How to write a persuasive speech?

+88 votes
asked Feb 7, 2019 in Culture & Society by Jeanell (680 points)
edited Mar 11, 2019
I need some help in drafting a persuasive speech. I am supposed to address a formal professional forum. I don’t have a big problem with content, but I need a way to organize my thoughts so that they can flow coherently. Which is the best way forward?

2 Answers

+29 votes
answered Mar 30, 2019 by EwanJensen2 (380 points)
edited Apr 7, 2019

I hope these simple tips will help you out with some insights on how to do it better. Follow on and extract some needful insights as you master the art of persuasive speech writing and delivery.

Tip 1: Write a speech, not an instructional manual

Just as the name suggests, you are writing a speech, meaning it is something that has to be spoken, and not just read through like news on a TV screen. It takes a live audience and hence you need to put yourself in the audience and start talking to them. Put a “person” inside the speech.

Tip 2: Make it a story, not a lecture

Since you are making a presentation to people, let it be a story. Even if the speech may contain some technical information, let that information be packaged in a way that it will be a part of a great and relevant story that is being told.

Tip 3: Be real and genuine

Remember,you are addressing a live audience and you are not a comedian on the acting podium. Be real and be you. Be genuine with your audience, do it your own style without wanting to look like a “renowned and accomplished” public speaker.

Tip 4: Be concise

Being concise means telling all that ought to be told, and then stopping where and when you need to stop. Don’t be too short to be understood or too long to become boring.

+3 votes
answered Feb 10, 2019 by AlisonW52876 (260 points)
edited Apr 29, 2019

How to write a persuasive speech? You can do so with the following clear and effective guidelines:

First, you need to know the topic that you will speak on. If you do not fully understand that area or subject,then it will not be a speech but a verbal “diarrhea” .Understand and research the subject.

Second, you need to understand your audience and the current mood that will dictate the forum. If you are addressing a forum that is tackling a problem, you cannot do it in the same manner as if you were addressing the same people in a setting where they were celebrating a successfully accomplished project.

Third, get prepared to handle contrasting views from the audience. If it happens that the audience will take time to express their views, how will you tackle that in a civil and respectful manner? How will you tackle their genuine questions? You should ask yourself these questions before hand.

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