1. Elements of the Persuasive Speech What is rhetoric? Simply, rhetoric is the art of persuasive speaking or writing. Yes, there is an art to getting people to listen and then agree with you. Sometimes the only things between a winning and a losing speech or argument are the rhetorical strategies used. Today we will look at several strategies that you will be using in your speeches.

2. Elements of the Speech 1. Rhetorical Strategies 2. Introductions/Conclusions 3. Content - Arguments for - Arguments against - Evidence, facts, statistics, quotes

3. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 1. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a fancy word for exaggeration. It is useful for emphasizing a point in a speech. We use hyperbole naturally. Example: “I was waiting a year for you to get off the phone.” -“It was so quiet in the room we not only heard pins drop, we also heard the plants grow.” -Now write your own examples:

4. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 2. Allusion: This is a reference to a person, object, or event from the Bible, mythology, literature, or even popular culture. Example: “Giving the students the right to free dress is simply opening up Pandora’s box of calls to parents, detentions, and fights over fashion. Don’t sacrifice peace…” Can you think of other examples?

5. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 3. Alliteration: This is a reference to a technique in writing where words begin with the same sound. This is effective for making titles, sentences, or important points memorable. Example: as a title, “Sophomore Sister with Six Siblings” or to show memories of a humorous class: “the clamoring class of classic cut-ups and comedic clowns”

6. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 4. Metaphor/Simile: These are short comparisons of the characteristics (often only one characteristic) of two unlike things. Also, it can be thought of as a transfer of the properties of one thing to another. A simile uses “like” or “as” Example: comparing handcuffs and segregation, you could say: “The handcuffs of segregation” (metaphor) or “There is so much we do not know, our ignorance is like a vast sea, deep and wide.” (simile)

7. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 5. Rhetorical Questions: These questions are used for effect and are not to simply be answered. The answer may be implied in the question. It is to draw the audience’s attention to a specific area. Be careful not to overuse them. Example: “Are we really free when we cannot walk happily into our closets and choose a simple outfit that clearly fits who we are and allows us to express ourselves?”

8. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 6. Rule of Three: This is a technique of grouping together three words, phrases, or sentences. Example: “I came. I saw. I conquered.” “…a government of the people, by the people, for the people…” Survivor: Outwit. Outplay. Outlast

9. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 7. Repetition: This involves repeating a word, phrase, or sentence throughout a speech. The idea is to create some kind of rhythm. Example: MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech Poetry also has many examples.

10. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 8. Antithesis: This is a technique of putting two opposite ideas near each other in a sentence to create a powerful effect. Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” “We are caught in war, wanting peace.”

11. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 9. Appeal to ethos: This demonstrates trustworthiness and credibility, either of you as a speaker or of the source information you include in the essay. Example: You can do this in a number of ways: by showing you know the issue well, are related to it, understand the audience; show the source is an expert, etc.

12. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 10. Appeal to pathos: This is a technique of tapping into the emotions of your audience so that they feel the impact of your argument and will more readily be persuaded by you. Often times pathos is combined with techniques such as imagery, metaphor, and rhetorical question.

13. Elements - Rhetorical Strategies 11. Appeal to Logos: This is a technique of using logic to make your claims not merely emotionally persuasive, but also logically consistent. The focus here is on the content. Avoid logical fallacies: false dilemma, hasty generalizations, circular reasoning, false cause, or outright lies.

14. Introductions/Conclusions Starting a speech well is critical if you have any hopes of persuading someone. It is your job to grab the audience’s attention and then hold it. Ending a speech well is also important as you want to leave your audience thinking.

15. Introductions Here are some ways you can open your speech: 1. Tell a story: sometimes a brief story that introduces your topic is a good idea. It can be a real story or one you make up, it just has to be interesting. 2. Brief Facts: you can also start your speech with facts that you have found that introduce your topic. They should be important facts but should not be the CDs from the rest of your speech.

16. Intros 3. Choose a quote from someone famous or someone important in the area you are speaking on. - make sure you tell us who is speaking - make sure you tell us a little about them (a few words is fine) Final thoughts… sometimes rhetorical questions fit in well here. Whatever you do make sure at the end of the introduction your audience knows two things: 1. Your topic 2. Your opinion (what it is you are going to persuade them to believe)

17. Conclusion Your conclusion must do all of these things: 1. Summarize your speech 2. Provide closure 3. Leave the audience thinking

18. Conclusions Here are some ways to do it: 1. Refer back to the opening 2. Ask a rhetorical question 3. Tell a story (it can be funny, dramatic, shocking…anything but boring) 4. Visualization: ask the audience to imagine what it would be like if you were right (paint the picture for them. Show don’t tell), or how bad it would be if you were wrong. Again, show don’t tell.

19. Conclusion Note: All speeches need to end with a call to action: A call to action asks the audience to DO something: - to believe -to agree -to act a certain way -to think your way It challenges the audience.

20. Content of the Speech Now that you have learned about the certain rhetorical strategies in making your speech persuasive, we are going to look at how to organize the content and information in your speech.

21. Content - overview 1.Introduction: interesting/catchy intro. and your thesis (what it is you are going to persuade us to believe) 2.Section #2 : Reasons #1 and #2 for your opinion: CD, CM, CM 3. Possible arguments against (counterarguments) Opinion#1, response Opinion #2, response 4. Conclusion: Summary and call to action

22. Elements - Content Main body: This is the part where you give the reasons for your position or opinion. We will still use the CD, CM, CM model. You work the rhetorical strategies in here. Reason/Opinion #1:CDCMCM

23. Elements - Content Main body continued: CDs can be facts, statistics, quotes, or other accurate information. Reason/Opinion #2:CDCMCM

24. Elements - Content Opposing arguments: Here, still using rhetorical strategies, you - consider the best arguments of the other side. - respond to them. Reasons/Opinions Against your opinion: CDCD(Second one optional)CMCM

25. Elements - Content A few words about CDs: It is important for this speech that you find the CDs from reliable sources. Magazines, newspapers, and the internet are all good places to look, but be sure that you check to see who gives the information. In order to use the information in the speech, YOU MUST TELL ME/US WHERE YOU GOT THE INFORMATION!!!!!

26. Final Thoughts Your speech must be 3-4 minutes in length include all 8 of the rhetorical strategies (2 ex. Each) Include all three appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) consider at least two counterarguments be typed up before delivered, with all strategies and counterarguments identified be delivered in class to receive credit the topic is up to you, but I suggest working in pairs with a common issue (one pro, one con) Some strategies will serve double duty