PART A – FRONT MATTER
Name of the speaker: Atishay Mariya
Reg. No.: 0334/62
Topic for persuasion:
“The Productivity Paradox – Why slowing down can be the ultimate competitive
advantage”
Communication - behavioral objective:
By the end of my speech, the audience will recognise that constant hustle is not the most
effective route to success, and that strategic slowing down can improve decision-making,
creativity, and long-term results. I will use a tell/sell communication style — sharing
credible research, high-profile examples, and relatable experiences — to convince the
audience to rethink their approach to productivity.
Supplemental target (Emotional Tuning):
Prompt self-reflection by challenging the belief that busyness equals value
PART B: CONTENT ARCHITECTURE
Introduction: Persuasion strategies used
(Ethos)
Attention grabber employed – rhetorical question/anecdote/startling
Rhetorical question – “If time is our most valuable currency, why do we spend it like
it will never run out?”
Credibility factor statement – goodwill/rank/expertise (native/borrowed
expertise)/image/common ground:
1) Common ground: Shared reality of deadlines, late nights, and packed schedules as
MBA students.
2) Borrowed expertise: Research showing productivity declines after 55 hours/week,
neuroscience on the benefits of downtime, and quotes/experiences from Elon Musk
and Narayana Murthy.
Audience benefits statement:
Realising that success is not determined by the number of hours worked but by the value
created in those hours.
Preview (direct approach/indirect approach):
As the idea stands against not just the general mindset but also specifically the value
system of a business course. I will start with anecdotes and imagery enriched with
statistics, then lead into the primary argument in an indirect approach.
Main text:
The broad approach used:
Logos — facts and expert insights, supported by real examples
Persuasion with message structure: Use any one (or combination) of strategies
Problem/solution structure:
Problem: Hustle culture — speed without direction → burnout and lower quality work.
Solution: Slowing down to create space for clear thinking and better decision-making
One-sided versus two-sided structure:
Pro/con versus con/pro
The inoculation technique:
Addressing the belief that slowing down makes you less competitive, showing that agility
and adaptability require mental space.
Excluding alternatives
Consistency reminders
Benchmarking
Bandwagon appeal:
Relatable shared stress of students and young professionals.
Storytelling for pathos – narrative pattern used:
Scenarios of overwork that resonate with the audience’s own experiences.
Conclusion – challenge/appeal/motivation (End with a punch line)
Motivational close with a challenge to rethink productivity and a memorable punchline —
“Speed is useless if you’re sprinting in the wrong direction. Slow down. Think. Then
lead.”.
PART C
Presentations boosters used
● Analogies: “Speed without direction is chaos” / “Time as currency.”
● Metaphors: “Busyness as a badge of honour.”
● Examples: Elon Musk (120-hour workweeks) and Narayana Murthy (70–90-hour
workweek debate)
● Persuasive data presentations of key numbers: Productivity drops sharply after 55
hours/week; neuroscience on creativity after downtime.
● Vivid imagery/word play: Descriptions of back-to-back classes, 2 AM projects, and
running without checking direction.
● Audience engagement: Rhetorical questions to make listeners evaluate their work
habits.
PART D
1. WHO (2019). Burn-out - an ‘occupational phenomenon’ – International Classification of Diseases
2. Narayana Murthy on 70–90-hour workweek – India Today, Oct 2023
3. CNBC (2018). Elon Musk on working 120-hour weeks at Tesla
Part E
Supplementary channel choice (optional)
