Soapbox

Below are the guidelines for you to create a Soapbox for this class. This is just what it sounds like — it is where you get on your “soapbox” and discuss an issue that has aggravated you to no end or even something that you find delightful. Please be creative and enjoy!

Both your topic and attention grabber should be appropriate to the audience and free of insensitive or inflammatory comments about any gender, religious group, political party or individuals. In other words, it should adhere to all the ethical standards and responsibilities outlined in Chapter 1

For the Introduction, think of something creative to grab the attention of the audience and let your audience know what issue you will be discussing.

For the Body, give us the background and reasons for why you choose this subject to speak about. Why does the issue annoy you and why are you on a “soapbox.”

At the end of the Body, offer a possible solution or what you might do to correct or lessen the annoyances with the issue. You can go on a rant as long as you offer a possible solution to the problem.

The last aspect is the Conclusion. This is where you wrap it up to signal to your audience that you are ending. Briefly recap your issue and reiterate your solution. End your soapbox memorably. Never leave the audience hanging.

Example of the outline 
Soapbox Speech

I. (Attention Getter)

II. (Listener Relevance)

III. (Thesis Statement / Main Point Review)

BODY

I. (First Main Point)

            A. (Subpoint – Listener Relevance)

            B. (Subpoint)

Transition

II. (Second Main Point)

            A. (Subpoint – Listener Relevance)

            B. (Subpoint)

Transition

III. (Third Main Point)

            A. (Subpoint – Listener Relevance)

            B. (Subpoint)

CONCLUSION

I. (Restate Thesis)

II. (Clincher)