Persuasive Speech on Evolution

[BPScooter]

I wrote a bunch of stuff, and then bit my tongue, just now

 

[epepke]

I've got one week left before my presentation. I've been reading the Blind Watchmaker, so I think I've got plenty of facts and rational arguments.

But as Epkepe said, I'll need more than that. I want to make the topic fascinating to my audience. To me it seems to beautiful not to be true. But how can I make anyone else look at it the same way?

You said it was a week after the 2nd of December. I usually write all my notes for a speech the night before, so based on the same principle, I guess this is early enough.

As for the facts, I think you should explain what evolution by natural selection is. There are several ideas. I can't remember them all, but they're in Origin of Species somewhere. But I've spoken a few times about evolution by natural selection, and nobody has called me about if I get it wrong. It goes approximately like this:

1) Animals, plants, etc. produce more offspring than can possibly survive. (Examples: Spiders, sea turtles, Catholics)

2) Offspring inherit characteristics from their parents but may be a little different as well.

3) The environment produces pressure against those that are less fit, by killing them or preventing them from breeding.

4) Over time, this pressure will result in a population that is more rather than less fit.

5) Oh, yeah, sexual selection, too.

Also point out that nobody, including creationists, denies the importance of artificial selection. Corn, the varieties of dogs, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli (all from an original wild cabbage that is a different species), are products of artificial selection. The only new idea in natural selection is that the struggle for survival can play the same role as artifice.

But as for the emotional appeal, it's much harder, and I don't have a magic bullet, but here are a few ideas.

In the context of evolution by natural selection, all of us living things on Earth are connected. We have a kind of kinship. (Might work on the more newagey members of the audience.)

The creationist is, really, telling God what to do, forbidding God from using evolution as a tool, essentially arrogating special knowledge to themselves above God. (Might work on some Christians but might be hard to put on if you're an atheist. But that can be handled with proper writing, and that's your job.)

With evolution by natural selection, biology makes sense. Without it, it doesn't.

Evolution allows for the hope that we, as a species, may some day become better than we are. Creationism denies that. (Potentially powerful, but a bit tricky to pull off at length.)

 

[synaesthesia]

I highly, highly, highly reccomend you use a lot of evolutionary series.

Make it impossible to ignore how often there is a temporal gradient of forms.

Believe me, here, the pictures cannot be replaced by 1000 words!

 

[KingMerv00]

The most important thing to remember about ID is that it rises and falls on the "God of the Gaps" fallacy.

Do a detailed refutation of this concept and the rest should fall into place.

 

[Mojo]

How about this for an opening. Props needed - one apple.

I'm here to talk to you today about the Theory of Evolution. (Now with an incredulous voice say) "Theory" of evolution? Not much of a vote of confidence from scientists, calling it a theory. So evolution is just a "theory", not something definitive, or a "law"? Certainly not something so cut and dried as lets say, (take the apple out and drop it on the floor) gravity. Ladies and gentleman, what you have just witnessed is what scientists call the "Theory of Gravity". Yes, science describes the body of knowledge called evolution using the same term as that of gravity. Just so there is no confusion, the application of the word theory in science is completely different than how that word is used in general conversation. Make no mistake, the evidence supporting the "Theory of Evolution" is every bit as solid as the "Theory of Gravity"

Then pick up the apple and drop it again, just in case anyone wasn't looking the first time...

 

[Dustin Kesselberg]

9 out of 10 creationist's don't know what the hell they are talking about.
So in all likely hood you won't have much trouble if you have studied the flaws in logic of creationism and have studied how evolution works,and studied all of the christians arguments and studied how those arguments against evolution and towards creationism are flawed.

In all likelyhood,This person does not know what they are talking about and will only use the bible as reference.

But there's a chance that this person is some ultra fundie christian,And has studied the bible front and back and has studied psuedo scientists articles on how evolution makes no sense.
In which case YOU need to study these psuedo science articles on why evolution makes no sense...And do your own research to prove them wrong.

Here's one of those such articles.

http://www.evanwiggs.com/articles/reasons.html


And another

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a37d00a8465b5.htm

and another

http://www.remnantofgod.org/creation.htm


Well...Come to think of it,there are probably more crooked and illogical unscientific arguments against evolution than there are articles to debunk those articles.

What is the time limit on the speaches?

If it's under an hour then you should just focus on the basic's...Like How evolution works and why creationism is wrong,Without getting into all fo the creationist's arguments.




In anycase...Good luck,Because you will need it.
I personaly know how creationist's will do intelectual backflips to try to prove you wrong ,Just stick to science and and stick to how creationism has no evidence of it's claims.

And be sure not to loose out to the creationist,Do one for the Hometeam!

 

[LotusMegami]

Whew. That's finally over.

It went quite well, I think. Especially compared to those speeches that followed mine.

We had a speech about the Spaceship Moon Theory that I found highly entertaining. Also a creepy speech about why Charles Manson should not be in prison.

My adversary had some pretty weak arguments, although I imagine she got a good grade for presenting them well.

Chance
Evidence
Young earth

Anyways, thank you to everyone who offered advice.

 

[TriangleMan]

If you're looking for some pro-evolution religious arguements I believe Henry Ward Beecher gave an excellent speech in support of evolution (from a Biblical perspective) in 1885. I looked on the net and while the speech is mentioned I can't find a transcript of it. You might want to try a library to get hold of it.

(edited to add: Crud! I didn't scroll to the end of this thread before posting, I'm too late!)