INSTRUCTIONS
1. Choose an appropriate topic.
2. Form a thesis statement and research the topic.
Organize your information in the form of a conventional speech outline.
Use this Outline
PERSUASIVE SPEECH OUTLINE TEMPLATE
Your Name:
COMS 101 Section ___
Date Due:
Organization: Identify your outline pattern here. Your only options for this
speech is Problem-Solution or Problem-Cause-Solution
patterns (see course readings, ch. 14).
Audience analysis: Provide a description of your audience (e.g., its demographics
like age, gender, ethnicity, etc. as well as any other information
about them that impacts the way you plan and present the
speech (see course readings, ch. 4).
Topic: In 1 or 2 sentences, identify the social problem for which you
aim to prescribe a redemptive remedy in this speech (see the
Persuasive Outline and Speech Instructions document).
General Goal: To persuade my audience to _____ in response to this
presentation on _______ [the social problem that you will
estaliblish in this speech and for which you will propose and
justify a solution]
Specific Goal: I want to inform my audience about the social problem of
______ [identify the topic here] and to persuade them that
______ is a good solution for this problem for several reasons,
one of which is the fact that this solution, if successful, will
promote ______, which is something that God values
according to Scripture. (see course readings, ch. 4)
I. Get Attention
Use an attention-getter to introduce the topic (see course readings, ch. 8).
II. Establish Relevance
Show the audience how this topic relates to them (see course readings, ch. 8).
III. Establish Credibility
Identify the credentials or experiences that qualify you to address this topic as
an authority (see course readings, ch. 8).
IV. State the Thesis
Present your purpose or thesis statement—a statement that encapsulates your
speech’s main idea—here. State it as 1 complete sentence, with subject, verb,
and complete thought (see course readings, ch. 8).
COMS 101
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V. Preview Your Main Points
Present a preview statement here. Briefly explain that you will now validate or
prove the thesis by presenting Main Point 1 (state it), Main Point 2 (state it),
Main Point 3 (state it), etc. Be sure to list each of the body section’s main
points, in the order you will cover them.
Transition: Use a word, phrase, or sentence to notify your audience that you
now will support your purpose or thesis by presenting the main points in their
stated order and in greater detail (see course readings, ch. 7).
Body:
I. Main Point 1. State it as 1 complete, declarative sentence. Works with the
other main points to develop the thesis statement. Be sure it consists with the
chosen organizational pattern you identified above.
A. An example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from a properly cited
expert source that supports or illustrates Main Point 1 (Parenthetical
Citation, if this came from a source).
B. Another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from a properly
cited expert source that supports or illustrates Main Point 1 (Parenthetical
Citation, if this came from a source).
C. If needed, another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quotes from
an expert, or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main
Point 1 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
Transition: Use a word, phrase, or sentence to notify your audience that you
are now transitioning from your first main point to your second main point
(see course readings, ch. 7).
II. Main Point 2. State it as 1 complete, declarative sentence. Works with the
other main points to develop the thesis statement. Be sure it consists with the
chosen organizational pattern you identified above.
A. An example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from a properly cited
expert source that supports or illustrates Main Point 2 (Parenthetical
Citation, if this came from a source).
B. Another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quote from a properly
cited expert source that supports or illustrates Main Point 2 (Parenthetical
Citation, if this came from a source).
C. If needed, another example, illustration, statistic, comparison, quotes from
an expert, or other supportive material that supports or illustrates Main
Point 2 (Parenthetical Citation, if this came from a source).
COMS 101
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Transition: Use a word, phrase, or sentence to notify your audience that you
are now transitioning from your second main point to your third main point
(see course readings, ch. 7).
I. Summarize Your Thesis and Main Points
