ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS FOR LAW 1 (LXEB 2125)

ASSESSMENT: PERSUASIVE SPEECH

This is an individual assignment.

Topic : Persuasive Speech Topics

Deadline : Week 13 (17 May 2017) & Week 14 (24 May 2017)
Duration : 5 – 7 minutes
Dress Code : Formal
Format : Prepared Speech
Percentage : 30%

Assignment requirements
Each student is required to deliver a persuasive speech on a topic approved by the tutor.

A persuasive speech is a speech given with the intention to convince the audience to accept a certain
opinion, fact or viewpoint. The topic of speech should be interesting to peers and must be based on
current issues (sample persuasive speech topics are attached). Since this is a prepared speech, there
should be evidence of research on the chosen topic such as statistics and quotations. Students must use
relevant and creative audio visual (not exceeding 1 minute).

Aspects of delivery to be taken into account include eye contact, body language, voice, fluency and
emotional appeal. In addition, aspects of language to be taken into account include attention getter,
content, organization and research findings. Reading from script is not allowed. However, use of cue
cards is acceptable.

Students should get the speech topics approved by their respective tutors in Week 7 (29 March 2017)
and submit the speech outline to their respective tutors in Week 12 (8 – 12 May 2017). 5 marks will be
deducted if speech outlines are not submitted. Another 5 marks will be deducted if students don’t follow
the dress code (black and white with a coat). In addition, students in a tutorial group are not allowed to
deliver a speech on the same topic.

Students should follow the following structure for the persuasive speech:

 Opening / Attention Getter

 Statement of Thesis / Purpose
 Preview of Main Points
 Content / Body
 Summary
 Memorable Conclusion

Marking criteria

Criteria Marks
Content 35
Delivery 25
Total /60 → 30%
SAMPLE PERSUASIVE SPEECH TOPICS

1. Plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons should be promoted.

2. Fast-Food Industry should be legally accountable for obesity among teenagers.

3. The use of e-books in universities should be encouraged.

4. Should organ donation after death be compulsory?

5. The use of surveillance cameras in public places is a violation of privacy.

6. Foods made with genetically modified ingredients (GMO) should be banned.

7. Should death penalty be abolished?

8. Should surrogate motherhood be allowed in Malaysia?

9. Social network is harmful to the young generation.

10. TV advertisements bring negative effects to women.

11. Single parents should not be allowed to adopt children.

12. The use of stem cells in curing diseases should be promoted.

13. Elders over the age of 65 should not be permitted to drive.

14. Cohabitation can be beneficial.

15. Euthanasia should be legal.

16. Should it be illegal to drive while talking on the phone?

17. Women make better managers than men.

18. Should paparazzi be sent to prison?

19. Teachers can befriend students on Facebook.

20. Should the citizens of Malaysia be allowed to carry guns for personal safety?