Persuasive Speech Performance Task Protocol
What is it?
A persuasive speech is a specific type of speech in which the speaker has a goal of convincing the
audience to accept his or her point of view. The speech is arranged in such a way as to hopefully
cause the audience to accept all or part of the expressed view. Though the overarching goal of a
persuasive speech is to convince the audience to accept a perspective, not all audiences can be
convinced by a single speech and not all perspectives can persuade the audience.
Persuasive speeches are composed of logical, emotional, and ethical appeals.
Logic appeals are arguments that present a set of information and show why a conclusion must
rationally be true. For example, arguments heard in court are logical arguments.
Emotional appeals are appeals that seek to make the audience feel a certain way so that they will
accept a conclusion. Negative political ads, for example, often incorporate emotional appeals by
juxtaposing an opponent with a negative emotion such as fear.
An ethical appeal is a method of persuasion that's based on the author's credibility. It's one of the
three appeals that Aristotle identified as the most effective tools of persuasive writing or speaking.
You can rely on personal authority. Your credibility increases if you're an expert on the topic
you're addressing. Another source of your ethical appeal can be your role in your community; for
example, if you're a life-long resident who's established him/herself among people who know you
well. Certain professions, rightly or wrongly, demonstrate ethical appeal. For example, priests,
judges, deacons, preachers and teachers generally are thought of as credible.
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Collection 4 explored the continuing work of bringing freedom and social justice to all members of
American society. You were told that at the end of it, you would compose and give a persuasive
speech about a freedom that you believe should be expanded in the world today. They can include
but not be limited to:
 women’s right to get an education
 laborer’s right for fair working conditions
 users right to a free internet (net neutrality)
 others...
Reread the selection covered in this collection and identify what is said about freedom and its
costs. Incorporate rhetorical and literary devices you learned in this collection. In pages 323-325
of your Collections textbook you’ll find more information.
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Evaluation Criteria
The areas most commonly focused on will be:
Introduction
 Did it capture attention & interest?
 Was the topic introduced clearly?
 Was the topic related to the audience?
 Did the speaker have topic-credibility?
 Was the body of the speech previewed?
Body
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Were the main points clear?
Were the main points supported?
Were the main points logically presented?
Were the transitions between main points clear & effective?
Conclusion
 Was the transition to the end of the speech signaled?
 Was there a summary of principal points?
 Was there an effective close and/or call to action?
Language
 Was the language used appropriate for the topic & the audience
 Was the language varied?
Delivery
 Were the notes, visual aids etc. organized before the start?
 Was the beginning poised?
 Was there good use of eye contact?
 Was the body language (posture & gesture) controlled & effective?
 Was the speaking rate - flexible & effective?
 Was the speaking volume appropriate & varied?
 Was there fluency, an absence of fillers like 'ahs' & 'ums'?
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Was vocal variety used, changes in pitch & tone, & good use of pausing?
Did the speaker show enthusiasm for the topic?
Were there visual aids & were they appropriate & integrated into the speech?
Did the speech finish with poise?
Overall evaluation
 Did the speaker achieve the assignment's purpose?
 Was the topic researched?
 Did the topic adapt well to the audience?
 Was the audience interested?
 Was the speech completed within the time limit?
The task consists of two components:
1. Written: You will turn in your speech using the format of the template provided to you.
2. Oral: You will deliver your speech following the criteria already established.
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Speech Template
Use the following template to write your speech:
Sample Speech Outline
Step One - Preparation
A. Topic:B. Audience:C. Title of Speech:D. Purpose of Speech:E. Method of Organization:-
Step Two – Introduction
A. Greeting:B. Attention Getter:C. Thesis Statement:D. Credibility:E. Summative Overview:F. Benefit(s):-
Step Three – Body
A. Transition (signals moving from introduction to body):
B. Main Idea 1:■ Supporting Ideas:■ Details/Examples:■ Visuals/Props: - (optional)
C. Transition:D. Main Idea 2:■ Supporting Ideas:■ Details/Examples:■ Visuals/Props: - (optional)
E. Transition:F. Main Idea 3:■ Supporting Ideas:■ Details/Examples:■ Visuals/Props:- (optional)
G. Transition (signals moving from body to conclusion):-
Step Four – Conclusion
A. Summary of Main Points: - 1, 2 & 3
B. Re-statement of Thesis:C. Re-statement of Benefit(s):D. Closer, Clincher & Call to Action:-
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Due date: Will be provided by the teacher at a future time in the classroom.
Reference - http://www.write-out-loud.com/howtowritespeech.html
*IMPORTANT NOTICE
The only acceptable excuses for not giving the reports on the scheduled days are the illness of the
student or an immediate family member, or real family emergencies in which case a medical or
written parental excuse must be furnished the first moment the student presents him/herself to
the teacher in order to get the opportunity to give the report. Failure to meet these criteria will
result in a zero (0) grade. The teacher reserves the right to reject frivolous excuses and/or
attempts to circumvent this rule. Although “special” circumstances may arise, rules are meant to
be followed, not broken.