Sarah Nyenke

COM 1100-15
Professor Jaimes
9 October 2018

Informative Speech Outline

General Purpose:​ To inform my audience about voting.

Specific Purpose:​ To inform my audience about the importance of youth voting and their impact

Thesis Statement: With motivation, confidence, and cognizant about the issues at hand, youth

voters will be steadfast and persistent to use their voices to change the trajectory of our great

nation.

Introduction

I. Attention Getter: Some people wonder whether or not this country is more and more

becoming conservative by the day. As we watch the U.S. Constitution rip to shreds day

by day, Americans lose hope in the democracy that this country was originally built on.

Which is why, I believe that voting matters. Especially for our youth who are more

connected to social media and can gather information on various topics within seconds.

II. Thesis Statement/ Introduce Topic: ​Our youth can make a difference through their

votes with motivation, thorough knowledge, and persistence.

III. Significance Statement: ​“​In 2008, nearly 1.7 million Americans between the ages of 18

and 24 were not registered to vote. This is often because they didn’t know how or where

to register, or missed the deadlines. Students, new to voting and to their college

community, often face practical hurdles like awareness of the registration process.” “I

feel like a lot more people don't vote when they're away at college because they are so far

from home," said Bowins. "On campus I haven't seen any spirit based on the election and
Sarah Nyenke
COM 1100-15
Professor Jaimes
9 October 2018
I feel as though lots of college students don't realize how much every presidential

election could affect their lives," said Bowins. Hanshaw stressed this point as well.

IV. Preview Main Points

A. I will begin my speech by discussing why college students are reluctant to vote.

B. Next, we will discuss the importance of voting and its significance.

C. Finally, I will end my speech with a few resolutions that can be implemented to

encourage young voters to vote.

[​Transition:​ With all those things in mind, we can discuss why young people do not vote.]

I. Main Point: We need more youth voters now more than ever.

A. Sub-point: According to Uloop Inc., the Student Beau Courtroul identified reasons the

youth vote may be down:

a. "Kids are struggling to survive, they don't have time to vote," he said.

i. “Not all people have the luxury of taking time from their day to vote.

Average Americans work 9am to 5pm.”

B. Sub-point: According to Tribune-Review Publishing Company, ​The lack of political

pizzazz on campus can affect students' motivation to get involved.

a. "There is a little spirit for the election, only within the political science

department though. I think if they boosted the spirit more people would vote,"

said Senetcen.
Sarah Nyenke
COM 1100-15
Professor Jaimes
9 October 2018
C. Sub-point: ​According to Civicyouth.org, when young people learn the voting process

and vote they are more likely to do so when they are older. If an individual has been

motivated to get to the polls once, they are more likely to return.

a. ​Many youth are new and unaware of the registration/voting process.

D. Sub-point: According to Uloop Inc., the main issue with voter registration among young

Americans is apathy.

a. Although the political system is certainly flawed, to have your only excuse be "I

couldn't be bothered" reflects poorly on the generation as a whole.

[​Transition: ​As you can see, our youth are dealing with constant everyday struggles, that impact

their role of voting. With that in mind, we still need to make it apparent about the how youth

voting plays a role for all elections.]

II. Main Point:​ ​Young voters account for half of the voting population.

A. Sub-point: According to PR Newswire Association, "Obama's win was foreshadowed by

the youth involvement at the Iowa Caucuses in 2008. According to the Center for

Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, 24 million youth ages

18-24 voted in the 2008 Presidential Elections, 51 percent of the group. Sixteen million

(68 percent) of the 24 million voted for Obama, which made the difference in many close

states. One of every seven voters nationwide was under 30.

B. Sub-point: ​According to Stockton Police Chaplain Captain Damon Bridges, "Obama

represents change and the youth are ready for something new." "It's because Obama is a
Sarah Nyenke
COM 1100-15
Professor Jaimes
9 October 2018
young president. It's just like pastors of churches, they bring in youth that fits their style

of preaching," said Delta student Everett Hazard.

a. "An estimated 22 million Americans under the age of 30 voted in the 2008

presidential election," according to the Independent Voter Network . With a 51

percent turnout rate, youth voters comprised 18 percent of the electorate that year,

said IVN.

C. Sub-point: ​Many young people cite feeling as though their vote doesn't count as their

reason for not participating in elections. Millennials reported feeling especially

disillusioned by both presidential candidates before the election in 2016, and many chose

to sit out altogether as a result. In an America divided perhaps more than ever, every vote

counts, especially those from one of the country's largest voting groups.

a. In addition, many young Americans rarely listen to what is really going on in our

political system.

b. They are constantly distracted by the latest trend or scandal that deflects them

from the important issues at hand.

[​Transition: As we know, young Americans have a big voice to shake the system as we know it.

The situation won't be changed by sitting idle while others make major political decisions.]

III. Main Point: ​Young Voters are made up of a diverse group of individuals, from different

ethnic backgrounds, political parties, and varied perspectives.

A. Sub-point: ​The millennial electorate is expected to be the first demographic group with

the ability to challenge the basic two-party system, potentially driving the need for
Sarah Nyenke
COM 1100-15
Professor Jaimes
9 October 2018
alternative political parties whom millennials feel can represent the needs of a diverse

population through a more inclusive agenda.

a. This era is different than what it was a century ago. If Young Americans want

change, they need to waken up the old and replace with the new.

b. In addition, we need more younger senators, political officials in office rather than

those who have held their seat for far too long.

B. "Vote early, vote often." According to the US News Report, Many suggest that the voting

age should be lowered in an effort to promote earlier voting among teenagers and young

adults.

a. Building a relationship with the political process as early as possible is key to

making voting a lifelong habit.

b. In addition, on college campuses, a political environment should be apparent and

present.

C. We can suggest that voting polls to host on college campuses with extended hours.

Allowing more young Americans to participate and vote.

[​Transition: As you can see, if we can make small, reasonable changes to aid our younger

generation, we can definitely see more participation and involvement.]

Conclusion
Sarah Nyenke
COM 1100-15
Professor Jaimes
9 October 2018
I. Signpost: In summary, motivation, thorough knowledge, and persistence are key to

mobilizing our youth to vote in all elections.

II. Summary: With more youth voting, the trajectory of our political system can change.

A. Although life presents everyday struggles, we need to keep our youth informed

and motivated to stay on top of the news outlet.

B. As we know, the youth vote makes up half of the voting population. Therefore,

we have the opportunity to affect each and every election. Some changes may not

be imminent, but they can affect the next generation. No one can can't predict

what will happen in four years, what is certain is that the political officials elected

into office and the policies they implement will impact your life in the coming

months and year

C. It is important to recognize that young Americans are a diverse group. They bring

a new perspective to this decade. In turn, this movement should reflect in their

voting.

III. Clincher: ​For many millennials, adulthood brings many new challenges, like college,

marriage, buying a house, paying for your own health insurance, and/or starting a business, all of

which could radically change your perspective on political issues. Speak up, make a choice, and

take part in the election to protect your interests in your first few years in the real world.

Works Cited
Fields, C. V. (2004, Oct). Yes, voting really does matter.​ New York Amsterdam News
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library.cpp.edu/docview/390228096?accountid=10357
Sarah Nyenke
COM 1100-15
Professor Jaimes
9 October 2018
Henderson, A. (2015, Mar 20). Youth voters expected to decrease for 2016 election.
University Wire​ Retrieved from ​http://proxy.library.cpp.edu/login?url=https://search- proquest-
com.proxy.library.cpp.edu/docview/1731143535?accountid=10357
Schulte, B. (2007, Oct 22). A push for the youth vote.​ U.S.News & World Report, 143,​
35. Retrieved from ​http://proxy.library.cpp.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com. Proxy.
library.cpp.edu/docview/274955647?accountid=10357
Taylor, L. (2012, Sep 18). Importance of youth voters in elections.​ University Wire
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To vote or not to vote? (2014, Oct 16). ​University Wire​ Retrieved from ​http://proxy.
library.cpp.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.proxy.library.cpp.edu/docview/161266722
2?accountid=10357