Types of Persuasive Arguments
Different types of arguments serve different persuasive purposes. Consider these common argument types for your speech:
- Problem-Solution: Demonstrates a significant issue and proposes a viable solution
- Comparative Advantage: Shows why your proposal is superior to alternatives
- Cause-Effect: Establishes causal relationships between actions and outcomes
- Value-Based: Appeals to shared values, principles, or ethical standards
- Testimony-Based: Uses first-hand experiences or expert opinions to support claims
Most effective persuasive speeches combine multiple argument types to create a comprehensive case. For example, a speech advocating for expanded campus mental health services might include problem-solution arguments about current wait times, cause-effect arguments about the impact of untreated mental health issues, and value-based arguments about institutional responsibility for student wellbeing.
Creating a Persuasive Argument Structure
Each main argument in your speech should follow a clear structure that guides your audience from claim to conclusion. A strong argument structure includes:
- Claim: A clear statement of your position on a specific aspect of your topic
- Evidence: Supporting data, examples, or expert opinions (from your required sources)
- Reasoning: Explicit connections showing how your evidence supports your claim
- Impact: Explanation of why this point matters to your audience
For example, in a speech advocating for expanded campus bike lanes, a structured argument might include: a claim about safety concerns for cyclists, evidence from campus accident statistics, reasoning connecting the lack of dedicated lanes to accidents, and impact statements about how improved safety would benefit all campus community members.
Addressing Opposing Viewpoints
Acknowledging and responding to potential counterarguments strengthens your persuasive impact by demonstrating fairness and thorough understanding. Effective counterargument strategies include:
- Acknowledge-and-Refute: Recognize a valid concern, then explain why your proposal still makes sense
- Common Ground: Identify shared values before showing how your proposal better serves those values
- Limitation-and-Solution: Admit potential drawbacks while providing mitigating solutions
Within your 7-8 minute timeframe, plan to address 1-2 significant counterarguments. For instance, if advocating for a campus sustainability fee, you might acknowledge concerns about additional student costs before explaining how the long-term savings and environmental benefits outweigh this initial investment.
Research and Evidence
Your assignment requires a minimum of two credible sources cited in MLA format. The “Research” and “Ethical Communication” categories in your rubric specifically evaluate how effectively you integrate and cite these sources.
Finding Credible Sources
For your persuasive speech, look for sources that offer reliable, relevant information about your topic. Strong source types include:
- Academic journals: Peer-reviewed research with rigorous standards
- Government publications: Official reports, statistics, and policy documents
- Industry studies: Research from professional organizations or institutes
- Reputable news sources: In-depth reporting from established outlets
- Institutional resources: Data and information from relevant organizations
While you need only two sources for your assignment, having 3-4 quality sources can strengthen your persuasive case if they’re integrated effectively. Focus on finding the most authoritative and relevant sources rather than simply meeting the minimum requirement.
Evaluating Source Credibility
When selecting sources for your persuasive speech, evaluate their credibility using these criteria:
- Authority: Is the author/organization qualified to speak on this topic?
- Accuracy: Is the information supported by evidence and consistent with other reliable sources?
- Currency: Is the information up-to-date enough for your topic?
- Objectivity: Does the source show reasonable balance, or is it heavily biased?
- Relevance: Does the source directly address aspects of your specific topic?
Keep in mind that your assignment requires you to “practice ethical communication” by incorporating credible sources that will strengthen your persuasive appeal both logically and ethically.
Types of Evidence
Different types of evidence serve different persuasive functions in your speech:
- Statistical evidence: Numerical data that demonstrates patterns or significance
- Expert testimony: Opinions or statements from recognized authorities
- Case studies: Detailed examples that illustrate your points
- Historical precedents: Similar situations from the past and their outcomes
- Experimental results: Findings from scientific or social research
For your 7-8 minute persuasive speech, aim to include 2-3 different types of evidence to create a well-rounded argument. For example, if advocating for a campus food pantry, you might combine statistics about student food insecurity, expert testimony about its impact on academic performance, and case studies of successful pantry programs at similar institutions.
Citing Sources in MLA Format
Your assignment requires using MLA citation format for your sources. This includes both in-speech citations and citations in your visual presentation. When citing sources verbally:
- Introduce the source with relevant credentials: “According to Dr. Maria Chen, a professor of environmental science at Stanford University…”
- Provide the source’s publication date if relevant: “In a 2023 study published in the Journal of Higher Education…”
- Make the citation part of your natural delivery rather than an awkward interruption
In your required 7-10 slide visual presentation, include proper MLA citations for any quoted material, statistics, or specific facts. This typically means adding a brief parenthetical citation (Author Last Name Page#) and including a works cited slide at the end of your presentation.