Poverty Persuasive Speech Sample

This poverty persuasive speech sample seeks to persuade that audience that too little is being done to deal with poverty in America. This page provides series of resources to help our reader write their a speech on the poverty topic, including a free sample persuasive speech about poverty and a possible theme analysis.

1. Summary of the Topic - Poverty in America
2. Outline of the Poverty Persuasive Speech
3. Related Ideas for Development
4. Written Poverty Speech Essay on Poverty in America
5. Theme Idea for a Persuasive Speech about Poverty in America
6. Sources for More Information to Write a Poverty Persuasive Speech

Summary of the Topic - Poverty in America

Poverty is a complex issue that affects millions of people in the United States, and addressing it requires a multi-faceted approach. Many programs and initiatives are in place at the federal, state, and local levels to address poverty and support those in need. These include programs that provide financial assistance, such as temporary cash assistance and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and programs that aim to improve access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

At the same time, it is widely recognized that more needs to be done to address poverty in the United States. Despite these programs' efforts, the country's poverty rate remains high, with millions of people struggling to make ends meet and access the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

There are many challenges to addressing poverty, including a lack of affordable housing, limited access to quality education and job training, and systemic inequalities that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. To truly make a dent in poverty rates, addressing these underlying issues and working towards more comprehensive, long-term solutions will be necessary.

The poverty persuasive speech sample outline and written poverty speech essay below turn the above summary into a full sample speech to provide an example of the speech writing process. Combine the speech sample with the theme idea of a ladder, and this could become an very persuasive speech to advocate changes in policy. 

Sample Persuasive Speech Outline of the Topic - Poverty in America

Here is a possible outline for a speech to convince others that more needs to be done about poverty in the United States:

I.  Introduction
     a.  A brief overview of the topic of poverty in America
     b.  Thesis statement: Despite the efforts of existing programs and initiatives, more needs to be done to address poverty in the United States.
II.  Overview of poverty in America
     a.  Statistics on poverty rates in the United States
     b.  Examples of the challenges and difficulties faced by those living in poverty, such as limited access to resources and opportunities, and the impact on overall health and well-being
III.  Current efforts to address poverty
     a.  Description of existing programs and initiatives, such as financial assistance and job training programs
     b.  Evaluation of the effectiveness of these efforts in reducing poverty rates
IV.  The need for more comprehensive solutions
     a.  Examination of the underlying causes of poverty, such as systemic inequalities and a lack of affordable housing and quality education
     b.  How addressing these root causes is necessary to reduce poverty rates effectively
V.  Conclusion
     a.  Recap of the main points of the speech
     b.  Call to action for others to join in the fight against poverty in America

Potential Ideas Related to the Poverty Speech Topic for Development

1. The impact of poverty on children: Poverty can have severe and long-lasting effects on children's development and well-being. Exploring this topic could involve researching how poverty can affect children's health, education, and overall prospects for the future.
2. The intersection of poverty and race: Poverty disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly people of color. Exploring this topic could involve examining how systemic racism and discrimination contribute to poverty and the efforts being made to address these issues.
3. The role of social safety net programs: The United States has a range of programs in place to provide financial assistance and other support to those in need. Exploring this topic could involve looking at the history and effectiveness of these programs and the ongoing debates around their funding and implementation.
4. The link between poverty and poor health outcomes: Poverty and poor health often go hand in hand, with those living in poverty more likely to experience a range of adverse health outcomes. Exploring this topic could involve examining how poverty contributes to poor health and the efforts being made to address these issues.
5. The impact of poverty on mental health: Poverty can have a significant impact on mental health, with those living in poverty more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Exploring this topic could involve researching how poverty can affect mental health and the efforts being made to support those in need.

How could you use these topics related to the persuasive poverty speech sample? Take item #4 for instance, you might expand on a major point of the speech by discussing the link between poverty and poor health. Most can relate to the importance of health, and audience may find this a persuasive point of information.

Theme Idea for a Poverty Persuasive Speech Sample

For example, the speech could begin with a story about a person struggling to climb out of poverty but constantly held back by obstacles such as a lack of education, affordable housing, and job opportunities. These obstacles could be compared to the rungs of a ladder that are missing or broken, making it difficult for the person to make progress.

The speech could then discuss the various programs and initiatives to help people climb out of poverty, such as financial assistance and job training programs. These tools help repair the missing rungs on the ladder, allowing people to progress and achieve a better life.

However, the speech could also emphasize the need for more comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of poverty, such as systemic inequalities and a lack of affordable housing and quality education. These solutions are the foundation of the ladder, supporting the entire structure and enabling people to climb out of poverty and reach their full potential.

In conclusion, the ladder analogy could be used to emphasize the importance of addressing the immediate challenges of poverty and the underlying causes to create a more equitable society for all.

What is the best theme for a persuasive poverty speech sample that you can think of? How about a using a visual aid such as a table with inexpensive staple foods of limited quantity for a family? 

Great sources for more information with citations and content summaries

1. “How Poverty in the United States Is Measured and Why It Matters.” PRB, 2022, https://www.prb.org/resources/how-poverty-in-the-united-states-is-measured-and-why-it-matters/.

2. “Poverty Facts.” Povertyusa.org, 2020, www.povertyusa.org/facts.

3. McCarty AT. Child Poverty in the United States: A Tale of Devastation and the Promise of Hope. Sociol Compass. 2016 Jul;10(7):623-639. doi: 10.1111/soc4.12386. Epub 2016 Jul 4. PMID: 28890733; PMCID: PMC5589198.

Brief Summary of the McCarty Paper: 

Child poverty is a significant issue in the United States, affecting education and health outcomes. It disproportionately affects certain social groups and geographic areas, and is influenced by a lack of resources, cultural factors, and stress. To address child poverty, it is necessary to increase incomes and support children's skill development, and improve the communities in which poor families live. Further research is needed to understand and address the issue fully.

Who is Alyn McCarty and why is this source reliable? 

Alyn McCarty is a research associate at Research for Action, where she leads a multi-year evaluation of an early literacy program in Philadelphia and conducts research on other projects. Before joining Research for Action, McCarty worked as a Health Disparities Research Scholar and Research Scientist, focusing on how socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in early health contribute to inequality in health and education. McCarty received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Texas-Austin, an M.S. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Related Informative Topics

Not interested in poverty but would like to give a speech about money issues? How about choosing one of these topics?

1. Savings and budgeting: managing one's money in a way that allows for long-term financial stability and the ability to save for future expenses or goals.
2. Investment: using money to generate additional income or wealth by acquiring assets such as stocks, bonds, or real estate.
3. Debt: the borrowing of money, often with interest, to be paid back at a later date.
4. Credit: the ability to borrow money or access financial services, often through credit scores and credit reports.
5. Financial planning: setting and working towards financial goals, including creating a budget, saving for retirement, and managing debt.

Related Persuasive Speech Topics

Want to give a speech about the equitable treatment of others but with a different focus than provided by the persuasive poverty speech sample? Consider these topics.

1. The importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
2. The impact of systemic racism and discrimination on marginalized communities
3. The need for equal pay for equal work
4. The role of privilege and how to be an ally
5. The benefits of promoting equal opportunities for all individuals

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