Public Speaking Training On How to Write a Persuasive Speech
Posted: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
by David Portney
Academy of Public Speaking
A persuasive speech is actually very simple to create and
deliver.
If you want to write a persuasive speech, this article is
going to give you the tools you need to persuade any audience or group.
Here are the major elements you must incorporate into your
speech if you want to persuade any group:
PAIN
A persuasive speech paints a picture and tells a story – a
story of pain. Pain that your group wants to avoid at all costs. Pain they can
relate to. Pain such as fear of present or future loss. Pinpoint your groups'
fears before you start writing your speech. Do whatever you have to do to get
100% clear about their fears and pain. Incorporate that into your speech and
make them feel that pain and fear. Telling stories is the easiest way to
accomplish this in your speech.
PROOF
Any persuasive speech is going to provide irrefutable proof
that what's being said is 100% true. Look for facts, data and statistics that
support what you're saying. The more authoritative the source of those facts
data and statistics is the more persuaded your group will be. Find facts data
and statistics that come from well respected organizations such as
governmental, trade groups, and industry associations.
AUTHORITY
The great thing about using authority to persuade people is
that this doesn't have to be your authority! Borrow authority from others by
quoting experts by name and their expertise will be transferred over to you.
Why? Because the group is convinced that you've done your research and you know
your stuff. If you have expertise and authority, you can stand on your own, but
you can also enhance your authority – and therefore your ability to persuade –
by quoting other experts and authorities as well.
TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials are one of the most persuasive tools you can
use. Social Psychologists call this "social proof" and their research shows
that people are strongly influenced by what other people think, feel, and do.
Read testimonials from people, but be sure to get their permission first. Video
testimonials are even stronger and are easily incorporated into a PowerPoint
presentation.
SUMMARY AND SUPER-IMPORTANT BONUS TIP:
A persuasive speech will incorporate the elements of pain,
proof, authority, and testimonials so simply weave these elements into various
places of your speech. But before you sit down to create your persuasive
speech, be clear about what you want to accomplish in the first place!-then
just work backwards from there. In other words, what exactly are you trying to
persuade your group to do? Are you trying to win their hearts? Win their minds?
Win their wallets? Whatever it is, you must be crystal clear about this before
you create your persuasive speech.
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I appreciate your simplicity. Great guideline for getting it together.
