VALUE SPEECH – OUTLINE TEMPLATE
Introduction
I. Begin with a story or specifics of what happened in your case, organized in such a way that your audience cannot tell which side you support. Make sure that both sides are fairly represented in your introduction, raising concerns for both sides. Get your audience to care about both sides of the issue.
II. Clarify the larger cultural issue at stake, but do NOT take a position here. Why should your audience pay attention to this specific case? Is there constitutional relevance (often the case)? What is the greater question at issue? Again, make sure both sides of the issue are fairly represented. Transition to the side of the case you’ll be presenting first.
Body
I. Preview the key arguments for one side of the case (stay in the case):
A. Key argument #1
1. Explore this argument, what are the values / rights related to it?
2. Use a variety of supporting materials to do so: expert testimony, witnesses, statistics, precedent cases, etc.
3. Be sure to address your audience / their values directly at some point in this process.
B. Repeat until key arguments are fully addressed
Transition to the other side of the case: review and preview
II. Preview the key arguments for other side of the case (stay in the case):
A. Key argument #1
1. Explore this argument, what are the values / rights related to it?
2. Use a variety of supporting materials to do so: expert testimony, witnesses, statistics, precedent cases, etc.
3. Be sure to address your audience / their values directly at some point in this process.
B. Repeat until key arguments are fully addressed
Transition to your view/the view of the Court: review both sides and preview
III. Preview your persuasive thesis / court decision (order can be flipped to suit your speech).
a. Share the court decision, choice or other relevant current status information about the case (lower court decisions, statements by Justices during oral arguments, etc.)
b. State your persuasive thesis (“fall off the fence” – we should not have been able to tell which side you supported up to this point). Explain why you believe the side you have chosen should prevail. Weigh the values at play here and cast you conclusion in light of the ethical framework you used to make this decision. Answer the question you raised in your introduction.
c. Share your personal stake in the subject if you have one. Transition to your conclusion.
Conclusion
I. Rephrase your conviction concerning the kind of culture you wish to live in with reference to the values at stake in this case; e.g., generalize the causal argument of this speech. Clarify your thesis by helping your listener see how your decision in this case helps them have a clearer perspective on the larger cultural issue at stake.
II. Invite your audience to reflect upon the values they hold as part of their worldview on this topic. Remember, this is an invitation to reflection rather than a demand that your audience agree with you.
III. Conclude with a well-phrased remark / challenge / quotation / reference to specific case that calls listeners to make a decision as to what kind of culture they wish to be part of.
