Hi!
I found this forum through google as I try to find a topic for my persuasive speech..
I come from Quebec where French is the official language and I have only done "English as a Second Language" courses before. I moved to Toronto in September, so I'm now taking real English courses and I am very nervous. I am very bad in English, even when I was in Quebec having English as a Second Language courses...I have absolutely 0 confidence on my English...
Today our teacher assigned us a persuasive speech, on whatever topic we are interested.
But I have no idea how to write a persuasive speech, and I have also no idea which topic I should choose to make it easier for me (or for my English level..)...
I'm hoping that this forum can help me..
Thanks a lot in advance!!
(ps.It's my first time posting stuff in a forum,I'm sorry if I did anything wrong...)
I hear where you are coming from. I just started back in academic upgrading Jan 3rd and i just had my course on persuasive writing yesterday. What i learned was to make sure the topic is not to bold it has to be something that does not go on and on for example don't pick something like "people should try to cure their own addictions" only because if you think about addiction how many are there gambling, drugs, smoking, alcoholism the list goes on. It would just be way to much. Now if say you take smoking and if you are against it then that would be a good topic. Basically if you are against smoking then it's like writing a letter to people to try and get them to quit by laying out a good argument or if your for smoking then try to convince someone of why you should not quit. Try to use at least 3 good points and use them in the manner of from least important to the most important and do not forget your transition words.
Purpose: To get people to see your point, to agree with it, and maybe act on it.
You take a stand, support your stand with convincing reasons, and you give details.
Topics: Pick a topic you can handle.
Choose a topic you can manage based on your own experiences and observations.
Topic Sentence: Do two things in your topic sentence: identify your subject, take a stand
The words should, ought, and must often occur in the topic sentence.
Avoid annoucing your topic for example: This paragraph will show why there
should not be an increase in parking fees.
Body: Use clear, logical reasons-at least 3.
Put the most important reason last.
Use strong, specific examples for each of your reasons. The reader will be able
to "see" what you are talking about.
Use opinions from recognized, respected authorities to support your points.
Consider your audience and how you might answer your critics.
a) You may prove that the objection isn't valid.
b) You may admit the other side has a point-you may have to concede that point.
c) You may turn the objection into an advantage.
Concluding Sentence: The last sentence will strongly summarize your position.
I hope this is a help to you, trust me once you start to think about it, it will come natural. I think this is the easiest form of writing as I just finished classification and contrast, comparison let me tell you those killed me. If you can pick a topic that you know alot about and don't have to research anything thats what you want to go with. Once again iI hope this is a help.
Good Luck
Thank you!!!
I'm sure this will help me to improve the quality of my speech!~
I think whatever topic I pick I will still have to do research on it..-_-||
Do you think "child soldiers" can be a good topic??Like, calling people to act to stop the use of child soldiers?
I think this topic is easy to get "emotional"(??)...
Well i know nothing about child soldiers so i can not say if this would be a good topic or not. I know that for myself it would be something i would have to researh everything. The fact is that if you have not done this type of writing your best bet would be to do something simple for your first try at it. Pick a topic that you know enough about that you will not have to research that way it will make it easier for you to do. Even if you make it simple doesn't mean it will not get you a good mark. By doing something you know alot about it will allow you to make it simple but very informative which will score you a good mark. Just sit down and think about something that you and your friends debate about on daily basis and take from that because really that is all persuasive writing is. I hope you can understand what i am trying to say here and it's not to jumbled. Do up some rough work and post it and i will let you know what i think. When do you have to have the speech ready for.
I actually finished writing the speech..I finally decided to do child soldiers, because i've done another project on child soldiers before...
do you mind to give me your email so I can send you my work?...and tell me what do you think about it?~
Thanks again.I appreciated a lot.
(ps.It's my first time posting stuff in a forum,I'm sorry if I did anything wrong...)
You did nothing wrong. We are so glad you are here!
I want to remind you that your most important task is to get the listeners to take some sort of action. Plant an idea in their minds. Action speaks louder than words. If you want to persuade people about something, suggest a specific action they might take to learn more or to contribute to the solution.
Action is everything, ha ha...