Components of a Persuasive Speech

A persuasive speech combines logical information with emotional appeals. The analytical data and facts presented within the speech will lead listeners to accept a logical conclusion. This is what you see, for example, when you watch a lawyer argue a court case based on precedent and law. Their argument expands on the idea that if the law says A or B, the only acceptable outcome must be C. Conversely, an emotional appeal is designed to make listeners feel something. A successful emotional appeal can move listeners to accept something that may not have any basis in facts. A perfect example of an emotional appeal designed to persuade is negative political ads. You will notice that these ads do not focus on facts. Instead, they juxtapose a candidate to negative emotions, such as hate, fear, or prejudice. An emotional appeal by itself can be considered a logical fallacy, whereby the debater attempts to win an argument by trying to get an emotional reaction out of their audience. Together in a persuasive speech, the logical information blended with the emotional appeal will cause your audience to react based on emotions and then use logic to justify how they feel. Appealing to emotion is only effective if it furthers the argument. Some topics are already emotionally charged, therefore it is important to balance those emotions with concrete evidence and logic.