Infomercial Outline


Make sure you address and answer all of the items below. A written outline of your Infomercial Speech is DUE just before your presentation. NO outline, no presentation. You will receive zero credit for the infomercial. 

Persuasive speaking is defined as a process by which a speaker seeks to change or reinforce an attitude, belief, or action. Use the outline below . Answer the statements completely. 
 

  • What are your specific goal(s)
  • How do you plan to substantiate a case or appeal to action? 
  • Do you have the best interests of audience in mind. 
  • Which persuasion theories and techniques will you use? see…http://www.chapman.edu/comm/comm/faculty/thobbs/com401/techniques.html 
Factors involved in achieving your persuasive presentation goal. 

1. How do you plan to generate enough interest? 
2. Explain your information understandably. 
3. How do you plan to adapt to audience attitudes toward both you as speakers and the information you are presenting? 
 

The INTRODUCTION to any speech, this one included, should include: 


1. ATTENTION-GETTER--What technique will use to begin your speech in order to get your listeners focused on you and your topic? What makes this choice an effective means of getting attention? 

2. INVOLVEMENT--What explicit reasons to listen will you give your audience? How will you establish identification with them? 

3. CREDIBILITY--How will you let your audience know they can trust you on this topic? 

4. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE--How will you tell your audience what to do with your information or how it fits in their lives? 

5. PREVIEW--How will you establish the overall structure of your presentation? 

6. Persuasion Techniques/Theory(ies) used? 
 

Body

I. Writing a persuasive specific goal: You are more likely to persuade an audience when your specific goal is clearly defined.
  • By general aim: 
  • By subject matter: 
    1. Audience beliefs about statements of fact. 
    2. Audience beliefs about statements of value. 
    3. Audience beliefs or actions about statements of policy.


II. Analyzing your audience: 

Analyze your audience according to: 
1. Audience interest.
2. Audience understanding. 
3. Audience attitude. 
4. Persuasion Techniques/Theory(ies) used?

Organize your strategies to match your strategy to your audiences attitudes. Is the audience: 

Hostile.
Strongly hostile.
Weakly hostile.
No opinion.
Supportive or favorable.

What strategies/ persuasive techniques will you use to persuade any or all of the audience types? 

III. Give logical reasons and evidence:

IV. Using language to arouse emotions: 

Sample of persuasive language you plan to use? Focus emotional appeals on major points of introduction, body, and conclusion. If your main points have no power, the audience is less likely to be moved. 

V. Building credibility: How? 

VI. Delivering the speech convincingly: Practice. 
 

Conclusion

1. REINVOLVEMENT--How will you remind your listeners of the value of your information in their lives? How will you leave them feeling that your speech had real benefits for them? 

2. SUMMARY--How will you go about restating your main points? 

3. CLOSURE--What technique will you use to close your speech? How will you achieve lasting impact with your final statement(s 

4. Call to Action. What do you want or expect your audience to do?
 

REHEARSAL AND PERSONAL GOALS

PRACTICE SESSIONS: Give an overview of the frequency and types of your practice sessions. Do you honestly believe your group practiced enough to feel confident about your infomercial? 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: What outside sources did you consult in the preparation of your speech to strengthen your credibility? Use correct bibliographic form. 

PREDICTIONS: Based on your preparation and rehearsal, how do you predict this persuasion event will go? Why? Be honest, realistic, and specific. 

PERSONAL GOALS: What two or three things does your group especially want to accomplish in this particular presentation in terms of persuasion?