That Text Can Wait Speech

Central Idea: Texting and driving is a dangerous epidemic that can affect everyone, even with all the statistics this trend rages on.

Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to stop texting and driving.

Organization Pattern: Cause and Effect

That Text Can Wait

I. Introduction

On my way to work, the store, or the mall I glance over and see the same thing going down the road, people of all age’s texting and driving. I can’t help but think to myself how irresponsible and dangerous this is. With texting becoming the social norm it seems as though we a headed into a dangerous direction. As if we did not have enough distraction on the road, from babies crying in the car, to people talking on the phone, now we have people texting and being distracted as well. This causes other drivers to need to pay even closer attention than before. In my speech today I would like to persuade you to not text and drive.

Transition: It doesn’t seem to matter about age, race, or gender Americans are always trying to justify texting and driving.

II. There is a long list of ways people justify texting and driving and who texts and drives more often

A. 5 ways people justify texting and driving

1. People are used to being connected with others at all times.

2. They only text at stop signs and red lights.

3. They hold the phone near the windshield “for better visibility”

4. It only takes a second to send a text so they do not have their eyes off the road

5. They do not think anything will happen from texting and driving.

B. Who texts and drives?

1. 13% of drivers age 18-20 involved in car accidents admitted to texting or talking on a mobile device at the time of the wreck.

2. 82% of Americans ages 16-17 own cell phones of those 34% say they have texted while driving.

3. 27% of adults send and receive text messages while driving...