Communications

Create a persuasive speech outline for any product valued at $1-$500

ANSWER

Speaker: [Your Name]

Speech Topic: Reusable Shopping Bags

Speech Title: Replacing single-use shopping bags with reusable bags

Speech Type: Persuasive

Audience Analysis:

• Knowledge: Limited knowledge. A majority of the people in my audience do not know about the benefits of using reusable shopping bags or what they look like.
• Attitudes: My audience might have a negative attitude towards change because they believe that the shopping bags that they currently use are okay and useful. I need to convince them that single-use bags are harmful to the environment and that reusable bags are a better option.
• Expectations: There are no specific expectations since my audience is captive. They will listen to my speech because they have to do it for a Speech class. The speech is, however, meant to sell a product.
• Demographics: My audience consists of college students, with a majority of them being between the ages of 18-25. There is about the same number of women and men in the audience. I do not have clear information about the socio-economic status of my audience. However, most of them are part of the middle class. The most important factor that could influence my presentation is the audience’s age category – young people tend to be more open to new experiences.
• Setting: My audience is an online audience. Each audience member is going to watch it at their own convenient time. The speech will last about three minutes.

Speech Purpose: To persuade my audience to buy and use reusable shopping bags.

Thesis Statement: Buying and using reusable shopping bags will contribute to environmental conservation and save on costs.

Introduction:

• Getting Attention: In recent years, many states have passed laws banning the use of plastic single-use grocery bags. In 2014, California passed a law banning the use of plastic single-use shopping bags (Schultz, 2020). Customers are now expected to carry reusable bags when going shopping or pay about $1 for a reusable bag that will be provided by shopping stores.
• Topic and Purpose: Everyone needs to consider using reusable shopping bags and dispose of plastic single-use bags appropriately. Buying and using reusable shopping bags will be safer for the environment and more pocket-friendly.
• Main Points: In this presentation, I will explain the negative effects that are associated with the use of plastic single-use shopping bags. I will also explain the huge positive impact that using reusable shopping bags instead of single-use bags will have on the environment and the satisfaction that can be obtained from using them.
• Relevance: With the increased strain on natural resources and the environment, we must play a part in the conservation of our environment for our benefit and the benefit of future generations.
• Credibility: After evaluating my waste and garbage composition at home for a few months, I realized that single-use plastic bags make up a huge portion of my total garbage. I also realized that I spend quite a lot on the purchase of these bags. I took the initiative to buy and use reusable shopping bags to minimize the garbage I produce and save some money while at it.

Organizational Pattern: Topical organization pattern.

Body:

1. We should all understanding the harm that single-use plastic shopping bags cause to the environment (Napper & Thompson, 2019).
   1. Plastic bags are among the top causes of litter across the world (PowerPoint slide 3).
      1. Worldwide, more than 600 billion plastic shopping bags are produced every year (PowerPoint slide 3).
      2. Single-use plastic shopping bags are thrown away after one use (PowerPoint slide 3).
   2. Plastic bags are made up of polythene, a petroleum product that causes air and environmental pollution (PowerPoint slide 4).
      1. Approximately 70-100 million oil barrels are used in the production of plastic bags every year (PowerPoint slide 4).
      2. The production of plastic bags results in carbon emissions and increased air pollution (PowerPoint slide 4).
   3. Plastic bags take more than 400 years to fully decompose on land and longer in the ocean (PowerPoint slide 5).
      1. When plastic bags are broken down in the soil, they release poisonous substances that harm the environment (PowerPoint slide 5).
      2. Plastic bags that end up in oceans cause harm to marine life and kill many marine animals every year (PowerPoint slide 5).

Transition: From this discussion, it is evident that plastic bags are a major problem in our society. Nevertheless, we have a good solution to this problem.

1. The satisfaction obtained from using reusable shopping bags.
   1. Reusable shopping bags are generally larger than single-use plastic bags and last longer (PowerPoint slide 6).
      1. Reusable shopping bags are more durable compared to single-use plastic bags (PowerPoint slide 6).
      2. Better product quality means lesser chances of spilled groceries when shopping (PowerPoint slide 6).
   2. Reusable shopping bags come in different sizes, materials, shapes, and colors (PowerPoint slide 7).
      1. Reusable shopping bags are available in most grocery and retail stores in different sizes and colors (PowerPoint slide 7).
      2. Reusable cotton bags are washable and come at an affordable cost of $1. Better quality bags can be purchased at between $5 and $10 (PowerPoint slide 7).
   3. Reusable shopping bags are cheaper to use in the long run (PowerPoint slide 8).
      1. Reusable shopping bags can be used many times before they are discarded, unlike single-use plastic bags (PowerPoint slide 8).
      2. Once you purchase a reusable shopping bag, you can use it for a while before you consider buying another one. This is a good way of saving money (PowerPoint slide 8).

Transition: Cutting out single-use plastic bags is a simple act that has many benefits.

• There are immense benefits to cutting out the use of single-use plastic shopping bags (O’Brine & Thompson, 2010).
  1. Without the disposal of single-use plastic bags in oceans, the lives of marine animals and plants will be improved (PowerPoint slide 9).
     1. More than 1 million marine animal lives will be saved each year (PowerPoint slide 9).
     2. Ocean and other water body pollution by plastics will be minimized (PowerPoint slide 9).
  2. Land pollution will be greatly minimized (PowerPoint slide 10).
     1. Plastic shopping bags make up one of the most common items in litter (PowerPoint slide 10).
     2. Space required for garbage disposal will be minimized with fewer garbage quantities (PowerPoint slide 10).
  3. The demand for single-use plastic shopping bags will be reduced (PowerPoint slide 11).
     1. With reduced demand for plastic bags, the prices of oil could reduce (PowerPoint slide 11).
     2. Reduced production of plastic bags will minimize air pollution (PowerPoint slide 11).

Conclusion

Closing Signal: In conclusion, we should all consider replacing the single-use plastic bags that we use with reusable shopping bags, even when the law does not mandate it.

Main Points: Single-use plastic bags make up the largest portion of litter. They cause environmental pollution. Cutting out the single-use plastic bags will save marine life, and there is a lot of satisfaction with the use of reusable bags.

Topic and Purpose: We should all consider using reusable shopping bags and dispose of plastic single-use bags appropriately. Buying and using reusable shopping bags will be safer for the environment and more pocket-friendly.

Audience Response: I hope that after listening to this speech, you will all stop using single-use plastic bags for grocery shopping and buy reusable shopping bags at grocery stores near you.

Memorable Close: I challenge all of you to buy a few reusable shopping bags and get in the habit of using them every time you go grocery shopping. You will be conserving the environment, saving lives, and saving some money too.

References

Napper, I. E., & Thompson, R. C. (2019). Environmental deterioration of biodegradable, oxo-biodegradable, compostable, and conventional plastic carrier bags in the sea, soil, and open-air over a 3-year period. Environmental science & technology, 53(9), 4775-4783.

O’Brine, T., & Thompson, R. C. (2010). Degradation of plastic carrier bags in the marine environment. Marine pollution bulletin, 60(12), 2279-2283.

Schultz, J. (2020). State Plastic and Paper Bag Legislation. https://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/plastic-bag-legislation.aspx.