Persuasive Speech Outline On Suicide

I. Suicide among college students is a serious problem. A. Last year 10,000 young Americans committed suicide. B. According to the National Institute of mental Health, suicide id the fastest growing cause of death for people aged 17 – 24 nationwide. C. Even on our campus the rate of suicide is quite high. 1. In an interview with Roger Howard, associate dean of students, I learned that last year there were over 60 known suicide attempts on our campus. 2. Dean Howard also said that for every known suicide attempt, two or three more go unnoticed. II. We can help solve the problem by knowing how to identify potential suicide victims and whom to contact about helping them. D. Identifying potential
A third warning sign is giving away one’s possessions. E. There are excellent services available on campus and in the community to help potential suicide victims. 5. On campus students can go to the University Counseling Service. 6. In town students can go to the Suicide Prevention Center.

I. Most Americans do not get the sleep they need on a regular basis. A. The typical adult needs about eight hours of sleep each night to function effectively during the day. B. Yet, most Americans consistently get less than eight hours sleep a night. 1. A Stanford study showed that over half the population gets less than seven hours sleep a night. 2. The same study showed that 20 percent of the population gets less than six hours sleep a night. II. Sleep deprivation is a major cause of traffic accidents and deaths. C. The statistics linking sleep deprivations to traffic accidents and deaths is alarming. 3. The Los Angeles Times reports that drowsiness causes 200,000 auto accidents each year. 4. The Times also blames falling asleep at the wheel for 6,500 U.S. traffic deaths each
Second, it increases the risk of heart disease. 7. Third, it contributes to gastrointestinal illness.

I. Booker T. Washington is best known for founding Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. A. The growth of Tuskegee Institute under Washington’s guidance was nothing short of phenomenal. 1. When Washington founded Tuskegee Institute in 1881, the school had only one dilapidated building and enrollment of 40 students. 2. By the time Washington died in 1915, Tuskegee Institute occupied 2,000 acres of land, enrolled 1,500 students, and boasted a faculty of 200 instructors. B. Today, Tuskegee Institute remains a leader in applied research and practical education. II. Washington is also known as one of the ablest speakers in American history. C. All told, Washington delivered some 4,000 public speeches during his 30-year career as an orator. D. Washington’s most famous speech is his “Atlanta Exposition Address” of 1895. 3. In the “Atlanta Exposition Address” Washington urged blacks to strive for economic advancement rather than to agitate for immediate social equality. 4. To this day, Washington’s speech at Atlanta remains highly