Organizing the Introduction of

Your Speech
Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

Attention Grabber
Goal #1 is to grab your audiences attention.
How?
1. Question your audience
Rhetorical question
Stimulates thought but is not intended to elicit an
overt response
Direct question
Seeks a public response

But beware of
Asking embarrassing questions
Failing to consider the questions usefulness to your
speech
Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

Strategies to Get the

Attention of Your Audience
2. Arouse your
audiences curiosity
Technique of suspense

3. Stimulate your
audiences imagination
Know what meanings
are shared
Do good audience
analysis

4. Promise your
audience something
beneficial
Meet one of your
audiences needs

5. Amuse your audience

Use humor to
emphasize key ideas
Show a favorable selfimage
To defuse audience
hostility

Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

Other elements in Introduction

Speech introduction,
goal #2: State your
topic
Use a simple
declarative sentence

Speech introduction,
goal #3: Establish
the importance of
your topic
Motivate your audience
to listen further

Speech introduction,
goal #4: Establish your
credibility on the subject
Introduce relevant
supporting materials
Cite sources
Draw on your own
experience

Speech introduction,
goal #5: Preview your
key ideas
One to three sentences in
length

Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

Effective Introduction
The audience will:
Be
attentive

know the
purpose the
speech

Be motivated
to listen

Trust your
qualifications
to speak on
the topic

Know the
major ideas
you will
discuss

Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.