How do you choose the best evidence to support your thesis statement?

1 Identify your thesis statement

The first step is to identify your thesis statement, which is the central idea of your speech. Your thesis statement should be clear, concise, and debatable. It should express your position on a topic and give your audience a reason to listen to you. For example, if your topic is climate change, your thesis statement could be: "Climate change is a serious threat that requires immediate action from governments, businesses, and individuals."

2 Analyze your audience

The second step is to analyze your audience, which is the group of people who will listen to your speech. You need to know who they are, what they know, what they care about, and what they expect from you. This will help you tailor your evidence to their needs and interests. For example, if your audience is a group of environmental activists, you might use evidence that shows the urgency and severity of climate change. If your audience is a group of business owners, you might use evidence that shows the economic benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

3 Research your topic

The third step is to research your topic, which is the subject of your speech. You need to gather enough information to support your thesis statement and address any counterarguments or questions that your audience might have. You can use various sources of evidence, such as books, articles, reports, websites, podcasts, videos, or interviews. But make sure to evaluate the quality and credibility of your sources. Look for sources that are current, accurate, relevant, authoritative, and unbiased.

5 Organize your evidence

The fifth step is to organize your evidence, which is the process of arranging your information in a logical and coherent way. You need to organize your evidence according to your speech outline, which should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should state your thesis statement and preview your main points. In the body, you should develop your main points with evidence and transitions. In the conclusion, you should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement.

6 Present your evidence

The sixth and final step is to present your evidence, which is the process of delivering your speech to your audience. You need to present your evidence in a clear, confident, and engaging way. You should use verbal and nonverbal cues to emphasize your evidence and connect with your audience. You should also cite your sources and acknowledge any opposing views or limitations of your evidence. Finally, you should end your speech with a strong call to action or a memorable message.