PERSUASIVE SPEECH

E N G L I SH 7

, SP R I N

G 20 1 4

M I A J Ö

N S S O N

PREPARED SPEECHSpeech/presentation

One-way communication where you produce language actively in front of an audience. It can be neatly planned speech performed with an exact wording from a well-rehearsed script, (like a weeding speech) or it can be any situation in which you present a topic to an audience.

DebateA situation in which you argue a point of view according to a fixed procedure. There are one or more opponents who do not share your views and the point is either to try and reach an agreement or to convince the audience of your point of view.

ARGUMENTATIVE SPEECH- Goal: to make people believe in your ideas!- Often political (taxes, education etc.) or emotional/ethical

topic (animal testing, death penalty etc.)- Showing that you are passionate about your idea while

not getting too carried away is the key to success!- Clear structure and preparations needed.- Let body language reinforce your message.- Same outline as an argumentative essay:

Thesis statement + three main ideas- Use of rhetorical devices such as metaphors and similes.

RHETORIC- The art of persuasion!- Three cornerstones:

* Ethos (Greek for character): using character, credibility and ethics to persuade.

* Pathos (Greek for suffering or experience): using emotions and passion to persuade.

* Logos (Greek for word): using logical reasoning and evidence to persuade.

DEFINING ETHOS, PATHOS, LOGOS”I was not born a rich man, but I am an honest man, and I am a man of morals. The rich have us plough their fields, feed and care for their cattle, and reap their harvest – for their profits, not for our own. What do we get? A roof over our heads, true, but what else? We hardly even have any food on our plates!Just last year, my youngest died of starvation in the field, working for the benefit of the rich farmer. He faded in my arms pleading to me to save him, but I could not. All this while I could see the rich people’s house gleaming of candle light over the dinner party that was given that night!We see so many riches go through our hands each day, only to end up in the hands of our masters who give us nothing in return. How is this fair?My brothers; the rich are but a handful in number, but look at us; we are scores! We are strong! We are angry! Let us fight back and over through the people threatening our very existence and lives!I see around me, honest working men who strive to feed their families, just as I do, and I see them suffer, just like I do. Come with me! We are the power of this land, let us take what is rightfully ours by labor and sweat – let us claim our lives back from the ones who are holding us back!”

RHETORICAL DEVICES#1 Metaphors#2 Similes#3 Personification#4 Hyperbole#5 Alliteration#6 Triad#7 Repetition#8 Parallelism#9 Rhetorical question#10 Emotional language

RHETORICAL DEVICES #1 METAPHORS

A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance. Implied rather than introduced by ”like” or ”as”.

Example1His hair was a lion’s mane (to describe someone’s look and compare him/her to a powerful beast)

Example 2The pile of dirt is high, but we have many shovels (to show that a problem can be solved even if it looks hard)

RHETORICAL DEVICES #2 SIMILES

A”milder” form of a metaphor; a comparison is usually introduced with the words as or like. By making a comparison you emphasize the content of your own words and produce a strong picture in your audience’s mind.

Example1: You are as beautiful as a rose.

Example2: His arms were weak and felt like noodles.

RHETORICAL DEVICES #3PERSONIFICATION

A particular way of using a metaphor or simile to emphasize an idea. To make a personification, you take a ”dead” object and give it life by describing it as if it were alive. Thereby you have a stronger chance of gaining empathy from your audience.

Example 1:His hat sat on his head like a curled-up animal.

Example 2:Racism in our society is spreading like wildfire (to describe a societal problem and its severity).

RHETORICAL DEVICES #4HYPERBOLE

An exaggeration that you use tio illustrate just how grave you consider your point to be.

Example 1I will love you till the starts stop shining.

Example 2There are at least ten thousands reasons why we need more solar energy.

RHETORICAL DEVICES #5ALLITERATION

The repetition of a letter or a sound at the beginning of a word or a phrase. Alliterations make ut easier for a listener to remember, and also to believe in your idea.

Example 1They are part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known.

Example 2The have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different and difficult places.

RHETORICAL DEVICES #6TRIAD

Three of something. A very compelling device when used in the right place.

Example 1 (triad of words)Our main objectives are: Progress, Proceeds and Production!

Example 2 (triad of phrases)Everyone’s goal in life is to prosper; to lead a long and healthy life, and finally; to be free!

RHETORICAL DEVICES #7REPETITION

By repetition of one word or phrase you can make the audience remember your message more easily.

Example 1Our nation needs this debate, we want this debate, we will win this debate!

Example 2We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender.

RHETORICAL DEVICES #8PARALLELISM

In parallel structures you build your sentences in a particular way. The idea is to introduce two lines of thought at the same time and emphasize one by opposing it to the other. This creates a rhythm and a feeling that they belong together.

Example 1To show empathy is good, to show hatred is evil.

Example 2They enjoy giving money to the rich without handing any money out to the poor.

RHETORICAL DEVICES #9RHETORICAL QUESTION

Simply put, a rhetorical question is one where you do not expect an answer. The purpose is simply to make your audience think about what you have just said.

Example 1Can we really expect teachers to grade all these papers?

Example 2Is it not expected of our government to address these kinds of issues?

RHETORICAL DEVICES #10EMOTIONAL LANGUAGE

Using very emotional language is sometimes seen as the lowest form of rhetoric and considered a little bit ”dirty” by some strict worshippers of classical rhetoric. But still, it can be quite effective if used sparsely.

Example 1Imagine it was you who was being thrown out into the freezing cold snow!

Example 2What if it was your friends, or even your own children who had to grow up under those circumstances?

SPEECH ANALYSISYour task is to analyse Barack Obama’s victory speech from 2008. You will be assigned one specific part of the speech and your task is to find out why it is a perfect example of a persuasive speech. Focus on ethos, pathos, logos and which rhetorical devices he uses.

Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBv4-TCs3LgTranscript:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7710038.stm

FAMOUS SPEECHES- Winston Churchill – We shall fight on the beaches (1940)- Martin Luther King Jr – I have a dream (1963)- Mary Fisher – A whisper of AIDS (1992)- Barack Obama – Victory speech (2008)

THE WORKING PROCESS1. Brainstorm2. Define your purpose and limitations3. Research4. Discuss with a partner5. Create a structure and a draft

GUIDELINES FOR SPEECHES 1. Introductory paragraph2. Body paragraph3. Body paragraph4. Body paragraph5. Concluding paragraph

REHEARSAL AND DELIVERY1. Linking words and transition2. Register3. Variation4. Pace5. Pauses6. Intonation7. Pronunciation8. Body language9. Breathing10.Cue cards11.Visual aids

DEBATE1. Open strong and finish strong!2. Be slightly aggressove but still polite.3. Use the crowd.4. Disagree politely.

EXPRESSING AN OPINIONExpress your opinion:

Personally, I thinkI believe thatI feel thatIn my opinionIn my viewThe way I see itI may be wrong but…What I mean is thatAs far as I’m concernedI would like to point out thatA personal reflection is

AgreeingI agreeI couldn’t agree moreThat’s exactly what I mean

tooThat’s a very good point

DisagreeingI don’t agreeI disagreeYou can’t be seriousI understand what you

mean, butIn a way, however…True, but on the other

handI see your point, but you

forget thatEven though I agree to

some extent, it is also the case that

SPEAKING EXERCISE #1 – THINGS BEGINNING WITH…

Work in pairs. Challenge each other to come up with as many English words as possible starting with the same letter. All word classes are OK.

Time limit: 1-2 minutes

Example: things beginning with F? Fish, frisky, float, fantastic, fraternity…

SPEAKING EXERCISE #2 – THE MARTIAN Work in pairs. Welcome an alien to Earth by

explaining to them how things work around here. It can be very fundamental things, like defining what objects on Earth are edible, teaching them how traffi clights work or why the sun goes down at night. It is not as easy as it sounds!

SPEAKING EXERCISE #3 – WORD HOOKSWork in pairs. Write a noun (physical or abstract, like rock, heroes or imagination). Put the noun in a circle with six ”hooks” attached to it. Now, quickly find six other words to put on the hooks, all associated with the original word. Then, talk for 1 minute about your noun, using and exploring all the ”hooked” words.

SPEAKING EXERCISE #4 - PERSUASIONWork in pairs. Pick one topic below. One of you is pro, one is con. Try to convince your partner on why you are right.

Same sex marriage Legalizing marijuanaAdoption Donate bloodTV violence Sex education in schoolLearn a foreign language Public transportationExercise Scholarships for athletesCloning Go to the museumBreast feeding Reality TVVegetarian lifestyle SpamMorning-after pill FacebookDrug testing on the job Street racing

SPEAKING EXERCISE #5 – THE TELLING OFF

Work in pairs. Quickly decide what relationship you have and imagine a situation in which you get very upset. Come up with a reason for why you are angry – then tell your partner off for 1 minute without using foul language (that is, no cursing!)

SPEAKING EXERCISE #6, PT1 - PICTURES

SPEAKING EXERCISE #6, PT2 - PICTURES

SPEAKING EXERCISE #6, P3 - PICTURES

SPEAKING EXERCISE #7 – WHO WANTS A…?

Tell the students that you are going to give them a present. However, only one student will receive the present. In order to receive this present, the student must convince you through his / her fluency and imagination that he or she deserves the present. It's best to use a wide range of imaginary presents as some students will obviously be more attracted to certain types of presents than others.