Beginning and Ending the Speech Chapter 10

The Introduction Introductions have 4 objectives: Get the attention and interest of your audience Reveal the topic of your speech Establish the credibility and goodwill Preview the body of the speech

Get Attention and interest There are 7 main ways in which to gain attention and interest of your audience Relate the topic to the audience Question the audience State the importance of your topic Rhetorical Question-Audience answers mentally rather than out loud Startle the audience Begin with a quote Arouse the curiosity of the audience Tell a story

Reveal the Topic Stating the topic in the beginning prevents confusion Example 1: Imagine taking a leisurely boat ride along the peaceful waterway. The sun is high in the sky, reflecting brightly off the ripples around you. The banks are lush with mangrove and cypress trees. YOU SEE A STATELY PELICAN RESTING ON A LOW-LYING BRANCH. You grab your camera, snap a shot, and check the result. The picture is perfect. But will it be perfect in the future? What is this speech about? Efforts to restore natural beauty to the Florida everglades

Reveal the Topic Example 2: Alligaotrs, panthers, otters, brown peleicans,-these and other creatures have lost over 50% of ther habitat in south florida over the past few decades. Now, however, there is an $8 billon program to preserve their home in the florida everglades. The largest restoration effort in the history of the world , it will rejuvenate one of America’s most diverse ecosystems and protect it for future generations

Establish credibility and goodwill The audience’s perception of whether a speaker is qualified to speak on a given topic It can be based on first hand knowledge, reading, classes, interviews, and friends Goodwill The audience’s perception of whether a speaker has the best interests of the audience in mind

Preview the body of the speech Preview statement: A statement in the introduction of a speech that identifies the main points to be discussed in the body Allows audience to follow along easier Provides a smooth lead in to the body of the speech Signals the body of the speech is about to begin

Tips for the introduction Keep introduction brief-no more than 10%-20% of the speech Be creative-come up with more than 1 Determine main points before finalizing introduction Delivery with as much eye contact as possible Do not begin introduction until you and your audience is ready

The Conclusion Introductions have 2 major functions: To let the audience known you are ending the speech To reinforce the audience’s understanding of, or commitment to, the central idea

Signal the end of the speech Ways to end your speech Brief cues https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=Oehry1JC9Rk (1:38) In conclusion, let me end by saying Dissolve Ending Delivery A conclusion that generates emotional appeal by fading step by step to a dramatic final statement Vary tone, pacing, intonation Crescendo ending A conclusion in which the speech builds to a zenith of power and intensity https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=_42_aLGkRpg (31:28)

Reinforce the central idea Ways to reinforce central idea: Summarize your speech End with a quote Make a dramatic statement Refer to the introduction You can use one or combine the different ways

Tips for the conclusion Creatively hit the hearts and mind of audience-come up with more than 1 Don’t be long winded-5%-10% of the speech Work it out in detail and practice it Make your last impression as forceful as you can