Argumentative Speech Outline
An argumentative speech is a persuasive type of presentation where the speaker attempts to convince their audience to change their views on a certain controversial topic. The main aim of an argumentative presentation is to change the opinions that the audience already has on a certain issue. Argumentative presentations are mostly based on current controversial issues.
Argumentative Speech Outline
The following is an argumentative presentation outline:
1. Introduction
The purpose of the introduction is to set up and state your claim. It should be one to two paragraphs at most. The introduction contains the following elements:
- It should be interesting in order to draw the attention of your audience.
- It should have some background information that will help the audience understand your claim.
- It should state the author and title when presenting about a literary work.
- You should provide a brief explanation of your theory if you are arguing about a theory.
- You should state your claim at the end of your paragraph.
2. Background Paragraph
Include a background paragraph consisting of one to two paragraphs. The purpose of the background paragraph is to lay a foundation for proving your argument. It includes:
- Summary of the works being discussed.
- Definition of key terms
- Explanation of key theories.
3. Supporting Evidence Paragraphs
These can include three or four paragraphs whose purpose is to prove your argument. They entail:
- Topic sentence. This is a fact or detail that you can tell your audience to help them understand your presentation’s topic better.
- Explanation for the topic sentence.
- Evidence. Introduce your evidence either in a few words or in a full sentence.
- Explain evidence. Make the audience understand how they should interpret the evidence that you have provided. Show how the evidence proves the point that you are bringing across.
- Concluding sentence - end your last paragraph with a concluding sentence that explains how the topic sentence helps the audience understand your presentation’s overall claim.
4. Counterargument Paragraph
The purpose of this paragraph is to make you sound more objective and reasonable. It helps anticipate the objections of your audience. Include arguments that your audience might pose against your argument and refute them. End the paragraph with a concluding sentence that reasserts your paper’s claim as a whole.
5. Conclusion
The purpose of the conclusion is to remind your audience of your argument and supporting evidence. Your conclusion should also illustrate that you have thought critically about the topic. It restates your presentation’s overall claim and supporting evidence.
Your conclusion should:
- Not talk about the same exact thing as your introduction since this will prove that you have not done enough critical thinking.
- Tell your audience why they should care about your presentation.
- Create a sense of movement to a more complex understanding of your presentation’s subject.
- Serve as your presentation’s climax.