Class 11 - Feb. 10, 2026

What is a pitch?

• Short, persuasive presentation intended to gain commitment from your audience
• In other words, a verbal argument that includes a claim and evidence
• Examples:
  • Investment pitch
    • Dragon's Den, Shark Tank
  • Movie pitch
    • Like if somebody wants to pitch their new movie idea
  • Sales pitch
  • Career/job pitch <- this is what we're doing
    • We're selling ourselves

Using critical thinking arguments in real life

• Arguments aren't just written essays, they're everywhere! Even informal conversations
• Critical thinking and construction of arguments cannot be confined to academic papers; arguments are 'everywhere'
• Students are often unprepared for the "why hire me" question, often making things up or not knowing what to say
  • Answer is often fabricated or not well organized
• BU121 is designed to provide opportunities for students to really develop key competencies
  • Helps to improve confidence
  • Think of it as practice for a future communication experience (whether that be an interview or another pitch/presentation)

How to organize a pitch?

Pitch Structure (briefly, look at next lecture for more information)

• Opening - what the challenge is and why it's important
  • Instead of coming into career planning with a specific job title in mind, you want to think about bigger issues that the world wants to solve, and then work your way through it
  • Set context and urgency around the chosen challenge
• Claim - I am the best candidate (USE THIS CLAIM!)
  • Premise 1 - competency a with evidence*
  • Premise 2 - competency b with evidence*
  • Premise 3 - competency c OR value with evidence*
    • Value can be an interest or passion area
• Close - connect back to opening, highlighting how this organization impacts the challenge and therefore needs you
• * What kind of evidence to use?
  • Evidence backing up why you are the best candidate will be specific examples
    • Accuracy:
      • Draw on your real, lived experience (don't make them up!)
      • They're not gonna check, but don't be silly
    • Precision:
      • Describe specific activities and accomplishments that demonstrate your reasons, quantify if applicable
      • School fundraisers, captain on a team? How many players on the team
    • Sufficiency:
      • Includes 3 premises with evidence to back them up (suitable for a short argument)
    • Representativeness
      • Use a variety of examples to back up reasons (academic, extra-curricular, work, family, etc.)
    • Authority/Credibility applies to sources you might use in map and/or to describe challenge
      • Scholarly articles are not required but credible/legitimate sources are
      • Don't really apply to the experiences

Effective opening techniques

• Make a bold claim/present a striking fact
  • "In 2020, nearly 700 million people lived on less than $2 a day"
• Invite them to "Image" a future state
  • "Imagine a world where no one experiences food insecurity..."
• Ask a Question
  • "How many of you have used a social media site today?"
  • Could also add "By a show of hands"
• Use a Proverb, Analogy or Metaphor
  • "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone else planted a tree a long time ago" - Warren Buffett
• Storytelling principles:
  • Start with tension: the brain instantly engages when it senses a gap between what is and what should be
• DO NOT INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Effective closing techniques

• Close the loop & leave a decision
  • Return to the issue/gap you revealed about your challenge in your opening
  • End with a choice and invite action
  • "If we want more people sitting in the shade of financial security, we have to plant the right trees today. Hire me and I'll help grow value that lasts."
• DON'T BE AWKWARD!

Rhetorical Techniques

• Logos - use logical reasoning to back up your claim
• Ethos - use reognizable evidence from real examples of your competencies
• Incorporate 'authority/credibility' in your description of challenge's importance
• Pathos -0 use emotion appropriately to engage your audience and invite them to care

Why is delivery important?

• It differentiates you from person to person
• Gains interest, trust, and action
  • If you want people to trust you, they have to be interested in what you say
• Shows your belief and commitment
  • If you don't seem confident, they're not going to think you believe in what you're saying

What makes an effective delivery?

• Authenticity
• Confidence
• Natural, conversational tone
• Evidence of practice and preparation
  • But you don't want it to sound robotically replayed