Motivational /Call to Action Speech Assignment

Speech 220

Purpose:  The purpose of this speech is to construct a speech designed to motivate (persuade) an audience who agrees with your position to take action on a public or political issue. As a Motivational /Call to Action speech, the topic should emphasize the problem or issue in the status quo that you and your audience are struggling to change. Depending on your topic, the locus and scope of the problem may be local; national, or international. Unlike the first persuasive speech, your audience for this speech generally agrees with your position. Your purpose in this speech is to: (1) strengthen the shared commitment and values in opposition to the problem/people you describe, (2) present solutions to the problem, (3) describe the results of your plan, and (4) motivate (persuade) the audience to take a specific action based on the shared values and outrage you have created. The Monroe Motivational Sequence must be used. Please be sure that the actions you are motivating are realistic, specific and possible.  It will help if you imagine that you’re addressing a sign-carrying crowd of fellow believers in Westlake Center.

Description:  This speech should be 6-8 minutes in length.  I am not requiring any sources or visual aids for this speech but you should use them if necessary or appropriate. This means that the burden is on you! It is important that you gain the Attention of the audience by clearly showing what the problem you want them to take action on is. [Single focus, clear and specific problem] Not having a clear, focused idea to share, means that you cannot do the next step well.

The Need portion clearly states two things, why something needs to change, and change as fast as possible, and your plan of action. This plan tells your supporters what exactly they have top do to fix the problem, change the dreadful potential outcome etc. Remember, this is what you want them to do, rather than just think. A clear understandable plan that can be put into motion is necessary.

Address the Satisfaction segment, by helping them to understand why their daily life, society and/or the Quality of Life on our planet will be improved by doing what you ask them to do. Give them well-constructed images of how much better things will be after your plan has been put into action.

Visualization asks them to see themselves doing the action. Make clear how they can be successful. They are on your side, they are waiting to be told what t o do. Like people desiring to help after a great hurricane, earthquake etc. this phase gives them something concrete to do. Many people feel better after they have done something solid and “real” feel free to construct fictitious websites, phone numbers etc. even fictitious buses waiting to take them to the demonstration site. Act as if what you are saying is real and vital, you are motivating them, calling them to action after all.

Finally, your conclusion is a Call to Action, to inspire them to get out there and change the status quo, using your plan, which will lead to the achievement of an agreed upon goal. I will be looking for you to ground your claims in this audience’s values and I will expect supporting evidence in the form of citations and visual aids if necessary.  Style and language are emphasized in this speech, and I will be looking for you to incorporate figurative style and language techniques into your speech.  Be an inspiration! 

Evaluation:  This speech is worth 20% of your final grade. The preparation

And presentation outlines are to be typed and are due to me at the beginning of the speech. Your presentation outline must be in Key Word format, with any quotations written out in full. Use your symbols/ colors/ fonts to keep track of vocal emphasis. You may want to cue yourself about timing; we will discuss this in class. There is no self-evaluation paper for this speech. As this is the final speech of our class, it should be your best! Please remember that we practice extemporaneous speaking; you will be especially graded down for anything that resembles a manuscript presentation in this speech. Your speech will be evaluated on content, organization and delivery style. Audience analysis and ethos are imperative to the success of your protest speech, so please keep this in mind.  If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me ghawkin@bcc.ctc.edu for help.