What are some effective techniques to use statistics and evidence in your persuasive speech?

1 Choose relevant and credible sources

The first step to use statistics and evidence in your persuasive speech is to choose sources that are relevant to your topic, audience, and purpose. You want to use sources that are current, accurate, and authoritative, and that come from reputable organizations, experts, or publications. Avoid using sources that are outdated, biased, or unreliable, as they can undermine your credibility and weaken your argument. You also want to use sources that are appropriate for your audience's level of knowledge, interest, and expectations, and that match your tone and style.

3 Explain and interpret statistics and evidence

The third step to use statistics and evidence in your persuasive speech is to explain and interpret them, meaning that you provide context, analysis, and commentary to help your audience understand and appreciate the meaning and relevance of your data and information. You want to explain and interpret statistics and evidence by providing definitions, examples, comparisons, contrasts, or analogies, and by highlighting the key points, trends, or patterns that emerge from your data and information. You also want to explain and interpret statistics and evidence by linking them to your claims, arguments, or recommendations, and by showing how they support, illustrate, or justify your position.

4 Cite and acknowledge your sources

The fourth step to use statistics and evidence in your persuasive speech is to cite and acknowledge your sources, meaning that you give credit and respect to the original authors, creators, or owners of your data and information, and that you avoid plagiarism, misrepresentation, or distortion of your sources. You want to cite and acknowledge your sources by using proper citation formats, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, and by providing the necessary information, such as the author, title, date, and URL of your sources. You also want to cite and acknowledge your sources by using verbal cues, such as "according to", "as reported by", or "based on", and by using quotation marks, paraphrasing, or summarizing when you use direct or indirect quotes from your sources.

5 Provide visual aids and handouts

The fifth step to use statistics and evidence in your persuasive speech is to provide visual aids and handouts, meaning that you use graphs, charts, tables, images, or videos to enhance your presentation and communication of your data and information, and that you provide copies or links of your sources to your audience for further reference or verification. You want to provide visual aids and handouts by choosing the most appropriate and effective formats, colors, fonts, and sizes for your data and information, and by making sure that they are clear, accurate, and consistent with your verbal message. You also want to provide visual aids and handouts by integrating them smoothly and logically into your speech, and by explaining, labeling, or captioning them as needed.

6 Review and practice your speech

The sixth and final step to use statistics and evidence in your persuasive speech is to review and practice your speech, meaning that you check and revise your content, structure, and delivery of your speech, and that you rehearse and refine your performance and skills. You want to review and practice your speech by proofreading and editing your script, outline, or notes, and by ensuring that your statistics and evidence are accurate, relevant, and persuasive. You also want to review and practice your speech by practicing aloud, recording yourself, or asking for feedback, and by improving your voice, gestures, eye contact, and confidence.