The second speaking assignment is a persuasive speech aimed at solving a problem or advocating in favor of a piece of legislation that addresses a problem. In this module, we will begin to think about types of topic areas. For purposes of this assignment, we will define a "problem" as the frustration of the pursuit of happiness, or as an unmet human need. For this module you will also do the interactive exercise, Persuasive Speaking on Legislative Topics. (Further reference to this exercise is included in the Deliberative Speaking link below.)
| Identifying Problems as the Frustration of the Pursuit of Happiness | Examine some of the personal and cultural values that express our sense of individual and collective happiness. |
| Analyze Problems as Unmet Needs | Assess Maslow's hierarchy of needs: physical, security, social, self esteem, and self actualization |
| Deliberative Speaking | Analyze the legislative speaking situation as lawmakers enact laws to deal with problems. |
| Exploring Topic Ideas on the Web | Explore topic ideas that relate to social problems, health concerns, legislative action and judicial questions. This link will take you to the Allyn & Bacon Public Speaking Website page "Find a Topic." |
Personal and Cultural Values of Happiness In Chapter 5 of the Rhetoric, Aristotle wrote that as individuals and as a community, we strive for happiness.
| Read Chapter 5 of Book I from the Rhetoric. | In addition, Aristotle argued that "all exhortations and dissuasions always turn" on the issue of achieving happiness. Our first definition of a "problem" is anything that frustrates us-individually or collectively-in our pursuit of happiness. But, what constitutes happiness is probably not universal. Individuals and cultures differ in how they define happiness. In this section, we will examine several definitions of happiness. |
| Aristotle defined happiness as the "prosperity conjoined with virtue; or as a self-sufficient existence; or as the pleasantest life, with secure enjoyment thereof; or as a thriving condition of property and person, with the ability to take care and make use of them." Some of the specific parts of happiness include: "good birth, the possession of many friends, wealth, the possession of good age; further such physical excellences as health, beauty, strength, stature, athletic ability; also fame, honor, good luck, virtue." | What are some of the qualities or possessions that define happiness for you?
Would the denial or loss of these qualities produce a problem for you? |
| x | Aristotle was writing about the community of free men living in Athens in the fifth century BCE. Does Aristotle's view of what produces happiness describe our pursuit of happiness today? What are some of the values of the community and culture that we live in today that shape our sense of happiness? |
| One of the most commonly used models for describing basic human needs is Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Maslow suggests that all humans experience a common set of needs. The pictorial representation of his model is organized as a pyramid. At the bottom are the most basic human needs that we must satisfy before proceeding on to experience the need for each successive stage. |  |
We will apply Maslow's concept of needs to this assignment by identifying problems as situations in which a basic human need is not being met.
| Food shortages
Environmental problems Overpopulation | Physical Needs: On the most basic level, we as individuals need physical resources for survival: food, liquids to drink, physical space to occupy and air to breathe. As a community, we need some members of the society to reproduce. We can observe problems when one of these needs is not sufficiently being met. |
| Safety and Security Needs: Any time individuals or the community as a whole feels a threat to its physical or psychological sense of security we are dealing with a problem of safety. | Diseases
Vulnerability to crime International threats |
| Loneliness
Family Breakdowns Discrimination | Inclusion and Belonging Needs: We need to enter into satisfying interpersonal relationships on this level. This applies to one on one relationships or to membership in groups, even inclusion within society as a whole. Problem topics might focus on how individuals or groups feel alienated from others. |
| Self Esteem: This is the measure of self-worth that an individual claims. Self esteem is often expressed in having a positive and realistic sense of one's capabilities. It is also reflected in how we view our past history affirmatively, and look to a future that is optimistic. Problem topics might be centered on the experience of low self concept as well as some of the types of problems that arise as a result of poor self esteem. | Depression
Effects of Prejudice Hate Crimes |
| Thwarted career goals
Lack of educational opportunities | Self Actualization: When a person feels that he or she is growing to achieve full potential, the need for self actualization is being achieved. Problem areas arise when we are frustrated in our efforts to grow. |
In module 1, we explored the Rhetorical Situation Model
and observed that one of the occasions for speaking is in deliberative
bodies. Many of the problems our society faces are subjects of
legislation. In this module, as we explore topics for the persuasive
speech, do the interactive exercise, Persuasive Speaking on Legislative Topics.