Informative Speech: Breed Specific Legislation

Specific Purpose Statement: To invite my audience to explore the advantages, disadvantages, and the alternatives associated with breed specific legislation.

Thesis: Breed specific legislation is a controversial topic in which I am very interested and would like to explore both sides of the issue to perhaps learn something new.

Pattern of Organization: Multiple Perspectives

Introduction

I. [Attention Getter] Imagine you were told you couldn't do something or live somewhere for the sole reason you looked dangerous. Maybe you look like someone who did something bad, while you yourself did nothing wrong, and some stranger decides you're a bad person and a danger to society. You can't live in certain neighborhoods or go to certain places. Is this acceptable?

II. [Reveal topic & relate to audience] Now, you may think that situation is a bit farfetched, especially in this day & age, but it's happening to dogs around the world. What I'm talking about is breed specific legislation (or BSL) which targets certain dog breeds considered dangerous and makes ownership of these dogs illegal. As more and more people share their lives with dogs, we need to be knowledgeable about the effects dogs can have on our communities.

III. [Establish credibility] As a life-long dog lover, I have run into BSL many times: from apartments with dog size limitations to cities that outright ban certain breeds.

A. However, it was this speech that inspired me to do more in depth research and learn the facts behind both sides.

B. After researching each side, I must say I am against BSL but will strive to present both sides as objectively as possible.

IV. [Thesis & Preview] Therefore, first I will tell you just what exactly I mean when I say BSL and then exp...

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...ed by owner or animal that is not covered by another, non-breed specific portion of the Animal Control Code (i.e., vicious animal, nuisance animal, leash laws).”

C. Breed identification is unreliable and subjective.

1) Especially when, according to the American Pet Products Association, out of 73 million pet dogs, 31 million are classified by their owners as “mutts”.

2) Many people familiar with dogs cannot accurately identify the main breed of a mutt and will incorrectly identify it as a "pit bull" type.

3) There is no such breed as a "pit bull". "Pit bull" applies to mainly 3 breeds but is very often used to describe any medium-sized short-haired dog with a square muzzle.

D.

Dialogue Questions

I. Close-Ended Questions

A. question

B. question

II. Open-Ended Questions

A. question

B. question

Conclusion

[Signal end]

I. [Review]

II. [Closing Line]