PURPOSE: to provide the audience with clearly organized, well supported arguments and appeals in favor of a position or action. The focus is on logical, well reasoned, audience oriented arguments, appeals and evidence.

TIME: 5 - 7 minutes.

THE ASSIGNMENT:

Present a 5 - 7 minute speech persuading the audience to choose some alternative or different position on an issue, policy, or idea. You may use one 5 by 7 inch note card, employing an extemporaneous delivery style. Use of a visual aid is required. Refer to your notes and chapter material on what is appropriate for a visual aid.

ALTERNATIVES:

1. Speech of Conviction (addressing attitudes): Aimed at a neutral, slightly opposed or slightly in favor audience. The goal is to form, reinforce or change attitudes toward a controversial issue/policy/idea. Most often used organizational designs are categorical (statement or reasons), problem-solution, or comparison/contrast, and analogy.

2. Speech to Actuate (urging action): Aimed at an audience already in intellectual agreement with your position. The goal is to move them from intellectual agreement to a commitment to act on the proposition. Most often used organizational design is Monroe’s motivated sequence.

3. Speech to Hostile Audience (gentle refutation): Aimed at an audience already opposed to your position/proposition. The goal is to get them to hear you out, to think about re-thinking their position. Most often used organizational design is co-active approach (identification, common ground, agreement, cognitive dissonance).

4. Speech of Refutation/Contention: Aimed at a neutral audience. The goal is to directly attack the opposing position. Most often used organizational design is direct point-counterpoint attack.

YOU MUST BE READY TO SPEAK ON YOUR SCHEDULED DAY!

ISSUES TO THINK ABOUT:

· Criteria for selection of organizational design: design and arguments must match initial audience attitude and assumptions.

· Credibility: Speaker must demonstrate person credibility on the topic. That is, thorough knowledge of subject; honestly reporting facts; enthusiastic and energetic delivery; and demonstrating good intentions toward the audience.

· Relevancy: The issue must be made relevant to audience needs, concerns, and experiences.