What are the steps to critique the structure of a persuasive speech?
Persuasive speeches are designed to convince the audience to adopt a certain point of view, take a specific action, or support a particular cause. However, not all persuasive speeches are equally effective, and some may have flaws in their structure, content, or delivery. If you want to improve your own persuasive speaking skills, or help others do the same, you need to know how to critique the structure of a persuasive speech. Here are the steps you can follow to evaluate and provide constructive feedback on any persuasive speech.
The first step is to identify the goal of the persuasive speech. What is the speaker trying to achieve? What is the main message or claim they are making? How do they want the audience to feel, think, or act after listening to their speech? The goal should be clear, specific, and realistic, and it should match the needs and interests of the audience. A good persuasive speech has a well-defined goal that guides the rest of the structure.
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We should start with humour, it's a great way to bring all the room onto the same page. Make everyone laugh and feel comfortable. Once we've settled that, it's time to take them on a journey. The best storytellers are those that are great at being persuasive. We should a story and let the final chapter be your end goal / idea you want to share.
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Usually helps to follow the "What, So What, Now What" framework. Start by introducing your topic (What) to provide clarity. Then, go into the significance (So What). The "Now What" is where you transition from information to action. To enhance your impact, consider: 1. Credibility through Data: Citing credible sources lends authority and enhances persuasive power. 2. Emotional Appeal: Persuasion relies on more than facts; emotions play a vital role. When your audience senses your commitment, they connect with your message on a deeper level. 3. Narrative Flow and Consistency: Maintain a logical and coherent narrative. Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive information. Simplicity fosters clarity, leaving a lasting impression.
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To evaluate a persuasive speech, begin with its introduction: does it captivate and clarify the topic while showcasing the speaker's authority? The main content should have a clear argument, solid evidence, and address counterpoints. It's key that the speech emotionally resonates, perhaps through personal stories. Consider the speaker's tone, use of rhetorical tools, and consistent body language. The conclusion should recap the argument and offer a memorable finish with clear action steps. Smooth transitions and content relevance are vital throughout. When giving feedback, spotlight strengths and suggest areas for refinement.
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Invariably the persuassive speeches culmintae with a "Call to Action" (CTA). In your perspective, please review if the speaker was able to get the buy-in from the audience at the end of the day. If the speaker gets the affirmation from the audience for the CTA, it is likely that the speaker has attained the goals.
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As per my understanding assessing a persuasive speech should start with understanding the purpose and the message. Secondly, it is important to look at the structure; clear introduction which grabs the attention, body of the speech which is properly organized and effective conclusion. Moreover, examining the use of persuasive techniques and rhetorical devices is important. Another important thing is accessing language and tone, capacity of non- verbal communication and effective engagement with the audience. Finally, speeches should adhere to ethical standards and should motivate, persuade and inspire positive actions.
The next step is to analyze the introduction of the persuasive speech. The introduction should capture the attention of the audience, establish the credibility of the speaker, and preview the main points of the speech. A good introduction uses a hook, such as a story, a question, a statistic, or a quote, to draw the audience in and make them curious about the topic. It also shows why the speaker is qualified to speak on the topic, and what their perspective or stance is. Finally, it provides a clear and concise thesis statement that summarizes the main argument of the speech, and a preview of the main points that support it.
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Absolutely, You know, when I coach budding speakers, I always stress the importance of nailing the introduction. Think of it as the doorway to your entire speech. Imagine using a gripping story, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful quote - it's like casting a spell, making the audience lean in, eager for what's next. But remember, it's not just about being flashy. It's about showcasing your expertise and standpoint. And always, always, give them a taste of what's to come with a clear thesis and a preview. That's setting the stage for a memorable speech."
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Your introduction = Your Hook It should convey - Who you are & What you’ve done/doing - How you are relevant to the topic - Your stance on the topic You can use literary devices like - Anaphora - Inversion - Irony - Rhetorical Question - Antithesis - Analogies to develop your introduction that leaves a lasting impression.
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For over a decade, Blair Singer, Former Rich Dad Advisor for Robert Kiyosaki, shared invaluable wisdom with me. . Unlike conventional approaches, Blair emphasized that introductions shouldn't start with generic greetings like "good morning" or "good afternoon." Instead, the purpose is to address the little voices of both the presenter and participants. With 35-40 years of experience, Blair has honed a sequence that consistently yields positive results. Should an introduction include a personal anecdote? If so, what kind of story works best? Is it helpful to include statistical data, and if so, what kind? . Lastly, it's crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the participants, often overlooked by many speakers.
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After getting their attention, it's time to introduce the first statement that could "gently hit hard". They might go like " how can she say that". I will now come in with a Scripture verse that says what I just introduced better. Now, I have their attention. They now want what I have to give.
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It has always been important to make the audience lean forward right at the start. But this has become magnified in the age of the mobile phone. If the speaker can't grip the audience from the start, it's only natural that an audience member who's stopped paying attention will glance at their cell phone for something that IS of interest to them. It can be difficult to get these people back even if you tell a great story or make a remarkable point six minutes into the talk. So make the audience lean toward you from your first words and make them stay that way until they rise to applaud when you finish.
The third step is to evaluate the body of the persuasive speech. The body should present the main points that support the thesis statement, using evidence, reasoning, and emotional appeals. A good body has a logical and coherent organization, with clear transitions between the points. It also uses credible and relevant sources of information, such as facts, statistics, examples, testimonies, or studies, to back up the claims. Moreover, it uses effective rhetorical strategies, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, to appeal to the audience's values, emotions, and logic.
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I admire the wisdom in Steve Jobs' iconic Stanford Convocation speech. In it, he introduced the context by saying, "I am going to share with you three personal stories!" This simplicity sets the perfect stage. However, it's essential to consider the purpose of the speech. If there's a call to action, should we provide extensive information during the body of the presentation? Or is too much detail counterproductive? Striking the right balance in the amount and relevance of information is crucial.
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The Body of the speech is the core of the story telling ... real life incidents, painting a picture of a grim future, statistics from reliable publications .. all of them can be part of the overall story telling. make every MINUTE impactful. Any minute that does not create impact can be edited out of the speech. Good for speaker. Good for audience.
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Establishing clarity of what you are going to say is critical to holding audience's attention. However, it is not always can you start by saying what you are going to say but a good body can also be made interesting with story telling technique. One thing we must bear in mind is that every sentence you say must lead to the next one. With this you can be crisp, clear and concise. The body must include the credible sources, stories and strategies that makes the audiences time with you worth while.
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To convince your audience to think that your chosen side of an issue is right it is important that you firstly state the issue very clearly. Then, explain why your opinion on this issue is right. Phrases like; “think about …” and “the evidence is clear that …” should be used to bring credibility to your message. Next, convince your audience that the other sides or arguments are wrong. Rhetorical question helps to accomplish this effectively. In conclusion state clearly the positive outcomes and benefits of your point of view on the issue.
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The body of the speech shall be divided into 3-4 parts. In each part there shall be a message and each of the messages shall be supported with a support material. To provide variety, each of the support material can vary from personal story, external story, stattistics, quotes etc. Also the speaker to ensure smooth transition between intro and body and between each segment of the body and finally between the body and conclusion.
The fourth step is to assess the conclusion of the persuasive speech. The conclusion should reinforce the main message of the speech, summarize the main points, and motivate the audience to take action. A good conclusion uses a memorable closing statement, such as a call to action, a recommendation, a quotation, or a challenge, to leave a lasting impression on the audience. It also restates the thesis statement and the main points in a different way, without introducing new information or arguments. Finally, it expresses gratitude to the audience and invites questions or feedback.
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A good ending is valuable when you end your speech on time. Therefore, time your entire speech and don't over shoot the time. A good ending is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression and to reinforce your main objective of the speech. However, summarizing must be done skillfully and must summarize the main points and provide closure. It must always leave the audience at a high, the feeling that itself will drive them to implement the call to action. Don't forget to signpost the end by saying "In Conclusion", "To wrap up", "To sum it all up". Avoid introducing new points as this can kill your entire speech by leaving the audience confused. Leave the audience with a memorable statement like a quote, anecdote etc..
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I recall a very good example how public speaking shifted away from overt vocalization to a crowd, towards a more personalized delivery style which addressed the individual. Oswald Mosely was a charismatic Fascist leader in the UK who thrived in public address but was unable to apply the new rules before the camera - it was his undoing. In the same manner that journalists are taught to write to the lowest common denominator, good speakers make each individual in the audience feel that they are being addressed personally. This is achieved by relatable anecdotes, appeal to emotion, self deprecation and humour.
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The conclusion is the end goal we talked about at the start of this article. The call to action ! Without this in place, you should not even start. Once you arrive at the end, refine it and align it to the overall story telling with some good call-backs.
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Conclusion can include the summary of the speech and also answer the question asked during the opening of the speech. If possible, a storng punch line can be arrived with the help of an alliteration, triads or a metapahor,
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I will remain true to my identity as I conclude, so they too can notice that strength and go for it. Make them see how important they are to the world at large and the reason they have to fulfill their destinies strongly. At this point, they don't feel alone anymore....because they have heard you take care of their issues in such a way identifiable to them.
The fifth step is to check the delivery of the persuasive speech. The delivery refers to how the speaker uses their voice, body language, eye contact, gestures, and visual aids to communicate their message. A good delivery enhances the effectiveness of the speech, by conveying confidence, enthusiasm, and sincerity. It also engages the audience, by using vocal variety, pauses, emphasis, and modulation. Furthermore, it supports the speech, by using appropriate and expressive facial expressions, movements, and posture. Additionally, it uses visual aids, such as slides, charts, or images, to illustrate or clarify the points, without distracting or confusing the audience.
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Yes, while working with people disturbed, challenged and looking for answers, everything you do , will be judged by them. So as much as you can, use examples that hits home. I see myself as a doctor to very sick people that needs to learn how to manage their sickness until they heal perfectly.
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All of the above is a modern elaboration of classical rhetoric. Good. The art of persuading human beings has not changed for four thousand years, despite the avalanches of new technology that are swamping, confusing and fragmenting us. "Check the delivery" indeed: it's all in the delivery. There can be a mountain of firebranded content in a speech but if the person delivering it doesn't have the right substance of character, speaking skill and quality of voice, and understanding of the audience, then the speech falls on deaf ears. This is the art of it. "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears."
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Your delivery will not be passionate if you do not believe in the topic. Or at least it will be very difficult. Make the whole speech interesting. Bring in audience interaction but keep it short and simple. Don't ask questions which require long drawn out responses. Remember - You are the speaker. Binary answers are best - Yes/No, Right/Wrong, High/Low etc.
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Delivery include several aspect of what the speaker does on the stage. Primary thing is body language which include stage movement, eye contact, stance, hand gestures and facial expressions. The next important aspect of delivery is vocal variety that includes volume variation, rate of delivery, tone, pitch, effective use of pauses, pronounciation.
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Good delivery is possible only if your content is good and you can connect to it. Delivery though is something that consists of skills, personality and practice. I think presentations are a kind of applied art, something that you have to do and practice a lot to get better at.
The final step is to provide feedback on the structure of the persuasive speech. Feedback is the process of giving constructive and specific comments or suggestions to the speaker, to help them improve their speech. A good feedback is balanced, respectful, and honest, and it focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of the speech, not the speaker. It also follows the sandwich method, which consists of starting and ending with positive remarks, and sandwiching the areas of improvement in between. Moreover, it uses examples or evidence from the speech, to illustrate or support the feedback. Finally, it offers actionable and realistic recommendations, that the speaker can implement to enhance their speech.
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So when I'm working on a nutritional workshop I always start with a story as everyone loves a good story! And then I present the evidence for my case looking at the science, ancestral wisdom and finish up with common sense and humour. Asking questions along the way. I'll have a slide with just a question on. That gets people thinking and increases engagement. You can judge the success of your talk by the number of questions you get, the more the better, and by how many people "take action" which requires follow up which is time consuming but worth it.
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I evaluate any speech/presentation on three parameters: What I saw: slides, body language etc. What I heard: words, messaging, vocal variety How I felt: the most important aspect; did the speaker connect with me? Do i believe in what they are saying?
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Look for eye contact;directly hit all points of interest; speech tonenallity:speak with assertiveness and authority of the subject; be strong and persuasive and be the leader of your presentation!
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To enhance persuasive speaking skills, one must adeptly critique a persuasive speech. Start by analyzing the introduction's ability to grab attention and establish relevance. Assess the clarity of the statement and its alignment with supporting arguments. Evaluate the logical flow and coherence of these arguments, checking for evidence quality and its persuasive impact. Examine the counterarguments and how effectively they're addressed. Finally, assess the conclusion's ability to summarize key points and leave a lasting impression. Offer constructive feedback on these aspects, emphasizing the need for a compelling structure, engaging content, and a confident, articulate delivery for persuasive success.
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