Persuasive Speech Preparation Outline PDF

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Persuasive Speech Preparation Outline - Zane Champie Outline Template Topic: Legalizing Euthanasia General Speech Goal (see pg. 60-61): To persuade Specific Speech Goal (see pg. 63-64): To persuade my audience that euthanasia should be legalized Organizational Pattern: Problem-Cause-Solution

Introduction I. Attention Getter (Get your audience interested in your speech): In 2005, a citizen of the United Kingdom by the name of Tony Nicklinson suffered a stroke, leaving him a victim of locked-in syndrome. This meant that while his mind functioned normally as it did before his stroke, he was only able to blink and make vertical eye movements. Though he battled with the High Court of his country for the ability to end this suffering, he lost this fight and was forced to face the possibility of upwards of 20 years of living in this torture. II. Credibility (State your interest why you are qualified to talk about this topic): This is a conflict that many Americans suffering from terminal and debilitating illness at the end of their lives must face, and having researched this issue extensively, I now see its importance. III. Relevance (State why your audience should take a stance regarding this issue): Although such an issue often feels intangible to a young demographic of college students, the future of this issue holds in it the potential fate of our loved ones and eventually ourselves. VI. Preview/Thesis (State the position/stance that you will be advocating): Today, I want to call you all to take another look at the issue of euthanasia and assisted suicide in

much higher detail than you may have done so before. In order to remedy the immense mental and physical trauma that those suffering from terminal illnesses experience, we must analyze the problems associated with forcing individuals to fight through these illnesses, the causes of this requirement, and the need for our state legislatures to legalize euthanasia.

Transitional Phrase (Signpost): First, we will take a look at the issues stemming from a lack of legalization in our current society. Body I. To do this, we will take a look at the horrors of the final days of living with terminal illness, as well as the financial burden that the mass illegality of euthanasia in the US causes the state. A. Pain of Terminal Illness 1. Tony Nicklinson Locked in Syndrome Example (2012, HuffPost) Demonstrates mental instability stemming from a lack of freedom here. 2. As this is only one example of the debilitating effects of having to suffer through one’s final moments of pure agony rather than passing on peacefully and willingly, we can reasonably assume that many other terminal illnesses also create terrifyingly similar results B. Cost for State 1. Cost $50 Billion in Medicare payments to keep patients alive in their last two months in 2008. (CBS News, 2009) 2. This creates financial burden for taxpayers and actually reduces quality of life for all individuals. Transition Sentence (Summarize and Preview): Now that we have looked at the effects of the problem

with the illegality of euthanasia in the United States, we can look at the causes of this issue.

II. In order to do this, we will look at the idea that many individuals have a religious oppositions to physician-assisted suicide that individuals have, as well as the assumptions that many individuals make about patients in their dying moments. A. Religious Opposition 1. Many who oppose this policy in the United States assert that choosing to end one’s life is the greatest sin that can be committed against God. While this statement may be of complete validity when looking into the implications of these religious beliefs, it is important to remember that we live in a secular society and a system of living tolerant to all denominations and faith-based beliefs. 2. Thus, an argument based upon religious family values creates a dangerous double standard, as holding individuals within United States legislative policy to certain religiously supported practices crosses the dangerous barrier into theocracy. It is much easier for individuals who disagree with a legal right to forbear, than it is to hold everyone in a religiously tolerant nation to a specific belief. B. Hasty Assumptions 1. (Kessler, 2012, Washington Post) Proves that unwanted doctor assisted suicide was actually higher in Netherlands before legalization than afterwards. Contradicts idea that euthanasia shortens life, as it actually saves lives in many scenarios. Gives people choice to make their own decision rather than letting issue remain a taboo and keeping fate purely within doctor’s discretion. 2. (Batty, The Guardian, 2008) Another common misconception is that with the implementation of such policy, there will be abuse of the system that will target specific

demographics. People assume that the elderly and impoverished will feel unprecedented amounts of pressure to utilize euthanasia to prevent their families from undergoing the financial burdens of continued medical support. This however is not the case. After Oregon implemented assisted suicide policy, in 10 years only 341 individuals chose that option. The perceived pressure clearly did not exist.

Transition Sentence (Summarize and Preview): Now that we understand the problems associated with the illegality of euthanasia and the reasoning behind them, we can move forward toward proposing a solution.

III. State governments should follow the trend that has already been set and legalize euthanasia within their states. A. (ProCon.Org, 2018) Legalization has already begun. Legal in 7 states, these being California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Vermont, and Washington DC

B. Legalization will enable people to escape this terrifying dilemma, will save money for the government and for the citizens of the United States as a whole, and will promote the betterment of populations suffering from terminal illnesses.

Transitional Phrase (Signpost): In summary, Conclusion I. Summary (Restate goal and main points): The illegality of euthanasia and assisted suicide, rooted in faulty and unjust beliefs, forces people to suffer through pain when a peaceful passing on is highly feasible. The government has

a responsibility to its people to ensure them this right to avoid this pain and suffering. II. Call to Action (Tell audience what you want them to do/think/believe as result of your speech): As constituents of our respective state governments, it is important that we voice our concern over this issue, so as to spare our loved ones, and possibly our future selves, unnecessary suffering. Only then will our state legislators take speedy action. III. Memorable Close (Provide closure and leave a lasting impression): Should our state governments equip us with this right, we will be able to save ourselves from this dilemma of choosing between unnecessary suffering and breaking the law.

References/Works Cited (cite sources in APA) Batty, D. (2008, December 10). Q&A: Assisted suicide. Retrieved November 7, 2018, from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2008/dec/10/assisted-suicide-law Kessler, G. (2012, February 22). Euthanasia in the Netherlands: Rick Santorum's bogus statistics. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/euthanasia-in-the-netherlands-ricksantorums-bogus-statistics/2012/02/21/gIQAJaRbSR_blog.html?utm_term=.75ac52b48714 Morse, F. A. (2012, August 16). Locked-In Sufferer Loses Battle For Right To Die. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/08/16/tony-nicklinson-right-to-die-court-case-locked-i n_n_1788781.html?guccounter=1 State-by-State Guide to Physician-Assisted Suicide - Euthanasia - ProCon.org. (2018). Retrieved from https://euthanasia.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000132 The Cost of Dying. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-cost-of-dying/

*Outline must be written in complete sentences. However, main points and subpoints can be words or phrases if written in parallel structure. **Number of subpoints and sub-subpoints may vary. Just remember that if you have an A, you must have at least a B. If you have a 1, you must have at least a 2....