Speech Preparation 4: Persuasive Speech Writing and Research
Source 1: Peer-reviewed Journal Article
Value: High
Credibility: High
Source 2: The New York Times News
Value: High
Credibility: High- The author is an N.R.A member and has authored six books on guns
Source 3: The Guardian Newspaper Article
Value: High
Credibility: High
Source 4: Journal Article
Value: High
Credibility: High
Supporting Materials
Some of the supporting materials that I will use in my speech include statistics, newspaper reports and reports. According to Weisser, the most important question that needs to be asked now about gun control given the political dimension it has taken is how we can actually reduce gun violence via new laws and regulations without necessarily upsetting Second Amendment rights. He argues that the issue of gun control in the US should no longer be premised on centered on a per se regulation of guns but the regulation of the lethality of firearms by their design and usage. Hence, using this approach such weapons as Remington Model 700 rifle and Sig-Saucer MCX should be tightly regulated.
Speech Context and How I Will Convince My Audience
The context of my address is the United States of America. Yes, being a potentially divisive and emotive issue in the US given that it touches on the right to bear arms, there are likely to be different opinions on this topic of gun control. Hence, to convince my audience of the significance and value of the issue at hand, I will employ certain strategies. This is because the primary objective of a persuasive speech is influencing the view of one’s audience on a particular issue or subject. Firstly, I would do this by establishing my credibility using ethos to enhance my reliability and hence signify to the audience that I am knowledgeable enough to shape their views on the issue of gun control. Secondly, I would convince my audience that I know what I am talking about by presenting information on the issue to them and also telling them both sides of the issue. Also, before doing this, I would have research more about my audience to know their like or dislikes and level of understanding on the issue that is the subject of my speech-gun control. Moreover, I would also influence my audience by citing excellent sources, statistics and other relevant information that would help paint an accurate picture of the seriousness of the issue on which I will be presenting. I would also use pathos by appealing to the emotions of the audience and also use logical appeal logos to appeal to my audience’s ability to reason on the subject of my speech.
One of my main points on this issue of gun control is the urgent need for a bi-partisan approach by our legislatures (Congress and Senate) to come up with universal fool-proof gun laws and regulations that would both protect Americans and at the same time uphold Second Amendment rights to bear arms.
It is a common fact that one of the obstacles that have always stood in the way of enacting tighter gun control laws has been political lobbying against such laws. According to Siddique (3), the only bi-partisan proposal that came close to expanding background checks on guns was the 2013 Manchin-Toomey legislation but which failed due to lack of political support. Hence, for the sake of safety and security of Americans, it is necessary for our lawmakers to put aside their political differences on the issue and enact a common sense piece of gun control legislation.
Enhancing background checks on firearms sale, and purchase will ensure that only those who eligible and on not on the FBI’s watch list access guns. This measure will also ensure that dangerous assault weapons are kept out of the hands of those who are more likely to use them to harm others. This proposition is supported by the work of Karimu who argues that one of the workable solutions to the problem of gun violence caused by lack of comprehensive gun laws is more efficient background checks. This, according to the author, will prevent gun acquisition by high-risk individuals and criminals (Karimu 411).
Works Cited
Karimu, Olusola O. "The two sides of gun legislation and control debate in the United States of America." European Scientific Journal 11.7 (2015): 400-414. Web. 11 July 2016. <eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/viewFile/5329/5138>.
Siddique, Sabrina. “ Senators unveil bipartisan proposal to tighten gun control laws after Orlando.” The Guardian. 21 June 2016. Web. 11 July 2016. < https://www.theguardian.com/us- news/2016/jun/21/senate-bipartisan-gun-control-compromise-orlando>
Weisser, Mike. “The deadliest guns need the most control.” The New York Times. 7 July 2016. Web. 11 July 2016. < http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/the-deadliest-guns-need-the-most- control/?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGun%20Control&action=click&contentCollection=tim estopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=c ollection>
