How to Structure Your Persuasive Speech

How you structure you speech will drastically effect how your speech is received. Indeed, the foundation of your persuasive speech is its structure, that is how you have laid it out. Does it flow from one area to the next? Is it logical? How is it structured? The most common structure to any speech, persuasive or otherwise, is as follows:

1. Tell them what you are going to say.
2. Say it
3. Tell them what you said

Pretty simple, isn't it? Let's expand on it, and see how to implement it effectively. Start with a solid headline, one that clearly states what you will be talking about, and why the audience should be interested. “How to save time and money by jogging”

Fair enough, that's a terrible headline, but the formula is the one you should use: How to (benefit) by (your topic). Lead with the benefit, using phrases like “how to...”, “the advantages of...”, and the like, followed by your topic, in this case "jogging". Easy, yes?

In the introductory paragraph of your speech, outline the topic. Tell them what you are going to be telling them. This can be a good place to introduce a problem that you have the solution to.

“With the rising cost of fuel and maintenance, cars are becoming more of an expensive luxury to today's executive, which is why many modern execs are taking up jogging to and from work.”

So here we have introduced a problem “cars are becoming more of an expensive luxury”, and a solution, “jogging”. Forgive me if I state the obvious, but the solution should be your topic, or the thought you want your audience to agree to, whether it be a shift in opinion, a commitment to buy, or whatever.

The next step is to let them know what you are going to say. Talk about (in this case) how jogging will help them save money. Then you will launch into the main body of your speech. Give them a few statistics and figures such as, “fuel prices have risen 3000 percent in the last 5 years”, "joggers save money, and find that their morning jog has greatly increased their energy and productivity”, and the like. (Ed.: The preceding figures were made up just for this article) Talk about how the benefits of your offer solve the problem(s) you outlined in the introduction.

Finally, recap everything you just said, in short form, finishing with a call to action, as appropriate.

And there you have it: You just told your audience what you were going to tell them, then you told them, and finally you told them what you just told them. Make each section flow one into the other, and you will be well on your way to persuading your audience of your message.

How to Write a Persuasive Speech

Having found the perfect persuasive speech topic, it should be easy as pie to write and deliver the speech, and have everybody agree with you, right? Wrong. I'm sorry to say that your work has only just begun. Writing, and delivering a persuasive speech is quite possibly the most difficult speaking assignment you will ever be tasked with. But never fear, it isn't impossible, and with a few tips to point you in the right direction, you will soon be writing and delivering your speech like a pro.

The next several articles will guide you through the process, one step at a time, and at the end of this series, you will be more than just comfortable writing your speech, you will be able to deliver it with confidence and conviction.

The very definition of persuasion is to get someone to change their mind about something. Your goal, as the persuasive speaker, is to take them from “no” to “yes”. If you think that this is a confrontational or competitive stance to take, you're right. And if you are not comfortable with that stance, give yourself a pat on the back, because you are halfway to becoming a persuasive speaker.

There is an old saying that goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink”. It's the same with your audience, you can show them whatever you like, but you can't make them take it. Or buy it. Or agree with it. Period. They will take, buy, or agree for reasons of their own, and if you do not understand those reasons, you will get exactly nowhere.

So, in order to lead your audience around to your point of view, you have to start where they are, and lead them from there. Show them that you have something in common with them. It may be a common goal or objective, a shared concern, or similar life events. Whatever it is, show them that you are one of them, and let them know that you have something to share with the group.

Link this common bond to your goal (the thing you wish to persuade the audience of) by addressing their needs, fears, hopes and desires, and show them how your point of view will fulfil, address, or redress the above, as applicable.

From this I hope you can begin to see that your persuasive speech topic is just the starting point to your brilliant presentation. From here, we will continue to explore the ins and outs of writing and presenting your topic, and persuading your audience to accept the gifts that you offer.

Till next time, MBerry