How to Make More Persuasive Speeches: Topics, Outlines, and Great Examples

A persuasive speech aims to inform, educate, and convince the audience on a topic or action. You want to convince the audience of your viewpoint. The best persuasive speeches are thought-provoking and clear. 

When choosing a topic for your persuasive speech, choose one that you already have some knowledge of and an opinion on. You’ll need to be able to argue your topic and stand behind your points. Not only will you need to know your own opinion, but you’ll be able to discuss the opposite viewpoint accurately.

This article will look at the different types of persuasive speech to help you choose the right one. We’ll also look at tips on what makes a good persuasive speech. Also, some persuasive speech topics that’ll help you get started.

Different Types of Persuasive Speech

There are several different organizational structures for persuasive speeches. They include:

1. Causal
2. Problem-solution
3. Problem-cause-solution
4. Comparison/contrast

Each type of speech has a different purpose and a unique structure. For example, a causal speech explains what happens as a result of a cause. (Source: bizfluent). A comparative advantage speech examines two or more things and explains why some are better than others. (Source: Virtual Speech Coach)

Problem-solution speeches and problem-cause-solution speeches are related. In a problem-solution speech you present a problem followed by the solution to that problem. The problem-cause-solution speech is basically the same, except it examines the cause of the problem before presenting the solution. (Source: popsOpenText)

11 Tips on How to Write a Persuasive Speech

Writing a persuasive speech can be difficult. You want your persuasive speech to be successful in persuading the audience. Here are 11 tips to help you write a successful speech:

1. Choose the Right Topic

When looking at ideas for persuasive speech topics, it’s important to have a speech that’s interesting to your audience and you. Also, consider whether your topic is appropriate for your audience. Choose a topic your audience would be interested in. 

For example, if you’re giving a speech to a dentist, then a persuasive speech on how brushing your teeth isn’t essential wouldn’t be appropriate. But an audience of dentists might be interested in the benefits of mouthwash. 

2. Write How You Talk

Part of writing a persuasive speech is creating a persuasive speech outline and writing out your speech. As you’re writing out your speech, consider writing how you talk. This means using short words and sentences.

Avoid any sentence that would cause you to stumble when speaking. A speech is meant to be spoken, not read off a sheet of paper. If you don’t have much experience in writing how you talk or aren’t confident, try reading the sentence aloud as you’re writing. This will give you an idea of how easy your speech is to read, and it’ll flow better.

3. Start Strong

Start your persuasive speech strong by letting your audience know what topic you’re discussing, why your topic matters, and what you hope to convince them to do your speech. There are several ways to start strong.

• Grab their attention. This is a statement or visual that grabs your audience’s attention.
• Connect to the audience. This is where you show your connection to the audience, whether it’s a similar background or an emotional connection.
• Show evidence. This is where you show your knowledge or authority on the subject of your speech to your audience. Plus, you can highlight your research or professional experience.
• Share your goal. Explain what you hope the speech will accomplish for your audience.

4. Tell a Story

A good speech tells a story. A persuasive speech’s story should tell the problem, cause, and solution. Having those essential elements makes your speech more persuasive than if it didn’t have them.

If you want to connect with your audience an excellent way to do that’s to tell a relevant story about the topic you’re discussing. Sometimes a good story has more power than facts and statistics.

5. Structure

Figuring out your persuasive speech outline structure is challenging, but it’s an important step. Sort your facts and points so they’ll impact your audience. Your speech will be more persuasive if it’s logical and clear.

A structured speech is your way of navigating your audience through your topic. Without structure, you could end up with a scattered, unprofessional speech that leaves the audience confused.

6. Be Concise

It can be harder to create a concise, persuasive speech than one that isn’t. Being concise is important. Giving your audience too much information makes it difficult for them to know what information is essential. Being concise makes managing your audience’s attention and focus easier.

7. Research Your Topic

When writing your persuasive speech, it’s essential to research your topic. Research shows your audience that you’re creditable and did your research. This makes your speech more persuasive.

Remember, when finding persuasive speech topic sources, you must ensure that your sources are relevant. Some examples of relevant sources are: 

• journals
• official documents
• books
• studies
• online academic references

Using professional sources shows the audience that your points are creditable. Also, the main point of your persuasive speech topic should be able to be backed up by logical evidence that’ll support your claims.

8. Discuss Counter-Arguments

When planning your persuasive speech topic, consider adding a counter-argument to your speech. Adding a counterargument will increase your creditability. Also, by discussing the counterargument, you’ll have the chance to argue the point directly.

But, when debating the counterargument, make it a short discussion and free of bias and language that’s angry, hostile, or passionate. If you present the counterargument with bias or angry language, the audience may think you aren’t creditable and stop listening.

9. Authenticity

When considering your persuasive speech ideas, choosing a topic you believe in is best. Selecting an issue you believe in allows you to write your speech more easily. You’ll also easily convince the audience if you believe in your topic. If you want to connect to your audience, tell a story about why you believe in your persuasive speech topic.

10. Write it Well

When writing your speech, you must ensure that you do it well. Writing an excellent persuasive speech can be difficult, but it’s rewarding to see the reaction to your speech. A good persuasive speech is thought-provoking, daring, and precise. Know and objectively state counterpoints.

11. Have a Call to Action

Use a call to action when creating your persuasive speech outline. Your audience can become committed to the action you’re calling them to and will become more persuaded.

20 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

One essential tip for creating a good persuasive speech is to have an interesting persuasive speech topic. When choosing your speech topic, you must have your audience in mind. Ask yourself:

• Would my audience be interested in this persuasive speech idea?
• Is the topic appropriate for my audience?
• Would my audience benefit from the topic?

When you’re considering what your speech topic should be, keep those questions in mind. Here are some topics to write a persuasive speech on:

1. Is graffiti art?
2. Which is better, paper books or e-books?
3. Should interns be paid for work?
4. Should the federal minimum wage be raised?
5. Should cursive still be taught in schools
6. Should college athletes be paid for being on a sports team?
7. Should schools teach all children how to swim?
8. Should schools teach high school students how to pay taxes?
9. Do Robots help or hurt humanity?
10. Should libraries be given unlimited access to e-books?
11. Does technology isolate people?
12. Should students get paid for having a high GPA?
13. Should students who bully others be expelled and have a permanent mark on their permanent record?
14. Are students wearing uniforms beneficial?
15. Would it be beneficial for schools to require a foreign language?
16. Should Black Fridays be banned?
17. Should gym classes affect a student’s GPA?
18. Are genetically modified foods harmful?
19. Should genetically modified foods be banned?
20. Should Pluto be considered a planet?

Learn More About Making a Speech

Do you want to learn more about creating a speech? Here are some helpful articles:

• 

  How to Write a Great Speech for Public Speaking in 7 Steps

  

  Laura Spencer

  20 Nov 2021

• 

  How to Write a Great Motivational Business Speech in 2022

  

  Laura Spencer

  20 Jan 2022

• 

  How to Speak Confidently in Public (Like a Pro Speaker)

  

  Laura Spencer

  05 Aug 2021

The Best Source for Digital Assets for Persuasive Speeches

If you’re using a presentation as a part of your speech, you’ll most likely use digital creative assets. Examples of digital assets that could really help your persuasive presentation include:

• fonts
• stock images
• PowerPoint presentation templates
• audio
• and so on

All the digital elements are created by professionals, which means they’re high quality. 

Here’s how you can have access to premium creative assets:

Envato Elements. It’s a subscription service with unlimited access to premium digital elements. If you pay a low monthly fee and subscribe, you’ll have access to an Envato Elements subscription. It’s the best value for anyone who will need these digital elements.

Choose a Persuasive Speech Topic Today!

Now that you’ve read tips on making a good persuasive speech, use them when writing your next speech. If you’re using a presentation when you’re giving your speech, try using a premium presentation template from Envato Elements. We’ve given you the tools to write a good speech. Now it’s up to you to use them. Good Luck!

Editorial Note: This content was originally published in June 2022. We’re sharing it again because our editors have determined that this information is still accurate and relevant.