Outline Of Persuasive Speech: Go Greek

Kellie Stritz
Public Speaking
Persuasive Speech
November 2, 2014

Topic: Go Greek
General Purpose: To Persuade
Specific Purpose: At the end of my speech the audience will want to rush a fraternity or sorority.
Proposition: Non-Greeks need to pledge and join Greek life.

Attention step: Since 1825, all but two presidents have done it. 85% of Supreme Court Justices since 1910 have done it. Of the people that lead the nation’s 50 largest organizations, 43 have done it. 76% of people who are featured in Who’s Who in America have done it. All of the Apollo 11 astronauts have done it. The thing I’m talking about is going Greek.
Credibility: I have done it. I am a member of Gamma Phi Beta.
Proposition: I truly believe there is a Greek organization

for everyone. Whether it is Panhellenic, IFC, religious, or service; non-Greek students should join a fraternity or sorority.
Preview of main ideas: Today I would like to address
1. The negative stereotypes of Greek members
2. How being a part of the Greek community benefits individuals
3. What college is like for students who are not involved in Greek life compared to those who are.

(Transition: First let’s view why students decide not to go Greek.)
Need Step
Problem Statement: www.colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com says that 5% of women and 5% of male students at Texas State are Greek. However, there are many stereotypes of Greek students.
Illustration: www.cm-life.com says some of the top stereotypes associated with fraternities and sororities are hazing, not worrying about grades, and of course the members are “paying for their friends”.
Ramification:
1. USA Today says, “Hazing scandals will make headlines and philanthropy and fundraising events generally do not.” Yes, hazing is out there. But on most college campuses, if Greek organizations are caught hazing they will either be put on probation or kicked off campus. Not enough attention is focused towards the good of the Greek community, only bad situations such as hazing.
2. The misconception about Greeks not studying or caring about their grades is false. 70% of Greek members graduate, while only 50% of non-affiliated students do.
3. Another rumor about Greek students is that they are “paying for their friends”. However, according to US Office of Education, less than 2% of all college expenses go to fraternity or sorority dues. These dues are paying for formal events, sisterhood/brotherhood events, philanthropy events, etc.

Pointing: Not everything is what it seems. Just because the media wants to portray Greek life in a bad light, it does not mean there are not benefits to being a part of a fraternity or sorority.

(Transition: Fortunately, there is much more to Greek life.)

Solution Statement: Going Greek will help you academically; provide you with plenty of career advantages; and give you many social advantages.

Details:
Contrary to popular belief, joining a fraternity or sorority will help raise your GPA. Many sororities and fraternities have mandatory study hours, as well as GPA requirements for members. According to www.online.wsj.com, fraternity and sorority members generally have higher GPA’s than non-Greeks.

Some of the career advantages of being Greek come from the leadership opportunities given when in a sorority or fraternity. “If you can be the new member educator for 30 women, I’m probably going to hire you,” American University Greek life coordinator Curtis Burrill said in an interview with USA Today. Another great career advantage of joining a fraternity or sorority is networking. You’ll have so many opportunities to meet people who may benefit your future.

The main social advantage that people hear about is the bond of sisterhood and brotherhood. The people in your sorority or fraternity really will become your lifelong friends. As well as meeting people in your organization, you will also meet people in other sororities and fraternities. There are plenty of social events including other Greek organizations, as well as philanthropic events that provide the opportunity to meet people who aren’t involved in Greek

life.

Theoretical demonstration:
Just imagine how the amount of support and encouragement from your best friends to be the best you can be would make you feel. By going Greek, you don’t have to wait to make dreams come true, you can do it now.

Reference to practical experience:
There was once a girl who was scared to speak in front of her peers when she had to give speeches in class. She was always too shy to introduce herself to strangers at events, if she ever did go. Who is this girl now? She is the president of my sorority. She told me that joining a sorority really did change her life. She went from not knowing how to hold a conversation to speaking in front of 200+ girls weekly. Besides from her, I have also noticed my own GPA has gone way up, I have better social skills, and I am also more involved on campus and in the community since I went Greek.

Overcoming objections:
All objections about going Greek can be answered by the following questions:
1. Would you like to expand your social circle?
2. Would you like to improve your resume?
3. Would you like to raise your GPA?
(Transition: Now that I have shown you the benefits of going Greek, let’s see what a future of a Greek student looks like.)
Visualization Step:
Future with solution: www.uwgreek.com says that students who graduated as Greek members:
1. Have better social skills
2. Have higher engagement in their jobs
3. Have a better sense of well being
4. Are generally happier with their lives

Future without solution: www.uwgreek.com also says that those who did not go Greek:
1. Were generally not as involved on campus or in philanthropic work
2. Had a harder time networking after graduation

(Transition: Non-Greek students should rush a Greek organization. With all of the benefits going Greek offers, it is naïve to not even consider joining. It all starts with one easy step.)
Action Step:
Summary of Main Ideas: Today I have told you:
1. How Greek life is generally misunderstood
2. The benefits of going Greek, such as improving academics, providing future career advantages, and social advantages.
3. The future of those who do go Greek.
4.
Call to Action:
The first step is as easy as signing up for recruitment.
From there all you have to do is choose which house you prefer if you get a bid from multiple houses.
After that, you just have to pledge and prove your dedication for one semester until you are initiated.

Closing:
There is one quote that I heard when I was rushing that I would like to share with you, and that is “standing out, but never standing alone.”