What is a persuasive speech? Definition and example outline
A persuasive speech tries to change what the audience believes or does: to agree with a position, support a plan or take an action. Unlike an informative speech, which explains a topic without taking a side, it states a clear claim, backs it with reasons and evidence, answers the main objection and ends with a call to action.
Persuasive versus informative
| Persuasive speech | Informative speech | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Change a belief or action | Build understanding |
| Takes a side? | Yes | No |
| Typical ending | A call to action | A recap of what was explained |
| Example title | "Our school should start at 9:00" | "How sleep changes in the teenage years" |
Three common types
- Fact: argues something is or isn't true. "Remote work hasn't reduced our team's output."
- Value: argues something is good, bad, fair or unfair. "Unpaid internships are unfair to students without savings."
- Policy: argues for a specific change. "The city should add a protected bike lane on Elm Street."
Policy speeches are the most common in class and at work, because they end with a clear ask.
Example outline: five minutes
A made-up outline for "Our school should start classes at 9:00 instead of 8:00". At 130 to 150 words per minute, five minutes is about 650 to 750 words.
- Hook (30 seconds). "Raise your hand if you were awake before six today." Then: "That's the problem."
- Claim (15 seconds). "Moving the start to 9:00 would make us healthier and better at learning, at almost no cost."
- Reason one, with evidence (75 seconds). Teen sleep needs, backed by a health source you've checked and can name.
- Reason two, with evidence (75 seconds). Morning attendance and alertness in first lessons, using your school's own figures if you can get them.
- The main objection, answered (60 seconds). "Parents' work schedules." Offer a supervised early room for students who need to arrive at 8:00.
- Call to action (30 seconds). "Sign the student council petition by Friday."
How to write and deliver one, step by step, is in how to write a persuasive speech.
Questions people ask
What are the main parts of a persuasive speech?
A hook, a clear claim, two or three reasons with evidence, an answer to the main objection, and a call to action.
What makes a persuasive speech effective?
One clear claim, evidence the audience trusts, and taking their objections seriously. The three appeals, ethos, pathos and logos, describe the balance.
How long is a persuasive speech?
In class, often three to seven minutes. Ask for the limit and aim to finish slightly under it.
What is a good persuasive speech topic?
Something you genuinely believe, that your audience could act on, and where there's a real counterargument to answer.