Giving an Introduction Speech Polytechnic of Rijeka

part of many everyday situations (private life, business); introducing ourselves and others formal and informal contexts (introducing a speaker at a conference/ business partner)

Before the speech, consider: audience (characteristics of the audience members); purpose (clarify your aims – what might be the purpose of the introduction speech in this semester); organization ( the most important task of a good presenter).

TASK 1: Organizing notes (in groups of four) ___ Marta Freilig – German ___ Lives with husband and daughter ___ 2007 Bach of Sci. – evir engin ___2008 Intern, water mgt project ___Langs: German, Spanish (mother from Spain), Engl. ___ Plays guitar, worked in a cafe to help pay college ___ 2009 – 2010 worked in water mgt proj in Central Amer ___ 2013 began Master’s in envir engin – water resources ___ undergrad awds – academic awds – academic excellence, graduate with honors ___ loves hiking with family in national parks in N. Amer.

Compare: Speech 1 Speech 2 Introduction of partner: name and country B.S. degree (2006) 1st job –military (2006) 2nd job (2008) M.A. degree + award (2012) 3rd job (2013) Current studies and research assistantship major research area of interest Current interests family: new baby American football Closing Speech 2 Introduction of partner: name and country Educational background B.A. degree M.A. degree Current studies Work experience 1st job 2nd job current job – research assistant Extracurricular activities Skiing Computer games Closing

Introducing Someone with No Work Experience Introduction of partner: name and town; country Current studies and goals; Past educational experience; Educational accomplishments; Extracurricular activities and hobbies; Volunteer activities

Connecting Devices and Topic Shifts help maintain a smooth, coherent flow of speech; time connectors (then, after, next) listing words ( first, second, third, also, etc.) other ways: What about Ivana’s experience? As for Amir’s hobbies, he is currently… Now let me tell you a little about Damir’s family. Surprisingly, Marta’s area of studies is very different from her past work experience.

Beginning Your Speech a number of ways to begin your introduction speech: Today I’m happy to introduce you to ___________, who recently came to the university from the Czech Republic. Good morning, I’d like to introduce you to that girl with the brown hari over there, ____________. She’s a nurse from Tokio, Japan. My dear classmates, today I have the honor of introducing you to a nice Russian kid named _____________. Hi, everyone. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to a journalist who never expected to be studying photography. His name is ___________________. I’m pleased to introduce you to a woman who’s interested in stones and bones. She’s studying physical anthropology here at the university. Her name is ____________.

Concluding Your Speech try to end on a positive note: So let’s please welcome… I’m sure we’ll enjoy getting to know… Let’s give a warm welcome to… avoid an abrupt ending such as: So that’s all/I’m done.

Susan M. Reinhart. 2013. Giving Academic Presentations (Second Edition). Giving an Introduction Speech (Unit 1). Michigan ELT.