This week, you will be completing an outline and a rough draft for your persuasive speech. As you are writing, make sure to refer back to this post and all of its resources as well as the rubric here.
Thing to Do This Week #0.5: Consider Audience and Purpose
Before writing any persuasive piece, we must consider our intended audience and purpose. Think back to the SOAPSTone from a couple of weeks ago and consider what you want your audience and purpose to be. Who are you trying to convince? Why? What assumptions do you have about your audience? Which rhetorical appeals and strategies will be most effective for your topic and your intended audience?
Thing to Do This Week #1: Outline your speech
Please use the links below to aid in your writing of your outline. Think of this document as a “blueprint” for your essay – you are planning the organization, structure, and flow of your speech. This is the rough draft to your rough draft! Please write out and organize your ideas in bullet points, rather than full sentences.Â
*Note: Please choose the ONE format that works for you, whether it’s a traditional or web outline.
Ms. Antonacci’s Sample Outline (Note: if you would like to use this as a template, you may. Just use File > Make a copy to copy it to your drive and edit on top.)
How to Write an Outline – Perdue OWL
How to Write an Outline – University of Richmond
A web outline is a graphic organizer that may look something like this:
You should already have a three-point thesis statement (make sure that’s submitted to me before starting on the outline!); the main details 1, 2, and 3 will be your three reasons referenced in your thesis statement. These will make up your three main body paragraphs.
Reminder! Remember that you must have a MINIMUM of three credible sources throughout your speech — one per body paragraph. Refer to my post from last week for resources on credible sources.
Resources: Introductions and Conclusions
Introductions
The introduction to a research paper can be the most challenging part of the paper to write. The length of the introduction will vary depending on the type of research paper you are writing. An introduction should announce your topic, provide context and a rationale for your work, before stating your research questions and hypothesis. Well-written introductions set the tone for the paper, catch the reader’s interest, and communicate the thesis statement.
- Announce your research topic. You can start your introduction with a few sentences which announce the topic of your paper and give an indication of the kind of research questions you will be asking. This is a good way to introduce your readers to your topic and pique their interest. The first few sentences should act as an indication of a broader problem which you will then focus in on more closely in the rest of your introduction, leading to your specific research questions.
- Define any key terms or concepts. It may be necessary for you to clarify any key terms or concepts early on in your introduction. You need to express yourself clearly throughout your paper so if you leave an unfamiliar term or concept unexplained, you risk your readers not having a clear understanding of your argument.
(From WikiHow)
Some suggestions on how to start your speech…
- Pose a rhetorical question
- Use imagery to pull your reader in (set the scene; opportunity for pathos!)
- Start with a surprising or unusual fact/statistic
- Provide a relevant anecdote
- Reveal a common misconception
- More examples here!
Be sure to consider your audience and purpose when writing the introduction!
Conclusions
Conclusions wrap up what you have been discussing in your paper. After moving from general to specific information in the introduction and body paragraphs, your conclusion should begin pulling back into more general information that restates the main points of your argument. Conclusions may also call for action or overview future possible research. The following outline may help you conclude your paper:
In a general way,
- Restate your topic and why it is important,
- Restate your thesis/claim,
- Address opposing viewpoints and explain why readers should align with your position,
- Call for action or overview future research possibilities.
Remember that once you accomplish these tasks, unless otherwise directed by your instructor, you are finished. Done. Complete. Don’t try to bring in new points or end with a whiz bang (!) conclusion or try to solve world hunger in the final sentence of your conclusion. Simplicity is best for a clear, convincing message.
The preacher’s maxim is one of the most effective formulas to follow for argument papers:
- Tell what you’re going to tell them (introduction).
- Tell them (body).
- Tell them what you told them (conclusion).
(From Purdue OWL)
Thing to Do This Week #2: Write Your Rough Draft
Once you’re done with your outline, move on to your rough draft. Since you outlined and organized your ideas in the outlining stage of the writing process, all you have to do is put it all together! Basically, you are taking your organized bullet points and turning them into complete sentences and paragraphs. Make sure you are always considering audience and purpose, as this will dictate your choices in rhetorical appeals and strategies used.
Please use this template to type your speech (File > Make a Copy).
WHAT DO I NEED TO TURN IN BY THIS SUNDAY?
- Please click here to submit your persuasive speech outline and rough draft! For your rough draft, please make sure to change the document title from “Persuasive Speech Template” to your first and last name.
- Over the weekend, I will compile these into shared Google Drive folders separated by class period. We will peer edit from there!
- Don’t forget about USA Test Prep – your assignment for next week is up!Â
- As always, reach out if you need anything! I am available 24/7 via Remind and email
Ms. Antonacci 