Persuasive Speech: Higher Cost Of College Tuition

I. [Attention Getter] Did you know in 1971 the US college education cost only $500 (cnbc.com).
A. Today even our books cost more than that. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition for the 2016-17 year was around $34000 (collegeboard.com).
B. Tuition is increasing at a fast rate; in 2005 public college tuition took up about 35% of a typical family’s income but now costs the equivalent of 47% (time.com).
II. [Establish Controversy] The total student loan debt in the US as of 2016 is $1.28 trillion (studentloan.com).
A. For this reason many supporters of free college believe that it would benefit the entire nation, as most of today's jobs are knowledge-based or require advanced technical skills. Therefore, a better-educated
All the hours spent on jobs take time away from the student’s study time. If free college tuition was given, students would have more time to educate themselves and be prepared for classes.
1. [evd/stats] Having to work is the number one reason for college dropouts. 38% of students don’t finish college because the finances are hard to manage (classandcareers.com). Transition: Tuition free college would ensure students a stress free education environment; they would be well rested instead of being tired from time consuming jobs. Now let’s move on to how going tuition free would give more students a chance to go to college.
II. [Second Constructive Argument] My second argument is that more students would get an opportunity for higher education, no matter their financial difficulties.
A. Colleges should be tuition free because there are many exceptional, hardworking and also under privileged students that deserve an opportunity for a college education.
1. [evd/stats] Of the many high school graduates that apply for universities and are accepted to their first choice of college in the spring, 40% do not show up in the fall due to insufficient finances
Financial condition should not stop any student from completing their education, but mostly fulfilling their dreams of becoming whatever they want. Also, tuition free college would inspire a number of students to work harder and try for better universities. Transition: With so many students dropping out of school and many more not being able to even consider going to college, even though they and their families know very well the importance a good college education in today’s world; it is obvious that colleges should be tuition free. However, many opponents believe such an act would cause harm to the governments’ economy and degrade education quality. This leads to my final argument.
III. [Refutation] Free tuition will not cause harm to the economy or the quality of education.
A. Opponents are under the false impression that free college will be a big factor in degrading quality education.
1. [Turn the tables] Free college will actually encourage more students to work harder. Thus giving them greater chances to purse different profession.
a. In the past 100 years 40% more students have said their education was not worth the money. So we can see that having high education cost does not guarantee quality education