Purpose
The meta-purpose of any speech is to deliver to the listeners such message that matters, bears fundamental importance, and is relevant in the current time and socio-cultural context. In the case of persuasive speech, its general purpose is to change people’s attitudes about the topic being discussed or “to intensify something that already exists” (Hummadi et al. 967). The one on sexting that is the subject of this strategy report has one too. My purpose is to persuade the audience that sexting is a poorly explored and unsafe practice that leads those teens who do it to bullying by peers, adverse reactions from the public, and mental disorders including depression and suicidal ideation.
As one might have noticed, the speech under the analysis touches on topics many consider personal or intimate. However, it should be taken as such having an acceptable ethical quality. The reason is that the persuasive text written pursues a goal that is altruistic at its core. According to van der Wath and van Wyk, “altruism has as its ultimate goal the promotion of another’s welfare” (576). Spreading awareness of the dangers and harmful effects of sexting among adolescents and psychology specialists working with them can prevent psychological deterioration and suicide among the former, promoting mental health and, therefore, being altruistic by definition.
Audience
The theme of the persuasive speech is the causal link between sexting, social stigma, and severe mental disorders in adolescents, and I know that at least a small part of the audience is well acquainted with this flirting practice. It is a statistical fact that more than a third to just under half of all young adults, the population group that makes up a significant portion of online text messenger users, sext consensually with their partners (Mori et al. 1103). Moreover, “about 1 in 7 (or 14.8%) of those between the ages of 12 and 17 had sent sexts, and approximately 1 in 4 (27.4%) have received them” (Lee). Therefore, one can conclude that about a third of the audience is familiar with the societal phenomenon of sexting. Crucial definitions would be provided verbally to those not having specific knowledge.
Sexting is a widespread online flirting practice, and its destructive consequences are dangerous for teenagers and adults as social stigma and cyberbullying are present in both age groups. The discussed speech covers major population groups and touches on a mental health topic, which makes it important for the audience. The speech also informs psychological professionals with the specific new knowledge that makes it relevant. In addition, the plain language strategy is used to connect better the topic of the relationship between sexting and mental disorders with listeners. It implies the exclusion of complicated terminology and a straightforward yet formal writing style (“Top 10 Principles for Plain Language.”). Additional audience analysis is unnecessary since the information that will be delivered verbally is adapted to listeners with special background knowledge yet is easily understandable.
Research Strategies
I considered two organizational patterns during the preparatory phase of writing my persuasive speech as both were suitable for describing and explaining the topic. These two were the topical format and the cause-effect pattern. I found the latter to be the better fitting model since my primary goal was to deliver an explanation of a relationship between two socio-psychological phenomena. The cause-effect pattern has allowed me to develop compelling arguments that I consider the strongest in the speech. The first argument is that sexting, even when done by two trusting partners, is not a safe practice for a young person’s privacy and identity due to a myriad of risks, such as device theft and data breaches. The second is that sexting materials, once leaked, becomes a breach of privacy and undesirable exposure of personal information. It puts pressure on the teenager due to the resulting bullying and social stigmatization, which later transform into mental disorders when received by a victim.
Among the possible counter-arguments would be that since the causal connection between the two is explained and obvious, there is no need to explore it further. I would address this by saying that studying this topic would allow psychology experts to develop modern and effective preventive “educational and community interventions” (Setty 4533). Gassó et al. state that there is a clear need for “mental health response programs” for persons affected by sexting (12). Consequently, exploring the topic would also accelerate the creation of therapies for victims with complex mental disorders involving diverse intertwined negative factors such as social pressure, anxiety, trust issues, and suicidal tendencies.
Delivery Strategies
The delivery goals of my speech are easily understandable by simply looking at the text. The verbal one is to convince the audience of the need for in-depth and more intensive research into the harmful effects of texting on adolescent mental health. The non-verbal one is to inform the audience about the causal linkage between sexting and the emergence of psychological ailments in the youth. At the moment, my text lacks an appeal to the listeners, and sometimes it looks like it cannot decide whether it is a persuasive speech or an essay. I will fix this by adding emotional phrases, interrogative sentences, and direct appeal through pronouns.
Works Cited
Gassó, Aina M., et al. “Sexting, Mental Health, and Victimization among Adolescents: A Literature Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 13, 2019, pp. 1–14.
Hummadi, Ali Salman, et al. “Persuasive Organizational Patterns and Rhetorical Arguments in Donald Trump’s Policy Speech on Jerusalem.” International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, vol. 23, no. 2, 2019.
Lee, Bruce Y. “Here Is How Much Sexting Among Teens Has Increased.”Forbes, Web.
Mori, Camille, et al. “The Prevalence of Sexting Behaviors among Emerging Adults: A Meta-analysis.” Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 49, no. 4, 2020, pp. 1103-1119.
Setty, Emily. “Young People’s Attributions of Privacy Rights and Obligations in Digital Sexting Culture.” International Journal of Communication, vol. 12, 2018, pp. 4533–4552.
“Top 10 Principles for Plain Language.”National Archives, Web.
van der Wath, Annatjie, and Neltjie van Wyk. “A Hermeneutic Literature Review to Conceptualise Altruism as a Value in Nursing.” Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, vol. 34, no. 3, 2020, pp. 575-584.