Beginning and Ending Speeches

Four Objectives- Introduction Attention Getting Device (AGD)- Gain interest and attention (like a hook/lead of a paper) Reveal the topic Show your credibility Purpose Statement- Preview the body of the speech (like a thesis of a paper) Sometimes referred to as a “road map”

Attention Getting Device (AGD) How do you get your audience to care about your topic? Relate topic to audience (use YOU) State the importance of your topic Startle the audience (facts/ statistics) Question the audience Use Quote Tell a story / Anecdote

Question Open with an interesting question that relates to the main idea. Often rhetorical- question asked to make a point (you don’t actually expect your audience to answer you). Example: Have you ever wondered how you would survive if you found yourself alone in the wilderness? How would you defend yourself against predators? What would you eat? Where would you find water?

Challenging Statement A bold and challenging statement is meant to cause some people to disagree with what you say. It's like one side of an argument. It can be an opinion, but don't immediately state that it is your opinion. Example: Using horses and cattle in the sport of rodeo is animal abuse. What makes it more aggravating is that it is legal. According to the law, there is nothing wrong with chasing an animal down, tightening a rope around its neck, knocking it to the ground, and tying its legs together so it cannot move.

Definition Open with a definition of the term you are discussing. It can be your own or come from a dictionary or textbook. If you take it from a dictionary or textbook, be sure to use quotation marks and give credit to the source. Example: According to Webster's Dictionary, a government is the authority that serves the people and acts on their behalf. How can the government know what the people want if the people do not vote? If we do not vote, the government may act on its own behalf instead of on the behalf of the people.

Opinion Open with your opinion about the topic. This is similar to a bold and challenging statement, but you let the reader know that it is your opinion right away. Example: In my opinion, the driving age should be lowered to fourteen. Most teenagers are more responsible than adults give us credit for being. Just because we are teenagers does not mean we are irresponsible and dangerous.

Quote Open with a quotation that is well known or from a famous person. Be sure to put quotations around the quotation and give credit to the person who said it. Of course, the quotation must be directly related to your topic. A good source is a book of quotations. Look in the library or ask your teacher. Example: President John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I think today's Americans have forgotten Kennedy's message. We expect our country to take care of us, but we are not taking care of our country.

Figurative Language Begin with a simile, metaphor, personification, or hyperbole. The figurative language must relate directly to your topic. Example: The pencil sharpener was always hungry. It ate my pencil every time I went to sharpen it. It never seemed to do this to anyone's pencil but mine. What was so special about my pencils?

Reveal the topic Try to state as clearly as possible Once confused, you will not gain focus back

Establish Credibility Credibility a matter of begin qualified to speak on a given topic Established by: Firsthand knowledge and experience From reading/ research Interviews Helping define essential vocabulary words

Establish Goodwill Not everyone loves or agree with your topic Establish a Friendly tone Address other side of the argument especially on controversial topics Ex- I am speaking in favor of building more nuclear power plant to meet future energy needs. I know that most of you oppose this idea- I did too before I started researching. Today, I would like to share some facts I learned. I know I can’t change your mind, but I ask that you listen with an open mind to hear my argument.

Purpose Statement Think- Thesis Statement A declarative sentence that summarizes the specific topic or topics of the speech. Specific and precise - not general, broad or obscure Concise - one or two sentences Clear - not vague, ambiguous or confusing Goal-oriented - stated in terms of desired outcomes

Purpose Statements also… Preview the body paragraphs (road map) Remind audience what to listen for State central idea or main points Easy lead into body paragraphs

Tips Keep the introduction brief- No more than 10- 20% of speech Creative introduction and lead Don’t worry about the word for word of your intro until you’ve written all your body paragraphs Practice, practice you intro until you feel comfortable Keep good eye contact Remind yourself that you are confident!

Introduction Sales Speech: Generation. Noun. The average period, generally considered to be about thirty years, during which children grow up and have children of their own. Families having kids and creating new generations keeps our population growing and our planet active. But with our growing population, our eco-friendly awareness has decreased significantly. Did you know that only 25% of recyclable items actually get recycled? If we recycled the other 75%, we would save over 200 million pounds of plastic from landfills every year. Small changes in your life can result in a big difference. The first step, is choosing Seventh Generation. Seventh Generation is a company that creates effective household and personal care products that help you care for the health of your family, your home and our planet. With dozens of items to choose from, Seventh Generation’s eco-friendly and natural products hope to inspire a revolution that nurtures the health of the next seven generations. Today, we will soak up seventh generation’s history, wash our way through the products, sweep away the competition, and see how seventh generation is giving back to our planet.

Comprehension Questions Define and give an example an AGD. Define and give an examples of a purpose statement. Why must you be clear and concise during your introduction? Why should you establish goodwill during your introduction?

Two Objectives- Conclusions Signal the end of the speech Reinforce the audience’s understanding of, or commitment to, the central idea

Signal the end “In conclusion…” “One last thought…” “In closing…” “My purpose has been…” “Let me end by saying…”

Use Voice The conclusion = climax Use tone, pacing, intonation, rhythm Use vocal pitch Choice of words Gestures Pauses This does not mean louder and louder Crescendo- Examples- MLK- I Have a Dream

Wrap It Up Summarize the speech End with a quote Dramatic statement Refer to introduction Finish the story Make an appeal to your audience (especially in persuasive)

Tips Write introduction and conclusion together Write a conclusion they’ll remember Only 5-10% of your entire speech Smooth and confident Practice, practice, practice

Conclusion Sales Speech: In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations. It is with this famous quote from the Iroquois tribe, that seventh generation makes a promise to not only its current customers but to the next seven generations to come.

Comprehension Questions What are the main objectives for your conclusion? How long should your conclusion be? What are two examples of key words to signal the end of your speech? What are (vocal) techniques you can use to signal your conclusion?