A persuasive speech aims to convince your audience to support your position, or at least to be willing to listen to a different position than the one they currently believe. This can be a daunting task. People are reluctant to move from a position they are comfortable with, even if you present facts to show them that their position is wrong. In fact, showing them they are wrong can make it even harder to change their minds. There are a few key elements that must be present in any persuasive speech for that speech to have any hope of being effective.
Key element #1: You must be exceptionally organized. You need to grab the audience’s attention right away with an amazing stat or story. If you ramble and repeat trying to get to the main points, the audience will lose interest. Tell them what your point of view is and how you will support it. Remember, many in your audience disagree with your position. If you don’t speak clearly and make your points clearly, you’ll give them an excuse to stop listening.
Acknowledge that there are opposing points of view and counter them with well-crafted arguments that support your point of view. Keep your structure simple and don’t try to cover too many points in one speech. Decide your main argument and support it with 3 well-constructed points. Stories are good for illustrating these points.
A persuasive speech cannot be given “on the spur of the moment.” You must practice and practice. Test your speech in front of family and friends. Have a few friends show you mocking or skeptical facial expressions so you’re used to seeing them before the day of the speech.
Key Element #2: Body language. Your body will send as strong a message as your oral argument. Be sure to stand up straight, look the audience squarely in the eye, and use your body to send the message that you believe what you’re saying and that what you’re saying is correct. If you appear fearful or timid in front of a hostile audience, they will pick up on it and write you off. Or worse yet, they may smell blood and make a point to laugh and ridicule your comments and your views. Note: most audiences will be too polite to do this, even if they don’t agree with your views. They will just log you out.
Key Element #3: Your voice. Knowing how to use your voice will greatly enhance the message of your persuasive speech. Listen to a televangelist to see an expert at work in this regard. People like Joyce Meyer and Robert Schuller are practitioners of persuasive speaking. They vary their speech and tone, going from a loud statement at one point to a whisper at another. They are also very polished in their use of pause. Most speakers are afraid to allow a pause and talk without stopping. Televangelists will frequently pause, sometimes for several seconds, to let their points settle. Watch and learn. Your vocal delivery is more important in a persuasive speech than in any other type.
Kay Element #4: Credibility and Passion. You must appear sincere and rational to your audience. Yelling, ranting, and raving about your problem is not going to convert. You should be seen as someone who is an expert in your field and correct in your facts. It should also convey your passion for the subject. If you can’t convince your audience that this topic is crucial to you, they will dismiss you and your argument.
I also think it’s important to be positive in your presentation. Let’s say your topic is animal abuse. Showing image after image of tortured animals can be too much for an audience and their minds will go off. Instead, focus on the positive impact your organization has by rescuing animals from bad situations. Show before and after photos of an abused animal that your group rescued and placed in a loving home. Your audience needs to know that they are accomplishing something positive and worthwhile if they support your group.
Rarely will you give a persuasive speech that immediately shifts your audience to unconditional support for your point of view. People just don’t change their minds that quickly. Your goal should be to make them realize that your point of view is reasonable and worth considering. If you can do this, your speech will be a success.
