AIDPSC Persuasive Speaking

 

Overview

The persuasive speech is a prepared speech that is designed to persuade an audience. It must be on a serious topic, although this does not mean that humour might not be useful at points in the speech. A problem/solution approach must be taken, although the speaker may finally conclude, for good reasons that must be shown, that no solution can currently be found.

The persuasive element may be in convincing the audience that the problem exists, or its significance, or it may be a problem that everyone knows exists and the persuasiveness is in convincing the audience that the solution is valid.  Obviously, this may mean that the speaker devotes most of his or her time to the problem and less time to the solution, or the other way around.  Alternative, there may be a relative even split between the establishing of the problem and the explanation of the solution. As long as it is convincing, any of these approaches is acceptable.

 

 

Topic Selection

You must select a serious topic about a real problem that is facing the world today. Your problem may be at an individual, local, regional, national or international level. You should not pick anything too obvious (such as advocating for increasing the penalty for drowning puppies) or obscure (such as the need for greater ethnic diversity in the Bayside Council’s planning department). However, it can be good to pick an issue that is original, unexpected or unusual. If you do pick a well-established problem, your speech should aim to introduce a new idea or perspective to the debate.

Examples of successful topics include:

  • Gay rights in Africa
  • The pressure to succeed
  • Human trafficking
  • The bystander effect
  • Increasing funding for space exploration
  • Gender discrimination and male privilege

You will need to determine whether you will focus predominantly on establishing the problem, advocating a solution, or a relatively even balance between the two. Any approach is acceptable and will determine the structure of your speech.

For example, a successful speech was previously given on the problem of ‘Not Enough Autopsies are being performed’. This speech was nearly entirely devoted to (successfully) establishing the problems with the number of autopsies being performed currently and the effect this was having. Once this was established, very little time was needed to establish the solution: perform more autopsies. The result was a structure that was weighted 90 to 95% towards establishing the problem, and only 5 to 10% discussing the solution, but was nevertheless persuasive and successful.

Some ideas for persuasive speeches can be found here: Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas. Note that these are only a few ideas – the possibilities are endless, and a vast number of different ideas and approaches could work.

 

 

Speaking Times

This is a 10 minute prepared speech, with a grace period of 3 minutes.

This means that the speech can be between 7 minutes and 13 minutes in length. However, any speech that is 6 minutes 59 seconds or less, or 13 minutes 1 second or more, will incur severe marking penalties. Ten minutes, not thirteen minutes, is the desired time.

The long time is because it is expected that you will be dealing with complicated issues and/or complicated solutions. However, there is no required split in your time: it is acceptable to spend most of the time establishing the issue (because it may not be easily apparent) and then very little time on the solution (because, once it is accepted that there is a problem, the solution is obvious), and vice versa.

 

 

Scoring

The overall aim of the persuasive speech is to convincingly present a problem and a solution to an audience. In doing so, you will need to achieve the following:

  • You must convince the audience that there is a serious problem.
  • You must convince the audience that your solution will help significantly.

Your role is that of an advocate and spokesperson, much luck a lawyer, politician, diplomat, activist or lobbyist. Accordingly, your speech will be marked against the following criteria:

  • Analysis of Problem and Knowledge of Topic
  • Persuasiveness of Solution (Logic and Appeal)
  • Originality of Speech
  • Delivery

You can download a copy of the AIDPSC Persuasive Speech Ballot here: AIDPSC Persuasive Speaking Ballot

 

 

Presentation

You are allowed to take up one double-sided cue card of 10cm x 14cm. However, and this cannot be stressed enough, you should have you speech memorised and avoid using the cue card. If you decide to have a card, it should remain in your pocket until required.

No other props beyond the cue card are allowed.

Your overarching purpose is to connect with your audience. This will require you to show an extremely high level of understanding about your issue, to speak with passion and conviction, to establish a personal connection with your audience, affect them emotionally, and to hold their attention for an extended period of time.

Remember that you will be speaking for up to 13 minutes, and that there may be several people speaking before you. Your judges may be mentally exhausted from concentrating by the time they see you, so consider: What will make your speech different? How will you gain and maintain their attention? How can you help them to easily follow your speech? How can you engage and involve them mentally in what you are discussing?

Some useful things to consider include:

  • Practice in front of many different audiences to perfect your delivery, as your presentation skills must be exemplary in order to succeed. Variations in tone, pace, volume, eye contact, gestures, movement and modulation are all essential.
  • Stories, whether real, anecdotal or hypothetical, are very useful ways of illustrating and engaging your audience. They can build a real emotional connection.
  • Have a clear structure to your speech that goes beyond mere signposting (although signposting will still be important).
  • Be prepared to write, rewrite and rewrite your speech. Extensive drafting will be essential to perfect content, delivery and structure.
  • Pick something that is of interest to you. If you aren’t interested by your topic, or convinced by your solution, then neither will your audience.

 

 

Examples of Persuasive Speeches