The persuasive speech attempts to effect a change. Its purpose will be to convince the audience to accept your views on a debatable issue. It goes futher to change beliefs and attitudes and request action. There may well be expository (informative) elements in a persuasive speech, but in the end your goal is to persuade.

The introduction brings the “subject” of your speech to the audience, and it should capture the attention of the audience by presenting the problem. The paragraph should begin broadly and should gradually become more specific as you move toward the thesis statement in essence, the thesis statement reveals the “topic” of your speech. You can use the following devices to begin the persuasive speech – incident, analogy, quotation and starting statement.

The body of your speech allows you to support the points in your thesis. Choose the method you will use to develop the body. Develop each section or idea in your thesis statement in a separate supporting paragraph. Each supporting (body) paragraph should contain the following : A topic sentence, usually located at the beginning of the paragraph. The supporting sentences may include facts, examples, incidents, reasons, analogies, and/or descriptions. Transitional sentences, usually located at the end of a paragraph. These allow you to move from one paragraph to the next without being abrupt or awkward.

Coherent structure ensures that each paragraph moves logically from beginning to end and that all supporting paragraphs work together to support your thesis.

Be sure to use quotations that lend credibility to your statements and be highly specific in your references to sources. Whenever possible, include author, title, date, etc. Persuasive speeches are intended to convince your audience to take action or to effect a change. The persuasive speech will be highly effective if delivered with sincerity, clear goals and adapted to the target audience.

Create a conclusion that clinches your argument. In addition to restating the main points of your speech, try to broaden your audience’s awareness of the problem by offering solutions or calling for action. The audience should feel enlightened, thoroughly satisfied that your thesis can withstand opposing arguments and willing to reconsider or to act upon issues you have presented. Although you may include quotations as you summarize, close the speech by reinforcing your arguments with your own memorable words.

“The object of oratory is not truth but persuasion” – Thomas Babington Macaulay