The Power of Effective Speaking Persuasive Speech

Assignment 3:

Persuasive Speech

For your third assignment, you’ll put all of these skills to good use by
preparing and delivering a researched, persuasive speech.
Persuasive speaking is challenging, because the goal is to create, reinforce, or change people’s
beliefs or actions.

Your success will depend on your ability to adapt your speech to the audience
and to support your message with credible resources.

Visual Aid: This assignment also requires the use of a visual aid.

A PowerPoint template is
provided for you to complete and use during your speech delivery.

NOTE: You may choose to
create your own PowerPoint and not use the provided template.
Instructions:

Follow the steps below to outline, record, and upload a 7-8 minute researched,
persuasive speech.

You will complete your outline and submit it directly in Blackboard.

For your
speech, You may want to print this assignment and check off each step as you complete it.
You should use at least two quality resources (as defined by your instructor).

Step 1: Complete SmartBook Chapters and Watch Videos
 Ensure you have completed SmartBook Chapters for all previous weeks. This
information will help you successfully complete Assignment 3.
 Chapter 16: Speaking to Persuade. This chapter provides information on the three types
of persuasive speeches and how to organize them.
 Chapter 17: Methods of Persuasion. This chapter provides strategies for building
credibility, using evidence and reasoning, and appealing to emotions.
 Videos: Watch the videos assigned by your instructor this week. These videos provide
examples of persuasive speeches that follow the guidelines presented in the SmartBook.
COM201 – The Power of Effective Speaking
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and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
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Step 2: Select a Topic (due Week 6)
 Select a type of persuasive speech from one of the three types listed below. Choose
your own topic that is different from the examples provided.
 Go to the Blackboard Week 6 Assignment 3: Topic Selection section and submit your
topic.

Types of Persuasive Speeches
(Choose only one type, then choose your own topic that differs from the examples.)
Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Fact
Topic Examples:

 An earthquake of 9.0 or above will hit California within the next ten years

 The plays attributed to William Shakespeare were not actually written by him
Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Value
Topic Examples:

 Capital punishment is morally and legally wrong

 Bicycle riding is the ideal form of land transportation
Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Policy
Topic Examples:

 The U.S. Congress should pass legislation curbing the spread of phony pharmaceuticals

 Action is required to deal with the problem of childhood obesity

 The city should build a rapid bus system instead of a new highway

Step 3: Create an Outline and a Visual Aid (due Week 7)

 Create an outline in Microsoft Word. You may choose to use the template in Blackboard
Week 7 to help you organize the introduction, body, and conclusion of your speech.

 Develop a specific purpose, central idea, and several main points so you’ll stay within
the 8-minute time limit.

 Create a PowerPoint slideshow visual aid. You may use the template provided in
Blackboard Week 7, or you may create your own. Minimum 5 slides, maximum 10 slides
(including title and reference slides).

 Go to the Blackboard Week 7 Assignment 3: Outline section and upload your outline
and visual aid.

COM201 – The Power of Effective Speaking
© 2018 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.
COM 201 FACULTY GUIDE 1182 (01-02-18) Page 3 of 5

Step 4: Deliver, Record, and Upload Your Speech (due Week 8)

 Refer to your outline to deliver your speech. Do not read your notes word for word. Make
sure you record your speech delivery with a computer, phone, or tablet.
o Extra credit opportunity! Deliver your speech in front of at least one person
who appears on camera as the audience for the duration of the speech.

 Watch your recording. Do you want to submit it, or do you want to record another
version?

 Go to the Blackboard Week 8 Online Speech Assignment & Peer Review:
Assignment 3 section and upload your speech.

Step 5: Complete a Self Review (due Week 8)

 Go to the Blackboard Week 8 Assignment 3: Self Review section and complete a Self
Review of your speech in Connect.

 Go to the Blackboard Week 8 Assignment 3: Self Review section and notify the
instructor in Blackboard that your self review is ready to be graded.
Step 6: Complete a Peer Review (due Week 9)

 Go to the Blackboard Week 8 Assignment 3: Peer Review section and complete a
Peer Review of a classmate’s speech in Connect. Note: Peer Review is graded
separately and due by Week 9.

 Go to the Blackboard Week 8 Assignment 3: Peer Review section and notify the
instructor in Blackboard that your peer review is ready to be graded.
Rubric
Grading for this assignment will be based on the following rubric:
Points: 210 Assignment 3:

Persuasive Speech
Criteria

Unacceptable Below 60% F
Meets
Minimum
Expectations
60 – 69% D
Fair
70 – 79% C
Proficient
80 – 89% B
Exemplary
90 – 100% A

1. Visual Aid
Weight: 10%
None
developed or
used
Generally
cluttered,
distracting
and/or not used
effectively
Somewhat
cluttered,
distracting
and/or used
somewhat
effectively
Simple, clear,
and generally
used effectively
Simple, clear,
and used
effectively

2. Introduction Does not gain
attention and
Insufficiently
gains attention
Some problems
with gaining
Gains attention
and interest,
Gains attention
and interest,
COM201 – The Power of Effective Speaking
© 2018 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved.

This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.
COM 201 FACULTY GUIDE 1182 (01-02-18)

Page 4 of 5
Weight: 10% interest,
and/or does
not preview
main points
and interest or
insufficiently
previews main
points
attention and
interest and/or
with previewing
main points
generally
previews main
points
previews main
points

3. Research
Weight: 10%
Does not cite
any credible
sources,
and/or
insufficiently
supports
main points
Cites only one
credible source,
insufficiently
supports at least
one main point
Cites at least
two credible
sources, but
lacks support for
at least one
main point
Cites at least
two credible
sources that
generally
support main
points
Cites at least
two credible
sources that
support main
points

4. Methods of
Persuasion
Weight: 10%
No methods
used
One method
used
ineffectively
One method
used somewhat
effectively
multiple times
One or more
methods used
effectively
multiple times
One or more
methods used
effectively
throughout

5. Conclusion
Weight: 10%
Does not
reinforce
central idea,
and/or does
not use
strong closing
Insufficiently
reinforces
central idea or
uses weak
closing
Some problems
with reinforcing
central idea
and/or with
using strong
closing
Reinforces
central idea,
uses generally
strong closing
Reinforces
central idea,
uses strong
closing

6. Speech
Organization
Weight: 10%
Limited or no
organization,
and/or limited
or no logical
structure
Insufficiently
organized or
insufficiently
structured
Some problems
with organization
and/or with
logical structure
Well organized,
generally
logical structure
Well organized,
logical structure

7. Time
Requirement
Weight: 10%
7-8 minutes
+/- 75
seconds
7-8 minutes +/-
60 seconds
7-8 minutes +/-
45 seconds
7-8 minutes +/-
30 seconds
7-8 minutes +/-
15 seconds

8. Delivery
Weight: 10%
Very little/ no
eye contact,
no expressive
Insufficient eye
contact, limited
expressive voice
Average eye
contact, some
expressive
Good eye
contact,
generally
Strong eye
contact,
expressive
COM201 – The Power of Effective Speaking
© 2018 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.
COM 201 FACULTY GUIDE 1182 (01-02-18) Page 5 of 5