Book report presentation template
A book report presentation for primary and middle school: title, author, setting, main characters, plot without spoilers, favourite part, themes and a recommendation.
Speech9 cardsAbout 4 min to speakIntermediateSchool
Persuasive speech for class
A persuasive speech template for school: a hook, a clear contention, three arguments with evidence, a rebuttal of the other side and a call to action.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Hook
Grab attention in the first ten seconds with a question, a short scene or a striking fact you have checked.
Model: Picture this: [short scene that shows the problem].
- 2
Planning: know your audience
- Who will hear this: [class, teachers, judges, parents]
- What they already think: [likely view]
- What would change their mind: [kind of evidence they trust]
Choose arguments that matter to this audience, not just to you.
- 3
Contention
Today I will convince you that [your position in one clear sentence].
This matters to everyone in this room because [reason it affects your audience].
- 4
Argument one
First, [reason one].
- Evidence: [fact, expert finding or example, with source]
- Explain: This shows that [link back to contention]
- 5
Argument two
Second, [reason two].
- Evidence: [example or case study]
- Appeal: Imagine how [person affected] feels when [situation]
- 6
Argument three
Finally, [reason three — your strongest].
- Evidence: [fact or example]
- Explain: [why this is the most important reason]
- 7
Rebuttal
Some people argue that [opposing view].
However, [why it is wrong, weaker or outweighed], because [evidence or reasoning].
- 8
Persuasive techniques to use
- Rhetorical question: Is it fair that [question]?
- Rule of three: [it is safer, cheaper and fairer]
- Inclusive language: we, us, our school
- Repetition of a key phrase: [phrase]
- 9
Call to action
So what can we do? [Specific action: sign, vote, change a habit, write to someone].
Return to your hook: Let us make sure that [scene from the hook] never has to happen again. Thank you.
How to use this template
Use this template for a persuasive speech at school, an assessed oral in English, a speech for a public speaking competition or a class issue debate. It follows the classic shape: a hook, a clear contention (your position), three arguments with evidence building to your strongest, a rebuttal that answers the other side, and a call to action that echoes your opening. There is also a card of persuasive techniques you can tick off as you write. Australian classes often say contention, while US and UK classes may say claim, thesis or position; they mean the same thing. The speech lasts about four minutes and suits Year or Grade 6 up to senior school.
Tips
- Pick a topic you actually care about and that your classmates have a stake in, such as school uniforms, phone rules or homework. Real conviction is persuasive.
- Put your strongest argument last so you finish on your most convincing point.
- Check every fact you use and be ready to name the source. A single wrong figure can undo your credibility.
- Use emotion carefully. One story about a real person or situation is powerful; several in a row can feel manipulative.
- Slow down and pause after your contention and before your call to action. Silence makes key lines land.
- Make the call to action specific and doable. Ask the audience to do one thing today, not to change the world.
- Speak with conviction, but stay respectful to people who disagree. Mocking the other side usually loses an audience rather than winning it.
Make it fit
- For a two-minute speech, cut to two arguments and fold the rebuttal into the second one.
- For a formal debate, use our debate templates instead; this one is for a single persuasive speech without set speaker roles.
- For a younger class, make the persuasive techniques card a checklist of three: question, rule of three, we and us.
- For a speech to adults, such as a school board or council meeting, add a card with the practical cost and the first step.
- For an online or recorded speech, open with your hook straight away, without greetings, to stop people scrolling.
- In the UK and Australia, persuasive orals are often marked on language techniques as well as argument, so label each technique on your cards while practising.
Updated October 28, 2026