Examining the Persuasive Speech Proficiency of Fourth-Grade Primary School Students

The aim of this research was to identify the persuasive speech skills of fourth-grade primary school students. The study employed a quantitative method and survey design, and the study group consisted of 126 students in the fourth grade of primary school selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data for the first and second sub-problems of the study were collected over a period of five weeks using student video recordings, plan sheets, and a persuasive speech rubric. These recordings and sheets were assessed by two raters. The collected data were presented in the form of themes and descriptive tables. The results of the study indicated that the persuasive speech skills of the students were largely at medium and low levels. In addition, the results showed that female students demonstrated relatively higher levels of success in terms of persuasive speech skills compared to male students. A literature review was also conducted for the third sub-problem of the research, and examples of achievements in relation to persuasive speech skills for fourth-grade students were presented. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that students generally require the development of their speaking skills, with a particular focus on persuasive speech.