In this lesson, you will learn about the types of persuasive speeches. Specifically, this lesson will cover:
1. Persuasive Speeches
1a. Types
There are three types of persuasive speeches:
- Persuasive speeches of fact
- Persuasive speeches of value
- Persuasive speeches of policy
1b. Analysis
How do you know what type of persuasive speech you are listening to or interested in writing?
You can analyze a persuasive speech to determine what its goals and methods are, and your analysis will help you determine whether the speech is regarding fact, value, or policy.
When analyzing any type of persuasive speech, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the speaker's goal?
- What are the main points?
- How does the structure of the speech help the speaker to make the argument?
- How does the speaker try to make you care?
- How does the speaker use evidence?
- What kinds of sources does the speaker use?
2. Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Fact
Questions of fact are one focus of persuasive speaking. They propose that something is a fact. Questions of fact (which are also called propositions of fact) basically state that something is, something exists, or something doesn't exist.
Questions of fact contrast with questions of policy, which state that something should be, and questions of value, which state that something is good, bad, beautiful, or worthwhile.
In a persuasive speech, the speaker answers a question by proposing an answer and attempting to convince the audience that the answer is true and that they can believe the speaker. In essence, the speaker wants the audience to accept their view as cold, hard facts.
2a. Questions of Fact
The following are three basic types of questions of fact that can be addressed with a persuasive speech:
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Historical controversy: Knowledge that an event did happen in the past or that an object actually did exist.
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Questions of current existence: Knowledge that something is happening now in the present (such as global warming).
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Predictions: Forecasting what will happen in the future. Based on past events, the speaker identifies a pattern and attempts to convince the audience that the event will happen again.
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EXAMPLE
If someone observes that gasoline prices drop right before national elections, they could attempt to convince others that they will drop again before the next election.
2b. Creating a Persuasive Speech on Questions of Fact
When creating a persuasive speech based around questions of fact, consider the following:
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Thesis: When developing a persuasive speech, begin with a thesis that states that something is true, meaning that it happened or did not happen, exists or does not exist.
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Organization and evidence: In general, the evidence should be presented in topical order. It is important to consider the evidence carefully. The speaker must ask if it is possible that the observations actually occurred or could have occurred. Are the sources of the evidence reliable, and were they in a position to actually observe what they reported? Is there reason to believe that a source may be biased, either personally or by the thinking prevalent at the time in history?
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Reasoning: The speaker will usually be dealing with inductive reasoning, in which they ask the audience to agree with a conclusion after presenting all of the evidence. The speaker proves the position by presenting compelling evidence to support the thesis.
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Ethics: As a speaker, you have an ethical responsibility to provide reliable, valid evidence to the audience and be aware of and avoid your own bias in the selection of the evidence that you use.
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What facts do you know that could make a good persuasive speech?
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- Evidence
- The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
3. Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Value
Persuasive speeches of value argue that something is right or wrong, moral or immoral, or better or worse than another thing. The appeals are made on value judgments.
Persuasive speeches on questions of value imply certain actions, but they are not a call to action.
3a. Examples of Value-Based Persuasive Speeches
The following are some examples of persuasive speeches that address values:
- Speeches that attempt to persuade the audience that it is wrong to drive over the speed limit
- Speeches that attempt to persuade that Pepsi is better than Coke
- Speeches that attempt to persuade that it is better to live together before marriage
- Speeches that attempt to persuade that swimming is the best form of exercise
- Speeches that attempt to persuade that bikes are the best form of transportation to get around town
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What opinions about values or morality do you hold that could make a good persuasive speech?
3b. Creating a Persuasive Speech on Questions of Value
How should you go about creating such a speech?
- Introduce appeals, information, and criteria.
- Provide evidence that makes your audience arrive at your conclusion. (Your claims should agree with the current beliefs and feelings of your audience.)
- Use facts to justify your claims.
- Consider your audience's feelings and values.
4. Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Policy
One focus of persuasive speaking is questions of policy, which advocate a change from the status quo, or the way things are today. There is a "should," or at least an implied "should," in the thesis statement. The speaker wants the plan proposed by the speech to become policy.
Questions of policy contrast with questions of fact, which state that something is, exists or does not exist, and questions of value, which state that something is good, bad, beautiful, or perhaps worthwhile.
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- Status Quo
- The state of things; the way things are, as opposed to the way they could be.
In this lesson, you learned about the types of persuasive speeches: persuasive speeches on questions of fact, value, and policy. You also learned some questions you can ask yourself to analyze a persuasive speech.
When giving a persuasive speech on questions of fact, the speaker presents competing evidence, uses logic, and asserts a particular point of view as the truth. When creating a persuasive speech on questions of fact, the speaker has an ethical responsibility to provide reliable, valid evidence to the audience and to be aware of and avoid bias in the selection of the evidence. Persuasive speeches on questions of value imply certain actions, but they are not a call to action. Persuasive speeches of value depend on a judgment that something is right or wrong, moral or immoral, or better or worse than another thing. You reviewed some examples of persuasive speeches on questions of value and learned how to create a persuasive speech based on your own opinions. Finally, you explored what is included in a persuasive speech on questions of policy, which advocate for a change from the status quo.
