pg. 1 Question of Policy Persuasive Speech (100 points.docx

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Question of Policy Persuasive Speech (100 points):

The Policy speech is to be on a public policy. This means that the speech will be in regards to a law,

regulation, or policy anything that regulates our behavior in society.


What makes the persuasive speech a “Question of Policy” is that it requires a course of action.

Your speech needs to address a policy that is either not in existence yet and it needs to be in

place, or a policy that exists now that needs to be reformed or changed in some way. Here is

where we argue that some action should or should not be taken.

This is a 7-9 minute speech in which you appeal for a policy change that you would like to see

the Federal/State/Local Government enact. Your speech must cite at least four (4) reputable

sources. You must incorporate concepts that we have covered in the book and in class.

Grading criteria for this speech include but not limited to:


Content: You must make a compelling argument in favor of your chosen policy change. You

must support your claims with credible evidence and use warrants connecting the evidence to the

claim. The more you support your argument with examples or facts, the better you will do with

regard to the content of the speech. Presentation of numerical data is a requirement for this

speech. Use persuasive language throughout the speech.


Structure: The case for change should integrate smoothly with the proposed solutions. A clear

introduction and conclusion should be evident utilizing all components as described in the

textbook. Verbal transitions should connect the main points together. You will prepare and turn

in a typed formal outline with a reference page (bibliography) and the Audience Analysis paper

on the day of your speech.


Delivery: In terms of vocal delivery, you should be intelligible (i.e., appropriate rate, volume,

enunciation, and pronunciation) and conversational (i.e., extemporaneous, as opposed to

manuscript, impromptu, or memorized, style). In terms of nonverbal style, poise (i.e., no

distracting cues), eye contact (look at listeners 95% of the time, span the room, and look people

in the eye), and appropriate dress (i.e., a bit more formal than the audience) are expected.

Emotional conviction (appeal to pathos) should be clear.


Points will be deducted for going over or under the time limit. You may use note-cards (write on

one side only).








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Specific Purpose Statements for Policy - Persuasive Speeches


You must write out a specific purpose statement for your speech. This will serve as your topic

that I will approve for your speech.


The form is always: "To persuade my audience that X should do Y."

Examples:

To persuade my audience that the U.S. military should lift its ban on women in combat."

To persuade my audience that there should be tougher enforcement of laws to protect the victims
of domestic abuse.

To persuade my audience that th.

1. pg. 1


Question of Policy Persuasive Speech (100 points):

The Policy speech is to be on a public policy. This means that
the speech will be in regards to a law,

regulation, or policy anything that regulates our behavior in
society.


What makes the persuasive speech a “Question of Policy” is that
it requires a course of action.

Your speech needs to address a policy that is either not in
existence yet and it needs to be in

place, or a policy that exists now that needs to be reformed or
changed in some way. Here is

where we argue that some action should or should not be taken.

This is a 7-9 minute speech in which you appeal for a policy
change that you would like to see

the Federal/State/Local Government enact. Your speech must
cite at least four (4) reputable

sources. You must incorporate concepts that we have covered in
the book and in class.

2. Grading criteria for this speech include but not limited to:


Content: You must make a compelling argument in favor of
your chosen policy change. You

must support your claims with credible evidence and use
warrants connecting the evidence to the

claim. The more you support your argument with examples or
facts, the better you will do with

regard to the content of the speech. Presentation of numerical
data is a requirement for this

speech. Use persuasive language throughout the speech.


Structure: The case for change should integrate smoothly with
the proposed solutions. A clear

introduction and conclusion should be evident utilizing all
components as described in the

textbook. Verbal transitions should connect the main points
together. You will prepare and turn

in a typed formal outline with a reference page (bibliography)
and the Audience Analysis paper

on the day of your speech.


Delivery: In terms of vocal delivery, you should be intelligible
(i.e., appropriate rate, volume,

3. enunciation, and pronunciation) and conversational (i.e.,
extemporaneous, as opposed to

manuscript, impromptu, or memorized, style). In terms of
nonverbal style, poise (i.e., no

distracting cues), eye contact (look at listeners 95% of the time,
span the room, and look people

in the eye), and appropriate dress (i.e., a bit more formal than
the audience) are expected.

Emotional conviction (appeal to pathos) should be clear.


Points will be deducted for going over or under the time limit.
You may use note-cards (write on

one side only).








pg. 2



Specific Purpose Statements for Policy - Persuasive Speeches


You must write out a specific purpose statement for your

4. speech. This will serve as your topic

that I will approve for your speech.


The form is always: "To persuade my audience that X should do
Y."

Examples:

To persuade my audience that the U.S. military should lift its
ban on women in combat."

To persuade my audience that there should be tougher
enforcement of laws to protect the victims
of domestic abuse.

To persuade my audience that the federal government should
impose a ban on all advertising for

cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Persuasive Analysis and Structures

Once you have chosen a topic, your next task is to analyze it
and prepare for your research. Use the

traditional concepts/issues that persuaders have used for
centuries to argue for change in the status quo.


1. The Problem issue refers to what is wrong with the status
quo.

Brainstorm and list the problems that exist in the present. What
problems are showing up because

5. there is no policy in place, or what are the problems that show
up with the present policy? In other words,

what has you thinking that a policy needs to be in place or
changed in some way?


2. The Plan issue refers to the solution.

Write out a plan that will solve the problems that you listed.
This is a plan of your own creation. You

can “borrow” parts of other people’s/governments plans and
incorporate them into your own pla n. You

will be creating a plan that will have several components. See
Sample.


3. The Practicality issue refers to considerations of how well
the plan solves the problem and its

advantages and disadvantages.

For your plan- you may use the following guidelines and
structure. This will help you prepare

the final outline due on the day of your presentation – see page
223 in your textbook. This will

be a semi-fleshed out preparation outline, use full sentences in
the following format:

Main Point I. There are 3 major problems with [fill in the blank
with your topic/policy]

6. A. One problem is…

B. A second problem is…

C. A third problem is…




pg. 3



Main Point II. The plan I propose [use course of action – second
part of specific purpose statement]

A. The first revision is…

B. The second revision is…

C. The third revision is…

Main Point III. There are many practical benefits to these
revisions.

A. [what MP I. A.’s problem looks like when solved, when plan
is implemented]
B. [what MP I. B.’s problem looks like when solved, when plan
is implemented]

C. [what MP I. C.’s problem looks like when solved, when plan
is implemented]

Sample Speech: “The Problem with Pennies” See Instructor
Website/Handout

7. You must support your claims. Every sub point/claim must be
supported by examples,

statistics and/or testimony. You are responsible for the support
materials that you use. All

three types of support material require that you:

make accurate use

evaluate and identify the source (beware bias)

consider recency

consider strength

Guidelines for use of Examples:

1. Do not use them alone to support an important claim.

2. Examples are useful in clarifying, reinforcing, or
personalizing ideas.

3 Ethical use demands that you consider the source, age, and
representativeness of the example.

Tips for effective use of Statistics or numerical data:

1. Combine statistics with examples.

2. Don't use too many at a time.

3. Identify the source of the statistics.
4. Translate your statistics.

8. 5. Round off your statistics.

6. Use visual aids – pie charts or bar graphs ** This is required
in your speech**

Guidelines for the use of testimony:

1. Quote accurately.

2. Paraphrase fairly.
3. Use qualified sources.

4. Use reluctant testimony.

5. Always identify the source and the source's credentials.



Topic: Limiting Mercury Emission


Speech Outline
Introduction: Following the high industrial growth being
experience in today’s world, huge levels of mercury are finding
their ways to our environment.
Thesis: Following the adverse effects which come about from
mercury pollution, it would be very important for the bodies in
authority to come up with a ways through which they will
further limit the amount of mercury emitted into the
environment.
Body:
Forms of mercury pollution:
· Air
· Land
· Water
Sources

9. · Volcanoes (Natural)
· Coal plants
· Untreated industrial effluents
· Mercury accidents leading to inhaling of elemental mercury
Effects
· On getting in to the water bodies, mercury is then converted
by microorganisms into methyl mercury which accumulates in
fish
· These fish are then eaten by humans and this is how methyl
mercury reaches human beings.
· On getting into the human body, mercury affects an
individual’s neurological functions, and also affects the lungs,
heart and kidneys.
· High levels of accumulation of methyl mercury on animals
cause their death and in other cases, it can leads to slow or
stunted growth.

Need for the policy
· To solve this problem, industries should work to come up with
creative and inventive means through which they will convert
various industrial effluents with mercury containing compounds
to other less harmful forms and this can only be achieved via
the introduction of a policy.
· For this reason, a policy should be passed aiming at curbing
the disposal of mercury containing compounds. In such a sense,
heavy fines should be imposed for those who default this policy.




Limiting Mercury Emission

Following the high industrial growth being experience in
today’s world, huge levels of mercury are finding their ways to
our environment. In such a sense, these compounds end up
finding their ways into the human bodies by manoeuvring their

10. way up the food chain. Mercury pollution ranges from air and
soil pollution to water pollution. Following the adverse effects
which come about from mercury pollution, it would be very
important for the bodies in authority to come up with a ways
through which they will further limit the amount of mercury
emitted into the environment.
Taking a look at air pollution, it occurs when elemental mercury
or compounds containing mercury find their way into the
atmosphere. For instance, burning of coal releases mercury into
the atmosphere. Thus, coal industries are among the highest
producers of human caused mercury air pollution in the United
States. Once the mercury gets into the air, it ultimately settles
on the land or in water leading to land and water pollution.
Untreated industrial effluents are also another major source of
mercury pollution in the water bodies. Mercury vapour
accidents can also lead to air pollution where the pollution will
result to the inhaling of elemental mercury. Other sources of
mercury into the environment include the natural sources such
as the volcanoes. However, these cannot be remedied since they
are not as a result of human activities.
On getting in to the water bodies, mercury is then converted by
microorganisms into methyl mercury which accumulates in fish.
These fish are then eaten by humans and this is how methyl
mercury reaches human beings. For instance, on getting into the
human body, mercury affects an individual’s neurological
functions. This leads to an individual not leading a normal life
and in high dosage of ingestion, this can lead to death. Mercury
also affects the lungs, heart and kidneys. In addition to these, is
also affected an individual’s level of immunity. In addition to
mercury pollution having effects on humans, high levels of
accumulation of methyl mercury on animals causes their death
and in other cases, it can leads to slow or stunted growth.
To solve this problem, industries should work to come up with
creative and inventive means through which they will convert
various industrial effluents with mercury containing compounds
to other less harmful forms and this can only be achieved via

11. the introduction of a policy. The policy should also ensure that
industries and laboratories which are dealing with elemental
mercury are well ventilated in order to lower the level of effect
on workers in case of an accident. In addition to these various
industries which releases mercury into the air should work to
reduce the level and amount being released.
For this reason, a policy should be passed aiming at curbing the
disposal of mercury containing compounds. In such a sense,
heavy fines should be imposed for those who default this policy.
This kind of policy should also incorporate programs which are
aimed at enlightening the community on the various effect of
mercury. This program will also be extended to the various
concerned industries so that they can have the information and
know the importance of minimising mercury emission into the
atmosphere, land or water.










AUDIENCE ANALYSIS PAPER FOR POLICY SPEECH 70 pts


I. Topic - Exigence & Invention. This is Part I of your paper,
it is due week 4


This paper will be divided into three sections:


A. Topic/ Exigence. Introduce the topic/policy (sort of like

12. your thesis) and explain

why it is important at this time, especially to your selected
audience (in other words,

exigence) and what you generally hope the result will be.


B. Invention. Outline the issues central to your topic/policy.
Present key

arguments (main points) that support the rationale for the
topic/policy you are

researching that you hope will get people to support your goals
(e.g. support or reject

the topic/policy; create a new policy, etc.). This is not the
speech outline (although

could be used in the intro of your speech) – this outline
addresses why you have

chosen this topic.


II. Audience Analysis. This is part II of your paper, it is due
week 7


In this section of the paper you will need to write a description
of the audience in

general. You will need to make use of the information in the
Audience Analysis

13. handout “Critical Dimensions of the Audience."


The audience you select for analysis should be described in this
labeled section of the

paper. You will need to create a survey, and since you probably
know people in your

audience, "Observation" and even "Interviews" can be used too.
The audience in general

should be described by including the following information:


A. An overview of who makes up the target audience, including
relevant demographic

information and why this group is a good choice as a target
audience for your

topic/policy. (A solid paragraph is enough for this.)


B. A description of the characteristics that make the members
of this audience or an

audience segment similar to your target audience useful to your
persuasion goal.

Include here a description of the audience’s current “rational”
state of mind (what

they think as perceived and researched by you) for typical
audience members by

14. describing each of the eight “Critical Dimensions of the
Audience” for this group.

Try to provide support for the claims you make concerning the
various audience

characteristics. Write one good paragraph for each dimension
and LABEL EACH

as a SUB-SECTION IN B with the name of the dimension you
are describing. Also,

provide one paragraph addressing the method of audience
analysis you chose and

why (This is listed as II under the eight dimensions).


C. List two specific audience segments you discover/ create,
which have

characteristics relevant to your goal that are not shared by the
entire target audience.

Basically, identify who else or what other groups would be
interested in your topic and

http://department.monm.edu/cata/mcgaan/classes/cata339/Audie
nceAnalysis.html




position. Name each segment and explain the specific
characteristics that differentiate

15. this group from the general audience and how those distinct
characteristics relate to

your topic/policy and goals (one paragraph for each audience
segment/group).



III. Preliminary Strategy This is part III of your paper, it is
due with the final

versions of parts I & II when you give your final speech in week
10


A. Present your realistic goal(s) for the general audience
(meaning your target

audience and beyond – anyone who would receive your
message). Be as clear and

specific as you can in describing the outcomes you desire from
your topic/policy. In

discussing outcomes be sure to include multiple outcomes
necessary to accomplish your

goal including attitude or belief changes required, behavior(s)
sought, etc. It may be

that you will have several different outcome goals for different
parts (segments) of your

audience (e.g., less resistance to your cause from opponents,
overt support from those

16. sympathetic). Or you may have developmental goals (e.g. First
I will gain awareness,

then I will ...) to accomplish step by step over time. (one
paragraph)


B. After you have described your goals, discuss obstacles that
must be overcome in

order to accomplish your goals. What do you think will interfere
with success in

persuading your audiences? Justify your conclusions
(concerning goals and obstacles)

based on audience characteristics described in B. above. (one
paragraph)










AUDIENCE ANALYSIS – DIMENSIONS AND METHODS


I. CRITICAL DIMENSION S OF THE AUDIENCE


1. Attitude toward topic (including valence /strength and
centrality) How much does

17. your target audience like/dislike your topic…why? This should
also address how

attractive your topic is to your audience.
Valence = Negative or positive psychological value assigned by
a person to another

person, event, goal, job, object, outcome, etc., based on its
attractiveness to him or her



2. Attitude toward relevant behaviors and message purpose –
How does your audience

feel about what you are asking them to do?

What is their attitude toward specific desired actions you are
asking of them?



3. Relevant Audience Beliefs (esp. ones open to change). (What
does your target

audience know about the topic? What do they think is true that
is? that isn't? What

important facts do they NOT know?)




4. Relevant Audience Values and their saliency. What are your
audience’s important

18. values that relate to your topic?

Saliency = relative importance or prominence




5. Relevant Audience Needs and Motives. What are the needs
of your audience?

Which needs must be addressed to persuade your audience?
What motivates your

audience to act? Which VALS group does your audience belong
to? Which theories

will you use to persuade your audience? Why have you chosen
these theories? (See

the VALS inventory and learning theories handout).




6. Reference Groups for this audience including but not limited
to:





ired sources

19. http://www.investorwords.com/10659/positive.html
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/psychological.ht
ml
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/value.html
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/person.html
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/event.html
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/goal.html
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/job.html
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/object.html
http://www.investorwords.com/9376/cut_down_on.html




7. Situational variables including but not limited to:

in relation to
when you are giving your speech? ( Think of key dates,
holidays, publicly

know events, etc.)

message content,
source qualifications, timing?

the goals of
your message?


8. Mental Sophistication of your audience including but not

20. limited to: education, S.E.S.

(socio-economic status), knowledge, life and professional
experiences, intelligence, etc.,

as it relates with your issue.


II. METHODS OF AUDIENCE ANALYSIS:

Please provide a short write up (a paragraph) on which methods
(see below) you used to

analyze your audience and why. NOTE: #4 Surveys are
mandatory – chose one other

method also.

1. "Seat-of-the pants" (your best, thoughtful "guess" based on
whatever first or second hand
knowledge of the audience you have.)


2. Observation (your best, thoughtful conclusions based on
knowing and seeing members of
your audience.)


3. Interviews (face-to-face conversations with representative
members of your audience -
usually growing out of carefully structured questions related to
the eight critical

dimensions.)

21. 4. Surveys and polling (serious research efforts using writing or
other systematic data
collection using professional methods.)


5. Demographic Analysis (using publicly available data on
factors relevant to the eight
critical dimensions based on characteristics that match those of
your audience [e.g. 18-24

year olds attitudes since your audience is college students])