1 Original Advocacy

A persuasive speech which presents a timely problem and a convincing, practical
solution.

2 Your goal
• Make the audience aware of the problem / concern.
• Offer a solution by advocating specific legislative and/or government action.
• “Topics will be limited to advocacy subjects concerning public policy issues of a tangible
nature and the student must advocate a specific legislative and/or regulatory governmental
action.”

3 Requirements
• All work must be your own
• Must prepare your script in advanced
• No more than 150 quoted words
• Must be 5 – 10 minutes long.
• Must be memorized – NO NOTES
• No props/costumes/visual aids

4 Writing the speech
• Choose a topic
– Should be of interest to everyone, but not overdone. (watch shows like 60 mins or 20/20)
• Gather information on the subject – become an expert (take notes)
• Formulate a thesis
• Find an “audience catching” intro and conclusion
• Write the manuscript

5 Practicing the delivery
• Get the main points firmly in mind.
– Read your manuscript 10 times (at least)
– Then read it aloud with expression 10 times.
• When its wellmemorized
– practice it in front of a mirror.
– Work on gestures.
– Try to look natural, sound normal.
• A good delivery should sound completely sincere. Judges want to be talked “to” not “at.”

6 The assignment
• Choose a topic (current proposition – or one that did not pass)
• Write your manuscript and PROOF READ IT!!!! (Write your Works Cited too)
• Memorize your manuscript
• Speeches will be delivered and recorded starting on Monday.