What is the main goal of a persuasive speech?

The main goal of a persuasive speech is to influence the audience's opinions or actions. In this type of speech, the speaker aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. This is achieved through the use of arguments, emotional appeals, and rhetorical techniques designed to engage the audience's beliefs and feelings. A successful persuasive speech not only presents a case but also motivates the audience to agree with the speaker or act in a desired way, whether that be changing an opinion, supporting a cause, or taking a specific action.

In contrast, informing the audience focuses more on delivering facts and information without necessarily aiming to change opinions. Similarly, entertaining the audience may include storytelling or humor but doesn't aim to sway their beliefs or actions. Presenting facts clearly is important in many types of speeches, but in a persuasive context, the emphasis is primarily on using those facts to achieve the objective of influence rather than just clarity.