Speaking for Truth

This expressive writing worksheet is designed for students in Grades 8, 9, and 10 to strengthen persuasive writing, rhetorical organization, and ethical communication skills. Learners craft a speech that defends truth and human dignity while rejecting manipulation, using guided prompts to plan ideas, develop a clear message, and structure arguments effectively. The activity blends moral reflection with practical speechwriting, helping students communicate persuasively and responsibly.

Learning Goals

• Persuasive & Argumentative Writing (Grades 8-10)
  Students develop a focused claim and support it with clear reasons and evidence.
• Speechwriting & Rhetorical Structure
  Learners practice crafting a hook, organized body, and compelling call to action.
• Organizing and Supporting Claims
  Activities emphasize logical flow, clarity, and evidence-based reasoning.
• Ethical Communication & Expression
  Students reflect on how persuasion can uphold truth rather than distort it.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to align with secondary ELA writing, speaking, and ethics standards.
• Guided Planning to Drafting Process
  Brainstorming and outlining prompts support confident, structured writing.
• Blends Rhetoric with Moral Reasoning
  Encourages students to consider responsibility and integrity in persuasive speech.
• Presentation-Ready
  Can be extended into oral presentations or classroom speeches.
• Printable & No-Prep
  Easy to implement in classroom or homeschool settings.

This Speaking for Truth worksheet helps students develop persuasive voices grounded in ethical reflection. By planning and writing speeches that value honesty, dignity, and responsible persuasion, learners strengthen writing fluency, organization, and confidence in expressing ideas. Whether used as a writing assignment, speech unit activity, or ethics integration, this printable resource provides meaningful practice in persuasive communication with purpose.

This worksheet is part of our Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power collection.