# 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.

By the Speaking Coach team at Sodhera Intelligence. Updated 2026-10-22. Source: https://www.orecci.com/speaking-coach/glossary/persuasive-speech/

## Persuasive versus informative

| | Persuasive speech | [Informative speech](/speaking-coach/glossary/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.

1. **Hook (30 seconds).** "Raise your hand if you were awake before six today." Then: "That's the problem."
2. **Claim (15 seconds).** "Moving the start to 9:00 would make us healthier and better at learning, at almost no cost."
3. **Reason one, with evidence (75 seconds).** Teen sleep needs, backed by a health source you've checked and can name.
4. **Reason two, with evidence (75 seconds).** Morning attendance and alertness in first lessons, using your school's own figures if you can get them.
5. **The main objection, answered (60 seconds).** "Parents' work schedules." Offer a supervised early room for students who need to arrive at 8:00.
6. **[Call to action](/speaking-coach/glossary/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](/speaking-coach/speeches/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](/speaking-coach/glossary/ethos-pathos-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.

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