Speech Beginnings

Speech Beginnings

This week week we are going to look at powerful speech beginnings. What should you write so that you engage your audience right from the start?
The best way to start a speech is to jump right in to the topic and say something that grabs the audience’s attention, something compelling, humorous, shocking, or imaginative. Try one of the following devices:

QuotationA quotation from a well-known person can be a very effective opening.

Rhetorical Question.Asking a question immediately engages the minds of the audience members as they attempt to answer it in their heads. “What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever said out loud?” Keep in mind that you’re not looking for people to actually answer you; you simply want to get their brains working.
ScenarioThis type of opening usually begins with “Imagine…” and the goal is to create a scene for audience members to visualize in their minds. “Imagine yourself in Tahiti, sitting on a beautiful, secluded beach, a gentle breeze blowing…”. Remember that audiences rarely remember the words you say; they remember the pictures you paint for them.

Declarative Statement
Opening with a bold, powerful statement is another good way to grab the audience’s attention. A startling statistic or bold claim can jolt them and set the stage for an educational or informational talk.

When you read the opening paragraphs of Room 3's speeches on this blog I want you to comment upon how well they have engaged you as the reader and what language features above have they used. Are you looking forward to the rest of their speech and why?