Persuasive Oral Presentation (Techniques, Rebuttals)

Using Persuasive Techniques

You must use persuasive techniques in your oral presentation. A number of techniques should be used, and you are seeking to demonstrate your knowledge of each technique by using it correctly and as effectively as possible.

Download and complete the following table. For each of the ten technique you will need to explain what its effect on the audience is when used effectively. For five of the techniques you will need to offer an opinion as to where it would work best in a persuasive speech (i.e. where and how should you use this technique.

This activity is designed to make you engage with the purpose behind using each technique and to consider how you can use it in your own speech before you begin planning and writing your script.

You can download a copy of the ‘Persuasive Techniques: Usage in an Oral Presentation’ table here and complete it in Word:

Persuasive Techniques Table (Oral Presentations)

Rebuttal Arguments

Generally speaking, a persuasive speech is made up of two types of arguments:

Positive Arguments: presenting arguments that support your point of view.
Rebuttal Arguments: responding to an opposing side’s argument, explaining why their approach is incorrect or should not be followed and why your side is better.

Most of your speech should be focussed on presenting positive material (i.e. the points/arguments that support your side of the issue). However, you should aim to include one rebuttal argument in your speech, as this shows that you have researched other points of view and have a detailed enough understanding of the topic to successfully explain why they are incorrect.

In general terms, a rebuttal argument should be structured as follows:

Briefly state an opposing argument.
Explain in detail why this argument is incorrect/inaccurate/should be given little weight/etc.
Explain why your position is the correct one/provides a better alternative.

While it isn’t as formal as what you will be producing, the following video provides an good example of a ‘rebuttal’ from the TV show The West Wing. Watch it carefully and consider:

What argument is the president responding to?
How does he rebut this argument?
Can you identify any persuasive techniques that are used to try and sway the audience?

Examples of Persuasive Speeches

Below are some examples of people giving persuasive speeches. Some are included because they are famous, some are included because they particularly effective, some will be by adults and some will be by secondary school students. Keep in mind that these speeches are often on contentious topics – be asking yourself ‘how persuasive are these speakers?’, not ‘do they support my preexisting views on these topics?’.

For each speech you watch, make sure you consider: