PROBLEM-CAUSE-SOLUTION SPEECH
General Purpose: to allow the student to prepare/perform a speech to persuade an audience by
establishing a problem, cause and offering solutions
Specific Purpose:
Persuade—to convince people to believe or act upon an issue
Due Date: December 9,10,11
Grades:
Speech-----------180 points
Two critiques----10 points
Outline------------10 Points
_______
200 total points
Time Limit: 3-5 minutes
The speech pattern must be problem-cause-solution. That means that you must convince
your audience that your issue is a problem before you can persuade them to take action on the
issue. Do not assume that your audience automatically thinks your issue is a problem—not
everyone has the same view of the world as you.
Research:
You must use at least two sources. Your sources can be magazine, internet, pamphlet—
whatever it is ****you must remember to cite your sources in the speech.
Counter Argument:
The best arguments realize there is another stance on the issue and can address that
stance. To make your argument better, you must acknowledge the other side and give reason to
why their solution is not the best and why yours is better.
Visual Aid:
You must use at least one visual aid (poster, model, object, video, other). The visual aid
will be graded on value to speech, construction, and use.
Outline
Your outline format is provided for you in this packet. This must be completed and
presented before speech to get points needed.
You may not use the following topics:
Abortion, birth control, death penalty, gun control, same-sex marriage, or legalization of
marijuana/drugs
Problem-Cause-Solution Persuasive Speech
I.
Introduction
a. Attention Getterb. Linkc. Thesisd. Preview-
II.
Body- Problem
a. Topic sentenceb. Support-
c. Support-
d. Support-
e. TransitionIII.
Body- Cause
a. Topic sentenceb. Support-
c. Support-
d. Support-
e. Transition-
IV.
Body- Solution
a. Topic sentenceb. Support-
c. Support-
d. Support-
e. Counter Argument-
f. TransitionV.
Conclusion
a. Reviewb. Restate Thesisc. Closure (final memorable attention getter)-
Name____________________
Problem-Cause-Solution
Paralanguage:
Volume
Tone/variation
Rate
Eye Contact
Interest
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
Introduction
Attention getter
Tie
Thesis
Preview
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
Body
Topic sentence
Support clearly establishes problem
Transition
Topic sentence
Support clearly establishes cause
Transition
Topic sentence
Support establishes viable solutions
Counter argument established
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
Conclusion
Review
Restate Thesis
Closure
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
1-2-3-4-5
Sources
Source One
Source Two
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
Visual Aid
Used during speech
Helped prove point or gain attention
Enhanced presentation
Large enough to be seen by all of audience
Neat and easy to read/see
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5
Time
1-2-3-4-5
Suggestion:
Total _________/180
Speaker’s Name_________________________
Your Name____________________
Peer Critique Rubric
Introduction
Was the attention getter effective?
Was the thesis clear?
Did the preview set you up for the rest of the speech
Comments:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Needs Work No
Needs Work No
Needs Work No
Body
Were the topic sentences clear?
Did support clearly establish a problem, cause, solution?
Was the solution appropriate and doable?
Was a counter argument clearly established?
Was the speech well researched?
Was information cited?
Comments:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Needs Work
Needs Work
Needs Work
Needs Work
Needs Work
Needs Work
No
No
No
No
No
No
Conclusion
Was the thesis restated?
Was the speech’s main ideas reviewed?
Did the conclusion tie back to attention getter?
Did conclusion sum up the speech and was it memorable?
Comments:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Needs Work
Needs Work
Needs Work
Needs Work
No
No
No
No
Paralanguage
Was the volume easy to hear?
Did the tone/variation make it interesting/easy to listen to?
Was the rate easy to follow?
Did the speaker have good eye contact?
Was the speech interesting?
Comments:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Needs Work
Needs Works
Needs Work
Needs Work
Needs Works
No
No
No
No
No
Visual Aide
Was the visual aide easy to see and follow?
Did the visual aide enhance the presentation?
Comments:
Yes
Yes
Needs Work No
Needs Work No
Overall Comments-Do not slander your speaker. Offer a legitimate
suggestion for them to work on and give them praise for a specific
point they did well.
Letter Grade: