1. Proposition of Fact In areas without an absolute answer, persuade your audience that one thing or another is fact. For example, if we don't know whether aliens exist, try to persuade them that they don't. Your persuasive speech topic would be, "Aliens Cannot Possibly Exist."

2. Proposition of Value Talk about whether something is good or bad, worthless or ideal. For example, try to persuade your audience that basketball is the ideal sport. Your persuasive speech topic would be, "Basketball is the Ideal Sport."

3. Proposition of Policy Argue for immediate action or approval about what should be done. This is a call to action. You must not only persuade them that you're right, and that the action is necessary, but that it is immediately important. For example, explain how many people are dying of AIDS in Africa, what it's doing to their economy and governments, and how it will inevitably effect America. Then tell them how to get involved with raising money and influencing American politics. Your persuasive speech topic would be, "How You Can Help Save America from Africa's AIDS Problem."

4. Argument by Authority (Ethos) The claim that the speaker is an expert, and so should be trusted. There are degrees and areas of expertise. The speaker is actually claiming to be more expert, in the relevant subject area, than anyone else in the room. There is also an implied claim that expertise in the area is worth having.

5. Argument by Emotion (Pathos) Using emotionally loaded words to sway the audience's sentiments instead of their minds. Many emotions can be useful: anger, spite, sadness, and so on.

6. Argument by Logic (Logos) Premise 1: Non-renewable resources do not exist in infinite supply. Premise 2: Coal is a non-renewable resource. From these two premises, only one logical conclusion is available: Conclusion: Coal does not exist in infinite supply. Premise 1: All monkeys are primates. Premise 2: All primates are mammals. Premise 3: All mammals are vertebrate animals. Conclusions: Monkeys are vertebrate animals.

7. Argument by Analogy Claiming that two situations are highly similar to give the audience a sense of understanding. Example: A teacher facilitating learning in a classroom is like a conductor leading an orchestra.

8. Argument by Causation Arguing that a set of events or facts caused some result or outcome. Best used with claims of fact or policy, it can easily establish a problem-solution structure to a text. Causation requires substantial proof or evidence, but it is one of the most compelling arguments you can make.

9. Rhetorical Strategies Persuasive Words Metaphors, Anecdotes, or Stories- They work by suggesting a likeness between a character and the listener, or a situation and the listener's. What is emphasized or suppressed is key. Double-bind- One way of getting a child to eat her vegetables is to offer a "choice" "Would you like peas or spinach?" Regardless of the alternative chosen, your desired objective is met.

10. More Rhetorical Strategies Rapport- How does the author go about building a sense of friendliness and receptivity on the part of the audience? Humor Absolutes- Words like "don't" and "must" creep in and can give a writer's statements a sense of authority. Questioning Repetition

11. Tone Your voice is a tool that can be used to draw attention to important points or complement specific ideas. When used this way, it engages an audience and encourages them to listen.

12. Diction and Syntax Diction is the choice of words. Syntax is the arrangement of words How important are diction and syntax?  The words chosen, and the order the words are in, will alert the audience to how he or she should feel toward the speaker and how to feel about what is happening.  It will also alert the audience to how the speaker feels towards the topic, too; all of this without any direct instructions from the speaker.