CHAPTER 13

Persuasive Speaking

In a Persuasive speech, the central idea is always a proposition, which can be defined as the statement of an idea that may be accepted or rejected by an audience and is potentially subject to debate. Moreover, a persuasive speech is intended to try to move the opinion of the audience in some direction along the spectrum of agreement or opposition. Therefore, we may define the general purpose of a persuasive speech as such: to convince or reinforce a proposition in the mind of the audience.

Key Terms