Chapter 16: Persuasive Speaking

Propositions of Fact

If you’ve ever argued on behalf of something you believed to be true, you’ve made a proposition of fact—a claim of what is or what is not. Persuasive speeches built on propositions of fact commonly involve issues that are open to some interpretation and on which there are conflicting beliefs or evidence. The truth of the statement may be debatable, but the goal of the speech is clear: you want to align the audience’s perception or opinion of the fact with your own. Although it may seem simple to state your belief and back up your points with research that persuades your audience, it can actually be quite challenging. Propositions of fact get at the heart of how you view the world, and your viewpoints may be quite different from how members of your audience perceive reality. Consider the following proposition-of-fact thesis statements:

“Single people are as capable of raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted children as are married couples.”
“Extending unemployment benefits actually hurts, rather than helps, people’s ability to survive in a shaky economy.”
“Eating wheat, even whole wheat, can be dangerous for your health.”

Each statement is presented as a fact, yet audiences realize that they are really the beliefs of the speaker, presented for the listeners’ consideration, and possibly in conflict with their own. It’s important to be tolerant and understanding of people’s deeply held beliefs—even if you ardently disagree with them— particularly if you hope to get others to see your point of view.