Arresting Batman

Harvey Dent Comment by Chris: First and last name in top-right. Do not include any other information. Do NOT include my name, our class name, or what time we meet. I know that stuff already.

Persuasive Speech Outline

Topic: Arresting Batman

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Attention Getter: The late, great Martin Luther King, Jr. once said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Comment by Chris: Use a visualization, story, quote, rhetorical question, or alarming fact.

B. Relevancy: As citizens of Gotham City you will have likely heard about the vigilante the media has dubbed “Batman.” Comment by Chris: Tie the topic to the audience somehow.

C. Credibility: In my capacity as District Attorney of Gotham City I have overseen many cases of criminals who have been captured and brutally beaten by the Batman. Comment by Chris: Tie the topic to YOURSELF somehow.

D. Thesis: The vigilante known as Batman should be arrested. Comment by Chris: Should be a debatable statement of Value or Policy. DO NOT use the words “or”, “and”, “but”, or “because.”Assert a single idea.

E. Preview: Today we will discuss the terrible harms Batman has wrought on our city, what should be done about him, and the benefits to our city once he has been arrested. Comment by Chris: Tag all your main points explicitly. “Today we’ll look at A, B, and C.”

Transition: First, let’s begin by looking at the state of our city with Batman’s presence.

II. BODY

A. Need: Batman’s vigilantism has wreaked havoc on Gotham City. Comment by Chris: REMEMBER: The “Need” is there to describe harms in the status quo. There’s no use in trying to persuade us of anything if you don’t prove that something is wrong right now.

1. Subpoint: Batman has used violence against citizens who were undeserving of brutal beatings. (Evidence: An article in the Gotham Gazette gives the example of how Batman broke the leg of resident Edward Nigma for littering because he dropped his book of brain teasers on the street.) Comment by Chris: Subpoints are single sentences. They are just like thesis statements, but are subordinate to Main Points.

2. Subpoint: Batman sets a harmful example for citizens. (Evidence: For instance, last week GNN News reported the tragic death of a teenage copycat vigilante, Jason Todd, who took up vigilantism after seeing Batman on TV.)

Transition: It is clear that Batman is a threat to Gotham. Next, let’s discuss what can be done about him. Comment by Chris: Transitions should tag both the PREVIOUS point and the NEXT point.

B. Satisfaction: The police need to arrest Batman. Comment by Chris: This is essentially your speech’s thesis, reworded.

1. Subpoint: Batman has broken the law severely enough to warrant arrest. (Evidence: Narrative of Batman’s attack on mob hideout at Gotham harbor involving trespassing, vandalism, assault, theft, evidence tampering, and possible manslaughter.)

2. Subpoint: Arresting Batman would be a relatively simple task for the police. (Evidence: According to psychiatrist Dr. J. Crane, the psychologically unstable Batman could easily be lured, trusting and vulnerable, to police headquarters with a simple shadow puppet projected against the skyline.)

Transition: Clearly, Batman can and should be arrested. But finally, let’s discuss what will happen once he is in custody.

C. Visualization: Batman’s arrest will create a safer Gotham City.

1. Subpoint: It will be easier to arrest criminals with Batman gone. (Evidence: The University of Metropolis conducted a recent survey of inmates at Blackgate Prison showing that criminals were 90% more likely to carry illegal weapons if they thought they would encounter Batman.) Comment by Chris: Notice, each Main Point has at least 2 subpoints. Do not use less than 2 subpoints or more than 3 subpoint for each Main Point.

2. Subpoint: Without Batman there will be less dangerous theatrics on the part of criminals and civilians alike. (Evidence: Police Commissioner Gordon stated, “We will definitely see fewer foolish copycats with Batman off the streets; the last thing I need is for my kid to get shot because she has a dumb role model.”)

Transition: Certainly, a Gotham City without Batman is better for everyone in it. So what have we discussed today?

III. CONCLUSION

A. Summary: All things considered, there is a compelling case to be made for the arrest of Batman.

1. First, we talked about how terrible Gotham is with Batman around, especially given his random violence against citizens and poor example for the youth. Comment by Chris: Notice these are the EXACT same ideas given in the Preview and in each Main Point. If you’re feeling ambitious and can do it concisely, you might even touch on some of your subpoints. Only if it can be done concisely.

2. Next, we discussed how Batman’s arrest is an appropriate solution; he clearly deserves to be arrested and capturing him is very feasible.

3. Finally, we concluded by looking at how safe Gotham will be without Batman; the police can more effectively combat crime and we will see fewer erratic copycats.

B. Action Step: The next time you see a Gotham resident on the street naively sporting a Batman symbol shirt, you can remember that the true threat to our city is really the vigilantism that we unfairly allow to fester. Comment by Chris: Once again, tie topic back to the audience.

C. Clincher: There are no two sides about it—in the words of Dr. King, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Comment by Chris: Like an Attention Getter, end with a visualization, story, or quote.

Works Cited Comment by Chris: Every piece of evidence used in your outline needs to be cited here. Likewise, everything that appears in your references should be cited in your outline. MLA format.

“Boy Wondered: Crime Fighting is for the Birds.” GNN. Gotham City. 24 May 2011: A2. Print.

Crane, Jonathan. Personal interview. 1 Dec. 2012.

Gordon, James. Interview with Jack Ryder. Creeping Currents. GNN. 24 July 2012.

Hamilton, Emil. “Organizational Criminal Aggression as a Predictable Function of Perceived Proximal Vigilantism.” Journal of Metahuman Studies 34.2 (2011): 127-153. Print.

Vale, Vicky. “Riddle Me Not.” Gotham Gazette 24 May 2011: A2. Print.