Persuasive Speech On Eating Disorders: Our Society Slowly Killing Itself

Kaelinh Trinh
December 10, 2014
Mrs. Craig
Title of Speech – Eating Disorders: Our Society Slowly Killing Itself
Thesis: To persuade my R110 audience so that they agree to sign a petition urging Indiana’s State Representatives to join the National Eating Disorders Awareness Caucus in order to spread awareness for eating disorders by persuading them that eating disorders are a rising problem among college students, that there is a solution, and that there are benefits of adopting this solution.
Organizational Pattern: Monroe’s Motivational Sequence Order LEFT COLUMN label speech functions MIDDLE COLUMN content of speech use complete sentences RIGHT COLUMN
Label physical behaviors Attention Step
Attention

Statistics/Logos/Pathos
According to IUPUI’s Counseling and Psychological Services, otherwise known as CAPS, in 2013 “1,127 students were diagnosed with having an eating disorder that was severe, moderate, or mild” (CAPS, 19 November 2014).
1. These students are walking around the same campus as you and may very well be in one of your classes.
B. According to the Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders website, eating disorders affect college students most because they are going through a huge transition period in their lives while trying to discover who they are (ANRED, 26 October 2014).
1. Aside from this huge adjustment, two other main reasons that increase the risk to developing eating disorders include academic stress and peer pressure (ANRED, 26 October 2014).
i. As this semester is winding down, I’m sure that you’re starting to stress out with finals week right around the corner. ii. Being stressed out, you feel overwhelmed and out-of-control, and it’s in these instances that you turn to coping. According to the Huffington Post, “Everyone has their own coping mechanisms. For some people this means binge-eating, or eating an excessive amount of food in a short period of time, while for others it means restricting themselves from calories by skipping meals” (Huffington Post, 14 November
The dangers of eating disorders are a growing crisis on college campuses, but there’s a way for each of you to be a part of the solution.
A. On February 28, 2012, Congress sent its approval for the National Eating Disorders Awareness Coalition to be created (NEDA, 14 November 2014).
1. This group was a beginning step towards building support in Congress and raising nationwide awareness.
B. The mission of this group is “to increase national awareness about eating disorders and support those who suffer by seeking to enhance prevention, facilitate therapeutic advances, and improve access to treatment” (NEDA, 14 November 2014).
C. Of the 50 states, only 16 are currently a part of this national coalition. Indiana is not one of those 16 states, and it’s time to add our state to the list.
D. In a report released by the National Eating Disorders Association in October 2014, states that joined this cause have seen a significant increase in government funding for better treatment plans, up to date training and education for medical professionals, and new clinics and treatment centers (NEDA, 14 November 2014).
E. By adding Indiana to the national coalition, we are increasing awareness for a psychological disorder that can affect you, the person sitting right next to you, a loved one, and maybe one day even your own