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How to Make a Persuasive PowerPoint Presentation (With Powerful Tips + Video)

For most professionals, you'll have to create a PowerPoint presentation at least once in your career. 

Presenting, as with other "soft skills" (like communication, leadership, and negotiation), is now a must-have for most roles in the workplace. This means it's important to learn how to make compelling presentations—even if you're not an experienced presenter, speaker, or designer. 

Discover six steps that will help you level up your presentation game. 

Guide to Making Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)

But, before you do that, download our free eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It's packed with professional strategies to help you master the complete presentation process.

Now let's dig into this tutorial. Learn how to make a more persuasive PowerPoint presentation that will grab your audience's attention and move them to action: 

Top Tips on How to Make a Persuasive PowerPoint Presentation (Video)

Are you in a hurry to get started with your persuasive video? We've got you covered with this quickstart video that includes some of our best persuasive PowerPoint tips:

Do you want to learn even more about how to make a persuasive PowerPoint? Keep reading for even more tips and ideas.

Step 1. Learn How to Start a PowerPoint Presentation Persuasively

One thing you need to keep in mind as you're planning your persuasive presentation is how you'll start it. You don't have to write out the beginning right now, but throughout the planning process, you need to be on the lookout for the hook of your presentation. 

This hook is crucial because with a strong beginning, you can draw your listeners in. Without a hook, it will take them a while to adjust to being receptive to your message. Here are some characteristics that make a strong hook:

1. Grab Your Audience's Attention

When they hear your hook, it should force them to focus on the presentation and wait in anticipation for what you're going to say next. This means it should be brief and to the point.

2. Address Their Wants and Fears

It's also great to start by addressing your audience's most pressing concerns upfront. If you're giving a persuasive presentation to small business owners on how they can get more customers, you can start with something like: 

You're here because at some point, you've looked at your sales and thought, 'I could have done better'.

Addressing their main concerns, especially if it's emotionally strong, reminds them of what's at stake. More importantly, you're suggesting that you do understand where they're coming from.

3. Ask a Question

Starting with a question leads your audience to try to come up with the answer in their heads. It's also a good idea to ask a question that leads people to raise their hands or interact with you in some way so that they feel more involved in the presentation. Given the example above, an alternate beginning would be to ask:

How many of you looked at your sales last month and felt disappointed?

If you want to take a deeper look into creating a strong hook, you can check out this guide for writing attention-grabbing speeches:

Step 2. Put Your Audience First

One common mistake that presenters make is focusing mostly on their own ideas and story. Unless you tie these things with your audience's needs, they might end up bored, distracted, or worse, they might even walk out. 

To prevent this, put your audience first. Before you start writing your persuasive presentation, it's best to clarify who your audience is and what their needs and expectations are. As you write your presentation, ask yourself the following questions:

• Why are they watching your presentation? What do they hope to get out of it? Figure out what their expectations and goals are and how your presentation fits into both these things. If you can conduct a survey or get in touch with your audience beforehand, this can give you a more specific idea of what they're looking for.
• How much knowledge and experience do they have on the subject? If there are any knowledge gaps, be prepared to fill them. Also, avoid spending too much time on the ideas that are too simple for your audience. For example, there's no point in explaining how to use basic Photoshop tools to a room full of advanced graphic designers.
• How would they feel about your primary message?  Are there any concerns or hesitations that your audience might have against the message you're trying to relay? Be prepared to address these concerns throughout your persuasive presentation.
• What possible questions will they have along the way? Answering your audience's internal questions as you go through your presentation lets them know that you're on the same page. Plus, if there's a Q&A portion after you speak, you would have already answered the most basic questions in your presentation, paving the way for more interesting advanced questions in the Q&A.

Answering these questions can help you craft a presentation that's as engaging as possible to your audience.

Step 3. Think in Pictures and Stories

As you flesh out the points of your presentation, keep in mind the old saying "Show, don't tell." Rather than just stating your points matter-of-factly, find ways to deliver them through metaphors or stories. This will make your most important ideas easier to understand and remember. 

Another advantage to thinking in metaphors and stories is that the more visual the metaphor, the easier for you to pick photos and graphics to go with your presentation.

Here are some tips that can help you come up with metaphors and stories you can use:

1. Find Existing Stories

For every crucial point you deliver, think about some stories from history, case studies, or your own experience that can help your audience see the point in a fuller context. 

If you're going to present to your company about the perils of bad customer support, tell your own horror stories of bad customer support that led you to switch brands. 

If you're presenting to a client the dangers of failing to keep their website secure, and how technical errors and client data leaks can harm their business, look for case studies or news items about businesses that closed shop or lost customers because of it.

You can also use historical examples. Books like Robert Greene's "The 33 Strategies of War"  or "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries use stories and figures from history to illustrate their points. "The Lean Startup" also goes the personal route by telling stories from Ries' own experience with his startup.

2. Create a Storyboard

While you're thinking in terms of visuals and stories, it might also help to create a basic storyboard of your entire presentation. This is useful for setting some early plans on how your presentation will look, not just in terms of photos and graphics, but also the layout of the text and how the slides look when shown one after the other.

Step 4.  Pick Your Persuasive PowerPoint Template 

Picking your persuasive PPT template and creating your slides is the fourth step on this list, rather than the first—and for good reason. The content of your presentation should come first. 

When you're starting out, it's easy to get hung up on choosing templates, fonts, and graphics, and laying out all the elements of your slides. Without strong content that appeals to your audience, however, it doesn't matter how beautiful and well-designed your slides are. 

Presentation design is critical to success though. You need your visuals to compliment the ideas you present.

When you're ready to choose your PPT design template here are some criteria you should look at:

1. Uniqueness

As much as possible, avoid using the most common stock templates that people use. These are typically the ones that come with PowerPoint by default. 

When you use a persuasive PowerPoint template design that everyone's seen over and over again, they might assume that your presentation will be equally predictable and commonplace. Then your audience will stop paying attention as soon as they see the first slide. 

Instead, choose a well-designed, unique template. 

There are new PowerPoint Templates with awesome designs being added to Envato Elements. They give you a number of creative styles and fresh designs options to choose from. 

Discover more great designs: 

2. Readability

When testing out PPT templates, try to reduce their size on the screen. Can you still read the text effortlessly? If you're presenting to a large audience, it's important that everyone can read any text on the slides, especially those people sitting in the back or those who have poor eyesight.

3. Interesting Imagery

Since you'll be using stories and metaphors in your presentation, it's best to accompany those with photos or graphics that fully capture the idea. These images can also break the monotony from too many consecutive slides that are just text. 

If you want a large collection of professional royalty free stock photos to choose from, try searching through Envato Elements or browse through our  PhotoDune  gallery of photography. 

Step 5. Practice and Get Feedback

Now that the visuals and text of your presentation are ready, it's time to practice. You're practicing for several reasons. First, you want to make sure that your presentation fits within your allotted presentation time. Personally, I've spoken in a handful of events where some speakers went overtime, monopolizing the time allotted for other speakers and their Q&A sessions. 

Going overtime might also affect the timing and length of breaks. Consider these costs if you're tempted to make your presentation longer than it should be or if you want to skip practicing altogether. You don't want to be the speaker that everyone in the event ends up resenting. Instead keep your presentation compact.

More importantly, you're practicing to get feedback. Use this opportunity to record a video of yourself speaking. Then, try to evaluate your performance in the video. Consider questions like:

• Do you speak at a good enough pace to be understood? 
• Do you use different tonalities for emphasis? 
• Do you appear confident? 

You can even show the video to some trusted colleagues and get their constructive feedback. It might sound scary to do this, but it's better to make mistakes in a safe space with people you trust rather than in the actual presentation itself.

For each run-through of your presentation, set a specific improvement goal based on your observations or the feedback you get: 

• Should you be speaking slower? 
• Should you speak louder? 
• Would your presentation seem more engaging if you moved your hands? 

By doing this kind of deliberate practice, you'll end up with a greatly improved presentation style—no matter how awkward you were when you started.

Step 6. Polish Your Presentation

Having compelling content and design for your presentation is good, but to make it great, make sure it's polished. Here are some final touches you can apply to your presentation as you're finishing it up:

1. Proper Alignment

Make sure all the elements of each slide are properly aligned. This maintains the balance and symmetry of your text and graphics. Alignments are adjusted one slide at a time. First, for each slide that you want to adjust, select all the objects. Then, from the PowerPoint Format tab, select Align . 

This will bring down a menu of alignment options. Click Align Selected Objects . When the Align menu closes, open it again, then select the type of alignment that works best for that slide. For example, if you want things centered properly, click Align Center .

2. Embedded Fonts

It's possible that the equipment you'll be using on presentation day might not have the same fonts you've used while designing your presentation. To avoid such typographic mess-ups, embed your chosen fonts within the presentation. 

To do this, go to the File  tab then click Options . When the Options  menu launches, click the Save  option from the menu on the left. Scroll down until you see the checkbox marked Embed fonts in the file . 

Check this box and choose the type of embedding you want. This will ensure that when you open your presentation, the text will display as you designed it, even if the device displaying it doesn't have the fonts you used.

3. Export Slides

Another way to ensure that your slides look the same regardless of the device viewing it is to export it to PDF or JPEG . When you send or bring your files to the venue, make sure that you save them in PPT, PDF, and JPG as a contingency plan in case there are some software or hardware problems that prevent your PPT file from displaying correctly.

4. Run Through Your Cues

Do a run through of your cues. For your last practice sessions, make sure you include your slide cues in your rehearsal. It's going to be inconvenient, confusing, or jarring for you and your audience if you've got to keep looking at your slides behind you as you're presenting.

Here are a few tutorials that'll show you how to take your presentation to the next level:

10+ Powerful Persuasion and PowerPoint Presentation Tips

Now that we’ve covered the basics of how to make a persuasive PowerPoint presentation, there are a few more tips you can use to ensure your presentation not only delivers your message but captivates your audience and convinces them to care about your cause or invest in your idea.

The tips below cover both persuasion and PowerPoint tips so you can ensure the design of your presentation matches the delivery. Without further ado, here are 10+ powerful persuasion and PowerPoint presentation tips:

• Know your audience  and what they respond to makes it easier for you to tailor the presentation to their interests and use language and phrases they respond to.
• Use body language  to your advantage. Body language says a lot about you and can do wonders for showing your audience why they should care about the topic of your presentation.
• Remember to address their wants and fears early on so you can capture their attention and remind them what’s at stake
• Use storytelling to make your presentation more relatable and powerful.
• Provide background on the topic of your presentation instead of jumping straight into data and information
• Use a visually attractive template that'll illustrate your story. Customize the persuasive PPT template with your brand assets and use compelling imagery.
• Adhere to the basic design principles  for a presentation that's visually appealing and legible.
• Export your presentation deck as PDF to ensure it appears uniform across all devices and consider giving it to your audience as a handout.
• Establish and maintain eye contact with your audience.
• Practice your speech and the delivery of the persuasive presentation well in advance.
• Get to the venue early and test all the equipment such as the projector, the microphone and the connections to avoid technical difficulties.
• Remember to breathe to avoid running out of breath or talking too fast, which will make it difficult for your audience to understand you.
• Avoid standing still as this can make you appear stiff and cause your audience to tune out.

How to Make the Most Out of PowerPoint

We mentioned earlier that your slide deck needs to be attractive in order to help you tell the story behind your presentation. For starters, you need a unique persuasive PowerPoint template that matches your industry or your topic.

Luckily, there are hundreds of presentation templates available on Envato Elements that are suitable for business presentations. Envato Elements is a great choice if you plan on giving presentations regularly and want access to thousands of design elements for one low monthly price.

Throughout your persuasive presentation, use larger font sizes to ensure your presentation is readable. Consider reducing the size of your template on the screen to check readability.

Another tip to remember is to use alignment properly to ensure your slides look balanced and aesthetically pleasing.

Below are a few of our tutorials that'll help you master PowerPoint even more.

Learn How to Make Great Presentations (Download This Free eBook)

Take the tips you learned in this article further with our new eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations .  Grab it now for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business newsletter . 

It'll help walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully.

All This Prep Work Is Worth It

From planning your hook, to coming up with metaphors, and picking the right PPT template design , creating a persuasive presentation sounds like a lot of work. The good news is that if you do it right, none of that work will go to waste.

In fact, it'll be a bigger waste of an opportunity if you just "wing it." By spending enough time preparing the message, content, design, and delivery of your presentation, you can be sure that your audience will appreciate and be persuaded by your final presentation.

You can save time by choosing a great persuasive PowerPoint template from Envato Elements and customizing it quickly with a professional workflow. 

Editorial Note:  This post was originally published in December of 2015. It's been comprehensively revised to make it current, accurate, and up to date by our staff—with special assistance from Brenda Barron . We've also added a video from Nathan Umoh .

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Blog Data Visualization How to make a Persuasive Presentation (+ Free Templates)

How to make a Persuasive Presentation (+ Free Templates)

Written by: Midori Nediger Nov 06, 2019

A persuasive presentation is a type of presentation designed to convince your audience to adopt a particular viewpoint, take a specific action, or support an idea. It relies on clear arguments, compelling evidence, and emotional appeal to influence your audience’s decision-making process. Using tools like a free presentation maker can help create visually engaging slides that enhance the effectiveness of your message, making it easier to capture attention and persuade your audience.

Here’s what you can do to make a persuasive presentation:

• Make the first 30 seconds of your presentation count
• Compare and contrast your solution with the status quo
• Use visual aids to summarize and clarify your big ideas
• Get your audience involved to build trust and rapport
• Use a clean, consistent presentation layout and design
• Eliminate extraneous detail to focus on core concepts
• Sign off with a persuasive call-to-action

These persuasive presentation strategies apply whether you’re leading a workshop, keynoting a conference, creating or selling an online course , or pitching a potential client.

Want to make a persuasive presentation fast? Try using our presentation templates .

Read on for plenty of persuasive presentation examples .

1. Make the first 30 seconds of your presentation impactful

The first 30 seconds of any presentation are far and away the most important of your entire presentation.

In those first 30 seconds, listeners are open to the ideas you’re going to present to them. They might even be enthusiastic and excited to hear what you have to say.

Inexperienced presenters often waste these first 30 seconds with things like introductions and agendas that will soon be forgotten. Seasoned presenters do something much more effective: state their big ideas right up front.

Like Steve Jobs did in 2007 with the iPhone (with “iPhone: Apple reinvents the phone”), try to state one big “headline” message within the first 30 seconds . A big idea for listeners to absorb and internalize.

Like an elevator pitch, you should be able to write this idea down in a single sentence, and it should be memorable and specific.

You can then turn it into the hook of your presentation. Use an opening story, surprising fact, joke, or personal anecdote to pique your listeners’ interest and lead into your big idea.

This will frame the rest of the talk and prep your listeners for what’s to come.

In this persuasive presentation example the importance of the message is outlined clearly on the title slide:

2. Compare and contrast your solution with the status quo

Most presentations share some information, strategy, idea, or solution that challenges the status quo. You can use this to your advantage!

By presenting the drawbacks of the status quo before suggesting your solution, you’ll help your audience understand the scope of the problem while building a case for your big idea.

Mixpanel did this to great success in their first pitch deck (which got them a $865M valuation).

By comparing and contrasting these two states, you’ll make a much more persuasive case than you would with the solution alone. And when you get into the nitty-gritty details later on in the presentation, your audience will be more likely to stay engaged.

As always, the more visual you can be, the better (as seen in this Uber pitch deck template ):

You could use a comparison infographic in your presentation to visualize your key differentiators.

Want to learn more about creating persuasive pitch decks? Read our pitch deck guide.

How to understand and address the struggles of your audience

To maximize the impact of this strategy, do your best to directly address the struggles of your specific audience.

Figure out what’s standing in the way of your audience performing the desired behavior, and tell them how your solution will improve that experience. If you can make a direct connection with your audience’s experiences, your argument will be all the more persuasive.

Taking a closer look at Steve Jobs’ 2007 keynote, we can see that he lays out the big problems for his audience (that smartphones that aren’t so smart and are hard to use) before proposing his solution (a smarter, easier-to-use device).

In this persuasive presentation example we can see that by studying the wants and needs of his audience, he frames his new device as the perfect solution. He understands what the audience needs to know, and structures the presentation around those needs.

One final point on this – it can be incredibly useful to let your audience know what to expect in your presentation. If people are already expecting your idea, they will be more receptive to it. Consider including your persuasive presentation outline up front. You can either create a slide of contents, or you could print out an outline and share it with your audiences before the meeting.

Either way – sharing your persuasive presentation outline is never a bad thing.

3. Use visual aids to summarize and clarify your big ideas

More than ever, viewers expect engaging visual content . Creative, relevant visuals are no longer a nice-to-have addition to a persuasive presentation…they’re an integral part of an engaging experience.

Beyond that, visuals are great for explaining complex concepts in simple terms. You can use visuals to communicate big ideas without dealing with any jargon or technical terms.

Summarize your background research with charts and tables

Visual aids like tables, charts, and mind maps are perfect for summarizing any research you’ve done to back up the claims you make in your presentation.

I find these types of summative visuals are most helpful when I feel at risk of throwing too much information at my listeners. Forcing myself to transform that research into a digestible visual helps me organize my thoughts, and ensure my audience won’t be overwhelmed.

Visual aids should also be used anytime you’re communicating with data . Besides making insights more tangible, it’s been suggested that charts can make claims more persuasive and make information more memorable .

Let’s say, for example, that you’re trying to convince a client to hire you as a consultant. If you can show the financial impact you’ve made for other clients visually, your argument will be much more persuasive than if you mention a few numbers without visuals to back you up.

Learn how to customize this template:

Organize information meaningfully with timelines and flowcharts

There are plenty of concepts that naturally lend themselves to structured visuals like Venn diag rams , flowcharts , and timelines .

If you’re presenting a project plan you might include a Gantt chart -style product roadmap or project timeline:

Or a more abstract Venn diagram like this one from Boston Consulting Group’s persuasive presentation pictured below.

Visuals like these can help you move past minor details so you can communicate directly about more fundamental ideas. Simple visuals can help make key ideas crystal-clear and easy to remember.

Entertain and engage with visual metaphors

I like to integrate visual metaphors into the denser portions of my presentations. This way, when I know I’m going to start losing my audience to boredom or confusion, I can jump into a fun example that will bring them right back on board with me.

Like a shortcut to understanding, visual metaphors are a great way to get everyone on the same page.

But it can be hard to come up with good visual metaphors that don’t feel cliché. If you’re out of design ideas, don’t be afraid to get some inspiration from our infographic templates .

I can’t stress enough that simple, visual slides are the best way to make your presentation understandable and persuasive. The right visuals keep the audience engaged, make your points memorable, and give your presentation impact.

For more tips on designing a persuasive presentation with impact, check out our presentation design guide .

4. Get your audience involved to build trust and rapport

No one likes to be talked at.

And most listeners will be more engaged and receptive to your ideas if they’re engaged in a dialogue instead of passively absorbing what you’re saying.

The top qualities of a good presentation include making your presentation an interactive experience by encouraging questions, fostering discussions and maybe even throwing in a fun activity.

Imagine you’re pitching a potential client who’s looking to hire a marketing specialist for an upcoming job. You could try to impress them with an extensive presentation that shows off all of your background research and past success stories:

Or, you could use the presentation as an opportunity to learn more about your potential clients by engaging them in a dialogue. You’ll build trust and credibility, all without making a gigantic slide deck.

You can put together a deck of 5-10 slides with your big ideas, then build a conversation around each slide.

Even if you’re speaking in front of a large crowd, a great persuasive presentation should feel like a conversation. There should be some give and take from both sides. Simply asking a question and getting your audience to respond can instantly raise the energy level in a room.

Engaging audiences changes when we no longer present in-person is a unique challenge, but easily overcome. Lisa Schneider, Chief Growth Officer at Merriam-Webster, has plenty of experience presenting to crowds in-person as well as online. She recently wrote for Venngage on how to adapt an in-person presentation into a virtual presentation . Check it out for actionable tips on your next virtual presentation. 

In this persuasive speech presentation the key points have been broken into powerful, punchy slides that engage the audience.

5. Use a clean, consistent layout and design

Why does it seem like every time I’m putting together a presentation, it’s at the last minute!?

When I’m rushing to get all of my content together and my presentation rehearsed, the layout and design of the presentation usually become an afterthought.

But when you’re presenting an idea and building a case for yourself or your business, the last thing you want is for the design your slide deck to get in the way of your success. And a big part of being persuasive is having a slide deck that shows your information in a clear, consistent manner.

Let’s say, for example, that you’re a financial consultant presenting a solution to a new client. When you’re trying to justify why your skills and knowledge are worth paying a premium for, you simply can’t have a messy, unprofessional-looking slide deck.

A professional presentation design should have:

• Consistent layouts with plenty of white space
• A simple color scheme with one highlight color
• Clear distinctions between headers and body text, with minimal font styles

With the layout and design locked down, you’ll have the confidence to hold your own with big clients and senior management. A polished presentation will go a long way toward reinforcing your credibility.

6. Eliminate extraneous detail to focus on core concepts

Take a second to think about the last presentation you sat through that didn’t hit the mark. What was it that made you lose interest?

Was there too much text on the slides? Was it bland, with not enough visuals? Was it disorganized, with no clear takeaways?

For me, it was that the presenter rambled on and on. They tried to cram way too much detail into their 20-minute talk, and I walked away without really learning anything.

Like the persuasive presentation example below, a well-designed presentation should have no more than one takeaway per slide (with a healthy balance of text and visuals):

So cut the fluff! Eliminate everything that isn’t absolutely necessary for you to get your point across.

For me, this is the hardest part of making a persuasive presentation. I want to include every little detail that I think will help persuade my audience to change their behavior or accept my new idea. But when diving too deep into the details, I always end up losing my audience along the way.

And if you think about it, have you ever complained that a presentation was too short? I don’t think so. We really appreciate presenters who can get their point across quickly and concisely.

7. Sign off with a persuasive call-to-action

Most presenters’ go-to for the end of a presentation is a summary slide that reviews all of the main points of the talk. But these summaries are boring…they don’t tell the audience anything new, so listeners completely tune them out.

A better way to conclude a presentation is to give your audience something to do with the information you’ve just given them, in the form of a call-to-action (like the persuasive presentation example below).

Audiences must be prompted to do take action! Even if they’ve been given all of the tools they need to get something done, if you don’t prompt them directly, it’s not going to happen.

A call-to-action can be as simple as asking a question that encourages listeners to think about the topics you’ve raised, or posing a challenge that will change their behavior.

If it’s a simple ask, they’ll be likely to follow through.

Tips for improving presentation delivery

• Practice Public Speaking : Regular practice improves confidence and fluency, helping you deliver a more convincing presentation . Focus on clarity, tone, and pace to ensure your message is well-received.
• Use Effective Communication Strategies : Incorporate storytelling, rhetorical questions, and analogies as part of your communication strategies to create a more compelling presentation that connects with your audience.
• Prioritize Slide Design : Keep your slides clean, with minimal text and strong visuals, as slide design plays a critical role in delivering an impactful presentation . Use visual storytelling to make complex ideas easier to understand.
• Focus on Audience Engagement : Use interactive elements like questions, polls, or eye contact to increase audience engagement and make your presentation more dynamic. An engaging presentation keeps listeners attentive and responsive.
• Leverage Emotional Appeal : Connect with your audience on an emotional level to create a compelling presentation . Using personal stories or relatable examples enhances your emotional appeal and helps in influencing the audience .
• Master Presentation Skills : Refine your presentation skills by working on body language, posture, and facial expressions, which are key to delivering a convincing presentation . A strong stage presence can make a significant impact on the effectiveness of your delivery.
• Utilize Visual Storytelling : Instead of relying solely on text, let your visuals do the talking. Charts, images, and videos can enhance understanding and add depth to your public speaking while ensuring a more impactful presentation .
• Adapt to Audience Feedback : Pay attention to your audience’s reactions and adjust your delivery as needed. Flexibility is an essential aspect of effective presentation techniques and helps maintain audience engagement throughout the session.

Putting together a truly persuasive presentation is not an easy task.

The good thing is, if you’re here reading this article, you’re a few steps ahead of most people. Putting these strategies to use might just mean the difference between landing your next client and walking away empty-handed.

Choose a presentation template to get creating (and persuading) today!

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How to Make a Persuasive Presentation (+ Examples)

See persuasive presentation examples that show you how to make highly engaging, effective, and converting presentations with persuasive writing and design.

Dominika Krukowska

7 minute read

Short answer

How to make a presentation persuasive?

If you want to make a presentation persuasive, you need to:

Start with a strong hook

Show relevance on the get-go, make it clear who you cannot help, demonstrate value early, showcase your authority, assume your audience’s voice, tell a story, use the rule of three, use the power of repetition, personalize your presentation, tell them what to do next, if your presentation doesn’t persuade, you’re just wasting your time.

Crafting a presentation can be a lot of work. And there's nothing more frustrating than feeling like your message just didn't land, despite all the effort you put in.

The hard truth is that even the most beautifully designed presentation slide can fail to persuade.

What is a message good for if it doesn’t hit home and doesn’t drive action?

Unless you’re satisfied with simply getting in front of an audience, you probably want to bring some sort of transformation to people’s lives , no?

Well, your message is not gonna go past the exit door if it’s not persuasive.

Stick with me for a few minutes and you’ll learn how to write and design persuasive presentations.

Let’s look at some real-life examples that delivered great results, and I’ll even throw in a few templates to get you a good start.

Let’s dive in!

What makes a presentation persuasive?

Let's dive straight into the heart of what makes a presentation truly persuasive. Each element plays a crucial role in ensuring your message not only reaches your audience but deeply resonates with them.

11 weopons of of persuasive presentations:

1) Credibility

People need to believe you in order to agree with you. Just as you'd trust a friend's recommendation, your audience needs to trust what you're sharing.

It's about authenticity and integrity and ensuring they feel you're genuine and have their best interests at heart.

2) Authority

People respect authority figures. Flaunt your credentials subtly. If you're an expert, let it show - use slides that highlight your expertise and experience in the field.

3) Social Proof

People follow the crowd. Include in your presentation testimonials, user statistics, and stories of people like your audience who took you on your offer and experienced success. If everyone's using your product, it must be good, right?

4) Familiarity

If you or your topic are familiar then you’re intuitively less threatening and therefore acceptable. It's that warm feeling that makes you feel at home and among friends.

When your audience sees their own experiences and challenges reflected in your content, it creates an instant bond. It's like recognizing a familiar face in a crowd.

Incorporate names, places, and topics familiar to your audience into your presentation to get into their inner circle.

We say 'yes' to people we like. Be likable. Smile, make jokes, and show enthusiasm. If they like you, they'll like what you're selling. Use humor and storytelling to make yourself more relatable.

When making a reading presentation, include a personal video of you in a casual environment talking directly to your audience as you would a colleague you like and feel comfortable with.

To make people like you want to align your presentation with the 7-38-55 rule which guides you on what contributes to likability.

According to the rule:

“Total Liking = 7% Verbal Liking + 38% Vocal Liking + 55% Facial Liking”

So make sure to write what you feel and feel what you say. Or otherwise learn acting.

6) Reciprocity

People feel obliged to return favors. To use this to your advantage start a physical presentation with a small handout. To make it easy use a QR code slide (you can use a free QR code generator )to give your audience a digital handout.

If you’re creating a digital reading presentation you can offer a coupon with a small taste of what you offer (like a short consultancy, a free audit, studio design time, or a small taste of your product).

Do this and they'll feel like you've given them something, and they'll pay closer attention and be more inclined to 'return the favor.'

7) Relevance

People listen intently when you’re talking about them. Ever heard someone talk about a topic you were concerned about, and your ears perked up? It got your attention like a 3-year-old seeing a chocolate cake, didn’t it?

Tailor your message to your audience's current needs or challenges to ensure they feel you're speaking directly to them.

8) Memorability

People make decisions based on what they remember. You will only ever persuade people of something they remember you said.

To make your presentation memorable give it substance - show what you offer in images or videos, provide concrete examples of your key concepts in action, and tell detailed stories about you, your team, your solution, and the audience you serve.

9) Consistency

Once people commit, they like to stay consistent. Get your audience to agree with you early on.

Maybe ask them to raise their hand if they've ever experienced a problem that you solve. Maybe tell them a story of someone in their situation and ask if it resonates with them.

In reading presentations, use rhetorical questions or interactive slides to get early commitments.

10) Scarcity

Limited availability increases appeal. Create a sense of urgency. Maybe offer a limited number of seats in an event.

Maybe offer a discount for the first 100 subscribers. Maybe tell them they can schedule a meeting with you for 2 weeks before you leave for another destination.

For a reading presentation use a countdown timer or "limited seats available" to create this sense of urgency.

11) Feasibility

The harder a thing is to do the less likely people will do it. Whatever you decide to ask from your audience, keep it simple to do.

Ask for small concessions rather than big commitments. You only need them to take the first step, and then you’ve got a relationship going, which positions you to ask for the next step, and the next after that, till you reach your goal.

Note: Reciprocity, Consistency, Social Proof, Liking, Authority, and Scarcity were taken from Robert Cialdini’s seminal book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.

Here’s a summary of the book.

How to write your presentation persuasively?

Writing persuasively is all about connecting with your audience on a deeper level. With these techniques in your toolkit, you're all set to craft presentations that not only inform but inspire and motivate.

Beginnings matter. Think of your opening as the first impression. You want to grab your audience's attention right from the get-go.

Whether it's a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a relatable story, make sure it's something that makes your audience lean in and think, "Tell me more!"

Here's a presentation that hooks people in right from the start:

Don’t beat around the bush. Get to the point fast. Give your audience a quick overview of what you have in store for them and how you can change their life for the better.

Make sure to be clear about who you are talking to. Define your target audience the way they would describe themselves and let them know you are speaking to them on a topic they care about.

Don’t take a one-shoe-fits-all approach. You can’t serve everyone well. Do everyone a favor and tell them who your message, solution, or advice (or whatever it is you offer) is not meant for.

They won’t resent it. They will appreciate it, and it will lend you integrity, credibility, and persuasive power.

Don’t let people guess what you can do for them. Introduce the value you offer as soon as you can. Give your value shape and concrete detail.

If it’s a product - show it in action, if it’s an intangible prize like money - show them what they can do with it, and if it’s an emotional outcome - tell them the story of someone you’ve helped.

Most of us get our information through authority figures. If you demonstrate your authority your words will encounter less skepticism and less push-back.

Show what you or your team have achieved in your field, and show some acknowledgment of your achievements by established and well-known authorities, whether people or organizations.

Just be very careful not to come off as boastful or cocky, unless these traits resonate with your target audience (yes, I am talking about you - sales crowd).

Talk to your audience in their own words, use the phrases they use, and tell stories and allegories that appeal to them and fit into their life.

Do the research. Hang out where they hang out, physically or on the web, listen and read what they say and who they say it to.

I know you’ve heard this one too many times before, so let me be clear: tell stories, plural. Short anecdotes or examples that give substance to what you’re talking about.

Fill your little stories with details about who did something where, when, what, and why. Make it mostly familiar but at the same time a bit surprising and unexpected.

If it’s too outlandish it’s not credible, and if it’s too familiar it's not interesting.

There's something satisfying about things that come in threes. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", "of the people, by the people, for the people"... you get the point.

This is called the rule of tree . Simply put it means grouping your points or ideas in threes which makes your message more rhythmic, elegant, and sticky.

Repetition can be a powerful tool to emphasize your key points. Just think about Martin Luther King Jr's " I have a dream ".

By repeating key phrases, you not only drive your message home but also give it a predictable structure that lets your audience unconsciously chant the words with you .

Everyone loves feeling special. Tailor your content to resonate with your particular audience. Whether it's addressing their unique challenges or using examples they can relate to, personalization builds a deeper connection and rapport.

In this case, personalize more thoroughly. Use their name, and their specific details, like their company, city, product, or (if you met each other) where you met.

Just don’t overdo it and cross into creep-land. Keep any personalization unmistakably within the context of your presentation. (Unless you’re selling a bed, don’t reference how beautiful they look when they sleep 😜).

Here's an example of a personalized sales pitch presentation:

Note: Notice the dynamic variables they’ve added in their Storydoc deck. WiseStamp actually shows a ready-made email signature with the prospect’s name, image, and company logo in it. They personalized their product demo! How crazy is that?

Check out their full deck here.

Finish strong! After sharing your insights, guide your audience on what to do next. Whether it's trying out a new tool, adopting a mindset, or simply reflecting on what they've learned, a clear call to action gives direction and purpose.

Here's what it should look like:

How to design a presentation for persuasion?

While words are the heart of your presentation, design is its soul. A well-designed presentation not only captivates but also amplifies your message.

Let's dive into the world of persuasive design and uncover the secrets that make a presentation truly stand out:

Visual hook

First impressions count. Start with a captivating visual that immediately grabs attention. This could be a bold graphic, a striking image, or even an intriguing layout. It's like the cover of a book; it invites the audience to delve deeper.

Here's a great example of a presentation with a visual hook:

Social proof

As humans, we often look to others to validate our choices. Dr. Robert Cialdini defines social proof as people doing what they observe others doing. It's the idea that if other people are doing it, it must be good.

In the context of your presentation, this could mean showcasing testimonials, endorsements, or even user reviews. It's a nod to the audience that others have been here and found value.

Here's an example of a social proof slide:

Recognized people and places

Including familiar faces or landmarks can be a game-changer. When your audience sees someone they recognize or a place they relate to, it builds an instant connection and trust. It's like seeing a friend in a crowd; it feels familiar and safe.

Original visuals lend you credibility and status. They show that you put in the effort. They show that you can afford to invest in your content and that you’re not some shmo working from his mom’s basement.

Quality original visuals

Stock photos have their place, but nothing beats original, high-quality visuals. Whether it's custom graphics, original photographs, or tailored illustrations, unique visuals make your presentation memorable and authentic.

Here's a great example of a presentation with high-quality visuals:

Emotion-driven imagery

Think about those commercials that tug at your heartstrings or make you laugh. They stay with you, right? Using images that evoke emotions can make your message resonate more deeply with your audience.

Consistency

Just like a catchy jingle in a commercial, maintaining a consistent design theme throughout your presentation creates a rhythm and flow. It ensures your audience remains hooked and can easily follow along.

Here's a great example of a visually cohesive presentation:

End with a call to action

After taking your audience on a journey, guide them on the next steps. Whether it's trying a new product, exploring a concept further, or simply reflecting on the insights shared, a clear call to action gives direction.

More importantly, make your call-to-action super easy to act on. Make it something they can do immediately with as little friction as possible.

Note: In Storydoc, there’s a handy little design feature that lets you embed your calendar app direction into your presentation. This way whenever you share it, your reader can simply access your calendar and set a meeting.

Here's an example of a calendar slide:

Persuasive presentation templates

When it comes to persuasive presentations, having a structure that's been tried and tested can be a game-changer.

We built our persuasive presentation templates based on insights from more than 100,000 presentation sessions and the world of neuroscience. They’re all designed with storytelling in mind and tested to look flawless on every device.

It's like having a seasoned presenter whispering tips in your ear, guiding your content to truly resonate.

Pick a template from our library and use it to create your presentation.

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

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How to Give a Persuasive Presentation [+ Examples]

Published: December 29, 2020

A presentation aimed at persuading an audience to take a specific action can be the most difficult type to deliver, even if you’re not shy of public speaking.

Creating a presentation that effectively achieves your objective requires time, lots of practice, and most importantly, a focused message.

With the right approach, you can create a presentation that leaves a skeptical audience enthusiastic to get on board with your project.

In this post, we'll cover the basics of building a persuasive presentation. Let's dive in.

What is a persuasive presentation?

In its most basic form, a persuasive presentation features a speaker who tries to influence an audience to accept certain positions and engage in actions in support of them. A good persuasive presentation uses a mixture of facts, logic, and empathy to help an audience see an issue from a perspective they previously discounted or hadn’t considered.

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How to Plan a Persuasive Presentation

Want to make a persuasive presentation that connects with your audience? Follow these steps to win friends and influence people within your audience.

1. Decide on a single ask.

The key to convincing your audience is to first identify the singular point you want to make. A good persuasive presentation will focus on one specific and easy-to-understand proposition. Even if that point is part of a broader initiative, it ideally needs to be presented as something your audience can say "yes" or "no" to easily.

A message that isn’t well-defined or which covers too much can cause the audience to lose interest or reject it outright. A more focused topic can also help your delivery sound more confident, which (for better or worse) is an important factor in convincing people.

2. Focus on fewer (but more relevant ) facts.

Remember: You are (in the vast majority of cases) not the target audience for your presentation. To make your presentation a success, you’ll need to know who your audience is so you can shape your message to resonate with them.

When crafting your messaging, put yourself in your audience's headspace and attempt to deeply understand their position, needs, and concerns. Focus on arguments and facts that speak specifically to your audience's unique position.

As we wrote in our post on How to Present a Compelling Argument When You're Not Naturally Persuasive , "just because a fact technically lends support to your claim doesn't mean it will sway your audience. The best evidence needs to not only support your claim but also have a connection to your audience."

What are the target audience's pain points that you can use to make a connection between their needs and your goals? Focus on those aspects, and cut any excess information. Fewer relevant facts are always more impactful than an abundance of unfocused pieces of evidence.

3. Build a narrative around your evidence.

If you want to persuade someone of something, it’s not enough to win their brain -- you need their heart in it, too. Try to make an emotional connection with your audience throughout your presentation to better sell them on the facts you’re presenting. Your audience is human, after all, so some emotional tug will go a long way to shaking up how they view the issue you’re talking about. A little bit of emotion could be just what your audience needs to make your facts “click.”

The easiest way to incorporate an emotional pull into your presentation is through the use of narrative elements. As we wrote in our guide to crafting pitch decks , "When our brains are given a story instead of a list of information, things change -- big time. Stories engage more parts of our brains, including our sensory cortex, which is responsible for processing visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli. If you want to keep people engaged during a presentation, tell them a story."

4. Confidence matters.

Practice makes perfect (it's a cliche because it's true, sorry!), and this is especially true for presentation delivery. Rehearse your presentation several times before you give it to your audience so you can develop a natural flow and move from each section without stopping.

Remember, you're not giving a speech here, so you don't want your delivery to come across like you're reading fully off of cue cards. Use tools like notes and cue cards as ways to keep you on track, not as scripts.

Finally, if you can, try to practice your presentation in front of another human. Getting a trusted co-worker to give you feedback in advance can help strengthen your delivery and identify areas you might need to change or bulk up.

5. Prepare for common objections.

The last thing you want to say when someone in your audience expresses a concern or an outright objection during your presentation's question section is “umm, let me get back to you on that.”

Carefully research the subject of your presentation to make the best case possible for it -- but also prepare in advance for common objections or questions you know your stakeholders are going to ask. The stronger your command of the facts -- and the more prepared you are to proactively address concerns -- the more convincing your presentation will be. When you appear confident fielding any rebuttals during a question and answer session after your presentation, it can go a long way towards making your case seem more convincing.

Persuasive Presentation Outline

Like any writing project, you’ll want to create an outline for your presentation, which can act as both a prompt and a framework. With an outline, you’ll have an easier time organizing your thoughts and creating the actual content you will present. While you can adjust the outline to your needs, your presentation will most likely follow this basic framework.

I. Introduction

Every persuasive presentation needs an introduction that gets the listener’s attention, identifies a problem, and relates it to them.

• The Hook: Just like a catchy song, your presentation needs a good hook to draw the listener in. Think of an unusual fact, anecdote, or framing that can grab the listener’s attention. Choose something that also establishes your credibility on the issue.
• The Tie: Tie your hook back to your audience to garner buy-in from your audience, as this issue impacts them personally.
• The Thesis: This is where you state the position to which you are trying to persuade your audience and forms the focal point for your presentation.

II. The Body

The body forms the bulk of your presentation and can be roughly divided into two parts. In the first half, you will build your case, and in the second you will address potential rebuttals.

• Your Case: This is where you will present supporting points for your argument and the evidence you’ve gathered through research. This will likely have several different subsections in which you present the relevant evidence for each supporting point.
• Rebuttals: Consider potential rebuttals to your case and address them individually with supporting evidence for your counterarguments.
• Benefits: Outline the benefits of the audience adopting your position. Use smooth, conversational transitions to get to these.
• Drawbacks: Outline what drawbacks of the audience rejecting your position. Be sure to remain conversational and avoid alarmism.

III. Conclusion

In your conclusion, you will wrap up your argument, summarize your key points, and relate them back to the decisions your audience makes.

• Transition: Write a transition that emphasizes the key point you are trying to make.
• Summary: Summarize your arguments, their benefits, and the key pieces of evidence supporting your position.
• Tie-back: Tie back your summary to the actions of your audience and how their decisions will impact the subject of your presentation.
• Final word: Try to end on a last emotional thought that can inspire your audience to adopt your position and act in support of it.

IV. Citations

Include a section at the end of your presentation with citations for your sources. This will make independent fact-checking easier for your audience and will make your overall presentation more persuasive.

Persuasive Presentation Examples

Check out some of these examples of persuasive presentations to get inspiration for your own. Seeing how someone else made their presentation could help you create one that strikes home with your audience. While the structure of your presentation is entirely up to you, here are some outlines that are typically used for different subjects.

Introducing a Concept

One common type of persuasive presentation is one that introduces a new concept to an audience and tries to get them to accept it. This presentation introduces audience members to the dangers of secondhand smoke and encourages them to take steps to avoid it. Persuasive presentations can also be a good format to introduce marco issues, such as this presentation on the benefits of renewable energy .

Changing Personal Habits

Want to change the personal habits of your audience? Check out this presentation on how to adopt healthy eating habits . Or this presentation which encourages the audience to get more exercise in their daily lives.

Making a Commitment to an Action

Is your goal to get your audience to commit to a specific action? This presentation encouraging audience memes to become organ donors could provide inspiration. Trying to make a big sale? Check out this presentation outline that can encourage someone to buy a home .

Remember: You Can Do This

Anyone can craft a persuasive presentation once they know the basic framework for creating one. Once you get the process down, you’ll be in a better position to bring in sales, attract donors or funding, and even advance your career. The skills you learn can also benefit you in other areas of your personal and professional life as you know how to make a case and influence people toward it.

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5 Tips for Giving a Persuasive Presentation

When you need to sell an idea at work or in a presentation, how do you do it? Five rhetorical devices can help — Aristotle identified them 2,000 years ago, and masters of persuasion still use them today: Ethos. Start your talk by establishing your credibility and character. Show your audience that you are committed […]

When you need to sell an idea at work or in a presentation, how do you do it? Five rhetorical devices can help — Aristotle identified them 2,000 years ago, and masters of persuasion still use them today:

Source: This tip is adapted from “The Art of Persuasion Hasn’t Changed in 2,000 Years,” by Carmine Gallo

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7 Steps to Creating Persuasive PowerPoint Slides

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People often ask me how to create persuasive slides for everything from strategic presentations to boardroom briefings to pitch packs .

It’s true that PowerPoint has become so common place in today’s workplace, it’s a basic skill we all are required to learn.  For many, writing slides can feel like hard work. But it doesn’t have to be.

I view PowerPoint as a canvas to create good communications.  Whether using paper-and-pen or slides, I would use exactly the same process.

Try it yourself. Forget about the clipart images and fancy animations. Start instead with a blank A4 page, just turn it to landscape.

Everyone has their own process for creating compelling communications. In this post I share my process for going from an idea to polished materials suitable for everything from boardroom briefings to business plans.

1. Consider The Audience for Your Slides

The first thing I do is consider the audience. Is the audience made up of executives? Are they marketers or analysts? Different audiences like different styles of presentations. An Executive might like an Outcome listed at the top of a slide. An Analytical person might like to understand the Process that was used to create the materials. Considering our audience is important to how we layout content on a slide.

2. Think About the Subject

The slide subject gives us directions for the type of information to include on the slide. If the slide is about changing Mobile Technology, we could use images of Mobile Phones. If it’s about Industry Change, we could show how different companies have been affected by the change. If it’s about an area of Market Growth (or decline), this could be shown with a graph. If the subject for the slide is a Process that was used, a flow chart might be useful.  Thinking about the material can provide directions for what to include in our slide.

3. Consider Horizontal and Vertical Information

We read both horizontally (across the page) and vertically (down the page). As a result, I like to give slides both a horizontal and vertical flow. A horizontal flow is often useful for sequential understanding of information or categories. Vertical flow is good for adding layers or additional dimensions to the topics.

4. Start Simple by Sketching the Slide

Once I’ve thought about the first 3 points, I sketch the slide. I try not to add too much information to any one area. I seek a balance with the information that is laid out on the page. I edit. Then I edit again. Providing visual balance to what ends up on the page gives clarity to the message. Sometimes to get to this balance, just remove whatever adds confusion. Sketchnoting and visual thinking can definitely help the slide development process.

5. Evaluate the Message

From the sketch, we can consider the main message that is communicated. If there are too many messages that distract from the main message, we can think about simplifying the slide even more.  Often at this stage I write and re-write the slide’s headline. I test whether the information on the page supports the headline. If it doesn’t, I remove what isn’t needed.  This pattern of adjustment gets us closer to communicating a clear message.

6. Create a Draft of the Slide

Up until now I haven’t touched PowerPoint.  PowerPoint will not hide bad communication (though often it’s used to do so). That’s why it’s a good idea to avoid the animations, the clip art, and the layout until this point. Now is the only time – once I’ve crafted the message, balanced out the content, thought seriously about what I want to convey – that I start a PowerPoint draft.

7. Polish the Slide

This is where we can add refinements to the slide.  Here I swap images in and out. I play with fonts. I adjust the final elements to give the communication polish. Then voila, all done!

Here’s an example based on the sketch above.

I know this can seems like an involved process.  After practice it becomes second nature.  The whole thing , from start to end, can take as little as 30 minutes. And it can be worth it.

You can use one great slide over and over again to convey a strong message.  And there’s no real price we can put on having people and teams aligned toward a simple picture.

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I'm a business designer and strategist with 20 years experience in digital, across marketing, e-commerce, online sales, and mobile apps. Companies I've worked for include Australia Post, Coles, ANZ and GlaxoSmithKline. I'm also a graduate and previous sessional lecturer of Strategic Foresight at Swinburne University. My writing has appeared on Inc.com, Huff Post and in books via Amazon.

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An Example of a Persuasive Speech Outline to Win Over Your Audience in 2024

Leah Nguyen • 08 April, 2024 • 6 min read

The art of persuasion is no easy feat. But with a strategic outline guiding your message, you can effectively convince others of your viewpoint on even the most controversial topics.

Today, we're sharing an example of a persuasive speech outline you can use as a template for crafting your own convincing presentations.

Table of Contents

The three pillars of persuasion, 6-minute persuasive speech examples, 3-minute persuasive speech examples, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

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Want to move the masses with your message? Master the magical art of persuasion by tapping into the holy-grail trifecta of ethos, pathos and logos.

Ethos - Ethos refers to establishing credibility and character. Speakers use ethos to convince the audience they are a trusted, knowledgeable source on the topic. Tactics include citing expertise, credentials or experience. The audience is more likely to be swayed by someone they perceive as genuine and authoritative.

Pathos - Pathos utilises emotion to persuade. It aims to tap into the audience's feelings by triggering emotions like fear, happiness, outrage and such. Stories, anecdotes, passionate delivery and language that tugs at the heartstrings are tools used to connect on a human level and make the topic feel relevant. This builds empathy and buy-in.

Logos - Logos relies on facts, statistics, logical reasoning and evidence to rationally convince the audience. Data, expert quotes, proof points and clearly explained critical thinking guide listeners to the conclusion through objective-seeming justifications.

The most effective persuasive strategies incorporate all three approaches - establishing ethos to build speaker credibility, employing pathos to engage emotions, and utilising logos to back assertions through facts and logic.

Example of a Persuasive Speech Outline

Here is an example outline for a 6-minute persuasive speech on why schools should start later:

Title : Starting School Later Will Benefit Students' Health and Performance

Specific Purpose : To persuade my audience that high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. to align better with teenagers' natural sleep cycles.

I. Introduction A. Adolescents are chronically sleep-deprived due to early start times B. Lack of sleep harms health, safety and learning ability C. Delaying school start by even 30 minutes could make a difference

II. Body Paragraph 1 : Early times contradict biology A. Teens' circadian rhythms shift to late-night/morning pattern B. Most do not get sufficient rest due to obligations like sports C. Studies link lack of sleep to obesity, depression and dangers

III. Body Paragraph 2 : Laters starts to boost academics A. Alert, well-rested teens demonstrate improved test scores B. Attention, focus and memory all benefit from adequate sleep C. Fewer absences and tardies reported at later-starting schools

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Community support available A. American Academy of Pediatrics, medical groups endorse change B. Adjusting schedules is feasible and other districts had success C. Later start times are a small change with a large impact

V. Conclusion A. Prioritising student wellness should motivate policy revision B. Delaying the start by even 30 minutes could transform outcomes C. I urge support for biologically aligned school start times

This is an example of a persuasive speech pitching a business proposal to a potential investor:

Title : Investing in a Mobile Car Wash App

Specific Purpose : To convince investors to back the development of a new on-demand mobile car wash app.

I. Introduction A. My experience in the car care and app development industries B. Gap in the market for a convenient, tech-enabled car wash solution C. Preview of potential and investment opportunity

I I. Body Paragraph 1: Large untapped market A. Majority of car owners dislike traditional wash methods B. On-demand economy has disrupted many industries C. App would remove barriers and attract new customers

III. Body Paragraph 2: Superior customer value proposition A. Schedule washes on the go with just a few taps B. Washers come directly to the customer's location C. Transparent pricing and optional upgrades

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Strong financial projections A. Conservative usage and customer acquisition forecasts B. Multiple revenue streams from washes and add-ons C. Projected 5-year ROI and exit valuation

V. Conclusion: A. Gap in the market represents a huge opportunity B. Experienced team and developed app prototype C. Seeking $500,000 seed funding for the app launch D. This is a chance to get in early on the next big thing

In 3 minutes you need a clear thesis, 2-3 main arguments reinforced with facts/examples, and a concise conclusion recapping your request.

Example 1: Title: schools should switch to a 4-day school week Specific purpose: persuade the school board to adopt a 4-day school week schedule. Main points: longer days can cover required learning, increase teacher retention, and save on transportation costs. A longer weekend means more recovery time.

Example 2: Title: companies should offer a 4-day workweek Specific purpose: persuade my manager to propose a 4-day workweek pilot program to upper management Main points: increased productivity, lower costs from less overtime, higher employee satisfaction and less burnout which benefits retention.

Example 3: Title: high schools should allow cell phones in class Specific purpose: convince the PTA to recommend a change in the cell phone policy at my high school Main points: most teachers now use cell phones as educational tools, they engage digital native students, and an occasional approved personal use boosts mental health.

Example 4: Title: all cafeterias should offer vegetarian/vegan options Specific purpose: persuade the school board to implement a universal vegetarian/vegan option in all public school cafeterias Main points: it's healthier, more environmentally sustainable, and respectful of various student diets and beliefs.

An effective outline serves as the backbone for a persuasive presentation that can inspire change.

It ensures your message is clear, cohesive and backed by strong evidence so that your audience leaves empowered instead of confused.

While crafting compelling content is key, taking the time to strategically structure your outline gives you the best chance of winning hearts and minds.

What should a persuasive speech outline look like?

A persuasive speech outline means each point should support your overall thesis. It includes credible sources/references for evidence and also considers anticipated objections and counterarguments. The language should be clear, concise and conversational for oral delivery.

What is an outline for a speech example?

A speech outline should include these sections: Introduction (attention grabber, thesis, preview), body paragraph (state your points and counterarguments ), and a conclusion (wrap up everything from your speech).

Leah Nguyen

Words that convert, stories that stick. I turn complex ideas into engaging narratives - helping audiences learn, remember, and take action.

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More from AhaSlides

How to give more persuasive presentations: A Q&A with Nancy Duarte

Stepping onto the TED or TEDx stage — or speaking in front of any group of people, for that matter — is truly nerve-wracking. Will you remember everything you wanted to say, or get so discombobulated that you skip over major points? Will the audience be receptive to your ideas, or will you notice a guy in row three nodding off to sleep?

Presentation expert Nancy Duarte , who gave the TED Talk “ The secret structure of great talks ,” has built her career helping people express their ideas in presentations. The author of  Slide:ology  and  Resonate , Duarte has just released a new book through the Harvard Business Review:  The HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations .

What would you say are the three keys to giving a great presentation?

The number one thing, I think, is to be audience-centric. To take the time to think through who the audience is and develop all your material from a place of empathy toward them. You’re asking them to adopt your idea, which means they may have to abandon a belief they hold as true — and that’s hard. So, know your audience — take a walk in their shoes. What keeps them up at night? How are they wired to resist your message? Most presenters are consumed with preparing their content rapidly, which makes the material about their own narrow perspective. By flipping that paradigm to an audience-centric approach, your material will resonate and the audience can feel a deeper connection to you and your material.

Number two, you need to understand your role in the presentation. So many people feel like they’re the central figure — kind of like the hero of the story — because they’re the one talking the most. But in reality, your role is that of a mentor — you should be giving the audience a magical gift or a special tool, or helping them get unstuck in some way. You have to defer to your audience. When you put your idea out there for an audience to contend with — if they reject your idea, your idea will die. You have to think of it as, “The speaker needs the audience more than the audience needs the speaker.” Then you’ll start to approach a material with your audience in mind – you’ll have more of a stance of humility than one of arrogance. That will help you create the kind of movement needed to get your idea to spread.

And then the third thing — wrap your content in story. A story serves like the sugarcoating on the outside of a pill in some ways — it just makes it go down easier. If you look at preliterate generations for thousands and thousands of years, stories would pass down for generation after generation after generation — and stay almost completely intact. Yet, a lot of people can’t remember the last presentation they sat through. So, using principles of story — the tension and release that happens in a story — that’s what will help persuade the audience toward your idea.

What do you feel like you learned from giving your own TED Talk?

I learned so much. Being the “Presentation Lady,” I knew I couldn’t suck at it. The hardest part was getting [my talk] to fit within this finite amount of time. So I trimmed and trimmed, keeping in mind that you still have to nail why this is important to the audience. I had a person coach me and point out places where I could trim. “You took too long here, and that made this part of emphasis too long.” I worked with the timer counting up until I knew I was within the time window — then what I did was work with the timer counting down so I’d know, “When I’m a fourth of the way through, I should be on this slide. When I’m halfway through, I need to be on this slide.” I created markers in my mind so I would know how I was running on time. Sure enough, I finished the talk and I had six seconds left on the clock.

It was a great experience for me because I hadn’t gone through it myself. I’d coached people through it but — wow — to actually be a victim was interesting. I learned the power of rehearsing. If you rehearse really, really, really well — it looks improvisational. Some people rehearse to a point where they’re robotic, and they sound like they have memorized their presentation and didn’t take it to the next level. Going from sounding memorized and canned to sounding natural is a lot of work.

So, the classic advice for stage fright is to imagine the audience in their underwear. What do you recommend people do to calm their nerves?

I don’t usually get nervous, but when I got on [the TED] stage, I was nervous because it’s pretty high stakes. I recommend doing some breathing exercises — breathe in as deep as you can, and then take a couple more big gasps. Then, release it really slowly. That calms my heart down. But my favorite piece of advice isn’t my own — it’s from a guy named Nick Morgan. He said, “What you need to do right before you walk on stage is think of someone that you love dearly.” Doing that, I felt the chemistry in my whole body change. My shoulders relaxed and my heart melted. That feeling of affection makes your body calm itself down. That’s a really great way to stop stage fright.

What is the best way to start creating a presentation?

My best advice is to not start in PowerPoint. Presentation tools force you to think through information linearly, and you really need to start by thinking of the whole instead of the individual lines. I encourage people to use 3×5 note cards or sticky notes — write one idea per note. I tape mine up on the wall and then study them. Then I arrange them and rearrange them — just work and work until the structure feels sound. And from that sound structure, you start to fill it in using a presentation tool.

[For visuals], I think people tend to go with the easiest, fastest idea. Like, “I’m going to put a handshake in front of a globe to mean partnership!” Well, how many handshakes in front of a globe do we have to look at before we realize it’s a total cliche? Another common one — the arrow in the middle of a bullseye. Really? Everyone else is thinking that way. The slides themselves are supposed to be a mnemonic device for the audience so they can remember what you had to say. They’re not just a teleprompter for the speaker. A bullseye isn’t going to make anyone remember anything. Don’t go for the first idea. Think about the point you’re trying to make and brainstorm individual moments that you’re trying to emphasize. Think to the second, the third, the fourth idea — and by the time you get to about the tenth idea, those will be the more clever memorable things for the audience.

One thing that is really different about giving a TED Talk is the fact that you know it will be filmed. How do you think about the difference between live presentations and ones that will exist on video?

On stage, it feels really awkward to do large movements because — normally in life — we’re talking to someone in a more intimate setting and moving your arms really big feels melodramatic. But on the stage, you have to move your body in really big gestures. It feels awkward at first if you’re not used to it, so you have to kind of close your eyes and get used to it. Say things and move largely. Take big bold steps forward, big bold steps backward. You have this grand stage and people don’t use the space enough. I think one of the great things that Jill Bolte Taylor did was how she used her body. Her arms stretched all the way up when she talked about nirvana. Then she when she talks about her whole soul feeling constricted, she brings her hands down and folds her arms down in front of her. She’s using her body as a prop. That’s an important way to create meaning.

Also, with video, a tech rehearsal is important. Your audience on video is exponentially larger than the people in the room. So by familiarizing yourself with the cameras, you can at least look in that general direction. You know how you’re supposed to look around the audience — look and hold for five seconds, look and hold for five seconds? You should look at the camera as if it’s a human. Get used to seeing that circular lens as a face. Feel like it’s a person you’re talking to, because that audience on camera needs to feel like they’re there and that you’re looking right at them.

To me, presentations are the most powerful device. You can’t really name a movement that didn’t start with the spoken word. TED was once this exclusive, amazing event where ideas were exchanged, but you’ve moved to treating presentations as a media type. You guys have been so refined at it, that what it’s done is created a movement. What TED has done is made a platform for introverts, for scientists, for inventors — to share their ideas in a way that’s clear and appeals to a broad audience so that their ideas spread and get adopted. It’s completely changed how people present. It’s created this desire to be excellent in communication.

When you look at even how businesses communicated in the ’30’s, ’40’s and ’50’s — they were so much clearer and well-crafted. I recently went to the Stanford Library and I got a bunch of old GE Board meetings from, like, 1957. And I thought, “These are so beautiful!” Their presentations referenced history, they quoted things, they crafted their words in such a beautiful way. Then PowerPoint entered into the mix and suddenly there wasn’t any desire to craft anymore. I think TED Talks have brought the desire for the craft back.

Your new book is from the Harvard Business Review. Is it intended for someone who is in business, or for anyone?

All of my books are for anyone who has an idea that they need to communicate! I loved working with Harvard Business Review and I think because of the publisher, business professionals may be more interested in this book. But anyone with an idea can benefit from it. It’s a guidebook, so that people can think, “Oh, I need to know how to do this specific thing. I’m going to go get this book and find that one thing.”

Want more advice on giving talks? Our curator Chris Anderson is writing the official TED guide to public speaking —to be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in spring 2016. Titled Talk This Way! , it will be packed with insights on what makes talks work.

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Persuasive Speech Outline, with Examples

March 17, 2021 - Gini Beqiri

A persuasive speech is a speech that is given with the intention of convincing the audience to believe or do something. This could be virtually anything – voting, organ donation, recycling, and so on.

A successful persuasive speech effectively convinces the audience to your point of view, providing you come across as trustworthy and knowledgeable about the topic you’re discussing.

So, how do you start convincing a group of strangers to share your opinion? And how do you connect with them enough to earn their trust?

Topics for your persuasive speech

We’ve made a list of persuasive speech topics you could use next time you’re asked to give one. The topics are thought-provoking and things which many people have an opinion on.

When using any of our persuasive speech ideas, make sure you have a solid knowledge about the topic you’re speaking about – and make sure you discuss counter arguments too.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• All school children should wear a uniform
• Facebook is making people more socially anxious
• It should be illegal to drive over the age of 80
• Lying isn’t always wrong
• The case for organ donation

Read our full list of  75 persuasive speech topics and ideas .

Preparation: Consider your audience

As with any speech, preparation is crucial. Before you put pen to paper, think about what you want to achieve with your speech. This will help organise your thoughts as you realistically can only cover 2-4 main points before your  audience get bored .

It’s also useful to think about who your audience are at this point. If they are unlikely to know much about your topic then you’ll need to factor in context of your topic when planning the structure and length of your speech. You should also consider their:

• Cultural or religious backgrounds
• Shared concerns, attitudes and problems
• Shared interests, beliefs and hopes
• Baseline attitude – are they hostile, neutral, or open to change?

The factors above will all determine the approach you take to writing your speech. For example, if your topic is about childhood obesity, you could begin with a story about your own children or a shared concern every parent has. This would suit an audience who are more likely to be parents than young professionals who have only just left college.

Remember the 3 main approaches to persuade others

There are three main approaches used to persuade others:

The ethos approach appeals to the audience’s ethics and morals, such as what is the ‘right thing’ to do for humanity, saving the environment, etc.

Pathos persuasion is when you appeal to the audience’s emotions, such as when you  tell a story  that makes them the main character in a difficult situation.

The logos approach to giving a persuasive speech is when you appeal to the audience’s logic – ie. your speech is essentially more driven by facts and logic. The benefit of this technique is that your point of view becomes virtually indisputable because you make the audience feel that only your view is the logical one.

• Ethos, Pathos, Logos: 3 Pillars of Public Speaking and Persuasion

Ideas for your persuasive speech outline

1. structure of your persuasive speech.

The opening and closing of speech are the most important. Consider these carefully when thinking about your persuasive speech outline. A  strong opening  ensures you have the audience’s attention from the start and gives them a positive first impression of you.

You’ll want to  start with a strong opening  such as an attention grabbing statement, statistic of fact. These are usually dramatic or shocking, such as:

Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat – Jamie Oliver

Another good way of starting a persuasive speech is to include your audience in the picture you’re trying to paint. By making them part of the story, you’re embedding an emotional connection between them and your speech.

You could do this in a more toned-down way by talking about something you know that your audience has in common with you. It’s also helpful at this point to include your credentials in a persuasive speech to gain your audience’s trust.

Obama would spend hours with his team working on the opening and closing statements of his speech.

2. Stating your argument

You should  pick between 2 and 4 themes  to discuss during your speech so that you have enough time to explain your viewpoint and convince your audience to the same way of thinking.

It’s important that each of your points transitions seamlessly into the next one so that your speech has a logical flow. Work on your  connecting sentences  between each of your themes so that your speech is easy to listen to.

Your argument should be backed up by objective research and not purely your subjective opinion. Use examples, analogies, and stories so that the audience can relate more easily to your topic, and therefore are more likely to be persuaded to your point of view.

3. Addressing counter-arguments

Any balanced theory or thought  addresses and disputes counter-arguments  made against it. By addressing these, you’ll strengthen your persuasive speech by refuting your audience’s objections and you’ll show that you are knowledgeable to other thoughts on the topic.

When describing an opposing point of view, don’t explain it in a bias way – explain it in the same way someone who holds that view would describe it. That way, you won’t irritate members of your audience who disagree with you and you’ll show that you’ve reached your point of view through reasoned judgement. Simply identify any counter-argument and pose explanations against them.

• Complete Guide to Debating

4. Closing your speech

Your closing line of your speech is your last chance to convince your audience about what you’re saying. It’s also most likely to be the sentence they remember most about your entire speech so make sure it’s a good one!

The most effective persuasive speeches end  with a  call to action . For example, if you’ve been speaking about organ donation, your call to action might be asking the audience to register as donors.

Practice answering AI questions on your speech and get  feedback on your performance .

If audience members ask you questions, make sure you listen carefully and respectfully to the full question. Don’t interject in the middle of a question or become defensive.

You should show that you have carefully considered their viewpoint and refute it in an objective way (if you have opposing opinions). Ensure you remain patient, friendly and polite at all times.

Example 1: Persuasive speech outline

This example is from the Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Specific purpose

To persuade my audience to start walking in order to improve their health.

Central idea

Regular walking can improve both your mental and physical health.

Introduction

Let’s be honest, we lead an easy life: automatic dishwashers, riding lawnmowers, T.V. remote controls, automatic garage door openers, power screwdrivers, bread machines, electric pencil sharpeners, etc., etc. etc. We live in a time-saving, energy-saving, convenient society. It’s a wonderful life. Or is it?

Continue reading

Example 2: Persuasive speech

Tips for delivering your persuasive speech

• Practice, practice, and practice some more . Record yourself speaking and listen for any nervous habits you have such as a nervous laugh, excessive use of filler words, or speaking too quickly.
• Show confident body language . Stand with your legs hip width apart with your shoulders centrally aligned. Ground your feet to the floor and place your hands beside your body so that hand gestures come freely. Your audience won’t be convinced about your argument if you don’t sound confident in it. Find out more about  confident body language here .
• Don’t memorise your speech word-for-word  or read off a script. If you memorise your persuasive speech, you’ll sound less authentic and panic if you lose your place. Similarly, if you read off a script you won’t sound genuine and you won’t be able to connect with the audience by  making eye contact . In turn, you’ll come across as less trustworthy and knowledgeable. You could simply remember your key points instead, or learn your opening and closing sentences.
• Remember to use facial expressions when storytelling  – they make you more relatable. By sharing a personal story you’ll more likely be speaking your truth which will help you build a connection with the audience too. Facial expressions help bring your story to life and transport the audience into your situation.
• Keep your speech as concise as possible . When practicing the delivery, see if you can edit it to have the same meaning but in a more succinct way. This will keep the audience engaged.

The best persuasive speech ideas are those that spark a level of controversy. However, a public speech is not the time to express an opinion that is considered outside the norm. If in doubt, play it safe and stick to topics that divide opinions about 50-50.

Bear in mind who your audience are and plan your persuasive speech outline accordingly, with researched evidence to support your argument. It’s important to consider counter-arguments to show that you are knowledgeable about the topic as a whole and not bias towards your own line of thought.

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Ethical Persuasion Template Good Ppt Example

This is a ethical persuasion template good ppt example. This is a two stage process. The stages in this process are technology, ethics of persuasive technology, computers, cetology, persuasion, use case development, ethics.

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Presenting this set of slides with name managing work relations in business management styles selection matrix persuasive ppt icon backgrounds pdf. This is a four stage process. The stages in this process are participative, persuasive, delegative, directive, key takeaways, relationship oriented behaviour. This is a completely editable PowerPoint presentation and is available for immediate download. Download now and impress your audience.

Content Persuasion Chart For Consumer Change Adoption Ppt PowerPoint Presentation Infographics Smartart PDF

Presenting content persuasion chart for consumer change adoption ppt powerpoint presentation infographics smartart pdf to dispense important information. This template comprises four stages. It also presents valuable insights into the topics including unmotivated, mental effort hassle, campaign. This is a completely customizable PowerPoint theme that can be put to use immediately. So, download it and address the topic impactfully.

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Four Psychological Techniques Of Persuasion With Limit Availability Ppt PowerPoint Presentation Outline Graphic Tips PDF

This slide covers four psychological methods of persuasion. It highlights create a need, appeal to social needs, limit your availability and reciprocity. Persuade your audience using this four psychological techniques of persuasion with limit availability ppt powerpoint presentation outline graphic tips pdf. This PPT design covers four stages, thus making it a great tool to use. It also caters to a variety of topics including appeal to social needs, limit availability, reciprocity. Download this PPT design now to present a convincing pitch that not only emphasizes the topic but also showcases your presentation skills.

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Showcasing this set of slides titled leader influencing employees by using persuasion methods ppt powerpoint presentation file graphics pdf. The topics addressed in these templates are leader influencing employees by using persuasion methods. All the content presented in this PPT design is completely editable. Download it and make adjustments in color, background, font etc. as per your unique business setting.

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List Of Ideas & Topics for a Persuasive Speech

Last updated on July 30th, 2024

Preparing a persuasive presentation can be a difficult task, especially due to the sensitive nature of the topics you have to speak on. Plus, it can stir up quite the hornet’s nest as it can lead to a lot of people getting upset. But if you want to influence people then you have to understand the topic that you are speaking on well enough before you can start convincing people.

Apart from this, coming up with ideas and topics for a persuasive speech can be quite a task! So here are a few ideas and topic suggestions.

• Existence of Aliens
• The Need for Gun Control
• Should Gay Marriage be abolished/legalized?
• Should Marijuana be made legal?
• Abolishment of Capital Punishment
• Why invest in Space Technology?
• Legalizing Steroids for Athletes
• Compulsory Military Training
• Increasing Tax Spending to Alleviate Poverty
• The Need for Strict Action against Bullies
• Obese People should Purchase 2 Tickets on an Airplane
• Should Piracy be legalized?
• Promoting Veganism
• Cigarettes should be Banned
• Paying Kids for Good Grades
• Drunk Driving should be Penalized more Heavily
• Is Space Exploration a Useless Expenditure?
• Increasing (or decreasing) Tax Rates
• Should nations refrain from Fighting Foreign Wars?
• Should there be a Road Congestion Charge in Big Cities?
• Why Keep Fit?
• Electric Cars: Death Traps or the Way to the Future?
• Making Helmets Mandatory for Motorbike and Bike Riders
• Are Psychic Powers Real?
• Should all Schools Conduct Open Book Tests?
• Why Invest in Solar Power?
• Donating Blood Should be made Compulsory
• Should Humans Colonize Mars?
• Should Education be Made Free for Everyone?
• Freedom of Speech
• Using E-books instead of Text Books

As you can see that these topics might seem easy or even childish, but a deeper look will show you that speaking on them would involve you to think about them at length and trying to get your point across to your audience won’t be easy.

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50 Persuasive Speech Topics for High School Students

September 9, 2024

Throughout high school, students will be asked to write about topics and make compelling arguments for certain positions. These persuasive speeches and other writing assignments train a student's communication skills. Creating a compelling, persuasive speech is a powerful skill that will help students in all aspects of their careers, not just in writing courses. The ability to write persuasively will especially have a huge effect on your admissions results when writing your personal statements and essays for college. 

With a powerful speech, students can express their opinions, influence others, and develop critical communication skills for school and the workplace. Choosing the right topic for a speech is often as important as how well it's written. To help you find the right topics for your audience, here are 50 persuasive speech topics you can use to help you get started with your writing. 

Want an expert's opinion on your college applications? Book a free strategy call and begin your admissions journey today! 

What Makes a Good Persuasive Speech Topic?

Compelling persuasive speech topics are relatable, debatable, and relevant. Students should investigate a topic they're passionate about and will intrigue an audience. Don't just take an easy position everyone can agree with—audiences are interested in ideas they may have never heard before, expressed enthusiastically by a passionate speaker. 

When ideating a topic, find something with clear, opposing viewpoints. Research the available arguments and present your speech in a way that promotes a meaningful discussion. For example, topics regarding the use of social media, the right to freedom of speech, and the Supreme Court are general and can engage a wide audience. 

Topics that everyone agrees with, have no opposing viewpoints, and require no research will not make for interesting speeches. Choose a topic that will challenge you and your audience, but avoid being offensive or controversial for its own sake. A topic you're genuinely interested in—like renewable energy for engineering students or social media platforms for communications students will make writing a compelling speech much more natural. With additional research and effective writing techniques, you can craft a speech to captivate an audience. 

How to Choose the Right Persuasive Speech Topic for Your Audience

Choosing the right topic starts with knowing your target audience. While ideating, consider:

• Who are you targeting? 
• What do you want to convince them? 
• What counter-arguments may they have? 

Think about those who would agree with you, be on the fence with you, and who would directly oppose your viewpoint. Writing persuasively is not just about presenting facts and hoping others agree. It's about making an emotional connection with your audience and using that impression to shift their thinking. 

Once you've given careful thought to those you'd be presenting to, brainstorm persuasive speech topic ideas that may resonate with them. Make a list of potential ideas and interrogate their merit. Consider current events, personal experiences, and issues others may relate to. Then, narrow down your list to the persuasive topics you would be most interested in—as an audience member and a researcher. 

Once you've landed on a few interesting topics, don't rest on them. Ask for feedback and get insights from family, friends, and teachers. Outside perspectives are important; others may have experiences that could provide you with valuable knowledge to use when refining your topic. 

50 Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas

School topics.

• The Benefits and Drawbacks of Mandatory School Uniforms
• How Effective is the School Grading System?
• How Students can Shape their Curriculum
• Is Homework Beneficial or Harmful?
• How Would Schools Handle a Four-Day Week?

Art and Humanities Topics

• Art or Vandalism: The History of Graffiti
• Art vs STEM: What Should Schools Prioritize?
• AI-Generated Media: How Do Humans Value Art?
• The Correlation Between Art and Mental Health
• Are Video Games the Ultimate Artform?

Social Issues Topics

• The Right to Protest: Traditional Movements vs Digital Activism
• Why do Wealthy Countries have Declining Birth Rates?
• Should For-Profit Prisons be Permanently Abolished?
• Is Healthcare a Human Right?

Environmental Issues

• Why Corporations Need Stricter Plastics Regulation
• Environmental Ethics: Human Development vs Species Preservation
• The Benefits and Drawbacks of Fully Electric Vehicles
• History of Geo-Engineering: Can Society Reverse Climate Change?
• What is Dark Oxygen? The Effect of Deep Sea Mining

Technology and Media Topics

• Should the Government Regulate the Coming AI revolution?
• Where Does Online Misinformation Come From?
• Why Does Social Media Affect Self-Image?
• The Right to Privacy: How Online anonymity affects people's behavior
• Why All Messaging Apps Should Have End-to-End Encryption
• Should Artificial Intelligence be Used in Creative Works?
• Should Social Media Platforms be Accountable for their Users?

Politics and Government

• Should Voting be Compulsory?
• How Public and Private Funding Affect Political Campaigns
• What is gerrymandering? 
• Why Do Some Countries Have Mandatory Military Service?
• The benefits and drawbacks of term limits for elected officials

Sports Topics

• Should esports be officially recognized as part of the Olympic Games?
• MMA and Boxing: The Ethics of Broadcasting Violence
• Has Football Become More Dangerous?
• Should Men and Women compete in the same Leagues? 
• Restrictor Plates: Why Did NASCAR Make Racing Slower?

Economy and Finance

• Should Cryptocurrency be Regulated?
• Does a minimum wage help or hurt the economy?
• Employees vs contractors: How freelance work Affects commerce
• Is Universal Basic Income a Viable Option?
• When should the Government regulate the Market?

STEM Topics

• What are the Benefits of Mars Colonization?
• City Planning: How US Infrastructure Affects the Environment
• Why Nuclear Energy is the Cleanest, Safest, and Cheapest Option
• Why the US Hasn't Returned to the Moon Yet
• Where will Technological Implants take Human Evolution?

Culture and Entertainment Industry Topics

• How Binge-Culture Has Affected Our Attention Spans
• How Streaming Services Caused the 2023 Writers Strike
• Why are actors paid so highly? Hollywood's income inequality
• Should IP Copyright be abolished? 

Enhance Your Academic Profile With InGenius Prep

Crafting a persuasive speech isn’t just about presenting facts—it’s about connecting with your audience, understanding their perspectives, and sparking meaningful conversations. These skills are especially important in the college admissions process, where every aspect of your college application is trying to convince an Admissions Officer you're worthy of acceptance. 

For more on college applications, InGenius Prep's counseling services are designed to guide high school students through every step of the admissions process. With a focus on story-telling, candidacy building, and highlighting the most impactful aspect of your student profile, we’ll help you capture the attention of your admissions officers. 

Ready to take the next step? Book a free strategy call with an advisor today to start your admissions journey.

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