PERSUASIVE SPEECH AUDIENCE ANALYSIS & REFLECTION ( 35 pts)
Objective: Students will be able to construct a message that is appropriate for the audience and setting (CCO - 3)
Directions: In order to effectively deliver a persuasive speech, you have to understand who your audience is and their
perspectives and knowledge (or lack thereof) regarding your topic. As such, this activity is designed to give you the
opportunity to survey a portion of your classmates (who are your audience members) and to use the information they
provide to plan your approach toward your speech. Therefore, you are to do the following:
After you have had your persuasive speech topic approved, complete the form below and answer the
specified questions.
Next, create 3 questions that will help you learn more about your audience’s knowledge of your topic
and/or their perspective of your topic. You should have at least 2 of your questions be open-ended
(questions that require some explanation), and only should have 1 question be close-ended (i.e yes/no
questions). For example, if you were giving an actuating speech to encourage your audience to recycle, a
close-ended question you could ask is “Do you currently recycle?” or “Do you believe people should be
fined if they do not recycle?” Sample open-ended questions you could ask are “Why do you think that
most people do not recycle at home?” or “What tools, supplies, information, etc. do you think people
need that would make them recycle more?”
Survey 5 of your classmates, asking them the 3 questions you have created in the above step, and record
their answers in the boxes below.
After you have received your classmates’ answers, reflect on the information they have provided and
discuss 4 -6 sentences how their answers will inform how you form your persuasive argument and how
you will structure your argument to persuade these diverse ideas and perspectives in your speech.
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I. What is your speech thesis statement: The fastest way to find the best study habits that fit you is by
modified trial and error.
II. Indicate which organizational pattern are you using:
the motivational sequence problem/solution
III. Analyze your audience. Below you will create 3 questions to learn about your audience’s knowledge and
attitude towards your topic ideas. You should aim to talk to as many classmates as possible, but are required
to talk to at least FIVE classmates.
QUESTIONS:
1. Do you believe the study habits you have (if any) are the best fit for you?
2. What are some of the habits you use now?
3. Why do you think most people shy away from finding their ideal study habits?
Classmate’s Question 1 Response Question 2 Response Question 3 Response
name:
They probably aren’t the Quizlet is really the only They are lazy, not motivated,
1. Emma best but they get the job strategy I use. or think it won’t help them.
Hester done.
2. Parker Yes Rewrite my notes after class, They are scared to try new
Blevins study a few minutes every techniques, even if the
night, study after dinner, 20 techniques they are using
minutes studying with a 5- now aren’t working
minute break
Yes I highlight my notes, Mainly because they don’t
3. Laney focalizing on headings and want to study in the first
Goldrick important information. place.
Brighter colors mean that
they are more important.
This makes it easy to find
information when I need it.
Yes. I tend to color code my I think people shy away from
4. Riley notes and use many post its. actually organizing their
Hurlbut I find it best to use a notes. I see them use bullet
computer so I can move points but other than that,
them around for flow they don’t go further. Theres
purposes. I’m all about the nothing further for the
organization. I still use these comprehension aspect.
habits. They improve more
and more every semester.
I think they are fit for me Making lists for tasks and Most people feel like they
5. Kayla Casey and help me complete organizing them from most need to strictly stick to the
assignments in a timely important to least habits taught in school,
manner. important, setting timers when in reality there are
and schedules for certain multiple learning styles that
assignments, listening to people develop. Yet they feel
music, and using occasional uncomfortable stepping
charts and documents for outside of that guideline.
research.
I see that most of my classmates have found the best study habits for them. Instead of my speech being
focused on what type might be best for them, I’ll aim my speech more towards how to find more helpful
habits. They use color coded notes and rely heavily on certain types of organization. One of them uses
flashcards but doesn’t believe that it helps them that much. They general consensus is that people don’t try
to find new habits because they’re scared. I can lead with this so everyone agrees with what I tell them.
IV. Now that you have talked to members of your audience, discuss below 3 ways that you incorporate the
information that you have learned about your audience and their perspectives in your speech. (Consider, for
example, what facts you may emphasize to make your argument more favorable to your audience. Also
think about what kinds of examples of pathos you can incorporate that could be persuasive to your audience
based off of your classmates’ answers.)
1. Lead with the general idea of people don’t try to find new study habits because they’re lazy and it’s
scary. This will make them get on board with my ideas because they all agree with those ideas.
2. Sympathize (pathos) that it is scary to try new things and it’s understandable that it will take a lot of
effort to find these new habits.
3. Congratulate the students that have found their ideal study habits. This is going to make most of my
audience feel really good about themselves (pathos) since most of them found their study habits.
