The Persuasion Speech:

There are three types of persuasion speeches: speeches on a question of fact, speeches on a question of value, and speeches on a question of policy.

Question of Fact: this is convincing your audience that something happened or that it will happen. It can be proven or not proven; it can use information which is documented or speculated. A speech that tries to convince the audience that the Blazers will make the play-offs this year would be a speech on a question 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 their clients innocent. When Oliver Stone made his movie about the conspiracy in the assassination of JFK, 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.

Question 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. It uses both a question of fact and a question of value.

Question of Policy: this is convincing us to take an action. Given this information and the importance of it, we must do something about it. 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. It will use all three types of arguments: facts, value and policy.

Question of Fact: Abortion is economically sensible.
Question of Value: Abortion is a right of all women.
Question of Policy: Abortion should be legal.

In this class, you will all be giving a speech on a question of policy.

Speech 2: Persuasion speech assignment:

This will be a 5-7 minute persuasion speech on a question of policy. You are required to cite at least 3 sources. Only 1 out of every 3 resources may be from the web. You will turn in a works cited page along with your formal outline on the day of your speech presentation.

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