QCE English Persuasive speech is like no other. It requires you to find a topic you’re passionate about, and use your persuasive skills to convince markers to share your beliefs as well. Ready to learn how to ace this task?
- What is the QCE English Persuasive Speech?
- How are you Assessed?
- What is the Brainstorming Process?
- How to write the Speech?
- How to Present the Speech?
What is the QCE English Persuasive Speech?
This assignment is a 5 to 8 minute persuasive speech about a contentious social issue in the media within the past year. This involves:
- constructing a persuasive argument of your own and can include, but not limited to broader topics of gender, power, race, religion, age, class and sustainability.
- You will present your speech, and the word count is not specifically constrained.
If you are struggling to write the speech, it is best to get a head-start with tuition! KIS Academics has great English tutors who can help you work on your persuasive writing:
How are you Assessed?
1. Knowledge Application
- Perspectives and representations of concepts, identities, time and places in a persuasive text.
- Use of cultural assumptions, attitudes, values and beliefs that underpin texts and invite audiences to take up positions.
- Use of aesthetic features and stylistic devices to achieve persuasive purposes.
2. Organisation Development
- Use of patterns and conventions of a persuasive text, and of the role of the speaker/signer/designer, to achieve a purpose.
- Selection and synthesis of subject matter to support perspectives.
- Organisation and sequencing of subject matter to achieve a particular purpose, including discerning use of cohesive devices to emphasise ideas and connect parts of a persuasive text.
3. Textual Features
- Language choices for particular purposes.
- A combination of a range of grammatically accurate/appropriate language structures to achieve particular purposes.
- Use of spoken/signed and nonverbal features to achieve particular purposes:
- Pronunciation, phrasing and pausing, audibility and clarity, volume, pace, and silence.
- Facial expressions, gestures, proximity, stance, movement.
- Graphics, still and moving images, design elements, music and sound effects.
There is a more comprehensive description from the QCAA website, here.
Manoj Arachige
What was My Brainstorming Process?
1. Find a Topic
This is the most important one. Review the media from the past year for events, topics or statements that occurred, and reflect on what affected you:
- What made you think?
- What made you question?
- What do you have an opinion about?
2. Conduct Thorough Research
Once you’ve found an area that you're passionate about, go deeper into it. Do extended research on the topic, learn about the reason it came up in the media and how things have changed over time. This background research may not make your final cut for the speech, but it provides you with confidence as an “expert” on the topic when you strive to persuade your audience.
3. Identify a suitable role, audience and context for the speech
This will be embedded into the introduction of your speech, as it is important to make clear. These must connect to your topic and what you’re persuading your audience for (select wisely). An example of a role could be an informative speaker from organisation X, who’s a 30-year-old female with 10+ years in industry Y.
4. Present a Strong Thesis
A strong thesis makes up your entire argument. Be clear and concise on what you are EXACTLY arguing about/for, and ensure your arguments reflect that perspective informed by your role.
Dylan Kay
5. Generate your Arguments
There’s no specific number of reasons/arguments you must have, but have some solid ideas that support your thesis. I recommend 2 or 3 main arguments.
How to Write the Speech?
1. Introduction
Firstly, begin with a hook. A paragraph of around 100 words to get your audience excited and involved in your topic. An example could be asking a series of rhetorical questions or using the rule of 3 (3 quick but powerful statements). Then lead into your thesis.
Manoj Arachige2. Thesis
Secondly, your thesis. By now, your audience should have an idea of what you’re talking about, it’s important to lean into your thesis. Like an upside-down triangle, zoning in on your stance. This can also include providing your arguments in a quick summary.
3. Body Paragraphs
Thirdly, your arguments. Previously, you probably learnt specific devices and ways to write persuasive paragraphs through strict TEEL structures. But here, we can throw out the middle section (EE). It’s important to expand on your ideas by providing examples, using persuasive techniques or useful numbers that support your idea. Have a good mix of quantitative and qualitative through seamless integration of them, ensuring it's not a numbers report or a pity party (remember it’s a persuasive public speech).
4. Conclusion
Lastly, your conclusion. Summarise your key points in a digestible way. Provide a statement or 2 for your audience to take away. What is something you want them to remember going forward? End in a strong position, which makes your audience think about your topic, your viewpoint and their personal stance. Further, this could also involve getting them to do something, e.g sign a petition, attend a protest or change the way they think (be more aware).
If you are struggling to write the persuasive piece, here is another piece by KIS Academics that guides you on how to write your essay:
Manoj Arachige
5. Editing
Once you’ve written your speech, get editing. Great writing begins with even better editing. Make sure you’ve got the best word in the best place every time. Take the time to do so. Make sure to read it out loud and make sure it “sounds” right.
1. Introduction
2. Thesis
3. Body Paragraphs
4. Conclusion
5. Edit
How to Present?
Almost a third of your mark goes to your presenting skills. Here are some tips:
- Use gestures and decent eye contact.
- Try to have the speech almost memorised by the time you present so the audience can feel your passion about your topic, and you are directly talking to them instead of reading to them.
- This only comes with practice. Practice presenting as often as possible and record yourself (yes, it feels weird watching it back, but it's soooo useful). Be your biggest critic and change things. Also, practice in front of your family, friends or even your favourite teddy bear. Have an audience for you to address.
- Edit your speech document to include when to pause for effect, bold/underline to emphasise certain phrases, and have indicators for hand gestures.
- Make the font bigger than you would normally, like a 14 instead of an 11. This makes it easier to find your place if you’re lost and present your speech without having to look too closely at the paper.
Presenting skills are vital for your assessment. Your marker will not be assessing your written speech; instead will only view your presentation. For more advice on presenting, here’s a link to KIS Academics' top 10 public speaking tips!
Dylan Kay
Conclusion
Enjoy this experience, as it can be fun getting passionate about a topic of your choosing. Choosing the right topic and using the right persuasive devices is vital to this task. If you need help crafting the perfect speech, KIS Academics' expert tutors can guide you through it all, or simply mark and provide feedback on your speech to ensure top marks every time 🔥
And remember…
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!!!
FAQs
How much does the QCE English Persuasive Speech assignment go towards my final grade for English?
- 25% of your senior English grade
How many words should I aim to write for the QCE English Persuasive Speech?
- Don’t worry about the word count to start. First, write naturally and get it down on paper.
- Then, begin the editing process, which involves practising performing and editing what you’ve written to make sure it’s “speakable”.
- Only after you’ve gone through this, set a timer for your speech without changing your speed.
- If your speech is between 5-8 minutes, you’ve got nothing to worry about, otherwise you will have to trim your speech.
Do I have to Memorise my Speech?
- No, you don’t have to memorise it, but it is highly recommended to know your speech really well.
- I recommend memorising you hook as this is your main opportunity to get your audience’s attention.
Written by KIS Academics Tutor for QCE Specialist Mathematics and Mathematical Methods, Ragulan Gnanavel. He is also available to assist with your English, Modern History and Physics assignments. Ragulan is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and Commerce at UNSW. He has outstanding credentials as a tutor, and you can view Ragulan’s profile here and request him as a tutor.
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