Create a 1:30-2:30 minute video pitch that demonstrates your understanding of argumentative genres and seeks feedback from your classmates on the most effective approach for your topic.
You'll present your chosen issue to a small group, explore three different genre approaches you could take, and ask for your classmates' input on which direction would be most compelling for your written argument.
What to Include:
1. Topic Introduction & Audience Analysis
Present your campus, community, or organizational issue
Explain why this topic is relevant to your classroom audience specifically
Establish your credibility and connection to the issue
Acknowledge any challenges you anticipate (topic familiarity, audience skepticism, etc.)
2. Three Genre Approaches
Present three different genre options from our chart that could work for your topic
For each approach, explain:
What the specific focus would be
What kind of evidence or strategies you'd use
How this genre would work for your topic
Demonstrate clear understanding of what each genre accomplishes
3. Strategic Analysis & Feedback Request
Explain which approach you're leaning toward and why
Ask your audience specific questions:
Which approach seems most compelling for this topic?
What concerns or counterarguments should you address?
What would make the strongest case for your intended audience?
What We're Looking For:
Strategic thinking about audience and purpose
Clear understanding of different argumentative genres
Thoughtful analysis of your topic's potential across multiple approaches
Genuine engagement with your classroom audience for feedback
Confident, conversational delivery
Remember: This pitch helps you think strategically about your written argument while getting valuable input from your classmates about which approach will be most effective.
Genre: persuasive topic genre presentation
Purpose: to propose argument types about your topic for peer feedback
Format: video, recorded and shared with a group
Length: ~2 minutes (1.5-2.5 minutes is acceptable)
Sources: do not include sources in this speech; instead, focus on describing your options for the argument you will be developing further in your essay
Style notes: make sure that your speech has an organized structure with a conversational tone. You’ll need to prepare an outline and also use “I,” “you,” and “we” in your video.
Expectations:
Speaker’s face is visible throughout the video
Consider lighting and angles as needed
Speaker is making eye contact with the camera (and thus the audience)
Can reference notes throughout the speech, but do not read from a script
Minimal background noise; speaker’s voice is clearly heard throughout the video
Semi-professional setting
Example: if you are recording your speech with your phone, try to set it somewhere steady at a good angle with a non-distracting background rather than holding it or moving around while recording.
Use the outline template linked here to organize your video speech around the three components above: your topic introduction and audience analysis, your three genre approaches, and your strategic analysis with specific questions for feedback. Remember that this speech is designed to help you think through multiple argumentative strategies before committing to one approach for your final persuasive speech.
Since this will be a recorded video speech, practice will look different than for live presentations. Record several practice runs to review your delivery, timing yourself to stay within the 1:30-2:30 minute range. Pay attention to your eye contact with the camera, your vocal clarity, and your conversational tone—you want to sound like you're genuinely asking your classmates for their input. Practice reducing your reliance on notes so you can maintain good camera presence while still covering all three required components of the speech.
During class, we'll watch your video speeches together, and your classmates will complete peer review sheets providing feedback on your three genre approaches and strategic questions. This collaborative feedback will be valuable as you select your final approach and develop your persuasive essay. The peer review process helps everyone think more critically about argumentative strategies while giving you specific input on which direction might work best for your topic.
The complete rubric and peer review sheet are included below.