Delivering a Persuasive Speech

Jason gets very nervous giving speeches in front of big crowds. How can he combat his nervousness?

• by writing down his speech instead of speaking it

• by coming up with a catchy introduction for his speech

• by practicing his speech in front of a mock audience

• by resting a lot during the days before delivering his speech

Read this excerpt from a speech. What is its purpose?

"Water pollution is a growing threat to our environment. Not only does it harm aquatic creatures, but it can lead to serious health problems in humans."

• to inform the audience

• to entertain the audience

• to convince the audience

• to make the audience feel emotional

How does outlining contribute to the process of speechwriting?

• It gives speakers a clearer vision of the topic of discussion.

• It helps speakers organize their ideas and research logically.

• It enables speakers to receive constructive feedback.

• It provides speakers with a chance to practice giving the speech.

Amy excels at writing down and memorizing speeches. But she gets very self-conscious when she’s onstage delivering a speech. Which type of fears does Amy most likely suffer from?

• a fear being stared at or appearing foolish

• a fear of falling

• a fear of losing her voice

• a fear of having technical issues

A literature student is planning to deliver a speech on the common themes of romantic poetry. Which source of data should the student consult?

• a personal blog post on romantic poetry

• a student’s opinions on romantic poetry

• a college professor’s essay on romantic poetry

• a romantic movie

How can a speaker most effectively persuade the audience in favor of a certain viewpoint?

• by explaining the benefits of following the viewpoints

• by proclaiming that the viewpoints are superior

• by stating the viewpoints repeatedly for clarity

• by introducing other viewpoints related to the main topic

Which persuasive technique does this excerpt from a speech about climate change use?

"Vanderbilt University’s Climate Change Research Network (CCRN) says people can do things as simple as turning off lights to help prevent global warming. The organization says that more people haven’t reacted to warnings about climate change because citizens are told they have to make huge sacrifices."

• personal stories

• expert opinion

• historical references

• emotional appeals

Which task should not be included in your frame of speech?

• Get your audience’s attention

• Define the problem you're presenting about

• Explain the solutions

• State the benefits of the solutions

• Expose your feeling about the audience's enthusiasm

Which task should you do at the end of your speech?

• Get your audience’s attention

• Define the problem you're presenting about

• Give a call to action

• State the benefits of the solutions

• Explain the solutions

Which should not be one of the main aims of a speech?

• to persuade the audience in favor of a viewpoint

• to make the audience become angry at each other

• to inform the audience about a topic or issue

• to entertain the audience