Make an advocacy using technology, you can choose any advocacy.

Answer 1

Here is how you can create an effective speech or essay advocating for something; unfortunately, we are unable to do this for you, but we can give you the tools to do it!

1. Begin with something that will make your audience pay attention.

A good example of this is found from Pamela Meyer and her Ted Talk about honesty. She starts her talk by saying: "Okay, now I do not want to alarm anybody in this room, but it has just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar."

She immediately gets the attention of the audience in a humorous way, but it definitely gets their attention. As a reminder, your opening should only be one or two sentences.

2. Present the problem.

Describe the problem, who it affects, and the impact it has. (As an example, let's say you are advocating for people to donate more regularly to food pantries)

3. Provide facts, data about the problem.

The data you present to your audience is going to demonstrate that a problem exists and to support your position. Look for facts that your audience can relate to. (If you are speaking to a room filled with high school students about the importance of donating to food panties, you could use a statistic about how many teenagers in the United States would be going to bed without dinner every night)

4. Share a story or give an example of the problem.

An example or story puts a face on the issue and makes it real. Again, be certain it relates to your audience. ("Here is a video of a fourteen year old girl whose family was going through difficult times and she did not know whether or not she would get dinner every night")

5. Connect the issue to the audience’s values, concerns or self-interest.

Show your audience how this fits with what they care about, want or need. ("If your best friend was starving, you would do whatever you could to make sure they did not go hungry")

6. Make your request (the “ask”).

Say very plainly what you want the person to do after listening to speech or reading your essay ("Find your local food pantry and see what donations they can use in order to help fight child hunger")