Unit 2 Discussion

DISCLAIMER: These posts are phrased as “requests for comments” as was recommended by my instructor.  I will allow comments here on my web site, but I am unlikely to respond to them (as the subject of my project has already been decided).  Thanks for your understanding!

Part 1 of Class Discussion:

For my persuasive speech topic, I think I could use a bit of a “push” in the right direction. Following are three ideas that I’ve been “mulling” over a bit, and hopefully you guys can help me pick out a “winner” from these, or spin one of them off into something more reasonable:

Idea #1: Self Improvement by Non-Drinking

Purpose: Persuade an audience that abstaining from using alcohol (drinking) has a certain set of advantages to the quality of life of an individual.

Thesis: “We all know that alcohol has negative effects; it slows reaction times, lowers inhibitions, and causes health problems in excess. If you can refrain from drinking, or stop drinking habitually, a number of benefits will result.”

Side Notes: I obviously understand that drinking (especially in excess) is a method of “coping” with problems. I would intend to touch on this (and some way to “make up the difference.” This is why I want to “pass this out” here; to see if you guys think this is a reasonable point to extrapolate upon.

Idea #2: Simple things make a Difference

Purpose: Persuade an audience that taking “that extra 30 seconds” to help somebody who asks for help is good for both the requester-of-help and the giver-of-help.

Thesis: “We’ve all seen the ads on TV about how certain qualities (such as responsibility) are qualities and traits that we should passon. Even if it may not seem so, taking a few moments out of your busy day to help other people can also have a positive effect for you.”

Side Notes: Again, the “plus” aspect of this one is what I want you guys to help me with — Specifically, I am thinking of how to “slow down” (even for just a few minutes) every day can help lessen stress (even if you’re, say, helping somebody else). Your thoughts? Is this a reasonable topic to pursue, or is it way too broad?

Idea #3: Benefits of Meditation

Purpose: Persuade an audience that a brief period of daily meditation (or even just sitting in relative quiet) is good for their mental and physical health.

Thesis: “Ever felt like the pressures of your daily grind have you at a breaking point? Know how good it feels to be on vacation? Well, you can have that same refreshing feeling by just quieting down your surroundings and relaxing a bit for just moments a day!”

Side Notes: Although the thesis of this one is definitely the “cheesiest” of all three, I think this one is possibly the most reasonably-scoped of the three out-of-the-box. Again, just would like some outside feedback on this.

In closing, I’ll thank you in-advance for any input you kind folks can provide on these possible topics, and their validity for my project. smile

Thanks Again! wink
–Quinn

Part 2 of Class Discussion:

Greetings,

For my persuasive speech topic, I’ve decided on the following (taken from my 1st-part discussion topic):

Idea #3: Benefits of Meditation

Purpose: Persuade an audience that a brief period of daily meditation (or even just sitting in relative quiet) is good for their mental and physical health.

Thesis: “Ever felt like the pressures of your daily grind have you at a breaking point? Know how good it feels to be on vacation? Well, you can have that same refreshing feeling by just quieting down your surroundings and relaxing a bit for just moments a day!”

Side Notes: Although the thesis of this one is definitely the “cheesiest” of all three, I think this one is possibly the most reasonably-scoped of the three out-of-the-box. Again, just would like some outside feedback on this.

Two “big” problems I’m thinking folks listening to a speech on this topic will have with my argument are:

  1. As (a certain student) pointed out to me in my 1st-part discussion, many people grow up with the belief that meditation is always practiced as part of some religion. Admittedly, the first time I was truly “exposed” to the concept of meditation it was in a church-type situation.
  2. Some folks (especially folks with “traditional” day jobs, or children) may find it prohibitively hard to “settle down” and “just relax.” I often like to think of this effect as being an effect of “momentum,” and it’s something I’ve even noticed myself to be susceptible to.

My initial ideas for combating these potential snags are as-follows:

  1. Folks who might believe meditation is a strictly religious or spiritual activity might benefit from realizing that, actually, meditation can be just as simple as sitting in-quiet for a short time, allowing yourself to sort through thoughts or issues that are on your mind.
  2. Making arrangements to “meditate” aren’t necessarily all that complicated. Especially if your children are older (say, teenagers) or if your job allows you a few 5-or-10 minute breaks per day, that’s all you need to “get started.” Just use a very few minutes of free time to sit back, relax, and sort out things in your mind. Also, if you are a parent of teenaged (or older) live-in chlidren, you could even share with them the concept or experience of meditation.

Your feedback, questions, and comments are quite welcome. smile

Thanks!
–Quinn

NOTICE: Reference to “a certain student” is a censoring of a certain student’s name, and has been modified from the text as-originally-posted in the interest of that student’s anonymity (and my lack of desire to ask them for permission to put their name here).  :-)