Argumentative speech is a persuasive speech. Here, speaker efforts to encourage audiences to alter their views on a controversial issue.
Though they are alike in some manner, persuasive and argumentative speech contains different goals.
A persuasive speech focuses on sharing a perspective and asking the public to think it over. An argumentative speech targets to alter the viewpoint already detained by the audiences.
This type of speech is challenging. So, the speaker should pick up the topic that he is confident at and come up with a strong argument.
When you involve into debates with family or friends, you obviously tend to win or lose. The way of arguing shows your capability to compel facts and concept supporting a topic.
While losing an argument, chances are you only used standpoint supporting your situation. In a perfect argumentative speech, there should be strong claim and the points to support it.
For argumentative speech,discover a concrete and controversial argument to use as your foundation. These speeches generally focus on the topics discussed at the moment by society. Most of the topics of the argumentative speech are derivative of the political discussion.
This is usually noticed in the media. The selected topic might be social, religious, ethical or political by nature. The public must be confident to revise their long-held values. They might ask to change detained conviction relevant to the recent evidence.
Indeed, picking up a topic which is debatable is important to develop good speech. The topic should not include something which is already demonstrated or verified.
Instead, should be logical to convince the audiences. The speaker should come up with a strong opinion to make his speech realistic to the audiences.
Table of Contents
- The Art of Persuasive Public Speaking
- The Art of Persuasive Public Speaking
The Art of Persuasive Public Speaking
Learn how to master the art of public speaking and persuade people. Get:
- Done for you, five samples of persuasive speeches.
- A guide on writing and delivering persuasive speeches
To be able to argue in a reasonable and logical way is the fine life skill. It helps to stand up for what you think is correct and let others give attention to your viewpoints.
For an instance, if the topic includes “eating egg and milk affects your healthiness”. You evaluate the opponent and create the own topic like “Eating egg and milk does not affect your health”. Yet, you have to give strong points to support your answer.
Terms to Present Argumentative Speech
These are some terms which help you to present an ideal argumentative speech:
This is the main term that you should focus. Try to give a strong standpoint. Support on the point, position, and the issue you are talking about. Do not forget the main purpose of the speech.
Grounds are the key information or the facts that you use to make your point more powerful and reliable. Make sure that the details you give are an appropriate reason for your claims in the initial place.
Argumentative Speech is based on:
- Claims of fact
It starts with the reality relevant to the evidence. For an instance, you drink too much alcohol and do not exercise. Then, you will surely put up the weight. If you control your drinks, then you can maintain the weight.
- Claims of value
Claims of value include the belief something is correct or incorrect, good or bad. For an instance, punishing children is wrong. It does not improve the habits of your children.
Here you can also state “Punishing children is right”. They will think properly before doing anything wrong
- Claims of policy
Claims of the policy are taken from the course of actions. For an instance, you should be able to vote through the driving license. There is a precise rule for the policy. It is realistic and superior compared to the current system.
Every child should learn different languages in the school. It is vital to introduce teacher to the value of beginning foreign language experience.
While initiating the argumentative speech, get ready with the strong arguments. You desire to give an influential impact right in front. Also, you might wish to leave a good impression to the audiences hearing your speech. Stay away from personal attacks. If you make the argument too boring, there will be a higher chance of losing your audiences.
Besides, argumentative speech needs a powerful viewpoint on the topic that you are delivering. Remember, the goal is not to win your audience but to win the argument. You have to stand on your own point with an appropriate reason.
Essential components of an Argumentative speech:
The main goal of an argumentative essay is to influence other in your opinions. Generally, an argumentative speech addresses an audience with an opposite opinion on a specific subject.
Here are four essential elements to focus when developing an argumentative essay:
- Pick Up debatable topic
While picking up a topic, you should select the topic with more than a single side. For an instance, there is no way discuss on the topic human smell with the nose. It is familiar fact which has no other strong points to discuss against.
- Take a strong standpoint
While preparing for an argumentative speech, take a strong standpoint. Try to stick with the stance. This makes your speech powerful. Make sure you do not confuse the audiences with any irrelevant points.
- Give some supportable arguments
A good argument needs to have reasonable and convincing evidence. Better support your statement with information, figures, examples, and some relevant opinions. Also, argumentative speech does not contain unproven opinions. Make sure you research and present the argument that is a relevant argument.
- Refute alternate positions
At the end of a strong argumentative speech, you have to refute alternate positions. By dealing with the opponent, make some powerful argument. Try to work on some common and stronger viewpoint.
Tips for delivering an Argumentative Speech:
- Look for a concrete and controversial argument to use as your base.
- Arrange your points properly. Arranging the points can be helpful while planning your thoughts and presenting them
- Give most of your time for research. Better research on your topics along with the topics which your opposition is likely to pick up.
How to develop an effective Argumentative Speech?
After picking up the fine controversial topic, you should work on some powerful points. Those points must make your speech influential. Start developing an outline which translates into better argumentative speech.
These are some points to consider while working on an argumentative speech:
- Look for your topic
From absorption to health, you can find any types of the topic which you feel comfortable to present.
- Recognize your standpoint
At first, think the topic that you are supporting. Are you supporting abortion or speaking against it? Most of the speaker loves to speak against abortion, but should be confident to speak on the topic.
Better verify and try to prove the facts using some examples or the supportive words. This makes your speech more powerful and interesting. Consider to determine whether you are attempting to take the topic.
- Carry out the research
You can definitely find the people who have worked for or else against the topic that you picked up earlier. For this, you have to carry out the research well. But, this does not mean you have to copy from them. Just take your idea and use them in a better way. This helps to know what step you should take to move forward to make a good flow of the argument.
- Know who your opposition is
Each argumentative speech contains both for and against the side. The best probable approach that you can use is to know your opponent. Knowing how your opponent thinks and the points they use makes you easy to perform.
- Know the facts
An argumentative speech might be weak if you do not provide any facts. For a good outcome, you need facts supporting your argument on the controversial topic. If you ignore this you might be in the problem while presenting the speech. Be sure, you know and give the facts and make your points strong. These facts reduce your risk of looking unprepared and unprofessional.
- Choose the topic of your interest
You cannot give better outcome without a passion. To present superior argumentative speech, you should have an interest in the topic. Better select the topic of your interest. This helps you to work and perform better. If you do not trust yourself and your topic, no one will as well.
Deciding on the arguable topic is essential to develop an effective argumentative speech. Better do not pick up the topic which needs great logic for convincing the audience. You should have an extreme desire in the topic with a deep opinion on the subject. If he cannot fulfill these criteria, he might not provide influencing arguments.
List of Argumentative Speech Topic
Find here the List of Argumentative Speech Topics. They are great for developing arguments for debates, persuasive speech, and argumentation.
- Technology is making people less creative.
- Guns should be made illegal.
- Minors should be tried for murder at any age.
- Human beings are becoming slaves of modern technology.
- Organ donation should be mandatory.
- Health risks of smoking are exaggerated.
- Vaccinations should be compulsory.
- Workers should get four weeks paid vacation each year.
- Christmas is just a way for businesses to increase sales.
- Social Security and Medical Reform are non-negotiable ways out of the debt crisis.
- Spousal Abuse.
- Acceptance of all types of people.
- Today’s world is a dangerous place to live in
- People don’t enjoy what they have. They constantly seek for more.
- Benefits of having friends.
- Veganism is an unhealthy way to raise kids.
- Modern offices should have facilities for an afternoon nap.
- Breast-feeding is one of the most important things a mother can give to a child.
- Terminally ill patients should be allowed to use heroin.
- Knowing your ancestry is important for health.
- All farmers should go organic.
- Lapses in food safety as a result of a complex interplay of factors.
- Why hockey should allow fights.
- Music Therapy.
- The need of teen depression prevention.
- Couples should be banned from adopting overseas.
- Feminism is bad for society.
- Gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples.
- Gender equality is a myth.
- Every family with children filing for divorce must go through a mandatory ‘cooling off’ period.
- Polygamy creates healthy relationships.
- Future parents should take parenting classes and pass tests before having a child.
- The illegal immigrant workforce is good for the economy.
- Rich people should have tax breaks.
- Having sex with a prostitute is not cheating.
- Decreasing wealth tax is good for the economy.
- Famous people (actors, athletes) should not be allowed to become politicians.
- Why slavery was good for society back in the 1800s.
- Adolf Hitler was a great leader.
- Racialist blames are often used as a great excuse to shut down dialogue.
- Plastic surgery should be illegal for anyone under 18.
- Drug addiction is a sickness.
- Churches should be required to pay taxes.
- Spaying and neutering pets should be mandatory.
- Miss America pageant is sexist.
- Cultural treasures should be returned to their countries of origin.
- Physical punishment is good practice for raising children.
- Does age matter in relationships? What age is appropriate for dating?
- Doctors are better than Lawyers Are beauty pageants exploitative?
- Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?
- Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
- Would you rather be lucky, rich, or intelligent?
- Fast Food advertisements and promotions should be banned.
- Violent video games and toys should not be allowed.
- Reality television makes people stupid and should be regulated.
- Social networks are killing sincere relationships.
- Banning some books and movies can help society.
- Social Networking Sites had an impact on changing us for the worse.
- Billboards should not be allowed on interstate highways.
- Watching television makes people smarter.
- Popular literature is not as valuable as classical literature.
- Genetic Research is destroying humanity.
- Life was better when technology was less and more simple.
- Space exploration is a waste of money.
- NASA space landing on the moon was a hoax.
- Modern technology has increased material wealth but not happiness.
- Technology makes us lose most of our traditions and culture.
- New technologies create new problems.
- Positive effects of technology on society.
- Alternative Fuels.
- How nuclear power shaped the 21st century in electrical generation.
- Whether the internet has made research easier and more convenient.
- Identity Theft.
- Has the television become out-dated?
- Internet Privacy.
- Torrents and internet pirating.
- Future of recycling.
- The War in Iraq was justified.
- Illegal immigrants should get an asylum.
- Invading other countries, as long as for good cause, is justified.
- Democracy is the best form of government.
- Why should we trust Official Statistics?
- War as an instrument of foreign policy.
- Eating meat and dairy is bad for your body.
- GMOs are bad for health and should be avoided at any cost.
- Genetically modified food should be the answer to the world’s hunger problem.
- A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat.
- Any products that are believed to cause cancer should have a warning label.
- The only difference between normal and organic food is the cost.
- Dangers of herbal remedies.
- Smoking a pipe is more harmful than smoking cigarettes.
- Denying health insurance on a basis of a pre-existing condition is against human rights.
- Athletes who are caught using steroids should be banned from the professional sport for life.
- Stretching before and after exercise is overrated.
- Running is unhealthy.
- Fast food, soda, chips and other unhealthy food should be heavily taxed.
- Bread is bad for your health.
- Child obesity.
- Food shortage / world hunger.
- Crimes against the environment should be tougher.
- Vegetarianism is ecologically thoughtful lifestyle.
- Hunting is good for the environment.
- Destruction of world’s forest is justified by a human need for land and food.
- Racing industry should be forced to use environmentally-friendly fuel.
- Working from home is good for the environment.
- The government should support and subsidize alternative energy sources.
- Alternative Energy and Hybrid Vehicles can help saving our planet.
- Nuclear power is better than solar power.
- Advantages of recycling water.
- Ban on smoking in public places is undemocratic.
- Euthanasia should be legalized.
- Prostitution should be legalized.
- The taboo on recreational drugs in unjustified.
- Driving speed limit should be lifted in areas with low accident risk.
- DUI offenders should give up driver license for a year.
- Salaries of actors, professional athletes and CEOs should be regulated and capped.
- Voting should be compulsory for all citizens.
- Government aid for students should be based purely on academic performance.
- Taxes should be imposed on unhealthy foods to combat obesity.
- Paying waiter hourly rate below minimum wage is unfair.
- Retirement should be made compulsory at the age of 60.
- Making drugs illegal creates an environment for crime and violence.
- Men should be forced to take paternity leave from work.
- Compulsory military service is good for society and the country.
- Voting age should be lowered.
- Laws to protect the victims of domestic abuse should be enforced.
- Cell phones and driving.
- The world would be a more peaceful place without religions.
- Life after death.
- Evolution vs. Creationism.
- There should be no religion in schools.
- Islamic Fundamentalism.
- Religion is a force for evil.
- Students should learn about world religions in public schools.
- Jehovah witnesses.
- Sex education should be required in all schools.
- Mobiles phones should be banned in schools for both students and teachers.
- Benefits of attending a single-sex school.
- Essays do not demonstrate student’s knowledge on a topic.
- Home education should only be allowed for medical reasons.
- Exams should be abolished.
- Exam scores do not reflect student performance.
- Mandatory dress code.
- Studying of foreign languages should begin from kindergarten age.
- College students should have freedom to choose their own courses.
- Education should be free to anyone.
- Teachers should have mandatory re-training every 5 years.
- Testing and choice are undermining education.
- Grades are not important.
- Bilingual education.
- CPR and first aid techniques should be a mandatory course.
- State colleges should be free to attend.
- Teachers should wear uniforms or obey a dress code.
- Why educational computer games should be used in school
- Music education should be placed back into schools
- Student Debts
- Smoking and drinking on campus
- Gender does not affect learning
- Do colleges put too much stock in standardized test scores?
- Assisted Suicide.
- Genetic Research.
- Is human cloning ethical?
- The Ethics of Capital Punishment.
- Euthanasia is not morally acceptable.
- Abortion is inhumane and murder.
- Abortions should be legal in cases of rape and incest.
- DNA experiments on human embryos are unethical and should not be allowed.
- Torture is an acceptable measure to prevent terrorism.
- Terrorism is a major issue in the world because innocent people are affected.
- Wearing fur is unethical.
- The assassination can never be justified.
- Do animals have rights? Using animals for scientific research is inhumane.
- Zoos, aquariums, and circus violate animal rights and should be shut down.
- Should scientists bring back extinct species through cloning?
- Hunting is unethical and should not be allowed.
- Mortgage Crisis
- Consumer Debt
- Outsourcing jobs to foreign countries
- Equal pay for equal work
- Fuel Prices
- Price of Education and textbooks
The above mentioned topics and tips for argumentative speech should help you prepare and deliver an argumentative speech. If you have any suggestion or feedback, please let me know in the comment below.