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CMST 220 Public Speaking: Position/Persuasive/Argument speech

This guide is to help you find good topics and evidence for your Informative or Persuasive/Position speeches in CMST& 220: Public Speaking.

Researching an argument

Please see our complete subject guide on researching an argument.

Fort Wayne Daisies player, Marie Wegman, of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League arguing with umpire Norris Ward.  4/22/1948  State Library and Archives of Florida  No known copyright restrictions.

Argument and speech tips

These two handouts are from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Very nice explanations of what argument is and how a persuasive speech differs from persuasive writing.

Find a topic in a database

Current issues databases are a great place to look for topics. Two of the library's databases, CQ Researcher and Opposing Viewpoints, provide excellent topic lists.

(click on image to enlarge)

The Opposing Viewpoints homepage lists broad topic areas you can browse. CQ Researcher lets you browse by topic if you choose "Browse Topics" from the menu.

Starting an Arguement

Need to give a persuasive or argument speech?

Formulating a well-supported argument takes work. Good arguments are supported by evidence, and finding evidence means doing some research.

This guide will help you select a good topicfind background information on your topic, examine the existing argument around your topic, and find evidence (from booksarticlesweb sites, andstatistics) to support your argument.

Source: "How Library Stuff Works: Scholarship as Conversation" by McMaster Libraries, is licensed under a Standard YouTube License.

Learn how students are active participants in academic conversation with their peers, instructors, and all those who came before them.