Students can use the following outline to develop a persuasive argument to present before the Mayor and City Council. Use WHC’s Backyard Conservation website <agementtools/> for your research.
I. Introduction State my subject: What am I going to talk about? What is my position on the issue?
II. Reason #1 Why should someone see things my way? I need to give them a good reason why my subject is valid, why it is important. I should make sure that my reasons are good enough to persuade them that I have a very good point. I should try to use both opinions and facts when I state my reasons.
III. Reason #2
IV. Reason #3
V. Counter argument I should let the audience know that I understand that there are two sides to every argument. I should refute the counter argument.
Possible sentence beginnings for counter argument and refute: “I realize that . . . but I believe . . .” “I understand that you might feel differently about . . . but . . .” “I am aware of . . . but I urge you to. . . “Many people might think the opposite . . . but the facts state .