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Assignment 3: Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speeches due: See website for presentation date
“The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.”
--Joseph Joubert
Objectives:
• Analyze the research to form a position
• Conduct more research if necessary
• Compose a persuasive speech on your position
• Compose a workable solution
• Give a persuasive speech
Description:
A persuasive speech orally argues a position on your research question and offers a workable
solution to the problem your issue presents. Your speech should be 5-6 minutes long. You be
penalized if you go more than 1 minute over.
●
Make sure your speech includes
o A clear claim
o Reasons which logically support your claim
o Assumptions that your target audience will likely accept
o Evidence which supports your reasons
o Logical, emotional, and ethical appeals where appropriate
A persuasive speech orally argues a position on your research question and offers a workable
solution to the problem your issue presents. Your speech should be approximately 6 minutes long.
●
Make sure your speech includes
o A clear claim
o Reasons which logically support your claim
o Assumptions that your target audience will likely accept
o Evidence which supports your reasons
o Logical, emotional, and ethical appeals where appropriate
o Consideration of possible opposing views
o A workable first step towards solving the problem that your issue presents (e.g.,
spreading awareness, pushing for a policy change, your target audience doing
something or changing their thinking)
•
Advice: Practice your presentation. You may be able to videotape yourself through the
library or practice in front of friends, stuffed animals, etc.
o Avoid announcing yourself (“My claim is. . .”; “My reasons are. . .”; etc.)
o Avoid reading off your cards or paper
o Make eye contact with everyone
o Include at least 1 visual aid: power point slide(s), posters, graphs, handouts, art,
comic strips, props, etc.
o Dress for the occasion (wear your power outfit)
o Time yourself (you will be penalized if you are more than 2 minutes over or under)
o Inflect your voice with confidence
o Let me know of anything I can get you (a room with Internet access, a medic, etc.) at
least one class before
•
What to turn in: The date of your speech on your way up to the front:
o
o
The Works Cited list for your speech
The persuasive speech grading rubric
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Assignment #4: A Persuasive Essay
Rough Drafts of Persuasive Essays due (2 copies and at least half-completed): See
calendar
Final drafts of Persuasive Essays due: See calendar
Description:
A persuasive essay argues a position on your research question and offers a workable solution
to the problem your issue presents.
•
Make sure your essay:
o Is 6-7 pages long (not including Works Cited page)
o Has a first page which identifies your rhetorical context and your thesis statement
o Is in MLA format (in-text citations, Works Cited page, margins, etc.)
o Uses a minimum of four secondary, credible sources
o Smoothly integrates quotations, paraphrases, and summaries
o Has a claim that is stated clearly in a thesis statement
o Has reasons which logically support your claim
o Is based on assumptions that your target audience will likely accept
o Includes evidence (facts, examples, numbers, authorities’ statements) that
supports your reasons
o Addresses possible rebuttals by opposing views
o Argues for a workable first step towards solving the problem that your issue
presents (e.g., spreading awareness through PSA’s, pushing for a law or policy
change, your target audience doing something or changing their thinking)
•
What to turn in with your final draft of your essay:
o
o
o
o
o
A brown mailing envelope with your name and class information on the outside (for
ex., Ima Student, ENC 2300 M&W 12-3)
Your annotated sources (a copy of the title page if a book, movie, etc.)
Your final draft
This assignment sheet and grading rubric
If you’d like your graded essay returned, please also include a self-addressed stamped
envelope and I’ll mail your work back to you this semester. If you wish, you may
pick up your work during fall semester instead.
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Score
Outstanding
23-25/25
Strong
20-22/25
Satisfactory
18-19/25
Limited
15-17/20
Flawed
0-14/20
Content /Organization
refers to topic; thesis;
order and focus of
ideas; integrated and
documented support;
acknowledges author’s
argument structure
Diction refers to using
words appropriate to
the audience and
purpose; choosing
words for deliberate
effect
Grammar/ mechanics
refers to sentence
structure, spelling, word
usage, grammar,
punctuation, and ability to
proofread
Research and
Documentation refers
to integration of varied
and credible research;
uses current MLA
citation style; avoids
plagiarism
25
Specific, opinionated
thesis; insightful,
persuasive explanation
of support; specific,
relevant support to
thesis.; consistent focus
and graceful transitions
25
Compelling word
choice; demonstrates
insightful use of
figurative language;
objective, formal voice
predominates; uses
more informal
language if/when
appropriate
Specific, fresh word
choice; uses metaphor
and/or analogy;
objective, formal voice
predominates
25
Demonstrates mastery of
grammar, creating
compelling prose; few to
no errors; Sentences are
carefully formed and
positioned with attention
to emphasis, rhythm and
pace to engage the reader
Conventional word
choice; mostly formal
voice; occasional
incorrect use of words
Occasional errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation; Sentences
show some variation in
pattern
Frequent errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation; Simple
sentences are frequent
with occasional fused
sentences and fragments
25
Meaningful integration
of varied, credible
research; mastery of
paraphrasing,
summarizing, quoting;
correct documentation;
does not over/under use
sources; discusses all
references
Clear integration of
varied research using
correct documentation;
gracefully paraphrases,
summarizes, quotes;
correct documentation;
does not over/under use
sources; discusses
references
Integrates research
where necessary;
documentation has few
errors; does not
under/over use sources;
discusses most
references
Weak integration of
research; little attention
to other perspectives;
multiple errors in
documentation;
over/under uses sources
Clear, opinionated
thesis; persuasive
explanation of support;
logical progression of
ideas; mostly specific
and relevant support;
smooth transitions
Conventional or
mechanical opinionated
thesis; sometimes
unclear explanation of
support; some specific
support; adequate
transitions
Thesis unclear and/or
not opinionated;
unclear support;
inconsistent
organization of
analysis; transitions
often do not connect
ideas and may be
mechanical; does not
meet page count
No identifiable thesis;
no meaningful
discussion of issue; no
control of organization
and/or transitions;
doesn’t meet page
count
Vague, ordinary,
and/or incorrect word
choice with clichés
and/or wordiness;
informal or pretentious
voice prominent
Word choice doesn’t
fit audience or
purpose; informal
voice and/or
wordiness
predominates
Demonstrates
understanding of most
grammar; spell check
errors remain; Sentences
show variety in length,
pattern, and rhythm
Continuous errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation
Poor use of
documentation;
questionable
plagiarism; no attention
to research
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Name _________________________
Persuasive Speech Grading Rubric
Persuasive
Speech Criteria
Criteria
Description
Presentation Format
Presentation Content
Adheres to the time min./max.
Clear thesis, reasons, and evidence
Seems prepared and wellinformed on issue
Clearly outlines the problem in issue
and what community/ies affected
Makes eye contact and speaks
audibly and articulately
Clear on what community/ies behalf they
are speaking
Uses inflection to keep audience’s Integrates ethos, pathos, logos where
attention
appropriate
Diction: is appropriate to
audience and purpose.
Is fluent: Avoids multiple fillers
(um, like, so, etc.) and expresses
thoughts articulately
Body language: Does not slouch,
shuffle, rick, or over rely on props
Visual aid(s) used and easy to
read
Avoids reading from
cards/slides/graphs too much
45-50
Outstanding
(meets criteria
all of the time)
40-44
Strong
(meets criteria
most of the time)
35-39
Satisfactory
(meets criteria
some of the
time)
0-34
Limited/Flawed
(meets criteria
rarely)
Addresses possible opposing v.p.’s
Organization of presentation is easy to
follow with smooth transitions between
points
Introduction focuses issues and engages
audience
Presentation is clearly relevant to
audience
Visual aids complement what speaker is
saying and don’t distract or overload
speaker