23 - Persuasive Patterns of Organization for Claims of Policy
When you work toward facilitating change in your listeners there are several different ways to align your main points for the best effect. Your text covers some but we would also like to include several others you may use in building your persuasive speech.
Remember: The pattern of organization you choose for your claim of policy speech depends on the goal/ outcome you want from your audience.
Think first—what do you want them to think, feel, or do?—and then work with that as your guide for which pattern to organize your points.
It is important for a successful outcome to have a specific persuasive pattern of organization for your main points. It strengthens your goal and makes it easier on you and your audience to follow.
Any of the following methods are valid ways to arrange your points for greatest effect.
Also, remember any time you address a claim of policy you need to make sure you have addressed/incorporated the need, provided a plan and how it will work, and then that the plan you suggest is practical.
Problem-Solution
Usually two main points.
The first point addresses the problem, why it’s a problem, and how the problem connects to your particular audience. What is the impact of the problem and who does it affect?
The second point addresses your very workable, practical, well-thought out solution and how it will work to solve the problem. How can this audience take part in your solution?
This is the most widely used persuasive pattern of organization.
Problem-Cause-Solution
Usually three main points.
The first main point addresses the problem, why it’s a problem, and how the problem connects to your particular audience. What is the impact of the problem and who does it affect?
The second main point addresses the causes of the problem. What is the root cause of the problem? Apply all your critical thinking skills in making certain you are really addressing the causes of the problem and not the surface “band-aids” others may have come up with as “solutions.”This point provides an opportunity to dig deep to the core of the problem.
The third main point addresses your very workable, practical, well-thought out solution and how it will work to solve the root cause. How can this audience take part in your solution?Remember to direct your solution to the cause of the problem. If you do that you will be more likely to solve the problem.
Cause-Effect
Usually two main points.
The first main point addresses the causes of a particular problem, issue, or event.
The second main point addresses the effects produced by the causes.
This pattern of organization may also be used in an informative speech. It depends on your goal/ outcome for your presentation.
Effect-Cause
Similar to cause–effect but reversing the arrangement.
The first main point addresses the effects of the cause on people, places, things.
The second main point addresses the causes of the particular problem, issue, or event that leads to the effects.
This pattern may also be used in an informative speech.
As a persuasive pattern it is important to stress the problem/need and how the effects are hurting or affecting your listeners.
Comparative Advantage
The first step is to acknowledge there is a problem. If you don’t let your audience know there is a problem then there is “nothing to solve” and “no evident reason to listen.”
The second step is to compare and contrast opposing solutions to the problem and support why the solution you advocate is the best.
You may set this up so you address each product/ idea/solution one at a time and end with the one you believe is the best.
Or you may take characteristics or elements of each product/idea/solution and argue those against each other.
For example: Comparison shopping.Problem: Your old car is dying, and you need a new car.
Compare the advantages of a Ford vs. a Toyota and end with the one you think is the best.
Stress your solution.
You can line it up by telling all of the things about a Ford and then all the things about a Toyota you want to highlight.
Or you can talk about topical areas of each— horsepower, wheel base, accessories, etc., and tell which you think is best.
The way you set it up is dependent upon your goal and which one you think will work the best to accomplish your goal/outcome with your audience.
Criteria Satisfaction
The first step is to recognize the problem and establish a set of criteria that will solve the problem.
The second step is to satisfy (provide a solution) each criterion and indicate how to do it (a plan of action).For example: The dentist office you work for needs a new drill. What are the criteria (needs) you have for the drill? In other words, what do you need the drill to do? This is the first step—establishing the criteria of the need.
Then you look at different drills by different companies and see which of them meets the needs you establish in step one. You are going to “satisfy” the criteria “needs” for the drill.
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Text books cover this pattern of organization for policy speeches (only) fairly well. It is excellent for speeches with a call to action. It is the only pattern of organization directly leading your audience to take action.
It follows the human thinking process in its steps. If you leave out a step, it may not be successful in gaining your desired action.
The steps are as follows:
Attention: Get the attention of your audience; draw them in to your speech.
Need: Show your audience there is a need for change (or not to change).
Satisfaction: Provide your solution to the need and how it will work. Remember: Need, Plan, Practicality.
Visualization: Help the audience “see” the benefits of your solution and how they will be better for accepting and acting on your solution.
Action: Call your audience to action to enact your solution.
As you go about creating your persuasive speech remember the very first thing you must do is decide on your particular goal/outcome you have for your speech and this audience. Then you will choose the pattern of organization you think will be the strongest to reach your goal.
Always remember to address the WIIFM aspect of your audience.
