Jeff Perry

Jorgensen
COMM 1020

Speech 4: Persuasive Speech
April 24th, 2014











Part 1
Persuasive Speech: Audience Assessment
Specific Goal: My audience will more motivated to learn to play a musical instrument or to play more.
State the reaction you would like your audience to experience. Use a verb that describes how your
audience will feel, what they will believe, or what they will do after listening to your speech.
Type of Claim: This is a claim of: Value
Primary Ethos:
Competence: I myself am a musician.
Fairness: The other side will be fairly represented because I am only giving factual
information.
Secondary Ethos: I will be citing many research based sources.
*At least three references
Audience Assessment: Possibly half of my audience will be musicians and possibly the same amount
will have general knowledge of my topic. They are moderately informed.
Adaptation to Audience Attitude:
Common ground: People love music and knowing how to play it can make you smarter.
Latitude of acceptance: Anybody can learn how to play an instrument and it doesnt matter how old you
are. Anybody can find time in their schedule to practice. If you do know how to play, play more!
Baby Steps: Obtain an instrument, many of you probably have one in your home. Finding someone to
teach you is easy!
Pattern of Organization: Motivational Sequence





Part 2
Persuasive Speech: Key-Word Outline

Music and Intelligence

Introduction
Hook: Whats the funnest thing you can do that makes you smarter?

Proposition (or Hint at Proposition):
- Learn how to play a musical instrument.
- Have a desire to play your instrument more.

Preview:
1. Factual Benefits
2. Possible Benefits
3. Other Benefits (Its Just Good for You)

Transition:
So in what ways does playing an instrument actually make you smarter?
Body

1. People who play instruments tend to have increased cognitive ability.
A. More Grey Matter
i. More Practice More Volume
ii. Helps with the Auditory Cortex (sciencedaily.com), Sensorimotor Cortex, and the Occipital
Lobe
B. Streamlines Your Brain
i. Memory Coding and Retrieval
ii. Increases Neural Network Efficiency
iii. Improvements Could Spread to Other Areas of the Brain
iv. Benefits Extend into Old Age (Keeps the Elderly Sharp) (mindbodygreen.com)
C. Studies
i. Four Year Olds Taught in Four Things (parentingscience.com)
ii. Higher IQ
iii. Better Reading Skills and Comprehension
iv. Improves Cognition Better Than Painting, Drama, or Sports
v. Could Be Genetic
Transition
Other than strictly academic areas of cognition, the brain helps with other skills too.

2. There are many other qualities that come with the ability to play an instrument.
A. Playing Music Involves
i. Memorizing Long Passages and Staying in Rhythm for Long Periods of Time
ii. Recognizing and Memorizing Patterns as Well as Discerning Pitches
iii. Decode Complex System of Symbols
B. Teaches You
i. Perseverance
ii. Concentration
iii. Patience
Transition
Lastly, it can help you to become a better person.

3. Playing music will generally help you be a better person.
A. Intrinsically Rewarding
i. Develop a Life-Long Appreciation of Music
ii. Fosters a Need for Self-Expression (an Outlet)
B. Social Benefits
i. Conversation Starter
ii. Situations Where you Play in Front of Others
a. Helps You Grow as a Person
b. Builds Confidence
c. Helps You Get Used to the Stage
C. Its Fun
i. Its Way Fun
ii. Stress Reliever
a. Lowers Blood Pressure
b. Helps those with ADD and Depression
iii. Therapeutic (Calms You Down)
iv. Generally Makes You Happier

Transition
Why would somebody not want to be a musician?

Conclusion
Playing an instrument has been shown to improve mental ability and many other things, but theres no
statistics I can show you to tell you just how much happier it will make you. Music has made an amazing
impact on my life and I encourage you all to let it do so to yours.
Works Cited:
Honeyman, T. (March 3rd, 2014). Why Everyone Should Learn To Play A Musical
Instrument. Retrieved from http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12818/why-everyone-
should-learn-to-play-a-musical-instrument.html

Dewar, G. (2014). Music and Intelligence. Retrieved from
http://www.parentingscience.com/music-and-intelligence.html

(June 22, 2006). Music Thought To Enhance Intelligence, Mental Health And
Immune System. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060622172738.htm