Grade 8 Unit 9: Persuasive Speech

Table of Contents

Persuasive Speech 2

Lesson 1: Persuasive Speech 3

Warm-up! 3
Learn About It! 3
Check Your Understanding 5
Let’s Step Up! 6

Lesson 2: Composing a Persuasive Speech 7

Warm-up! 7
Learn About It! 8
Check Your Understanding 13
Let’s Step Up! 13

Lesson 3: Delivering a Persuasive Speech 14

Warm-up! 14
Learn About It! 15
Check Your Understanding 16
Let’s Step Up! 17

Performance Task 17

Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn? 20

Wrap Up 21

Bibliography 22
GRADE 8 | English

UNIT 9
Persuasive Speech
Very few people will say that delivering a speech
is fun. There is actually a fear of public
speaking, called glossophobia.

While this is already extreme, being an anxiety

disorder, the usual fears can be eased with the
proper knowledge and preparation.

This unit will help you write and deliver a

persuasive speech. Hopefully, with this lesson
and some courage, you will be able to ace it.

Objectives
In this unit, you should be able to:

● identify and define the different persuasive strategies;

● identify the steps in writing a persuasive essay;
● identify the steps in delivering a persuasive speech properly;
● write a persuasive speech; and
● deliver a persuasive speech.

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 Lesson 1: Persuasive Speech

When does a speaker merely convince the audience

and when do they persuade? Find out the difference in
this lesson about the features of a persuasive speech
that makes it different from an informative one.

Warm-up!

What do you say to your parents when:

1. you want to attend a friend’s party?

2. you need to buy something that is expensive?
3. you want to go to the mall to relax?

Share your answer with your seatmate.

Learn About It!

A persuasive speech is a speech given for the purpose of not only convincing your
audience or listeners to agree to a particular point of view, fact, or opinion but also to change
their mind and/or act on what they have heard from the speaker.

The type of persuasive speech depends on the subject matter and content. There are three
types of persuasive speech:

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 A. Factual Persuasive Speech
A persuasive speech persuades the audience to believe something happened or
existed, or that it did not.

There are three basic types of questions of fact:

1. Historical Controversy: the knowledge that an event happened in the past or that an
object existed.

Example: In 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong landed on the moon.

2. Questions of Current Existence: the knowledge that something is happening now.

Example: Global warming is a serious environmental problem that the whole world
needs to address.

3. Predictions: based on past events, the speaker identifies a pattern that will try to convince
the audience that the event will happen again in the future.

Example: Gasoline prices will drop again before the next Presidential elections.

B. Value Persuasive Speech

A persuasive speech about whether something is right or wrong, better or worse than
another thing. This type of speech implies certain actions but not a call to action (to do
something).

Example: Bicycles are the best mode of transportation to get around town.

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 C. Policy Persuasive Speech
A persuasive speech is given to convince the audience to support or reject a policy,
rule, or candidate.

Example: President Rodrigo Duterte giving a speech to convince Congress to extend

Martial Law in Mindanao.

Find a video and listen to Leonardo di Caprio’s speech in the UN on climate change.
Then, answer the following questions:
1. What are the convincing arguments of the speech?
2. How did he challenge the audience to act on the issue?
3. Were you persuaded by the speech you have watched? Why or why not?

Check Your Understanding

Fill in the blanks with the correct answer.

1. The goal of a persuasive speech is to convince and/or make the audience _____________
on the issue or problem.
2. The types of persuasive speech depend on the subject matter and _________________.
3. A factual persuasive speech makes the the audience believe that a fact or phenomenon
is ______________.
4. A ___________ persuasive speech proves that something is right or wrong or better, or
worse than another thing.
5. A policy persuasive speech encourages the audience to support or __________ a policy, a
rule, or candidate.

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Let’s Step Up!

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 Lesson 2: Composing a Persuasive Speech

It is not easy to influence people’s beliefs and decisions,

more so to make them act on a particular issue or
problem. Thus, there is a need to effectively craft a
persuasive speech to ensure that the people’s attention
would be hooked. This lesson will teach you how to
compose a persuasive speech that can make people
change people’s minds and motivate them to act.

Warm-up!
What do you think is written in a persuasive speech? Fill in the 3 parts of the pyramid
structure below with your guess and discuss your answers with your classmate. Find out later
if your answers are correct.

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 Learn About It!

Now, we write our speech! Below are some tips you may follow in composing a persuasive
speech:

Decide on a topic.
a. It does not have to be controversial or super serious. Think of an issue that you feel you
can convince your audience about properly.
b. Get as much information as you can by doing research in the library or online
(depending on your topic). Good sources of information include newspapers or
news-oriented programs.
c. Make sure your sources are credible and reliable, and your data and statistics are
current and relevant.

Know your goal.

a. After deciding on a topic, choose which side you would like to discuss.
b. What are you trying to achieve with your speech?

Identify your audience.

a. Who will hear your speech?
b. What do they already know?
c. What are they expecting?

Write your outline.

a. Use a simple structure: Have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
b. Use a graphic organizer such as the one below to organize your speech.
c. Follow the proper format for a writing outline. See the example below.

Write your speech. With an outline as your guide, begin writing your speech.

a. Introduction:
● Begin with a greeting to the audience and a short introduction of yourself.
● Proceed with a hook: a statement or question that will capture the audience’s attention.
● Explain your goal. Give the purpose of your speech.

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 ● Give a brief preview of the three arguments you will be discussing in a thesis
statement.

b. Body:
● The body is the main discussion of your position.
● Come up with at least three (3) main arguments for your position.
● Each position must be followed by supporting evidence from your research.

c. Conclusion:
● The conclusion is the summary of your speech.
● Re-emphasize your arguments and restate your points.
● Have a clear, final sentence to end your speech gracefully.

Some more suggestions:

● Do not be confrontational in your arguments. Opposing arguments do not have to be

put down. You can always convince your audience with positive assertions.
● Use simple statistics. Too many numbers and percentages can overwhelm your
audience.
● Do not go beyond three points. Your audience may zone out if your speech is too long.
An essay meant for people to hear is different from that which is meant only for
reading.

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Use this graphic organizer in writing your persuasive speech.

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Follow this format for the outline of your persuasive speech:

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 Check Your Understanding

Identify whether each writing practice is correct (✔) or not (X).

1. Decide on a topic that you are the only one who understands and appreciates.
2. Do extensive research online and in the library.
3. Prioritize sources that are instantly available to you as not to waste time.
4. Always stay on a neutral side in your persuasive speech.
5. Make three strong points and never go beyond that.

Let’s Step Up!

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 Lesson 3: Delivering a Persuasive Speech

Now that you have already identified what you are going to
say and in what structure or order you are going to deliver
your points, it’s time for you to practice how to express your
stand using verbal and nonverbal strategies. This lesson will
help you ace your persuasive speech that will surely
captivate people’s attention and hearts.

Warm-up!
What are your fears when persuading people to act on a particular problem or issue? Write
your answers in the first column of the chart below. Then, ask your seatmate to give you tips
on how you might be able to conquer these fears in the second column.

My Fears How to Conquer Them

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 Learn About It!

1. Practice, practice, practice!

a. Stand in front of the mirror and observe yourself deliver your speech.
b. Place bullet points of your speech on index cards printed in a larger-sized, readable
font.
c. Highlight words, phrases, and points that you would like to emphasize in your
speech.

2. Know your emotions. You control your emotions, emotions do not control you!
a. Before delivering your speech, be aware of your emotional state. Entering the stage
nervous can reflect poorly on you.
b. The audience can sense your feelings and may become uncomfortable if it is
negative.
c. Adequate preparation and practice help in increasing your public speaking comfort
level.

3. Talk slowly and do not rush through sections.

4. Remember to breathe and stay calm.

5. Have inflection in your voice and use tone to convey messages.

6. Make eye contact. Scan the audience. If you are too nervous to make direct eye
contact, look near their eyes (foreheads, hair). They cannot tell the difference.

Avoid the following issues and mistakes:

a. Getting lost in your speech: Make sure your index cards are in order, put notes, and
highlight important parts while practicing.
b. Be conscious of filler words like “um”, “uh”, and “like” while practicing and as you deliver
your speech. Pause instead of saying filler words.
c. Pronunciation issues: practice constantly and write the pronunciation in your notes.

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 Check Your Understanding

Check 5 of the following speaking practices you should follow when delivering a
persuasive speech.

❏ Practice until you are confident with your performance.

❏ Use effective pauses.
❏ Show all your overpowering emotions.
❏ Don’t bother about your pronunciation that much.
❏ Be sincere with your expression.
❏ Do not focus on the structure of your speech.
❏ Talk at a moderate pace.
❏ Show mastery of the subject by speaking fast and very spontaneously.
❏ Vary the tone of your voice.
❏ Only look at the side of the audience that is interested in your speech.

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 Let’s Step Up!

Performance Task
Persuasive Speech: Youth Advocacy Campaign

Goal:
Your task is to promote advocacy that would help stop or address a pressing issue that the
Filipino youth face today.

Role:
You are a youth advocate who is very concerned about a particular issue confronted by the
youth of today and you would like to persuade your fellow youth to address the issue in your
own small ways.

Audience:
You will be persuading your fellow youth and classmates to support your advocacy.

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Situation:
You would like to advocate a particular action that would address a pressing youth issue
nowadays. You would like to take a five-minute opportunity in your class to persuade your
classmates to join and support you in this advocacy.

Product/Performance and Purpose:

1. Think of one issue that you would like to discuss in class. Come up with your position
and a specific action you would like them to do with you to address the issue.
2. Write your persuasive speech. Use the graphic organizer and the outline provided in
previous pages to guide you in your writing.
3. Practice delivering the speech using the strategies mentioned in Lesson 3. Do this in
front of a peer who could give you honest feedback.
4. Deliver the speech in front of the class.

Standards & Criteria for Success:

Your work will be judged by looking at the following:

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(0-12 points) (13-16 points) (17-20 points)

Content - Position on the - Position on the - Clear

(Focus on issue not clearly issue quite statement of
details/events are stated understandable position on the
clearly evident; it is - Arguments are - Not all issue
clearly related to weak arguments - Three
the topic.) -No call for action support position arguments
on the issue strongly
-Call for action is support
concrete but not position on the
too strong issue
-Call for action
is concrete and
very strong

Organization - Lack of - Inconsistent - Clearly and

(Logical progression organization organization logical
of details/events; - Difficult to - Introduction, organization
clear transitions follow the body, and - Engaging
between ideas.) introduction, conclusion evident introduction,

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 body, conclusion logically
sequenced
body, and clear
and convincing
conclusion

Language - had more than - had five to eight - had less than
(spelling, nine errors in errors in grammar, four errors in
mechanics, grammar and and word choice grammar and
grammar, and word choice word choice
usage)

Delivery - Hardly speaks - Speaks with - Speaks with

with clarity clarity most of the clarity
- No voice time - Projected
projection - Projected voice voice
- Failed to speak most of the time - Speaks with
with varied and - Speaks with varied and
appropriate tone, varied and appropriate
pace, and appropriate tone, tone, pace, and
emphasis. pace, and emphasis.
emphasis at times

Overall - Speaker showed

Effectiveness - Speaker lacks some enthusiasm. - Speaker was
enthusiasm. - Purpose of enthusiastic
- Purpose of speech was - Purpose of the
speech was not partially achieved. speech was
achieved. achieved.

Nonverbal - No eye contact - Eye contact at - Effective eye

Communication - Gestures used times contact
do not enhance - Gestures used do - Gestures used
speech not enhance significantly
- Does not look speech enhanced
professional - Looks speech
semi-professional - Looks
and presentable professional

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 Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn?
Do a self-check on how well you learned the lessons in this unit. Place a checkmark in the
appropriate box.

I am familiar and
I think I need more I am confident that I
can perform well
Skills practice and can perform this on
with minimal
assistance. my own.
assistance.
I can identify and
define the different
persuasive
strategies.
I can identify the
steps in writing a
persuasive essay.
I know very well
the steps in
delivering a
persuasive speech
properly.
I can write a
persuasive speech
effectively.
I can deliver a
persuasive speech.

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 Wrap Up
PERSUASIVE SPEECH
- A speech given for the purpose of not only convincing your audience or listeners to
agree to a particular point of view, fact, or opinion, but also to change their mind
and/or act on what they have heard from the speaker.
- depends on the subject matter and content
Factual Persuasive Speech Value Persuasive Speech Policy Persuasive Speech
a persuasive speech that a persuasive speech about a persuasive speech given
persuades the audience as whether something is right to convince the audience to
to whether or not or wrong, better or worse, support or reject a policy,
something happened or than another thing rule, or candidate
existed

Decide on a topic: An issue that you feel you can convince your audience of
properly.
Get as much information by doing research in the library or online.
Make sure your sources are credible and reliable.
Know your goal: choose a side that you would like to discuss.
Identify your audience.
Write your outline.
Write your speech. With your outline as your guide, begin writing your speech.
a. Introduction: Greeting, Hook, Goal, Preview
b. Body: Main Discussion with three arguments supported with evidence
c. Conclusion: Summary, Re-emphasize, Graceful exit
Do not be confrontational in your arguments.
Use simple statistics.
Do not go beyond three points.

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 Practice, practice, practice!
You control your emotions, emotions do not control you!
Talk slowly and do not rush through sections.
Have inflection in your voice and use tone to convey messages.
Make eye contact. Scan the audience and look near their faces (foreheads,
hair).
Avoid the following issues and mistakes:
a. getting lost in your speech
b. fillers like “um,” “uh,” “like”
c. pronunciation issues

Bibliography
Coleman, Steven. “What are the Types of Persuasive Speech?” Study.com. Accessed July 24,
2017.
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-the-three-types-of-persuasive-speeches.ht
ml#transcriptHeader.

Colison, Melina Ann. “How to Write and Deliver a Persuasive Speech,” Bright Hub Education.
Updated August 2, 2012. Accessed July 25, 2017.
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/help-with-writing/53098-how-to-write-and-deliver-
a-persuasive-speech/.

Fleming, Grace. “How to Write a Persuasive Essay,” Thoughtco.com. Updated on June 9, 2017.
Accessed on July 24, 2017.
https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-persuasive-speech-1857488.

“Giving a Persuasive Speech,” University of California-San Francisco Office of Career and

Professional Development. Accessed July 25, 2017.
https://career.ucsf.edu/sites/career.ucsf.edu/files/PDF/Howtogiveapersuasivespeech.pd
f.

"Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Fact." Boundless Communications Boundless, 17 Mar.

2017. Accessed July 24, 2017.
https://www.boundless.com/communications/textbooks/boundless-communications-te
xtbook/persuasive-speaking-14/types-of-persuasive-speeches-73/persuasive-speeches-
on-questions-of-fact-287-5434/.

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Wilson, Tim. “The Six Elements of a Persuasive Speech,” Myrkothum. Accessed July 24, 2017.
http://www.myrkothum.com/persuasive-speech/.

Recommended Links for This Unit:

National Speech and Debate Association. n.d. “Tips for Writing a Persuasive Speech”. Accessed
June 7, 2018.
https://www.speechanddebate.org/wp-content/uploads/Tips-For-Writing-A-Persuasive-S
peech.pdf.

Persuasive Speech Examples. 2018. Accessed June 7, 2018.

http://www.softschools.com/examples/grammar/persuasive_speech_examples/388/.

University of Pittsburgh. “Persuasive Speech”. Accessed June 7, 2018.

http://www.speaking.pitt.edu/student/public-speaking/persuasive.html.

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