This speech will be 7-8 minutes in length. The topic of your persuasive speech will focus on a “civic issue” of your choice. A “civic issue” is an issue that compels interest, energy, and most importantly, controversy among members of a recognizable “public”. The civic issue controversy may be of a political, social, economic, religious, and/or cultural nature, and must be a controversy over a policy or a course of action that impact a defined group of people. You should also acknowledge and aIDress the counterarguments against your position. You will support your position/argument on the issue with verbal citations of your sources.

Recognizable Public: College students Civic Issue: Drug Testing – loan & scholarship recipients

Specific Purpose:
“To persuade my audience that to receive public finding (federal, state, public school grants/scholarships) for post-secondary education expenses, students must be required to pay for, submit and pass a drug test.”

Question of Value/Policy
(other alternatives: Question of Policy/Fact)
Counterargument
You must aIDress the opposition – if you fail to do so you will automatically lose 10% of your grade. This is extremely important in a persuasive speech.
Example:
1. Decreased enrollment, loss of revenue for schools.
2. Infringement on personal property
3. Loss of privacy/advocacy

Organizational Pattern, thesis statement & main points: Use two-part formula. Chapters 6, 9, 16.
Examples:
• Problem-Cause-Solution order
• Comparative Advantages & Causal Order
• Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Research
Provide at least 2 sources from credible sources (print, online, book, and/or interview) and 1 source from media (news, YouTube video, blogger video) and 1 source from the opposition (any format is fine). 4 sources in total.
Speech Day
1. Bring your printed outline to class on your speech day
2. Note cards are fine
3. Power Point/ Prezi
4. Recording device – you need to record your speech
5. Yourself and your confidence! Practice, Practice, Practice.