Public Speaking - Example of a Persuasive Speech Outline to Prove That Something is True

One form of persuasive speaking is when youcount calories. The problem is, how do you know
want to prove that something is - or is not -which diet will do that and not just be another fad
TRUE. There is also when you want yourleaving you hungry or with the lost pounds
audience to DO something and when you want toreturning a year later? There is an answer."
sway them to your point of VIEW. Hence, theII. BODY
DO, TRUE and VIEW forms of persuasion.A. ROAD MAP: The Skinny Minny System is an
Being persuasive requires different considerationseffective eating program that will enable you to
than informative speaking, and one of them islose pounds slowly but permanently and keep the
how you organize your ideas. Your particularweight off simply by changing some of your
objective determines the best organization. Youeating choices. Let me show you the proof that it
still have the three parts of a speech - the intro,works.
body, and conclusion. But in the TRUE method,B. MAIN POINTS:
the Main Points in the Body of your talk would1. EVIDENCE
consist of some combination of any or all ofPresent research results, studies or other data
these three items: (1) personal observation orthat support your claim. In proving this diet's
experience, (2) evidence, (3) expert testimony.integrity, you might present health and nutrition
To see how this organization would work whenstudies that document this plan's success with
you want to prove to your audience thatweight loss. You could cite surveys of people who
something is (or is not) TRUE, let's create atook weight off and kept it off over several
hypothetical objective. Suppose you're talking to ayears.
group of people who want to go on a diet. You've2. PERSONAL OBSERVATION
recommended the "Skinny Minny" system. ButSomething you've seen or experienced personally
some members of the group have questionedcan be very compelling. You could tell your own
whether that particular diet really works. Youstory of how, on this program, you shed pounds,
want to prove to them that it is TRUE that theydropped several clothing sizes, and have kept the
can lose weight on this diet. Here's how you mightweight off.
outline that presentation:3. EXPERT TESTIMONY
I. INTROA validation of your claim by other people who
A. HOOK: Start with something attention-getting.are acknowledged as experts can build your case.
Maybe it could be a startling statistic or revelation:You could cite testimonials from doctors and
"Eighty percent of all people who lose weight on anutritionists extolling the results of this plan and its
diet gain it back within a year."health benefits. You would also probably cite,
B. REASON TO LISTEN: "To lose weightcomplete with before and after photos, the
effectively and keep it off, you need to follow atestimony of others who have lost and kept off
program that allows you to control cravings andthe weight.
make smart eating choices without having toIII.