any organization
- How social media marketing is the future of marketing
- Should schools instruct a mandatory life skills class for young adults?
- Should people base their perceptions on stereotypes?
- Why companies should use Instagram
- Should university education be free?
- Why print media is still alive
Tips on how to write a persuasive speech outline
You want the audience to remember you, don’t you? Keep these tips in mind while penning down your persuasive speech outline:
Research your audience
What kind of audience will be catering and who will be listening to your speech? Research your audience and try to identify their goals before you hit the podium. Doing your homework in advance will raise your credibility.
Practice makes perfect
Having to read off a card will only distract your audience. Pen down an outline that’s easy to memorize so that you know your speech inside out.
Learn from the best
Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ is considered as one of the best persuasive speeches of all time and for good reason! So, don’t forget to study previous works. Take inspiration and attempt to create your own masterpiece in the process.
Use repetition
Depending on the complexity of your subject, consider addressing a few primary points at the end of your speech to improve clarity. In this case, repetition will aid you in achieving your goals.
So there you have it. Keep these important pointers in mind while writing down your persuasive speech outline. Good luck!
Picture Credits: The Washington Post
