please see the attachment
Persuasive Speech Title
Research Question: Should professional female athletes be paid the same as male athletes in the same sport?
Thesis:
Main Ideas: 1. (write it out)
2. (write it out)
3. (write it out)
Introduction
This is a fully written out paragraph with complete sentences wherein you gain the attention of your audience, clearly state your topic, establish the importance of your topic, establish your credibility to speak on your topic, and preview the structure/main ideas of your speech. The body of your speech is not in paragraph form but in standard outline form.
Body
1. First main idea (use clear, concise, and parallel phrases)
a. Sub point
Source: Include the name of at least 1 source you plan to use for this section
Transition: This is a complete sentence that connects the first point to the next.
2. Second main idea (use clear, concise, and parallel phrases)
a. Sub point
Source: Include the name of at least 1 source you plan to use for this section
Transition:This is a complete sentence that connects this point to the next.
3. Third main idea (use clear, concise, and parallel phrases)
a. Sub point
Source: Include the name of at least 1 source you plan to use for this section
Transition: This is a complete sentence that connects this point to the next.
4.
Counter-argument (clearly statement the counter-argument)
a.
Response: State how you plan to challenge this claim.
b.
Source: Include the name of at least 1 source you plan to use for this section
Conclusion
This is a fully written out paragraph wherein you summarize your main ideas, possibly suggest to your audience of what is most important and end it with a memorable concluding remark or clincher.
Additional Question:
Do you plan to use any visual aids? If so, what & how?
Example of a Strong Outline
“Ban the Bag: Why Kentucky Should Prohibit Single-Use Plastic Bags”
Research Question:
How would banning single-use plastic bags in Kentucky benefit the environment, economy, and communities?
Thesis:
Kentucky should ban single-use plastic bags because doing so will reduce pollution, save taxpayer money, and protect wildlife.
Main Ideas:
1. Plastic bags create severe environmental pollution and harm local ecosystems.
2. Reusable and paper alternatives are affordable and environmentally friendly.
3. Banning plastic bags would save cities money spent on cleanup and waste management.
Introduction
Every year, Americans use over 100 billion plastic bags. Bags that are used for an average of 12 minutes but last in landfills for centuries. Here in Kentucky these bags litter our roadsides, clog our waterways, and threaten wildlife. Today I want to show you how something as small as a shopping bag can make a big difference in our environment. With my background volunteering for a local recycling initiative, I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is to clean up this waste. By the end of this speech, you’ll understand why banning single-use plastic bags can improve our environment, strengthen our communities through alternative bag options, and save taxpayer dollars.
Body
1.
Plastic bags cause environmental harm.
a. Plastic bags break down into microplastics that contaminate soil and water.
Source: National Geographic, “The Planet or Plastic? Campaign,” 2023.
Transition: Now that we understand how plastic bags harm our environment, let’s look at what we can use instead.
2.
Alternatives to plastic bags are affordable and effective.
a. Cities that switched to reusable or paper bags saw reduced waste and minimal cost increases.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report, 2022.
Transition: In addition to being environmentally friendly, these alternatives can also help communities save money.
3.
Banning plastic bags saves communities money.
a. Sanitation departments spend thousands each year removing bags from drainage systems.
Source: Lexington City Waste Management Report, 2023.
Transition: Of course, some people worry that banning plastic bags could negatively impact shoppers with lower incomes, but that concern can be addressed.
4.
Counterargument: Some argue banning plastic bags hurts low-income shoppers.
Response: Cities with similar bans provide free or discounted reusable bags, easing the burden on all consumers.
Source: California Department of Environmental Protection, 2021.
Conclusion Banning plastic bags may seem like a small step, but it’s one that leads to cleaner rivers, safer wildlife, and smarter spending. We can choose convenience for a moment—or sustainability for generations. Next time you shop, imagine a cleaner Kentucky—and make that change one bag at a time.
Visual Aids:
Yes. I plan to use a slide with photos of plastic pollution in Kentucky streams and a simple chart showing cleanup costs before and after bans in other states.
