You may want to persuade an audience to DO something, or you may want to show them that something is TRUE. However, there may be times when you want to convince your audience of your VIEW that one option is desirable or better than other options. To organize such a talk (sometimes called the “Value” method), you still have the three parts of a speech: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. But the difference is in the Body. The Main Points of your talk would have two or ideally three points: (1) Establish ideal criteria or standards to define your proposal. (2) Measure your proposal against those standards. And if you want to convince yourself that your choice is better than other options, then (3) compare how your proposal compares to other options.
To see how this organization would work when you want to persuade your audience of your VIEW point, let’s use the example of persuading them that swimming is the best form of exercise. Let’s say the group wants to get into an exercise program; They have already decided that they are going to DO some kind of exercise. You want to persuade them that swimming is the best option, better than running, cycling or yoga. This is how I could summarize that presentation:
I.INTRO
A. HOOK: Get their attention and interest. You could share a funny personal anecdote about swimming, how much you hated swimming lessons as a kid, and how you nearly drowned the instructor once you blindly jumped off the diving board because you were so scared. And today, you are like a fish in water.
B. REASON FOR LISTENING: “It has been clearly established that exercise is crucial to our fitness and weight loss. We all know that we will look better, feel better, and be healthier if we exercise regularly. It has been established exactly what the best form of exercise is… But I think I know the answer…”
II. BODY
A. ROADMAP: I would like to show you all the fantastic benefits of swimming, so you can see that it is the best option for your exercise plan.
B. MAIN POINTS:
1. The “ideal” criteria or standards for your proposal:
Present to the audience (or even get them to contribute) the characteristics of the ideal exercise program. For example, you might suggest that its characteristics might be a good cardio workout, help you lose weight, be gentle on your joints, strengthen and tone all your major muscle groups, and build strong bones.
2. Measure your proposal against those standards.
Show how swimming meets those criteria: It’s a great aerobic exercise, especially if you can swim for at least 30 minutes; it’s easy on the joints thanks to the cushioning effect of water; because it requires the use of the arms, legs, and back, it works all muscle groups, and its aerobic and general conditioning effect helps keep the weight down. Build strong bones? Well, not really, so we can’t claim that.
3. Compare how your proposal compares to other options, in this case running, biking, and yoga. (Gratify this visually, if you can. In a table, list all the criteria on the left, and then have columns for each form of exercise:
Aerobic Swimming Running Biking YogaLose Weight
Easy on Joints
All Muscle Groups
Strong Bones
For each exercise, check the criteria that apply to you. You’d like more check marks in your proposal column, of course!)
“You can see that swimming meets more criteria for good exercise than these other forms. It’s a healthy and fun way to stay fit!”
third CONCLUSION
A. SUMMARY: Conclude by reviewing the criteria and how your proposal measures them and compares favorably to others.
B. CLOSING/CALL TO ACTION: “So you can see that swimming is a better overall exercise than these other forms. If you want a good workout that is good for your heart, lungs, muscles, joints, and control weight, I urge you to buy your swimsuit and goggles and swim!”