How to be persuasive: How to be persuasive

Have a look at the below resource to explore famous speeches.

• Define your topic clearly
• Choose a topic of interest to your audience (and you)
• Develop and structure your argument
• Write it out
• Read it out loud (practice)
• Convince your audience using persuasive techniques (some are listed below)

  Emotive language

  Alliteration

  Expert Evidence

  Inclusive/Exclusive language

  Hyperbole

  Rhetorical questions

  Colloquial language

  Analogy

  Repetition

Words have the power to inspire, motivate, and influence millions of people. 

Follow the logo above to explore TED talks. TED Talks presenters use varied persuasive techniques that seek to influence the audience.

The aim of a persuasive speech is to inform, educate and convince or motivate an audience to do something. You are essentially trying to sway the audience to adopt your own viewpoint.

The best persuasive speech topics are thought-provoking, daring and have a clear opinion. You should speak about something you are knowledgeable about and can argue your opinion for, as well as objectively discuss counter-arguments.

A guide to get students started on locating and understanding persuasive techniques.

Running time: 10min

Stan Grant delivers a powerful speech using statistics, repetition and emotive language to persuade an audience that racism has killed the Australian Dream.  

Running time:  8:34

An analysis of Barack Obama's speech about racism in American society.