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How to Write an Outline for a Persuasive Speech, with Examples

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Persuasive speeches are one of the three most used speeches in our daily lives. Persuasive speech is used when presenters decide to convince their presentation or ideas to their listeners. A compelling speech aims to persuade the listener to believe in a particular point of view. One of the most iconic examples is Martin Luther King’s ‘I had a dream’ speech on the 28th of August 1963.

In this article:

What is Persuasive Speech?

Here are some steps to follow:, persuasive speech outline, final thoughts.

Persuasive speech is a written and delivered essay to convince people of the speaker’s viewpoint or ideas. Persuasive speaking is the type of speaking people engage in the most. This type of speech has a broad spectrum, from arguing about politics to talking about what to have for dinner. Persuasive speaking is highly connected to the audience, as in a sense, the speaker has to meet the audience halfway.

Persuasive Speech Preparation

Persuasive speech preparation doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as you select your topic wisely and prepare thoroughly.

1. Select a Topic and Angle

Come up with a controversial topic that will spark a heated debate, regardless of your position. This could be about anything. Choose a topic that you are passionate about. Select a particular angle to focus on to ensure that your topic isn’t too broad. Research the topic thoroughly, focussing on key facts, arguments for and against your angle, and background.

2. Define Your Persuasive Goal

Once you have chosen your topic, it’s time to decide what your goal is to persuade the audience. Are you trying to persuade them in favor of a certain position or issue? Are you hoping that they change their behavior or an opinion due to your speech? Do you want them to decide to purchase something or donate money to a cause? Knowing your goal will help you make wise decisions about approaching writing and presenting your speech.

3. Analyze the Audience

Understanding your audience’s perspective is critical anytime that you are writing a speech. This is even more important when it comes to a persuasive speech because not only are you wanting to get the audience to listen to you, but you are also hoping for them to take a particular action in response to your speech. First, consider who is in the audience. Consider how the audience members are likely to perceive the topic you are speaking on to better relate to them on the subject. Grasp the obstacles audience members face or have regarding the topic so you can build appropriate persuasive arguments to overcome these obstacles.

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4. Build an Effective Persuasive Argument

Once you have a clear goal, you are knowledgeable about the topic and, have insights regarding your audience, you will be ready to build an effective persuasive argument to deliver in the form of a persuasive speech. 

Start by deciding what persuasive techniques are likely to help you persuade your audience. Would an emotional and psychological appeal to your audience help persuade them? Is there a good way to sway the audience with logic and reason? Is it possible that a bandwagon appeal might be effective?

5. Outline Your Speech

Once you know which persuasive strategies are most likely to be effective, your next step is to create a keyword outline to organize your main points and structure your persuasive speech for maximum impact on the audience.

Start strong, letting your audience know what your topic is, why it matters and, what you hope to achieve at the end of your speech. List your main points, thoroughly covering each point, being sure to build the argument for your position and overcome opposing perspectives. Conclude your speech by appealing to your audience to act in a way that will prove that you persuaded them successfully. Motivation is a big part of persuasion.

6. Deliver a Winning Speech

Select appropriate visual aids to share with your audiences, such as graphs, photos, or illustrations. Practice until you can deliver your speech confidently. Maintain eye contact, project your voice and, avoid using filler words or any form of vocal interference. Let your passion for the subject shine through. Your enthusiasm may be what sways the audience. 

Topic: What topic are you trying to persuade your audience on?

Specific Purpose:  

Central idea:

• Attention grabber – This is potentially the most crucial line. If the audience doesn’t like the opening line, they might be less inclined to listen to the rest of your speech.
• Thesis – This statement is used to inform the audience of the speaker’s mindset and try to get the audience to see the issue their way.
• Qualifications – Tell the audience why you are qualified to speak about the topic to persuade them.

After the introductory portion of the speech is over, the speaker starts presenting reasons to the audience to provide support for the statement. After each reason, the speaker will list examples to provide a factual argument to sway listeners’ opinions.

• Example 1 – Support for the reason given above.
• Example 2 – Support for the reason given above.

The most important part of a persuasive speech is the conclusion, second to the introduction and thesis statement. This is where the speaker must sum up and tie all of their arguments into an organized and solid point.

• Summary: Briefly remind the listeners why they should agree with your position.
• Memorable ending/ Audience challenge: End your speech with a powerful closing thought or recommend a course of action.
• Thank the audience for listening.

Persuasive Speech Outline Examples

Topic: Walking frequently can improve both your mental and physical health.

Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience to start walking to improve their health.

Central idea: Regular walking can improve your mental and physical health.

Life has become all about convenience and ease lately. We have dishwashers, so we don’t have to wash dishes by hand with electric scooters, so we don’t have to paddle while riding. I mean, isn’t it ridiculous?

Today’s luxuries have been welcomed by the masses. They have also been accused of turning us into passive, lethargic sloths. As a reformed sloth, I know how easy it can be to slip into the convenience of things and not want to move off the couch. I want to persuade you to start walking.

Americans lead a passive lifestyle at the expense of their own health.

• This means that we spend approximately 40% of our leisure time in front of the TV.
• Ironically, it is also reported that Americans don’t like many of the shows that they watch.
• Today’s studies indicate that people were experiencing higher bouts of depression than in the 18th and 19th centuries, when work and life were considered problematic.
• The article reports that 12.6% of Americans suffer from anxiety, and 9.5% suffer from severe depression.
• Present the opposition’s claim and refute an argument.
• Nutritionist Phyllis Hall stated that we tend to eat foods high in fat, which produces high levels of cholesterol in our blood, which leads to plaque build-up in our arteries.
• While modifying our diet can help us decrease our risk for heart disease, studies have indicated that people who don’t exercise are at an even greater risk.

In closing, I urge you to start walking more. Walking is a simple, easy activity. Park further away from stores and walk. Walk instead of driving to your nearest convenience store. Take 20 minutes and enjoy a walk around your neighborhood. Hide the TV remote, move off the couch and, walk. Do it for your heart.

Thank you for listening!

Topic: Less screen time can improve your sleep.

Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience to stop using their screens two hours before bed.

Central idea: Ceasing electronics before bed will help you achieve better sleep.

Who doesn’t love to sleep? I don’t think I have ever met anyone who doesn’t like getting a good night’s sleep. Sleep is essential for our bodies to rest and repair themselves.

I love sleeping and, there is no way that I would be able to miss out on a good night’s sleep.

As someone who has had trouble sleeping due to taking my phone into bed with me and laying in bed while entertaining myself on my phone till I fall asleep, I can say that it’s not the healthiest habit, and we should do whatever we can to change it.

• Our natural blue light source is the sun.
• Bluelight is designed to keep us awake.
• Bluelight makes our brain waves more active.
• We find it harder to sleep when our brain waves are more active.
• Having a good night’s rest will improve your mood.
• Being fully rested will increase your productivity.

Using electronics before bed will stimulate your brainwaves and make it more difficult for you to sleep. Bluelight tricks our brains into a false sense of daytime and, in turn, makes it more difficult for us to sleep. So, put down those screens if you love your sleep!

Thank the audience for listening

A persuasive speech is used to convince the audience of the speaker standing on a certain subject. To have a successful persuasive speech, doing the proper planning and executing your speech with confidence will help persuade the audience of your standing on the topic you chose. Persuasive speeches are used every day in the world around us, from planning what’s for dinner to arguing about politics. It is one of the most widely used forms of speech and, with proper planning and execution, you can sway any audience.

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Persuasive Speech Outline, with Examples

March 17, 2021 - Gini Beqiri

A persuasive speech is a speech that is given with the intention of convincing the audience to believe or do something. This could be virtually anything – voting, organ donation, recycling, and so on.

A successful persuasive speech effectively convinces the audience to your point of view, providing you come across as trustworthy and knowledgeable about the topic you’re discussing.

So, how do you start convincing a group of strangers to share your opinion? And how do you connect with them enough to earn their trust?

Topics for your persuasive speech

We’ve made a list of persuasive speech topics you could use next time you’re asked to give one. The topics are thought-provoking and things which many people have an opinion on.

When using any of our persuasive speech ideas, make sure you have a solid knowledge about the topic you’re speaking about – and make sure you discuss counter arguments too.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• All school children should wear a uniform
• Facebook is making people more socially anxious
• It should be illegal to drive over the age of 80
• Lying isn’t always wrong
• The case for organ donation

Read our full list of  75 persuasive speech topics and ideas .

Preparation: Consider your audience

As with any speech, preparation is crucial. Before you put pen to paper, think about what you want to achieve with your speech. This will help organise your thoughts as you realistically can only cover 2-4 main points before your  audience get bored .

It’s also useful to think about who your audience are at this point. If they are unlikely to know much about your topic then you’ll need to factor in context of your topic when planning the structure and length of your speech. You should also consider their:

• Cultural or religious backgrounds
• Shared concerns, attitudes and problems
• Shared interests, beliefs and hopes
• Baseline attitude – are they hostile, neutral, or open to change?

The factors above will all determine the approach you take to writing your speech. For example, if your topic is about childhood obesity, you could begin with a story about your own children or a shared concern every parent has. This would suit an audience who are more likely to be parents than young professionals who have only just left college.

Remember the 3 main approaches to persuade others

There are three main approaches used to persuade others:

The ethos approach appeals to the audience’s ethics and morals, such as what is the ‘right thing’ to do for humanity, saving the environment, etc.

Pathos persuasion is when you appeal to the audience’s emotions, such as when you  tell a story  that makes them the main character in a difficult situation.

The logos approach to giving a persuasive speech is when you appeal to the audience’s logic – ie. your speech is essentially more driven by facts and logic. The benefit of this technique is that your point of view becomes virtually indisputable because you make the audience feel that only your view is the logical one.

• Ethos, Pathos, Logos: 3 Pillars of Public Speaking and Persuasion

Ideas for your persuasive speech outline

1. structure of your persuasive speech.

The opening and closing of speech are the most important. Consider these carefully when thinking about your persuasive speech outline. A  strong opening  ensures you have the audience’s attention from the start and gives them a positive first impression of you.

You’ll want to  start with a strong opening  such as an attention grabbing statement, statistic of fact. These are usually dramatic or shocking, such as:

Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat – Jamie Oliver

Another good way of starting a persuasive speech is to include your audience in the picture you’re trying to paint. By making them part of the story, you’re embedding an emotional connection between them and your speech.

You could do this in a more toned-down way by talking about something you know that your audience has in common with you. It’s also helpful at this point to include your credentials in a persuasive speech to gain your audience’s trust.

Obama would spend hours with his team working on the opening and closing statements of his speech.

2. Stating your argument

You should  pick between 2 and 4 themes  to discuss during your speech so that you have enough time to explain your viewpoint and convince your audience to the same way of thinking.

It’s important that each of your points transitions seamlessly into the next one so that your speech has a logical flow. Work on your  connecting sentences  between each of your themes so that your speech is easy to listen to.

Your argument should be backed up by objective research and not purely your subjective opinion. Use examples, analogies, and stories so that the audience can relate more easily to your topic, and therefore are more likely to be persuaded to your point of view.

3. Addressing counter-arguments

Any balanced theory or thought  addresses and disputes counter-arguments  made against it. By addressing these, you’ll strengthen your persuasive speech by refuting your audience’s objections and you’ll show that you are knowledgeable to other thoughts on the topic.

When describing an opposing point of view, don’t explain it in a bias way – explain it in the same way someone who holds that view would describe it. That way, you won’t irritate members of your audience who disagree with you and you’ll show that you’ve reached your point of view through reasoned judgement. Simply identify any counter-argument and pose explanations against them.

• Complete Guide to Debating

4. Closing your speech

Your closing line of your speech is your last chance to convince your audience about what you’re saying. It’s also most likely to be the sentence they remember most about your entire speech so make sure it’s a good one!

The most effective persuasive speeches end  with a  call to action . For example, if you’ve been speaking about organ donation, your call to action might be asking the audience to register as donors.

Practice answering AI questions on your speech and get  feedback on your performance .

If audience members ask you questions, make sure you listen carefully and respectfully to the full question. Don’t interject in the middle of a question or become defensive.

You should show that you have carefully considered their viewpoint and refute it in an objective way (if you have opposing opinions). Ensure you remain patient, friendly and polite at all times.

Example 1: Persuasive speech outline

This example is from the Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Specific purpose

To persuade my audience to start walking in order to improve their health.

Central idea

Regular walking can improve both your mental and physical health.

Introduction

Let’s be honest, we lead an easy life: automatic dishwashers, riding lawnmowers, T.V. remote controls, automatic garage door openers, power screwdrivers, bread machines, electric pencil sharpeners, etc., etc. etc. We live in a time-saving, energy-saving, convenient society. It’s a wonderful life. Or is it?

Continue reading

Example 2: Persuasive speech

Tips for delivering your persuasive speech

• Practice, practice, and practice some more . Record yourself speaking and listen for any nervous habits you have such as a nervous laugh, excessive use of filler words, or speaking too quickly.
• Show confident body language . Stand with your legs hip width apart with your shoulders centrally aligned. Ground your feet to the floor and place your hands beside your body so that hand gestures come freely. Your audience won’t be convinced about your argument if you don’t sound confident in it. Find out more about  confident body language here .
• Don’t memorise your speech word-for-word  or read off a script. If you memorise your persuasive speech, you’ll sound less authentic and panic if you lose your place. Similarly, if you read off a script you won’t sound genuine and you won’t be able to connect with the audience by  making eye contact . In turn, you’ll come across as less trustworthy and knowledgeable. You could simply remember your key points instead, or learn your opening and closing sentences.
• Remember to use facial expressions when storytelling  – they make you more relatable. By sharing a personal story you’ll more likely be speaking your truth which will help you build a connection with the audience too. Facial expressions help bring your story to life and transport the audience into your situation.
• Keep your speech as concise as possible . When practicing the delivery, see if you can edit it to have the same meaning but in a more succinct way. This will keep the audience engaged.

The best persuasive speech ideas are those that spark a level of controversy. However, a public speech is not the time to express an opinion that is considered outside the norm. If in doubt, play it safe and stick to topics that divide opinions about 50-50.

Bear in mind who your audience are and plan your persuasive speech outline accordingly, with researched evidence to support your argument. It’s important to consider counter-arguments to show that you are knowledgeable about the topic as a whole and not bias towards your own line of thought.

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Here's a persuasive speech outline to use as a model for writing your own persuasive speech. You can start planning your outline as soon as you've settled on a great topic for your presentation.

As with any speech outline, the elements include an introduction, a body with main points and sub points, and a conclusion.

A persuasive speech can be organized in a number of ways.

What's the Most Common Way to Organize a Persuasive Speech Outline

The most common way to organize a persuasive speech outline is by "statement of logical reasons".

In this form, you...

• introduce the topic and state the thesis in the introduction
• put the reasons and supporting material in the body
• put a call to action in the conclusion.

For example, if you were trying to persuade your audience to donate blood at American Red Cross Blood Drives, your outline might look something like this:

Example Outline of a Persuasive Speech

Persuasive speech outline purpose :

To persuade my audience to donate blood through the American Red Cross.

Introduction :

1. Did you know that blood donated to the American Red Cross saves XXX lives per year?

2. People should give blood because it is easy and - though there might be a little pain involved - it is worth it because it saves so many lives (and you get great snacks!).

I. Giving blood is easy

 a. It only takes about an hour

 b. You just lie back and let the nurses do the work

 c. It generally doesn't hurt much at all

II. The blood you give saves lives

 a. People in accidents, people with cancer, people having surgery and women having babies are saved

 b. Tell story of Linda K. whose life was saved when she started hemorrhaging after the birth of her twins. III. If that isn't enough reason, you get great snacks

 a. You are not allowed to leave until you have had something to eat and drink, such as crackers, cookies and juice

 b. At some blood drives restaurants donate food!

Conclusion :

1. There is a blood drive this Friday at the fire station from 10 to 3. Please start your habit of blood donation right away.

2. If you cannot donate this Friday, I urge you to donate blood through the American Red Cross at another time because it is easy, you will get great snacks and, most importantly, you will save lives!

You can see how in this persuasive speech outline the topic and thesis are stated in the introduction, the reasons for giving blood are the main points in the body of the outline and the conclusion contains the call to action.

Best Speech Topics provides plenty of free speech samples and outline samples. One example is our Poverty Persuasive Speech Sample page , which includes a sample persuasive speech outline, a complete written persuasive speech essay, an theme analysis, and coverage of all aspects of writing a persuasive speech via the example.

Ways to Organize a Persuasive Speech Outline

Other ways of organizing a persuasive speech outline are "problem--solution", comparative advantages, criteria satisfaction, and motivational sequence.

Creating an effective persuasive speech outline is a critical element of preparing and delivering a persuasive speech that truly fulfills its purpose of persuading the audience to share your belief or take a particular action.

A good persuasive speech outline will keep you on track. You will introduce your topic and your thesis effectively in the beginning of the speech.

You will provide the supportive material you need to build your case in the body of the speech.

The evidence that you use in the form of statistics, quotes, expert testimony and examples will support each of the main points.

Finally you will make your powerful call to action in the conclusion of your speech.

Now, go forth and be persuasive!

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Here are 54 fun persuasive speech topics for your consideration, around which you can create a light-hearted and entertaining speech.

Persuasive Speech Topics - Find Great Ideas for Your Presentation

Find lots of persuasive speech topics and discover how to influence your listeners' beliefs, change their opinions and ultimately prompt them to take action!

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Related content, tips, and techniques.

More tips...

• A Guide to Persuasive Speech Writing
• More Tips for Writing Good Persuasive Speeches
• More Tips for Creating Your Outline (With Example)
• 3 Tips for Writing a Speech That Gets Results

Brainstorming techniques...

• Coming up With Ideas
• More Ways to Find the Perfect Topic

Topics to try...

• Ideal for Teens

Example persuasive speeches for inspiration...

• Gender Selection
• Energy Medicine
• The Role of Marriage in Society
• Fun Speech about Luck
• Second-Hand Smoke Using a Cell Phone Whilst Driving
• School Uniform Policies
• Become an Activist
• Best Speech Topics
• Persuasive Speech Topics

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49 Sample Persuasive Speech Outline

Student Example

Persuasive Speech Outline

• This is a student example of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.
• This student’s outline is well developed, coherent, integrates research, follows a strong organizational pattern, and meets all expectations of an outline in a public speaking course.
• Click on the Google Document provided for a sample speech outline.

Public Speaking Copyright © by Dr. Layne Goodman; Amber Green, M.A.; and Various is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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50 good persuasive speech topics

Good persuasive speech topics.

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 08-06-2022

50 persuasive speech ideas, plus example topic treatments

You want good persuasive speech topics and, fortunately I've got quite a few here.☺

My list of 50 is below.

However, whether they are good for you and your audience is something to seriously think about before making your final choice.

What's on this page:

• How to use this list of persuasive topics effectively  
• What makes a good persuasive speech topic?
• How to 'angle' or position a topic to fit your audience and speech purpose
• Links to more persuasive speech resources  

How to be sure you are choosing the best topic

To be sure you make an informed decision, before you settle on a topic check the guidelines about what makes a good persuasive speech topic and the "how to" examples, as well as the list itself.

( Hint -  a not so subtle one : The absolutely best way to use my list is as a prompt to get your own creative juices working. That tip, combined with the series questions in the infographic below will help you cut through the time you spend dithering about trying to decide what topic to do.)

What makes a persuasive speech topic good?

A persuasive speech topic is good if it:

• fits with the audience - Are they interested in it? Does it benefit them in anyway? How is it of value to them? Can you make it appealing? If it's an old topic, (one that has done a million times before),  can you make it fresh and interesting?
• is a fit with you - You already know something about it, or you're really interested in finding out more, and you know what want you to achieve through giving the speech.
• can be researched and prepared within the time frame you need the speech for
• fits the criteria and the purpose of your speech - set by yourself, your teacher, club, the organization who hired you to speak ...

Use the series of questions in the infographic below to narrow down your search for a good topic. As I've said in the infographic,  the winner is the topic with the highest number of YES answers.

How to use this list of topics effectively

Treat each idea as a starting point - a hook to give your brain something to latch on to.

As you scan the list look for the speech topics triggering more than a flicker of interest.

Stop and consider those more carefully.  Examine the topic from as many angles as you can. Apply imagination. Shake, rattle and roll that idea around and u se the questions in the infographic  to see whether it fits your needs.

And remember, any topic can be handled multiple ways.

Same persuasive topic - different treatment

Here are two examples to show you how the same topic can be adapted for different audiences. The topic is "Voice Matters".

" Voice Matters - the impact of a teacher's voice on students" - Example 1

The Intended Audience: teachers

Speaker Credibility: many years of teaching English and drama, plus public speaking experience

Speech Angle: to persuade the listeners (teachers) that how their voices sound in their student's ears influences how they are responded to, how their students behave and ultimately how they learn.

Specific Speech Purpose: to have them sign up for a voice workshop

Main ideas:

• Voice image - how we are perceived by others is influenced by voice quality. This in turn impacts on how we are responded to. (Do check the link. It's really interesting how much voice quality influences our lives.)
• What is a good quality voice? What personality or character traits are attributed to a person who has a good voice? Use sound clips to demonstrate. Ask for suggestions from the floor. How could that affect students?
• What is a poor quality voice? What do people assume about the speaker with that type of voice? How could that affect students?
• How do you know what you sound like to others? Use prepared sound clip of self to demonstrate.
• Can voice quality or voice image be changed? Why would you do/not do that? Provide researched examples of before and after work on voice.
• Consequences of working/not working on voice image - Give results - better classroom atmosphere, more on-target behavior, less time off with voice strain ... * For sound, trustworthy information on how voice quality impacts on student learning please visit my page: How is your teaching voice?  You'll find links to academic studies, and more. Voice does matter!
• How to work on voice image - outline of action and time line involved
• Sign up for workshop and ongoing public speaking course

"Voice Matters - the benefit of a good telephone voice" Example 2

Someone else might come along looking for a good persuasive speech topic and pick "Voice Matters" too. This time the treatment goes like this:

Audience: job seekers

Speaker Credibility: senior recruitment specialist for a major firm in town

Speech Angle: to persuade listeners that their telephone voice, (how they say what they say), is their initial calling card to getting an interview

Specific Speech Purpose: to have the seekers sign up for course on telephone skills to get the appointment they need

Main Ideas: As illustrated in the first example above because the core material is the same or similar but the examples used to carry the persuasive argument and benefits will be relevant to the audience.

• Sport is the new religion.
• Social media affects mental health.
• There should be a law against drugged driving
• Truth and politics seldom mix.
• Protests are effective.
• All guns should be registered.
• Should single people be allowed to adopt a child.
• Exploitative advertising should be banned.
• Love is not a defense or an excuse.
• Adoption of other-race children should be encouraged.
• Space aliens exist.
• Euphemisms are dangerous.
• Children should not be allowed mind altering drugs of any sort.
• Arranged marriages have more chance of succeeding.
• The quality of our voice matters.
• Assisted suicide should be made legal.
• Government benefits weaken a country.
• Discrimination makes you stronger.
• Private education/schools promote elitism.
• Religion has no place in schools.
• Good or right thinking is a matter of opinion.
• Multi-national corporates should be outlawed.
• Immigration laws are there to protect us.
• We should buy locally to support our communities.
• To be vegan is the only right and moral way to live.
• Fashion cripples creativity
• Cars and city centers should not mix.
• Birth control should be compulsory for people with genetically inheritable diseases.
• A young single girl who has a child should give it up for adoption.
• Age gives a face character.
• The earth is smaller today.
• Swearing has lost its shock value.
• Organic farming is the way for the future.
• Plastic packaging should be banned.
• Manners are essential.
• Allowing yourself to have fun is good for your health.
• Reincarnation is the only way to explain some experiences.
• The death penalty is obsolete.
• Drones need to be regulated to protect privacy.
• Safety legislation leads to diminished personal responsibility.
• A big brand doesn't necessarily mean big value.
• Diets do more harm than good.
• Oil drilling is dangerous for the environment.
• Food does not make you fat.
• Advances in medicine are not necessarily good for us.
• Big brother is more alive and well every day.
• Death is not final.
• Community service should be compulsory for everyone.
• Everyone should have the right to wear what they wish.
• Addiction is an illness, not a crime. Alcoholics or drug addicts do not belong in prison.

More persuasive speech resources

For help turning your good persuasive speech topic into a fully fledged speech check these pages:

• Persuasive speech outline Find out how to prepare an excellent speech outline using the classic persuasive speech structure: the 5 steps of  Monroe's Motivated Sequence , (fully explained with an example speech)  and then download a blank speech outline to complete.
• How to write a persuasive speech Step by step easily followed instructions for refining your outline into an effective speech.

Another 822 persuasive speech topic ideas

If you haven't found the persuasive topic you want yet, check these pages: 

• 100 persuasive speech ideas ,  
• 309 'easy' persuasive speech topics   
• 105 fun persuasive speech topics
• 310 persuasive speech topics for college
• 108 feminist persuasive speech topics

• And last but not least, read a sample persuasive speech that follows the persuasive speech outline referenced above. Please note though before you go to that page the subject is somber: the impact of suicide on families.
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Persuasive Speech

Persuasive Speech Outline

Last updated on: Dec 17, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting an Effective Persuasive Speech Outline

By: Nova A.

10 min read

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Jun 19, 2023

Persuasive speeches are a type of speech that aim to convince and persuade an audience to take some action or change their attitudes. 

When preparing a persuasive speech , making an outline is an essential step that can really make a difference and bring you closer to success.

So how can you create an excellent outline for your persuasive speech?

Read on to find the answer. In this blog, you’ll get a step-by-step guide on creating an outline, along with some helpful tips and a practical example.

On this Page

How to Write a Persuasive Speech Outline - 7 Easy Steps

Let’s go through the step-by-step process of creating a perfect structure for your persuasive speech.

Step 1: Identify Your Topic & Objective

Begin by clearly identifying the topic and main objective of your persuasive speech. Your persuasive speech topic should be something you feel passionate about and have a strong stance on.

In addition, ask yourself what do you want to achieve with your speech? For instance, you could aim to:

• Change common attitudes
• Motivate your audience
• Inspire specific action 

Defining your objective will shape the content and direction of your speech outline.

Step 2: Write the Hook for an Engaging Introduction

Think about how you are going to start your speech. Remember, the hook is the most critical part of your speech's introduction—it's what grabs your audience's attention and compels them to listen. 

It could either be: 

• A surprising fact or statistic 
• A compelling story
• A provocative question
• Or an engaging quote

So write down your hook statement in your outline. Apart from that, you should also add points about the background information or context in your outline.

Step 3: Determine Your Key Points & Arguments

Next, determine the key points or arguments that support your objective. These are the main ideas or concepts you want to convey to your audience. 

Consider the key reasons or evidence that support your core message. These supporting points should be clear, relevant, and persuasive. Typically, three to five key points work well for a persuasive speech. 

Ensure that each key point supports your overall objective and is logically connected to the others. In addition, you should also address any counter arguments to make your central point stronger.

Step 4: Add Supporting Evidence for Each Key Point

For each key point in your persuasive speech outline, gather supporting evidence that strengthens your argument. This can include: 

• Relevant statistics 
• Research findings 
• Expert opinions 
• Anecdotes or examples

Ensure that your evidence is reliable, up-to-date, and directly supports the specific purpose you're addressing.

Step 5: Arrange Your Points in a Logical Order

Once you have identified your key points and their supporting evidence, arrange them in a logical order within your speech outline. 

Consider organizing them in a way that builds upon one another, enhancing the flow of your argument and building momentum toward your conclusion. 

You can choose to arrange them in the following ways:

• Chronologically 
• By order of importance
• Problem-to-solution model

Step 6: Write Call-to-Action for an Impactful Conclusion

The conclusion of your persuasive speech is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your audience. Depending on your topic, you can end with a specific call to action or a thought-provoking question for a memorable ending.

Use strong verbs and emotionally resonant language to compel your audience to think, change, or take action.

Step 7: Revise & Improve

The final step in creating a persuasive speech outline is to thoroughly revise and improve your draft. Here's how to ensure your speech is polished and impactful:

• Review for clarity and coherence. Ensure that your arguments are concise, coherent, and easy to understand.
• Double-check the accuracy and relevance of the supporting evidence you've included for each key point. Make sure they are taken from credible sources and effectively strengthen your arguments. 
• Refine your language to make it more persuasive and impactful. Use vivid imagery, strong verbs, and rhetorical devices to engage your audience and evoke emotion.
• Review the length of your speech outline to ensure it aligns with your allotted speaking time. Trim any unnecessary content and streamline your arguments for maximum impact.

Persuasive Speech Format: Monroe’s Motivated Sequence

When it comes to outlining and delivering persuasive speeches, one effective format that has stood the test of time is Monroe's Motivated Sequence. Developed by Alan H. Monroe, this framework provides a structured way to engage and influence your audience. 

This format also complements the outline writing steps mentioned above. Let’s break down how you can apply Monroe's motivated sequence format to make your persuasive speech more effective. 

Step 1: Attention

The first step in Monroe's Motivated Sequence is to grab the attention of your audience. 

You can do it with a captivating hook. As mentioned above, you can use several techniques for capturing attention at the start, such as a compelling story or rhetorical question. The goal is to make your audience sit up, take notice, and become invested in what you have to say.

Step 2: Need

Once you have their attention, it's time to highlight the need for change or action. 

Paint a vivid picture that evokes emotions and demonstrates why the need for change, understanding, or action is urgent and important. Use compelling evidence and relatable anecdotes to make the issue tangible to your audience.

Step 3: Satisfaction 

After establishing the need, present your proposed solution or action step. Demonstrate how your solution directly addresses the identified problem and fulfills the needs of your audience. 

For this, you should provide a clear and detailed explanation of how your solution works and why it is the most effective approach. In addition, back up your claims with evidence, expert opinions, and success stories to strengthen your argument and build credibility.

Step 4: Visualization

To make your persuasive speech more impactful, help your audience visualize the potential outcomes. 

For instance, you could paint a compelling picture of what the future could look like if your solution is implemented. Again, try using descriptive language, vivid imagery, and storytelling techniques to engage and evoke their imaginations. 

Step 5: Action 

The final step in Monroe's Motivated Sequence is to call your audience to action. 

In simple words, clearly and explicitly state what you want them to do and how they can take action. Whether it's making a donation or changing their behavior, provide specific steps they can take to contribute to the cause.

Sample Persuasive Speech Outlines

Now that you know how to make your outline using our 7-step guide and the Monroe framework, check out some outline templates and examples. It’ll help you get a better understanding of how it looks in practice.

Problem-Cause-Solution Persuasive Speech Template

Death penalty persuasive speech template, more persuasive speech outline examples.

Want to have a look at more outline samples for a better idea? We've got you covered. Here are some more examples for you:

Pro Choice Persuasive Speech Outline

Universal Healthcare Persuasive Speech Outline

Recycling Persuasive Speech Outline

Persuasive Speech Outline On Mental Health

Tips for Creating an Outstanding Persuasive Speech Outline 

Here are some brief tips for creating an engaging persuasive speech outline:

• Choose a Compelling Topic : Select a topic that you are passionate about and that resonates with your audience. A topic that is relevant, timely, and sparks interest will captivate your listeners from the beginning.
• Conduct Thorough Research : Gather credible sources, statistics, examples, and expert opinions to support your arguments. A well-researched speech adds credibility and strengthens your persuasive case.
• Use Persuasive Language : Utilize persuasion techniques including ethos, pathos, and logos to make it compelling, persuasive, and engaging. Choose rhetorical devices such as metaphors, analogies, and powerful imagery to enhance your message and make it memorable.

In conclusion,

By following the outlined steps and examples provided, you can effectively structure your speech and craft persuasive arguments. Remember, you should always make an outline before writing your speech to make it organized and powerful from the start.

However, if you need further help with your speech, then consider hiring a professional service such as MyPerfectPaper.net.

MyPerfectPaper.net , offers reliable speech writing service for students. We have a team of experienced writers that is dedicated to delivering high-quality, custom-written essays.

If you need our help, then just say ' write my paper fast ' and we will make sure to deliver a high-quality paper on time. 

Don't hesitate to contact us for expert assistance and take your academic success to the next level.

Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

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