Welcome Back! October 26, 2011

Welcome Back!October 26, 2011

Tonight’s Agenda • Complete Remaining Informative Speeches • In-Class Video • Persuasive Speech Overview • Assignment for Next Class

In-Class Speeches • RP - 1960s • RP – 1990s • Scent • I have a Dream

Strengths • Choice of Topics • Enthusiasm • Knowledge of Topics • Audience Appropriateness

Opportunities for Improvement • Introductions • Use of Visuals • Sign Posts / Overall Structure • Rehearsal Time • Knowledge of Topic • Lack of Strong Conclusion

Building a Persuasive Speech

Speeches to Persuade • Three Types • Speeches to Convince • Speeches to Stimulate • Speeches to Activate

Speeches to Convince • To alter a belief or judgment • Speaker persuades the audience to believe that a problem exists, that a proposed solution is better, or that some future action is required.

Speeches to Stimulate • As a rule, agreement already exists about basic beliefs and goals. The purpose is to stimulate those beliefs into action.

Speeches to Actuate • Speaker generates curiosity, clarifies a problem, identifies a solution and persuades the audience to perform a specific action.

Proposition Statement • After you select a topic you must develop a PropositionStatement. • Definition: An arguable resolution phrased as a declarative sentence. • Example: “Violence on TV Contributes to violent behavior in your children.”

3 Types of Propositions • Proposition of Fact • Proposition of Value • Proposition of Policy

Proposition of Fact • A statement you believe to be true; must be verified by evidence. • Columbus did not discover America • Global warming is a myth Not a fact that can be conclusively proven, but facts as they are perceived by the speaker • Convincing your audience that something happened or that it will happen.

Proposition of Fact • It can be proven or not proven; it can use information which is documented or speculated.

Proposition of Fact • A speech that tries to convince the audience that the Ravens will make the play-offs this year would be a speech on a question of fact.

Proposition of Fact • Lawyers always use speeches on a question of fact. They present the "facts" and help the jury see them in a manner to prove innocence or guilt.

Proposition of Fact • When Al Gore made An Inconvenient Truth, he was using persuasion on a question of fact. • Any speech on the existence of Big Foot or the Loch Ness monster would be a speech on a question of fact.

Proposition of Value

Proposition of Value You are required to evaluate an issue and then convince the audience that something is right/wrong, good/bad. • Home schools are damaging to children • Research into human cloning is unethical

Proposition of Value This is convincing your audience on the value of something. A speech that tries to convince us the importance of good health or that euthanasia is morally justifiable would be a speech on a question of value. It is persuading us of the worthiness/ unworthiness of something.

Proposition of Policy

Proposition of Policy Activate the adoption of a future policy • Prices on Rx drugs should be regulated • Pilots should be allowed to carry weapons This is convincing us to take an action. Given this information and the importance of it, we must do something about it.

Proposition of Policy There will be a "should" (or implied should) in the thesis statement. "We should allow our dogs to eat at the dinner table with us" is a thesis statement on a question of policy.

De-anchoring Beliefs

De-anchoring Beliefs • A highly recommended persuasive technique. To de-anchor others beliefs, you can appeal to their emotions in order to get them to change their minds. • There are several different emotions you can appeal to. Example: you can appeal to their sense of fear. the fear of the loss of food, shelter and clothing the fear of the loss of freedom the fear of the unknown - which includes death

De-anchoring Beliefs Other emotions you can appeal to are: • pride, sympathy/pity, anger (but make sure people get angry with the issue - not with you), affection, guilt, etc. • This approach can be very effective, but remember to involve the audience's ego not your own. In other words, you do not get emotionally involved, you are manipulating your audience's emotions.

Testimony / Personal Testimony • Testimony is simply a direct quote from an authority on the issue that you quote verbatim in your speech. • Personal testimony is telling us about something that specifically happened to you to cause you to hold the opinion that you do. Example: I feel everyone should carry a firearm because my best friend was shot at work and if he had had a gun he could have defended himself. • Personal testimony can make an idea more accessible to your audience if you in fact have an experience to recount to them.

Your Next Speech Objective of this Assignment The purpose of this assignment is to affect behavior by changing or reinforcing already existing behaviors. In addition, you should strive for polished organization and effective use of evidence. That is, make a statement and then prove it.

Your Next Speech Objective of this Assignment You should strive for an understanding of how persuasion affects an audience from a speaker's position, as well as an understanding of how persuasion affects you as an audience member. Finally, you should strive to improve your delivery of information.

Preparation for Speech The length of your presentation should be between 4 – 6 minutes You should select a topic area in which you are personally concerned. In as much as possible, you should treat this project as the real thing. You are, in fact, attempting to affect the behaviors of others. Obviously, before you affect another, you must be able to get them to listen. If your subject is sterile for your audience or they see nothing in it for them, persuasion is very difficult at best.

Preparation for Speech • In selecting your topic, you must consider your audience and how they are going to respond to it. • Do not select topics that are common knowledge or that have been discussed widely unless you can add a new dimension-information to them. • This assignment requires that you research the topic thoroughly. • It also requires that you express your own views-particularly when they can be presented logically and/or with emotional proofs. The key to success is your ability to support what you say.

Preparation for Speech – No Excuses Excuse #1: “I didn’t have enough time” Solution: Budget your time wisely. Use the calendar of assignments in the syllabus. Get it done early. Avoid procrastination (i.e. the night before) because the unexpected does happen. Excuse #2: “I was sick last night” Solution: Don’t wait until the last minute to complete assignments. The syllabus assigns everything in advance and you are given plenty of time to do it. Excuse #3: “My printer isn’t working” Solution: Go to Kinko’s! Print it out the night before it is due. Use a friend’s printer. Bring money to use the campus printer. Worst case scenarios, email it to me so it isn’t considered late. Excuse #4: “I ran out of paper” Solution: Print your assignment out the night before and put it in your bag. Go to the store before it closes. Excuse #5: “I didn’t understand the assignment, so I didn’t do it.” Solution: If you don’t understand something, you need to ASK. Make friends and contact them BEFORE asking me. Re-read the assignment description in this packet.

Preparation for Speech – No Excuses Excuse #6: “I never got your email.” Solution: If I tell you that I emailed the class information and you never received it, the responsibility is on you to make sure you get the information once you are notified. Check your email. Make sure I have your correct email address by emailing me. Excuse #7: “It was due today?? I didn’t know.” Solution: Keep this packet & syllabus with you for every class so you can keep yourself informed. Write down due dates on your personal calendar. Excuse #8: “I lost my syllabus, can I get another one?” Solution: Make a photocopy from a friend. You get only one. Email me a request to send it to you electronically. Excuse #9: “I wasn’t here in class, I didn’t know something was due.” Solution: Check your syllabus AND contact a friend to find out what you missed. Just because YOU are not here doesn’t mean class stops! You are responsible for all material missed.

Welcome Back! October 26, 2011