ELC 590

PREPARATION OUTLINE
PERSUASIVE SPEECH

Student’s Name : Intan Noor Aifatika Binti Norfildaos

Matric Number : 2017472772
Faculty/Group : AP220
Lecturer’s Name : Puan Adabiah Binti Said

Title : Reading is Important

General Purpose : To persuade
Specific Purpose : To persuade my audience to do more reading
Central Idea : Reading can help to improve memory and research has shown that
reading has some health benefit including helping with depression.

INTRODUCTION

I. I often asked myself before I choose this topic. “Why should I read more? why would I
bother reading a book when I can just watch a video summary of it?”
A. I can save some time this way and there is nothing wrong with that.
B. However, reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body and I can’t train my body
by just watching youtube videos.
C. Look at this ultra-successful people and what they have in common?
D. They read a lot of book!
E. In fact, when Warren Buffett was once asked about the key of success, he pointed to
the stack of nearby books.
F. He read between 600 to 1000 pages per day.
G. He is not alone and here’s are just a few top business and entrepreneurs such as Bill
Gates and Mark Zuckerberg who make reading a major part of their daily lifestyle.
H. It is clear that they never stop learning and reading is the key part to their success.
II. I have done some research with regard to this topic by reading through articles and report
and also experiencing a bad reading habit.
A. Malaysian has been ranked 53 out of 61 countries in the world’s Most Liberate Nation.
B. Although Malaysian has among the highest literacy rate in South-East Asia, Malaysian
prefer light reading material like newspaper and magazine to books.
C. According to Literacy Statistic, out of 85% of Malaysian who read regularly, 77% of
them prefer newspaper, 3% read magazine, 3% read book and 1.6% read comics.
III. So this is why we should change our mindset to read more physical books.
A. We need to read more so we can improve our working memory and research has shown
that reading has some amazing health benefit, including helping with depression.
B. Although reading is a good thing to be done, clearly Malaysians still do not read more.
IV. So today I would like to persuade everyone of you here to do more reading because it can
improve our working memory as a student and it is a good tool to help us with our studies.

(Transition: Now you may say to yourself “Why is it so hard to develop reading habit?”)

BODY

I. Well my friends, let me tell you why Malaysians read less physical book.
A. With the availability of internet and social media, Malaysians tend to read less
physical books.
1. Malaysians now read an average of 14 books a year
a. By standard, it is still not enough
2. The average of 14 books a year is still far away for Malaysian to be
considered as a good a good reader.
B. The second reason is some people who think that reading is a bit of heavy task.
1. Instead of reading, they prefer listening to TV and radio only or any video
or audio via the internet.
a. But there is a problem in that belief.
2. Having a physical book is more advantageous than any form of reading
material
a. Studies have shown that people retain more of what they read in
print.
b. This is probably because of this multi-sensory experience including
the texture and smell of the paper.
c. Memories are closely associated with other senses as well.

(Transition: Now that you know the reason why people don’t read a book and you may asking
yourself these questions. “How do I make reading as my habit”)

II. There are several ways you can make reading a habit.
A. In order to create a reading habit, it is important to start off by consider your main
interests and having an interesting topic.
1. Reading can be more interesting and satisfying when we read about topics
that we care about
a. Seek out book that pertain to your hobbies and interest.
 b. This will help you to improve your reading habit and maximize
enjoyment.
c. This will also improve your grammar and vocabulary.
2. Secondly, get recommendation from friends.
a) Talk to your friends
b) Word of mouth is often a useful tool to direct our reading choices.
c) Find out what books they have enjoyed
3. Visit your local bookstore such as MPH and POPULAR
d) Most bookstore will provide the best-selling books shelf
e) You can look for the best-selling book at the bookstore as well.
B. Other than that, you have to make reading a part of your regular routine.
1. It is easier to grow your reading skills if you make reading a part of your
daily schedule
a) Find time and place to read
b) Do you have any corner of your room to relax?
c) If yes, set aside regular time to enjoy your spot and always bring
along your current reading
2. Set your goals
a) For example, set a goal that you will read for an hour a day or that
you will read one chapter of your current book especially if you have
a busy schedule.
b) It does not matter as long as you have to read everyday.
c) This process will help you stay focused as you look forward to
accomplishing your daily goal of a specific number of pages.
d) Focus leads to efficiency and soon enough, reading will become a
lifestyle for you.

(Transition: So imagine the power of reading. What will happen?”

III. Well, let me tell you the benefit of reading.

A. The benefits of reading are irreplaceable such as it will improve your memory
1. When you read a book, you have to remember an assortment of characters,
their background, ambitious, their history and also sub plots that weave their
way through every story
2. Amazingly enough, every new memory, you create new brain pathway and
strengthens the existing one which assists in short-term memory recall
B. Furthermore, with more reading, your writing also can be improved as well.
1. Well written book has a positive effect on one’s own writing.
2. Observing the various styles of other authors, journalists, poets and writers
will eventually be reflected in your own writing style.
 CONCLUSION

I. As a conclusion, a reading habit is an essential life skill.

II. The effort to inculcate a reading habit pays off directly in our life
III. Reading is an enjoyable activity.
IV. Importantly, think it is enjoyable, to begin with it
V. Last but not least, “No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for
reading or surrender yourself from self-chosen-ignorance”.

REFERENCES

Andrew Merle (2017). The Reading Habits of Ultra-Successful People

Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-merle/the-reading-habits-of-
ult_b_9688130.html

Daily express (2015)

Cannot Get Far Without Reading

Greg Krehbiel (2015). Why Print Books Are Better Than ebooks, and Ways to Improve eReaders
Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-print-books-better-than-ebooks-
ways-improve-greg-krehbiel/

Health Fitness Revolution (2015). Top 10 Health Benefits of Reading

Retrieved from http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-reading/

Laiza King (2016). 6 Practical Tips to Help You Cultivate a Reading Habit
Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/laiza-king-/6-practical-tips-to-help-
_b_10311094.html

Team CL (2016). 10 ways to develop reading habit

Retrieved from http://exams.careerlauncher.com/10-ways-develop-reading-habit/

The Malaysian Bar (2009)

Malaysians Still Not Reading Enough, Says Muhyiddin

The Malaysian Insight (2017)

Malaysia Eighth from Bottom of Global Literacy List
 CONCLUSION

I. As a conclusion, a reading habit is an essential life skill.

II. The effort to inculcate a reading habit pays off directly in our life
III. Reading is an enjoyable activity.
IV. Importantly, think it is enjoyable, to begin with it
V. Last but not least, “No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for
reading or surrender yourself from self-chosen-ignorance”.

REFERENCES

Andrew Merle (2017). The Reading Habits of Ultra-Successful People

Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-merle/the-reading-habits-of-
ult_b_9688130.html

Daily express (2015). Cannot Get Far Without Reading

Retrieved from http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read.cfm?NewsID=1747

Greg Krehbiel (2015). Why Print Books Are Better Than ebooks, and Ways to Improve eReaders
Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-print-books-better-than-ebooks-
ways-improve-greg-krehbiel/

Health Fitness Revolution (2015). Top 10 Health Benefits of Reading

Retrieved from http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-reading/

Laiza King (2016). 6 Practical Tips to Help You Cultivate a Reading Habit
Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/laiza-king-/6-practical-tips-to-help-
_b_10311094.html

Team CL (2016). 10 Ways to Develop Reading Habit

Retrieved from http://exams.careerlauncher.com/10-ways-develop-reading-habit/

The Malaysian Bar (2009). Malaysians Still Not Reading Enough, Says Muhyiddin
Retrieved from http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/general opinions/comments/malaysians
still_not_reading_enough_says_muhyiddin.html

The Malaysian Insight (2017). Malaysia Eighth from Bottom of Global Literacy List
Retrieved from https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/19847/