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Propositions of Fact

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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. While 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 married couples are.”
“Your auto dealership will lose money on its sales of compact cars if your inventory is too small.”
“HMOs are a sensible choice for less expensive health care coverage.”

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, especially if you hope to get others to see your point of view.