Incredible Tips for Creating A Persuasive Speech Outline
A persuasive speech outline is an outline that helps you to remember all the main points, arguments, and materials that you will need for effective delivery. Generally, it tends to be specific and deliberate. Therefore, it always serves as a helpful guide that ensures that your speech delivery is flawless and contains all the elements necessary for you to make a persuasive argument.
The following are tips that will come in handy in helping you draft a persuasive speech outline.
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State The Purpose Of The Persuasive Speech Outline
By stating a clear and concise outline, you will ensure that your speech is always focused on the main goal. Every word, expression, and tonal variation you use should be geared towards achieving this purpose. This is so especially when you consider the fact that there is always a time limitation when it comes to speech delivery.
For example, your outline can state that the purpose of the speech is to “inform students on the dangers of marijuana.” Since the purpose is to inform, you will be more persuasive if you cite journals, studies, and other reputable sources. You will also focus on facts or ideas that your audience is unlikely to have access to.
Your approach would be different if it were aimed at defending an idea or proposing a different idea. This is because in such a case, you may have to acknowledge the merits of their assumptions or positions, and then later on present evidence to refute their arguments.
Therefore, stating the purpose of your speech is important because it:
- Ensures that you remain focused
- Guides the pace of your delivery
- Determines the tone and approach of your argument
It is important to note that the statement of purpose is only meant for you. While you will include it in your outline for persuasive speech, you will not read it out. It is a statement that is meant to keep you on track while you are delivering your speech.
Persuasive Speech: Clarity And Consistency Are Key
- Clear labeling
When creating your outline, make sure that you label each part of your speech clearly. This is because when you use clear labels, it will be easier for you to track your progress. Furthermore, tracking a specific phrase, quote, or statistic will be easier. This will ensure that you do not lose your train of thought during delivery. It will also prevent awkward pauses. Since these pauses tend to interfere with the flow of delivery, clear labels can enhance the persuasive nature of your speech.
- Consistent Structure
However, using clear labels is not enough. A good outline needs a consistent structure. This is because when you are delivering your speech, you will not have the time to dig through the contents of the outline. With a consistent and predictable structure, tracing points, quotes or phrases will be easier.
- Consistent Numbering
For example, by giving the main points a specific numbering system, and then using alphabetical letters to highlight their subpoints, it will be easier for you to ensure that you tackle every aspect of your arguments as exhaustively as you should.
- Consistent spacing and font styles
As far as the structure is concerned, it is also important to maintain consistency when it comes to
- spacing your content
- font sizes selection
- font style selection, and
- the length of content that you allow for each point or sub-point.
Use Outline Templates And Samples
The good news is that you don’t have to necessarily come up with your own structure. You can find a good persuasive speech outline sample online. Furthermore, there is also the option of simply downloading and then editing a persuasive speech outline template.
Include Summaries And Previews
A common mistake most people make when drafting their outlines is forgetting to include summaries, transitions, and previews. As a result, they always risk ending up with a bland speech that seems dry and fractured. To ensure that you don’t end up stuck trying to find the perfect way to introduce new ideas or transition from one point to the next, you should remember to not only include these helpful cues, but also label them clearly.
For example, instead of just listing points in the outline, you can always include a connecting phrase like “On the other hand …” or “With that said, …”. You can also decide to use an internal preview, which is essentially a more detailed expression that contains more than just the transition phrase.
Declare Your Authority With A Bibliography
This is a section that most people, who seek to learn how to write a persuasive speech outline, overlook. The thing that you should keep in mind is that writing a persuasive speech takes more than just using the right words and arguments. In most cases, demonstrating your authority on the subject is as important as giving a convincing argument.
A good way to demonstrate your authority is to provide an exhaustive bibliography. Doing this will show the depth of your research. It will also give you the credibility necessary to achieve the aims of your speech.
For example, if you are writing a texting and driving persuasive speech outline, you can include all the links to accident statistics and the breakdown of those statistics. Scientific journals that discuss effective methods of reducing incidences of texting and driving will also be useful.
Writing a good persuasive speech outline takes time and research. The good news is that you don’t have to work out every detail of your outline on your own. We have a dedicated team of writers who can help you create the perfect outline for your speech.
