THE PERSUASIVE SPEECH
Essay DUE March 10th (B Day) and March 11th (A Day) on Schoology (Turnitin.com) by 11:59 pm
In this persuasive speech, the student will present one topic, persuading from one viewpoint. You can choose your own topic or choose one from the website: https://www.procon.org/. It will be a four paragraph speech consisting of an introductory paragraph, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. You will also include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper to tell your reader the source(s) you are discussing and quoting.
Topic: Prove your stance on a controversial topic of your choosing or from https://www.procon.org/.
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
The introductory paragraph, or introduction of the paper, should introduce the topic you are arguing, your stance, and your two supporting reasons. The introductory sentences should also lead the reader in the direction of the specific topic you have chosen. The thesis is the last sentence in the introduction and should include the two supporting points; each of these supporting points will become a body paragraph.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
How do the paragraphs breakdown?
The first sentence of your body paragraph will be a topic sentence. Each topic sentence will develop one of the points presented in your thesis. The rest of the paragraph will be illustrated by specific evidence (direct quotations) from your research.
So, what are the minimum requirements for each body paragraph?
Each paragraph MUST have:
- A Topic Sentence—clear Claim and a brief outline of the paragraph
- Minimum of two embedded quotes, your Evidence (quotes mixed with your own words) from your research
- the quotes should illustrate specific moments from your research that prove your topic
- Explanation of and Reasoning foron evidence presented
- in this analysis, discuss how the quote proves your topic as well as how the evidence contributes to your WHY (Depth of thought)
- Closing Sentence—BRIEFLY sum up the paragraph and/or transition to second paragraph
*In all, each body paragraph will have at least 2 quotes (for 2 CERs)—both from your research
conclusion paragraph
The conclusion must be at least two sentences long and should re-emphasize your thesis. Ideally, you will also indicate how the point in your thesis makes an impact on the work or the reader. The last line of this paragraph is the only place where you can use first person plural (we, us, etc.).
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
You may refer to the research by a direct quotation, which may be as short as a word or two, or as long as several lines. These quotations MUST be documented; you must inform your reader of the source of these quotations. You will provide the information in parentheses after the quotation. Documentation for articles is stated: (Author’s last name, pg#). You must have 2 additional sources in your speech (procon.org plus 2 more).
The following conventions are REQUIRED in regards to documentation:
- Ellipsis (…) to mark words omitted from lines in a play or a sentence; words unnecessary to the point you are making should be omitted from your quotation. Also, do not begin your quotation with the “…”; just begin with the first word you are using.
- A square bracket [ ] is used to indicate a change from the past tense to the present tense or to identify a pronoun in the quotation. Tense is changed to make the quotation fit your sentence because formal essays are always written in PRESENT tense. If the work uses was, you change to [is] in your paper. You may also have to use the brackets to alter the text to fit your sentence; i.e., [Rhiannon] instead of she. Finally, you may also use [ ] to change capital letters to small letters and vice versa.
- Use of a single word or brief phrase as a quotation. You should fit the words into the structure of your sentence to make a smooth sentence. Example: A explains that he “[has] gotten very used to the fact that most mornings in most homes are exactly the same” (Levithan, 30).
Non-Negotiables for writing major grade papers:
- Avoid first or second person (except the LAST line of the conclusion).
- The word “This” should ALWAYS be replaced with a specific phrase or followed by a noun. “This shows….”= NO! “This speech shows…”= Better
- All quotes MUST be integrated with your own words.
Outline of Your Speech
- Intro—introduces the topic to your audience
- Thesis statement only—states the purpose of the essay, identifies what you are proving (sub-topic 1 and 2)
- Body paragraph #1—Two CERs combined into a paragraph
- Topic sentence for the paragraph (Claim #1 and #2)
- Claim identifying Claim #1
- Evidence 1—embedded quote
- Reasoning 1—explains how the quote proves the topic sentence AND discusses connection to the topic sentence/thesis
- Transition sentence (Claim #2) connecting evidence #1 and evidence #2
- Evidence 2—embedded quote
- Reasoning 2— explains how the quote proves the topic sentence AND discusses connection to the topic sentence/thesis
- Closing sentence leading to next paragraph
- Body paragraph #2—Two CERs combined into a paragraph
- Topic sentence for the paragraph identifying Claim #1
- Evidence 1—embedded quote
- Reasoning 1—explains how the quote proves the topic sentence AND discusses connection to the topic sentence/thesis
- Transition sentence connecting evidence #1 and evidence #2
- Evidence 2—embedded quote
- Reasoning 2— explains how the quote proves the topic sentence AND discusses connection to the topic sentence/thesis
- Closing sentence leading to next paragraph
- Conclusion—final closing thoughts to leave with your audience
- Closing Sentence—restatement of the thesis in different words