called a hook or a grabber.
I don’t want to close my eyes; it makes me feel awkward and exposed to be in a group of people with my eyes closed. Because of that, I keep my eyes open. The problem is when I keep my eyes open, I feel like some sort of horrible nonconformist rebel. I feel awkward with my eyes closed and I feel guilty if they are open. Either way, I just feel bad. Besides, half of the time when speakers tell audience members to close their eyes, they forget to tell us when we can open them. If you are wanting me to imagine a story, just tell me to imagine it, don’t make me close my eyes (rant over).
You should plan your opening to be intentional and with power. “Can everybody hear me” is a weak and uncertain statement and this is not the first impression you want to leave. Do a microphone check before the audience members arrive and have someone stand in different corners of the room to make sure you can be heard. Don’t waste your valuable speech time with questions that you should already know the answer to.
You should know that before you begin. Even if the presentations for the day are running over and you are the last speaker, you should ask the MC before you begin. Always plan your first words with power.
You should make your slides big, really big. Test out your slides in advance of your speech, walk all around the room and make sure you can read them. Have a friend check them out as well. You should know they are big enough because you planned for it and tested it.
People really hate having things taken away, not to mention that your audience may want to take notes on their devices. Chances are you are speaking to adults, let them determine if it is appropriate to have out their technology.
Stop apologizing! Stop making excuses! While these lines may be true, they just come of as excuses and can make the audience either feel like you don’t want to be there, or they just feel sorry for you.
Talking about your nervousness will make you more nervous and will make them look for signs of your nervousness. Just start your speech.
Do not start with hesitation. Plan the first words, memorize the first words, practice the first words. Do not start with “Ok, so um, now I’d like…” Plan strong and start strong.
Do Not Discuss Your Business with People Watching…Really! I Mean It! Many of us are giving and listening to presentations in an online format. I have attended numerous presentations this year through Zoom where I have to sit and watch while the organizers engage in personal small talk or deal with the details of the presentation. This is how the speech I recently attended began. “Donna, you are going to share your screen, right?” “Yes. I have my PowerPoint ready to go. Will you push “record” when I give the signal?” “Sure. Where did you say that button is again? Do you think we should wait five more minutes, I think we had more who were coming? Dave, what was the total we were expecting?” “Yeah, we had 116 sign up, but the reminders went out late so this may be all we have. We can give them a few more minutes to log on.” “Donna, How is your dog? Is she still struggling with her cone since her spay surgery? My dog never would wear the cone –she tore her stitches out and broke her wound open. It was terrible. Well, it looks like it is about time to begin, thank you everyone for coming.” If you are organizing an event online, hosting a speech online, giving a presentation online–please keep it professional. Most platforms will allow you to keep the audience in a waiting room until it is time to start. If you have a business to deal with, keep the audience out until you have everything ready to go. Once the audience is in the meeting, you should engage the audience in group-type small talk or you should just start the presentation. In professional settings, you should start the meeting on time. Why punish those who showed up on time to wait for those who aren’t there yet?
I asked my long-time friend, Bill Rogers, to write an excerpt to add to the book. I met Bill when he was the Chief Development Officer for a hospital in Northwest Arkansas and I met him again when he was reinventing himself as a college student getting a Master’s Degree in the theater. He would love to share a symbolic cup of coffee with you and give you advice about public speaking.
Perfect morning for a walk, isn’t it? Join me for a cup of coffee? Wonderful. Find us a table and I’ll get our coffee.
There you go; just like you like it. There’s nothing like a great cup of coffee on the patio of your neighborhood coffee shop, is there?
Now that you’re settled in your favorite chair, take a sip, and let that glorious caffeine kick in and do its stuff. Okay, let’s talk.
So, you were asking me about public speaking.
Well, let’s see. Where do we begin?
One of the first pieces of advice I ever received was to imagine that every member of your audience is sitting there in their underwear! Yeah, right. That never worked for me. I tried it once with a local civic group of community leaders both male and female. If the intent of that tidbit is to make you relax, it certainly didn’t work for me. It just made me more self-conscious…and more nervous. I not only got distracted, but I also lost my train of thought, I started sweating, and, of course, imagined myself standing there without clothes. Needless to say, that speech was a disaster and I’ve never used it again. I suggest you don’t either.
In the early days, I also relied very heavily on my typed-up speech. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that unless you find yourself reading it word for word as I did. Nothing is more boring nor puts an audience to sleep quicker than a speaker with their nose down reading a speech. There’s no connection and connection with your audience is key.
As you know, I love theatre and I’ve done a bit of acting over the years. Early on, I learned that the quicker I learned my lines, the more I could play, experiment, and shape my character. It relaxed me and gave me enormous freedom. It led me to find a mantra for myself: “With discipline comes freedom.” This freedom will allow you to improvise as your audience or situation dictates while still conveying the core message of your presentation. That discipline and its resulting freedom apply to public speaking of any kind and, I think, will serve you well.
Another old adage we’ve all heard is Aristotle’s advice. You know the one. No? Well, roughly, it’s to tell your audience what you’re going to say, say it, and then tell them what you just said. That’s the basic formula for public speaking. And it works as a good place to start.
However, effective speaking is much more and, to me, it starts with a story or even a simple sentence.
You know the feeling you get when you read the first sentence of a good book and it just reaches out and grabs you? That should be your goal with every presentation. One sentence to capture your audience’s attention. Something that causes them to lean forward. Something that sparks their imagination.
It doesn’t have to be all that profound either. It can be something very simple. A personal story that relates to your topic. A relevant fact or statistic that defines or illustrates the issue or subject matter at hand.
A couple of classics come to mind. The first is Alice Walker’s, “The Color of Purple.”
“You better not tell nobody but God.”
And the second one is from my favorite novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee.
“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm broken at the elbow.”
Both sentences hook you immediately. A few simple words speak volumes. After reading or hearing those words, you naturally lean in. You want to learn more. You want to find out what happens next. Every effective speech or presentation does the same thing.
Of course, make sure that the first and last thing you say to your audience is both relevant and appropriate. I share this out of an abundance of caution. I once worked for an internationally recognized and well-respected children’s research hospital and I was given the privilege to speak at a national educational convention. The room was filled wall to wall with teachers. I thought I’d be cute and add a little levity. I opened my presentation with this line, “You know, I’ve had nightmares like this…” Instead of the roars of laughter, I was expecting, a wave of silence ensued. Not only was the line not funny, but it was also wholly inappropriate and I immediately lost my audience. Not my best day. Learn from my mistakes.
Finally, let’s touch on the importance of approaching a speech as a conversation. You and I are sitting here enjoying our coffee and having a friendly, relaxed conversation. Strive for that every chance you get. You may not always have that luxury. Some speeches and presentations simply demand formality. But even in those cases, you can usually make it somewhat conversational. I always try to write my speeches in a conversational style. Like I’m talking to a friend…or trying to make a new one.
So, to recap: tell a story, learn your lines, hook your audience with a simple sentence, close with a question or call to action, use repetition, keep it conversational, treat your audience as a friend, and give yourself permission to relax.
Above all, be yourself. Allow yourself to be as relaxed as you are with those closest to you. If you’re relaxed, if you try to think of your audience as a friend, then, in most cases, they too will relax and they will root for you. Even if they disagree with what you are telling them, they will respect you and they will listen.
How about another cup?
Remember This!
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Advanced Public Speaking Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Meade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
You’ve heard the saying, “First impressions are lasting; you never get a second chance to create a good first impression” — right?
The same is true when talking about how to start a speech…
The truth is, when you start your speech, you must focus everything on making a positive first impression on your audience members (especially if you are doing the presentation virtually ). Capturing the audience’s attention from the very beginning is crucial to prevent them from being distracted, losing interest, or forming negative opinions.
The introduction is the formal greeting for speeches, so let’s be sure to get this right to hook the audience. Understanding the importance of speech openings can significantly impact making a strong first impression. Planning and delivering the first words with confidence and relevance is essential, as they set the tone for the entire presentation and ensure you deliver a professional start, free from hesitation or irrelevance.
Here are 15 different ways to start a speech as well as 2 extra BONUS tips at the end.
You can start by thanking the audience for coming and thanking the organization for inviting you to speak.
Refer to the person who introduced you or to one or more of the senior people in the organization in the audience.
This compliments them, makes them feel proud and happy about your presence, and connects you to the audience like an electrical plug in a socket.
A presentation tip at the start is to tell the audience members how much they will like and enjoy what you have to say.
For example, you might say:
“You’re really going to enjoy the time we spend together this evening. I’m going to share with you some of the most important ideas that have ever been discovered in this area.”
Remember that speaking is an art, so be an artist and take complete control of your performance,
You can begin by complimenting the audience members sincerely and with great respect.
Smile as if you are really glad to see them as if they are all old friends of yours that you have not seen for quite a while.
You can tell them that it is a great honor for you to be here, that they are some of the most important people in this business or industry, and that you are looking forward to sharing some key ideas with them.
You could say something like:
“It is an honor to be here with you today. You are the elite, the top 10 percent of people in this industry. Only the very best people in any field will take the time and make the sacrifice to come so far for a conference like this.”
Use a current event front-page news story to transition into your subject and to illustrate or prove your point. You can bring a copy of the newspaper and hold it up as you refer to it in your introduction.
This visual image of you holding the paper and reciting or reading a key point rivets the audience’s attention and causes more people to lean forward to hear what you have to say.
For many years, I studied military history…
Especially the lives and campaigns of the great generals and the decisive battles they won. One of my favorites was Alexander the Great. Standing in the symbolic shadow of such historical figures can provide a powerful and engaging start to any speech, especially when drawing parallels to contemporary challenges.
One day, I was asked to give a talk on leadership principles to a roomful of managers for a Fortune 500 company.
I decided that the campaign of Alexander the Great against Darius of Persia would make an excellent story that would illustrate the leadership qualities of one of the great commanders in history.
I opened my talk with these words:
“Once upon a time there was a young man named Alex who grew up in a poor country. But Alex was a little bit ambitious. From an early age, he decided that he wanted to conquer the entire known world. But there was a small problem.
Most of the known world was under the control of a huge multinational called the Persian Empire, headed by King Darius II. To fulfill his ambition, Alex was going to have to take the market share away from the market leader, who was very determined to hold on to it.
This is the same situation that exists between you and your major competitors in the market today. You are going to have to use all your leadership skills to win the great marketing battles of the future.”
You can start by quoting a well-known person or publication that recently made an interesting or important statement.
One of the subjects I touch upon regularly is the importance of continual personal development.
I will say something like:
“In the twenty-first century, knowledge and know-how are the keys to success. As basketball coach Pat Riley said, ‘If you are not getting better, you are getting worse.’”
Start by telling a story about a recent conversation with someone in attendance.
For instance, I might say:
“A few minutes ago, I was talking with Tom Robinson in the lobby. He told me that this is one of the very best times to be working in this industry, and I agree.”
You can start your talk by making a shocking statement of some kind.
For example, you might say something like:
“Here’s a startling fact: According to a recent study, there will be more change, more competition, and more opportunities in this industry in the next year than ever before. And 72 percent of the people in this room will be doing something different within two years if they do not rapidly adapt to these changes.”
Click here If you want to learn more techniques to wow your audience.
You can start by quoting a relevant, recent research report.
One example is:
“According to a story in a recent issue of Businessweek, there were almost 11 million millionaires in America in 2018, most of them self-made.”
The French philosopher Gustav Le Bon once wrote, “The only religion of mankind is, and always has been hope.”
When you speak effectively, you give people hope of some kind.
Remember, the ultimate purpose of public speaking, is to inspire people to do things that they would not have done in the absence of your comments.
Everything you say should relate to the actions you want people to take and the reasons that they should take those actions.
Bill Gove used to walk onto the stage after his introduction if he had just finished talking to someone on the side and was breaking off to give his talk to the group.
The audience got the feeling that his entire talk was one continuous conversation, devoid of meaningless filler words .
Bill would often go to the edge of the stage and then drop his voice in a conspiratorial way, open his arms, and beckon the audience members to come a little closer.
He would say, “Come here, let me tell you something,” and then he would wave them forward as though he was about to tell a secret to the entire room.
The amazing thing was that everyone in the room would lean forward to hear this “secret” that he was about to share. People would all suddenly realize what they were doing and break out in laughter. It was a wonderful device to get the audience into the palm of his hands.
You can open by making a positive statement and then pose a rhetorical question to engage your audience and set the stage for your presentation.
Try something like this:
“This is a great time to be alive and in business in America. But let me ask you, what does it truly mean to be self-employed in today’s economy?”
Raise your hand to indicate what you want people to do. I have used this line, and after a moment of thought, I then say to someone who looks intrigued in the front, “How many people here feel truly self-employed?”
Invariably, someone will say, “We all do!”
I then compliment and affirm the answer: “You’re right! We are all self-employed, from the time we take our first jobs to the day that we retire; we all work for ourselves, no matter who signs our paychecks.”
Similarly, a 17-year-old science fair winner effectively engaged their audience with a question at the beginning of their TED Talk, showcasing the power of this technique.
You can start with a problem that must be solved. If it is a problem that almost everyone has in common, you will immediately have the audience’s complete and undivided attention.
For example, you could say:
“Fully 63 percent of baby boomers are moving toward retirement without enough money put aside to provide for themselves for as long as they are going to live. We must address this problem and take action immediately to ensure that each person who retires will be able to live comfortably for the rest of his or her natural life.”
Introducing a new idea at this point can be a powerful way to engage your audience further, by promising a solution that is both innovative and beneficial.
You can start by making a strong and powerful statement and then ask a question. You then follow with an answer and ask another question. This gets people immediately involved and listening to your every word.
Here’s an example:
“Twenty percent of the people in our society make 80 percent of the money. Are you a member of the top 20 percent? If not, would you like to join the top 20 percent or even the top 10 percent? Well, in the next few minutes, I am going to give you some ideas to help you become some of the highest-paid people in our society. Would that be a good goal for our time together today?”
You can start your talk with a personal story. Some of the most powerful words to capture the complete attention of the audience and make a personal connection are, “Once upon a time…”
From infancy and early childhood, people love stories of any kind. When you start off a presentation with a personal anecdote using the words, “Once upon a time…” you tell the audience that a relatable story is coming. People immediately settle down, become quiet, and lean forward, eager to hear how your experience might mirror their own or offer them new insights.
When I conduct full-day seminars and I want to bring people back to their seats after a break, I will say loudly, “Once upon a time there was a man, right here in this city…”
As soon as I say these words, people hurry back to their seats and begin to listen attentively, connecting with the story on a personal level.
Incorporating a personal story is very effective.
In fact, it’s probably one of the best public speaking tips I’ve learned to this day.
Very often, I will start a serious speech or presentation to a business, sales, or entrepreneurial group by saying:
“I started off without graduating from high school. My family had no money. Everything I accomplished in life I had to do on my own with very little help from anyone else.”
It is amazing how many people come up to me after a talk that began with those words and tells me that was their experience as well.
They tell me that they could immediately identify with me because they too had started with poor grades and limited funds, as most people do. As a result, they were open to the rest of my talk, even a full-day seminar, and felt that everything I said was more valid and authentic than if I had been a person who started off with a successful background.
Building a bridge like this is very helpful in bringing the audience onto your side.
You can ask people to turn to the person next to them to discuss a particular point.
For instance, you could say:
“Tell the person next to you what you would like to learn from this seminar.”
Whatever you ask your audience members to do, within reason, they will do it for you. Your commands and your thought leadership will easily influence them, as long as you ask them with confidence.
By following any one of these tips for starting your speech, you are sure to grab your audience’s attention every time. How do you start a speech? Let me know in the comments.
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About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , Linkedin and Youtube .
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Imagine standing in front of an eager audience, every pair of eyes on you. You only have a moment to capture their attention with your speech, or you’ll lose them. If you begin it well, your words have the potential to get the crowd buzzing and inspire your audience to action. Yet, to do this, the beginning of a speech needs to be captivating, which is not always easy to pull off, even for experienced speakers. For this reason, it’s crucial leaders know how to start a speech, as it’s an asset used throughout their entire careers.
1. don’t wing it, 2. create an imaginary scenario, 3. use a quote, check out these quotes to get some ideas:, 4. use humor.
You can always start your speech out with a joke. Admittedly, this can be tricky to pull off since humor is subjective, but a joke can immediately put the audience at ease. Pick a joke that’s tasteful and relevant to the topic at hand. For obvious reasons, you should avoid starting with a joke if the subject of your speech is serious or sad.
If you’re struggling with a way to begin your speech, why not try asking a question? The question you choose can be a literal question, such as, “How many people here run their own business?” Or you can go the rhetorical route by asking a “what if” question. A “what if” question is a great way to get people thinking about possible scenarios. For example, think about a speech that started by saying, “What kind of world would it be if every leader fulfilled their full potential?” The audience would immediately begin coming up with ideas and imagining what such a world would look like.
7. shock the audience.
In another popular TED Talk, Pamela Meyer begins by making a shocking announcement : “Okay, now I don’t want to alarm anybody in this room, but it’s just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar.” Think of what a compelling way that is to get people to put down their phones and look at the speaker. It also ties nicely into the subject of her speech, “How to Spot a Liar.” With a shocking statement, you too can capture people’s attention in just a few seconds.
9. share a story, bonus tips for starting a speech, the one thing you should not do.
If there’s a surefire way to lose your audience right at the start, it’s by simply introducing yourself. First off, in most speech settings, someone will likely have introduced you anyway, so it would be a waste of time. Secondly, most people in the audience will already know who you are and why you are there. Introducing yourself treats your audience like children and may even lead to some people zoning out immediately. Don’t dawdle or play schoolteacher with the people in front of you. Launch right into your speech with the skills discussed earlier. The results will speak for themselves.
Giving a speech is an art form that often relies on what happens at the start. Try out the above tips the next time you need to give a speech. Using assertive communication is another way to establish a connection with your audience. With the right beginning, you’ll have people following you every step of the way until you’ve finished.
Want more great quotes for starting a speech? Check out the following:
50+ Success Quotes to Inspire Leaders
Kicking off your speech the right way is essential for grabbing and holding onto your audience’s focus. When you think about how to start a speech, imagine laying down a solid foundation that piques people’s curiosity and interest from the get-go. This initial step is crucial as it sets the mood for your entire presentation and ensures your audience stays engaged and interested in hearing more. A compelling start not only draws listeners in but also establishes a connection, making them more receptive to your message throughout your talk.
Ask a provocative question, share an intriguing fact, tell a compelling story, use a relevant quote, start with a joke, present a startling statistic, use a powerful image, begin with a personal anecdote, create a moment of silence, pose a hypothetical scenario, make a bold statement, use an engaging prop, reference current events, offer a surprising comparison, use an interactive element, start mid-story, address the audience directly, use a relevant audio clip, challenge a common belief, paint a vivid picture.
Begin with a question that challenges your audience’s assumptions or piques their curiosity, prompting them to think deeply about the topic. This approach engages the audience right away, encouraging active participation in your speech.
Present a surprising or little-known fact that highlights the relevance or urgency of your topic. This method grabs the audience’s attention by showcasing the importance or uniqueness of your subject matter.
Start with a story that is relevant to your main message. This technique draws your audience into a narrative, making your speech more engaging and memorable.
Open with a quote that sets the stage for your topic. This can lend authority and context to your speech, resonating with your audience and framing your subsequent points.
Find Your Quote Here: Popular quotes
Using humor can break the ice and make your audience more receptive. However, it’s crucial to ensure the joke is tasteful and appropriate for the context of your presentation.
A striking statistic can underscore the significance of your topic, highlighting its impact or importance in a way that captivates your audience from the start.
A compelling visual can evoke emotions and set the tone for your entire presentation, delivering a strong message without the need for words.
Related: Unlock Incredible Success with Visual Aids for Speech!
Sharing a personal story connects your audience to your topic on an emotional level, making your speech more relatable and authentic.
Employing a deliberate pause can create suspense and focus your audience’s attention, emphasizing the importance of what you’re about to say next.
Introduce a hypothetical situation related to your topic to engage your audience’s imagination and encourage them to consider different perspectives.
Starting with a controversial or bold claim can instantly focus your audience’s attention on your speech, setting the stage for a persuasive argument or intriguing narrative.
Incorporating a physical object can add depth to your message and make your speech more memorable, providing a visual anchor for your points.
Linking your topic to a recent news event or trend can demonstrate its relevance and urgency, making your message more timely and compelling.
Drawing an unexpected parallel can provide fresh insights and highlight interesting aspects of your topic, making your speech more thought-provoking.
Involving your audience with an interactive question or activity can make your presentation more dynamic and engaging, encouraging participation and attention.
Jumping into the middle of a story piques curiosity and invites your audience to listen closely to learn more, creating a sense of intrigue and engagement.
Making a direct connection with your audience establishes rapport and personalizes your speech, making it more impactful and memorable.
Incorporating audio can add a new dimension to your speech, whether it’s to evoke emotion, set the tone, or illustrate a point more vividly.
Questioning a widely accepted idea can stimulate thought and debate, setting the stage for a speech that invites your audience to see a topic from a new perspective.
Utilizing descriptive language to create a vivid scene can engage your audience’s senses and emotions, making your message more impactful and memorable.
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Crafting a persuasive speech that captivates your audience and drives them to action is no easy feat. If you’re hitting the books, climbing the corporate ladder, or just dreaming of rocking the stage with your speeches, having a killer set of persuasive speech examples can totally change your game. In this post, we’ve curated some of the most compelling and inspiring persuasive speech examples to help you elevate your own speaking skills. So buckle up and grab your pen, because we’re diving into the secrets behind these unforgettable speeches.
When we talk about a persuasive speech , we refer to a form of communication that seeks to influence the audience’s beliefs or actions. In the course of a persuasive speech, a person will present compelling arguments—backed by evidence and persuasive techniques—in order to convince listeners to embrace a specific viewpoint or take a particular course of action. Persuasive speeches are used in many different areas of life, such as in a school or university setting, in a job, or in a social setting.
When preparing to give a persuasive speech, always choose a topic or cause you’re interested in and passionate about. If you want to convince other people to agree with your stance, you must be seen to believe in it yourself. In addition, it helps to choose a topic that people care about and hasn’t been overdone.
Looking for some funny persuasive speech examples to inspire your next presentation? You’ve come to the right place. Humor is a powerful tool when it comes to persuasion. It can help you connect with your audience, make your message more memorable, and even diffuse tension around controversial topics.
One classic example comes from David McCullough, Jr.’s high school commencement speech entitled “You Are Not Special.” While the title might not sound funny, McCullough delivers a hilarious reality check to graduates, poking fun at the coddling and praise they’ve received growing up. His ultimate message—that true success comes from hard work and taking risks—is made all the more powerful by his humorous approach.
But what makes funny persuasive speeches so effective? For one, humor helps the speakers build rapport with their audiences. Laughter is a shared experience that brings people together and makes them more open to new ideas. Additionally, injecting some levity into a speech can make the overall message more palatable and less preachy.
Of course, using humor in a persuasive speech requires some finesse. The jokes should be tasteful, relevant to your overall message, and not offensive to your audience. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. After all, a flat joke is better than one that leaves listeners cringing.
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Policy persuasive speeches advocate for a particular course of action on a public policy issue. These speeches go beyond simply raising awareness about a problem – they propose concrete solutions and try to sway the audience to support a specific plan.
One powerful policy persuasive speech example comes from Greta Thunberg’s address to the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019 . Thunberg doesn’t mince words when lambasting world leaders for their inaction on climate change. But she also lays out clear policy demands, like immediately halting fossil fuel subsidies and drastically reducing carbon emissions. Her message is clear: we know what needs to be done and we need to do it.
When crafting your own policy persuasive speech, it’s important to back up your arguments with solid evidence. Use statistics, expert testimony, and real-world examples to show why your proposed solution is feasible and necessary. Anticipate counterarguments and address them head-on. And most importantly, make a clear call to action. Ask yourself: what exactly do you want your audience to do to support your policy goals?
Value persuasive speeches aim to change people’s beliefs or attitudes about a particular issue. Rather than advocating for a specific policy, these speeches try to shift the audience’s underlying values and assumptions.
A classic example of a value persuasive speech is Mary McLeod Bethune’s “ What Does American Democracy Mean to Me? ” address. As an African American woman born into poverty, Bethune faced countless obstacles and injustices throughout her life. But in this speech, she reframes the narrative around American democracy, arguing that our nation’s highest ideals are worth fighting for, even if we haven’t yet lived up to them. By appealing to shared values like freedom, justice, and equality, Bethune inspires her audience to keep pushing for change.
The key to a successful value persuasive speech is tapping into your audience’s existing beliefs and values. Use vivid language and storytelling to paint a picture of the world you want to see. Make your case in moral and ethical terms, not just practical ones. And don’t be afraid to show some vulnerability. By sharing your own experiences and struggles, you can create an emotional connection with your listeners.
Social issues make for compelling persuasive speech topics because they touch on deeply held beliefs and affect people’s everyday lives. Whether you’re talking about racial justice, gender equality, or income inequality, these speeches require a deft touch and a willingness to engage with complex, often controversial ideas.
One powerful example of a persuasive speech about mental health is Kevin Breel’s “ Confessions of a Depressed Comic ” from TEDxKids@Ambleside. As a stand-up comedian, Breel knows how to get laughs, but he also knows the pain of living with depression. In this speech, he shares his own story of struggling with mental illness and calls on society to break the stigma around talking about mental health. By speaking vulnerably, Breel makes a compelling case for why we need to take depression seriously and support those who are struggling.
Another great example of a persuasive speech about health is Jamie Oliver’s TED Talk “ Teach Every Child About Food .” As a celebrity chef, Oliver has seen firsthand the impact of poor nutrition on people’s health. In this speech, he makes a passionate plea for better food education in schools, arguing that it’s a matter of life and death. With shocking statistics and personal anecdotes, Oliver paints a grim picture of the obesity epidemic and calls on parents, educators, and policymakers to take action.
Environmental issues are some of the most pressing challenges we face as a society. From climate change to pollution to habitat destruction, the stakes couldn’t be higher. That’s why persuasive speeches about the environment are so important. By inspiring people to take action, they make a true difference.
One of the most famous environmental speeches of all time is Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” lecture, which was later turned into an Academy Award-winning documentary. In this speech, Gore lays out the scientific evidence for climate change and argues that we have a moral imperative to act. With compelling visuals and a sense of urgency, Gore makes a powerful case for why we need to reduce our carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy sources.
Another great example of an environmental persuasive speech is Severn Suzuki’s address to the UN Earth Summit in 1992. At just 12 years old, Suzuki delivered a heartfelt plea for action on behalf of her generation, arguing that adults were stealing children’s future by destroying the planet. Her speech went viral and helped galvanize the youth environmental movement. By speaking from the heart and calling out the hypocrisy of world leaders, Suzuki showed that you’re never too young to make a difference.
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What are some examples of a persuasive speech.
Think climate change action, voting rights, or the importance of mental health awareness. They push for change.
Gun control laws, school uniforms debate, death penalty perspectives, animal testing ethics, and social media impacts make the list.
“Why recycling matters” is straightforward and impactful. It connects with everyday actions and broader environmental goals.
“Switching to renewable energy sources can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.” This urges action towards sustainability.
Persuasive speech examples show us how to inspire, motivate, and transform the way we communicate our ideas to the world. By studying these remarkable speeches, you’ve gained valuable insights into the art of persuasion and the techniques that make a speech truly unforgettable.
Remember, winning people over with your words takes more than just knowing the right things to say. It’s about practice, caring deeply, and tuning into the folks listening. Take the lessons you’ve learned from these examples and apply them to your own unique style and message. Pouring your soul into your speech can truly move an audience emotionally, altering their thinking for good.
Now your moment in the spotlight is here, so show off those persuasive speech skills. Go forth and create a speech that not only informs and entertains but also inspires and empowers your audience to take meaningful action. The world is waiting to hear your voice, so make it count!
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Written by: Nayomi Chibana
Wondering how to start a presentation that makes your audience sit up in their seats with excitement?
"Today, you will learn something that will add 10 years to your life."
"20 years from now, your job won't exist."
"Did you know that more people have access to a mobile phone than a toilet?"
Presentation starters like these are key to grabbing your audience's attention and making the most of the time allotted to you.
Instead of thanking the audience, making an unrelated joke or apologizing for a technical issue, why not dive right into the subject matter with a gripping statement or thought-provoking question?
To help you craft your own killer presentation starters, we've sorted through some of the most popular TED talks in history and created this list of the most effective ways to start your next presentation .
Many of these presentation starters are successful because they appeal to human emotions such as curiosity, awe, surprise or fear. You can read more on creating viral content that triggers emotional responses in this post .
Better yet, check out the video version of this blog post. This video distills 12 killer strategies to start your presentation and keep the audience's attention throughout.
Knowing how to start a presentation is just as crucial as the message you're trying to convey. If you can't start it effectively, you might not be able to leave a strong enough impact by the end of it.
TED speakers are some of the best presenters in the world, and there's a lot you can learn from their talks. Below, we've handpicked some of these presentations that start with a bang and manage to keep the audience hooked till the very end.
"I want to discuss with you this afternoon why you're going to fail to have a great career."
One surefire way to get your audience's attention is to make a provocative statement that creates interest and a keen desire to know more about what you have to say.
The presentation above, for example, does just that by making a surprising first statement that inspires surprise, amusement, curiosity and fear at the same time.
With 4.8 million views and counting, this talk by an economics professor draws you in precisely because it steers clear of the traditional talk, using blunt humor to enumerate all the irrational excuses people make for not pursuing their dreams and passions.
"I need to make a confession at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something that I regret, something that I'm not particularly proud of. Something that, in many ways, I wish no one would ever know, but here I feel kind of obliged to reveal."
Another way to grab your audience by the collar is to incite curiosity. In this popular TED talk viewed over 15.4 million times, career analyst Dan Pink succeeds at getting the entire audience to look at him intently, waiting for his next word, by resorting to an opening statement that builds suspense.
Since human beings are by nature curious creatures, most people in the audience were probably asking themselves "What did he do?" and imagining all sorts of possible scenarios.
"You will live seven and a half minutes longer than you would have otherwise, just because you watched this talk."
In many ways related to the previous two presentation starters, this hook involves making a counter-intuitive or paradigm-shifting statement that goes against a popular belief or simply shocks due to the perceived impossibility of the proposed statement.
This introduction by game designer Jane McGonigal, for example, achieves a level of surprise by making a seemingly improbable assertion. After hearing this kind of statement, most people will want to listen to your entire talk, if not out of genuine interest, then at least for the sake of pacifying their incredulity.
(By the way, she makes good on her promise by revealing a game she designed to boost resilience, which is backed by scientific research.)
"When I was seven years old and my sister was just five years old, we were playing on top of a bunk bed..."
As covered in a previous post , storytelling is the key ingredient that separates good, engaging presentations from bad ones that lack a clear message and persuasive delivery.
In his popular talk on the secret to being more productive, psychologist Shawn Achor tells a childhood story to lead into the effectiveness of positive psychology. He then goes on to provide concrete evidence backing his claim that pursuing happiness, rather than productivity for its own sake, actually makes you more--not less--productive.
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"I'm going to tell you a little bit about my TEDxHouston Talk. I woke up the morning after I gave that talk with the worst vulnerability hangover of my life. And I actually didn't leave my house for about three days."
Another way to draw your audience into your own world is to tell a revealing personal story. This is certainly not easy but, when done right, can quickly spark interest in your topic and build an emotional connection between you and your audience.
In Brene Brown's talk on confronting shame, she begins by admitting that she felt embarrassed over the revelations she had made in her massively popular TED talk on embracing vulnerability.
One of the easiest ways to start a presentation is to quote an influential person. In these cases, it's best to use a pithy, short and relevant quote to catch your audience's attention.
In the widely viewed video above, for example, writer Andrew Solomon quotes Emily Dickinson to begin his talk on depression, an illness he asserts affects many more people than the official figures suggest.
The quote is particularly powerful and effective because it eloquently describes the state of depression from the point of view of a person who is feeling all the emotions associated with it.
To introduce this fascinating TED talk on how movements really get started, entrepreneur Derek Sivers uses some surprising footage to support his statements. They are especially captivating because they debunk widely held beliefs on the matter, proving that it takes more than just a charismatic leader to start a revolution of any sort.
"Do you think it's possible to control someone's attention? Even more than that, what about predicting human behavior?"
In this attention-grabbing presentation on the flaws in human perception, world-famous pickpocket Apollo Robbins starts off by asking the audience a question that leads right into the meat of his talk, which has been viewed worldwide more than 10.5 million times.
In these cases, it's best to pose a question that will really get your audience thinking and, in the best possible scenario, challenge their prevailing beliefs or preconceptions on a certain topic.
51 Best Presentation Slides for Engaging Presentations (2024)
Another effective technique--which should only be used if you're a seasoned presenter and are able to maintain your composure throughout--is to leverage silence to command a room.
Watch, for example, how musician Amanda Palmer starts off her talk by not saying a word, simply breathing in and out and using props to communicate her message.
Although you may not want to resort to both silence and using a prop in your presentation, this is a very effective dramatic technique that, if done right, quickly draws all eyes to you.
Considering that the audience's gaze is attracted by motion and visual objects, another way to hook them right from the outset is to use a prop.
Take a look at how best-selling author Susan Cain uses a physical object to visually complement her opening story on her first summer camp experience. It not only adds a dramatic effect, it also keeps viewers eyes on her while on stage.
"Okay, now I don't want to alarm anybody in this room, but it's just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar."
Humor is not only a good way to break the ice and endear the audience to you right from the outset, it can also be very effective in getting your point across if it's relevant to your talk.
Lie detector Pamela Meyer, for example, deftly uses both humor and an element of surprise in her opening statement as she tells the audience that the person to their right is probably a liar. This gets the audience to laugh and then focus on her topic at the same time.
She goes on to give some shocking statistics (such as that on any given day, we're lied to up to 200 times) and delivers an intriguing talk that has been seen close to 13 million times.
"Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary."
Lastly, there are times when leading your audience to use their imaginations is the best bet. You can prompt them to do this by using the commands "imagine," "think of" or "picture this." These are just a few of the most powerful opening words for presentation.
Plane crash survivor Ric Elias, for example, uses this technique in the video above to quickly thrust his audience into the central scene of his harrowing story.
What about your next presentation? Have you thought about how you're going to set the mood for your talk? We've rounded up some of the best way to start a presentation.
When you're ready to get started creating your presentation, give Visme's presentation software a try! The tool comes with an AI writer that helps you generate killer content for your next presentation in seconds.
Plus, check out our post on how to end a presentation so you both start and end your speech with a bang.
And if you want to learn all our secrets on how to deliver an unforgettable presentation, as well as how to create visual slides with impact, grab our free e-book below.
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Nayomi Chibana is a journalist and writer for Visme’s Visual Learning Center. Besides researching trends in visual communication and next-generation storytelling, she’s passionate about data-driven content.
Table of contents
Students are often asked to write a speech about other people. You can be assigned to talk about your friend, relative, teacher, or famous person. To do it well, you should concentrate on what you can tell about this person to others and what you can write about him or her. It is necessary to understand how to write a speech about someone if you have such a task and should do it quickly. It is not very difficult, but it requires some research on the subject of your essay and analysis of information.
Be careful with what you write on paper. If those whom you describe are close to you and you surely met them personally, try not to expose their secrets or any information they don’t want to be shared with others. You should also do in-depth research to create a good study of a famous writer, actress, etc. If you already have specific facts, it doesn’t mean that they are true. That’s why all information should be checked.
Here are a few tips for those who are creating such a presentation. These tips could be useful if you have to develop a short or funny speech about someone you don't know or if you don’t understand how to work with such a type of assignment.
Start when you feel like it. This is a simple tip, but a huge one. How to start a speech about someone? Just start as you are talking to something. All speeches are designed to be spoken. They are not something you will read while in your bed! As you are moving forward, add the main points and just continue. You can always edit and make the content better afterwards.
Use short words and very short sentences. In order to write an informative speech, your writing process will have to change. You need to make sure the main points are there you need to write as you talk. This means short words and also short sentences. The main point here is to make the whole paper sound easier and more appealing when you read it out loud. Now, write a speech and try using this tip. Then, complete another with long words and longer sentences. Read out loud, both. You will see the difference, and you can imagine the effect on the audience's attention. Yes, you still need to write a speech outline.
Even if you are a friend of the person you describe, if he or she inspires you, it would be recommended to do some additional research on his or her biography, find more facts, and use them. Many facts about interviewed famous people are not true, that is why you need to analyze them wisely.
Check everything you read, and be sure you use only verified information. Get facts from credible media and make references to them in your paper. If it is needed, it is recommended to use many forms of media, and you will get information from different sides.
Define the goals of your graduation or other speech. You may want just to talk about a person, concentrate on their childhood, highlight their most notable achievements, or show how clever or friendly this person is.
When you work on a speech for someone, you should always try to relate and make a personal story told. In most cases, when you work on a speech for someone, this is not an option. But if it is, make sure to include it.
Always make a catchy introduction to your speech. Try to grab the attention of your audience in the first few seconds. An informative speech will sound much better instantly. It is one of the main points we all need to know about.
Don’t be prejudiced. If you admire the subject of your paper and want to speak from the heart, you shouldn’t repeat too many good words or invent good facts. If you dislike them, you should explain what the reasons for disliking the person are.
Writing a speech about another person can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know them very well. However, with careful research and creativity, you can craft an informative and inspiring speech that will bring your subject to life. To get started, write your personal essay in a relevant way by including new information about the person you are talking about. Research their life, accomplishments, and experiences to provide context for your audience and create a meaningful connection between the subject of your speech and the listeners.
Writing about people you already know is both a simple and difficult task, simply because you are familiar with these people and can tell many stories. It is also difficult because you should pick only a few stories that describe them correctly. Here you can find a few tips on writing a speech about someone you admire, about your friends, relatives, classmates, and other people you know and want to tell your readers about them.
If all these things don’t help, you can order speech writing services from an academic essay writing service . They work well with such tasks and write them fast. Writers of these services are experienced in working on different types of papers.
If you wonder how to write a good speech, you should read it several times before you show it to others. This is mandatory for all types of writing, and there are no other means you can use to get the same effect. Also, be especially focused on small elements of the life of that person and definitely include appealing and interesting ones that your audience wants to know. But you are probably going to write this in the form of an essay for a professor, and he already knows those things. As such, you need to add possible things about the person and make an accent that they are controversial, but the audience still needs to know about them.
If you have to tell your speech to a big audience, you should try it in an empty room or with friends before. You can also use multimedia devices to screen your speech and watch it later and find mistakes.
Notice that there are different methods of writing a speech about famous people. That is why you should check your requirements before starting your writing and define your goals, then, you can start creating your draft.
When writing a speech of this kind, always try to put yourself in your audience's shoes. What do they want to hear? Why they are even reading this? What do they want to know specifically? if you answer these questions in a proper manner, you will have excellent content and your reader or readers will be impressed. You can even use a speech writing service because it can help you with any type of task and hire the best quick writers experienced in this field.
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"Be a voice not an echo." - Albert Einstein
Want to move audiences? Develop a powerful opening! Here is how to start a speech, including 12 foolproof ways to grab audiences in public speaking.
Let's talk about how to start a speech. When it comes to persuading, inspiring, or influencing an audience, your opening is by far the most important moment in your performance.
So how do you begin a presentation in ways that will get an audience on your side and start you on the road to speaking memorably?
Learn this skill and 101 tips and tricks for more successful speaking in my Public Speaking Handbook, How to Give a Speech . Also available as an Amazon bestseller!
Let's imagine that you're finally pitching to that audience of decision makers. It's the high-stakes opportunity you've been waiting for, and you've put together a killer presentation. There's just one problem: how do you start the thing off with a bang? Remember, anyone can give an ordinary presentation. It's your job to stand out from the crowd for career success.
Your Opening Sets the Tone of Your Presentation
You probably already know you need to begin with power and purpose. You're just not sure how . . . or for that matter, exactly why.
The answer is that, when it comes to influencing listeners in speeches and presentations, two concepts explain why your beginning and ending need to be particularly strong. I'll discuss both concepts here, then provide some powerful tools for your opening gambit: your speech Introduction .
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This article is available as a free PDF . Click here to download "How to Start a Speech - 12 Foolproof Ways to Grab Your Audience!" Learn and practice starting out powerfully!
Your Introduction and Conclusion Need to Be Strong
The two concepts concerning why you need to start and end strongly, are primacy and recency . Primacy states that people remember most vividly what they hear at the beginning of a speech. Recency says those same people will strongly recall what you say at the end. In terms of public speaking, this translates into your introduction and conclusion. And you really do need to start early. Here's how to create an opening your audience will remember .
In more practical terms, there are three specific reasons why your introduction needs to be engaging and interesting immediately :
(1) Audiences make judgments about you and your message in the first minute. After that point, you'll be able to change those opinions about as easily as you can change a hamster into a ham sandwich. So here's how to be strong in the first 60 seconds of your speech .
(2) Your opening sets the entire tone of your presentation (including whether you'll be interesting or not).
(3) This is when you introduce your message and tell the audience why they should listen.
Sound like a tall order? It isn't, if you use the seven key components of successful presentations . Your audience needs to be both fully engaged and predisposed favorably toward you and your message. Neither will happen unless you can grab their attention, so they're onboard when you spin your verbal magic. Keep reading to learn how that's done.
Ready to boost your influence with stakeholders? Grab your copy of my book, Speak for Leadership . Learn an executive speech coach's secrets! Get it today here or on Amazon .
Achieving the objective of a 'grabbing' opening takes thought, a bit of imagination, and yes, a little creativity. The good news is that since you know your topic well and you're psyched up for the big game (it's an audience of decision-makers, remember?), you should be well positioned to succeed.
Primacy won't have much of a chance to operate, though, if you use what I call the 'Today, I'm going to talk about . . .' opening. This is boring! Be on the lookout instead for something that will pique the interest of your listeners, and perhaps surprise them. And here's something else you absolutely need to know: 20 ways to connect with an audience for lasting influence .
A few minutes of focused thinking should be all you need to know how to come up with an effective opening. And remember to avoid that I call introducing your introduction. That sounds like this: 'Let me start out with a story . . .', or, 'I heard a very funny joke the other day . . . ' Or even the inexplicable 'Before I begin . . . ' since you've already begun!
Just tell us the story, the joke, or the in-the-know reference that will delight your listeners. But if you signal your effect beforehand, you water down its potency and its power to surprise.
So how can you be completely focused and on your game?
As a springboard to launching your presentation with verve and originality, here are a dozen rhetorical devices you can use. Each of them is an effective 'speech hook that you can use to start any speech or presentation:
You could literally think of dozens more from your own experience or that of your audience. Remember, the best grabbers engage an audience immediately, both intellectually and emotionally. Interestingly, these same devices can be used to conclude in a way that keeps your audience thinking about what you said. It's all part of my six rules for effective public speaking .
Coming up with an exciting grabber and clincher involves some work on your part. But the rewards if you're successful more than justify the effort.
How about a few examples? Here are four great openings that illustrate some of the grabbers listed above:
Jesus , Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." — Startling statement.
Bill Clinton , 1993 speech in Memphis to ministers (after having heard himself introduced as "Bishop Clinton"): "You know, in the last ten months, I've been called a lot of things, but nobody's called me a bishop yet. When I was about nine years old, my beloved and now departed grandmother, who was a very wise woman, looked at me and she said, 'You know, I believe you could be a preacher if you were just a little better boy.'" — Humor
Jane Fonda in her TED Talk "Life's Third Act": "There have been many revolutions over the last century, but perhaps none as significant as the longevity revolution. We are living on average today 34 years longer than our great-grandparents did. Think about that: that's an entire second adult lifetime that's been added to our lifespan." — Statistic.
Steve Jobs , 2005 Commencement Address at Stanford University: "Truth be told, I never graduated from college, and this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today, I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it, no big deal—just three stories. The first story is about connecting the dots. I dropped out of Reed College after the first six months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another eighteen months or so before I really quit. So why'd I drop out? It started before I was born." — Story, with a seamless transition into his speech.
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Gary Genard is an actor, author, and expert in public speaking and overcoming speaking fear. His company, The Genard Method offers live 1:1 Zoom executive coaching and corporate group training worldwide. He was named for nine consecutive years as One of the World’s Top 30 Communication Professionals , and also named as One of America's Top 5 Speech Coaches . He is the author of the Amazon Best-Sellers How to Give a Speech and Speak for Leadership: An Executive Speech Coach's Secrets for Developing Leadership Presence . His book, Fearless Speaking , was named in 2019 as "One of the 100 Best Confidence Books of All Time." He is also the author of the Dr. William Scarlet Mysteries . Contact Gary here.
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Jun 12, 2024
Posted by: Regine Fe Arat
Knowing how to start a speech is a valuable skill that can help you deliver engaging content. A strong opening statement can improve the odds of grabbing the audience’s attention and them connecting with your overall message.
Regardless of the topic, knowing how to start a speech effectively can directly impact the overall tone of your presentation. This guide will show you the dos and don’ts for starting a speech and provide some useful tips and tricks.
The beginning of a speech serves as the foundation for effective communication. Here’s why:
Being charismatic and engaging from the beginning will increase the odds of an audience hearing and comprehending what you are sharing. As the speaker, you need to find the strategy you feel comfortable with to engage the audience.
Preparing to write a speech requires careful planning and consideration to ensure your message resonates with your audience. From defining your purpose and audience to organizing your ideas and crafting a compelling narrative, each step is crucial for delivering a memorable and impactful speech.
Start by clarifying the purpose: inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire? This will set the tone and ensure your speech resonates.
Understanding your objective guides content and structure, keeping you focused on your goal throughout the writing process. It also helps you choose the appropriate tone, language and supporting materials for maximum impact.
After you have given your speech, you can reflect on your original objective and assess your success. This is a useful tool for ensuring you meet your intended outcome and enables you to make adjustments for future speeches.
Knowing your audience and understanding what your participants hope to gain from your speech can prove invaluable. If an audience finds your topic irrelevant from the start, it will be hard to win them back. They might find it difficult to remain interested, likely switching off or thinking about something else.
Understanding your audience can make all the difference. Directing your content toward the interests and needs of the audience will make it easier to keep them actively engaged and focused on your topic.
Follow these tips to kickstart your speech in the best possible way.
Whether you thank the organizers for inviting you to speak at the event is a personal choice.
Consider Toastmasters, a non-profit organization that helps people improve their public speaking and leadership skills. The organization sets a standard for starting presentations, which is quite formal. A speaker says, “Mr Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters and honored guests…” before starting their speech.
An invitation to speak means the organizers have vetted you. They know who you are and what value you will provide. You may want to acknowledge the organization for the opportunity, but your acknowledgment should only be short.
Have confidence in your opening statement. Always introduce yourself and identify as an individual with topic-related expertise. This ensures the audience members develop respect for your authority and knowledge of the material.
Compliment the audience and treat them with respect. Smile sincerely to acknowledge you are happy to be there and thank them for attending your presentation.
Share how you feel honored to be among the industry’s greatest minds, exploring key ideas. Reveal your agenda for the rest of the event so the audience knows what to expect moving forward.
Knowing who is in the audience can also be crucial. What type of learners do you have? Are they analytical learners, influencers or dominants? Using the DiSC method to gauge your audience beforehand can be helpful.
Encourage audience members to stay engaged by telling them your presentation’s goal. For example, “Today, my goal is to have you leave with tools to better connect with your employees.”
Deliver your content confidently and immediately start with the main topic of discussion to avoid unnecessary banter. This may lose your audience’s attention.
Strong body language can positively impact your message delivery and help the audience remain focused.
Many professional speakers link the theme of their speech to a well-known current event receiving widespread media attention. Most people are interested in newsworthy events, so this tactic can keep them interested in what you are saying.
While this can be an effective way to start a speech, be sure your chosen current event isn’t controversial. It should be something most audience members will receive positively.
Another common way to connect with an audience is to reference a historical personality or event. Many participants will believe the content is more powerful and worth listening to. This adds to your credibility.
Use examples of historical leaders and discuss their challenges, strengths and achievements, relating their experiences to what you are attempting to portray to your audience.
Making a shocking statement supported by factual data can intrigue an audience to pay attention. The material doesn’t need to scare them but rather keep them actively engaged and thinking analytically.
Starting your speech with a problem can encourage audience members to help find a solution.
Posing an issue everyone has in common is key to gaining the audience’s undivided attention. Working together toward finding an answer can be rewarding for all involved.
Support your findings with the results of recent research relating to your topic of discussion.
While it’s important to share accurate data, don’t reference too much statistical information. This can leave people confused and make it harder for them to concentrate on the material you are sharing. Instead, be clear and concise, using direct quotes from the experts who conducted the research.
Understand your strengths and use them to your advantage to keep audience members actively engaged and entertained.
Avoid speaking in a monotone voice. Instead, adopt a variable, natural pitch and use powerful body language and fluid movement to ensure effective interaction with the audience.
Remember to smile! This will engage the audience from the beginning. It also shows them you are enjoying your topic.
Pausing at the beginning of your presentation and making eye contact with audience members can be a handy trick. It will capture the audience’s attention and create anticipation.
Share your material in a fun and interesting way right from the start to set the tone for the duration of your presentation.
Using familiar terms and sharing information the audience can relate to is an ideal way to start a speech. It encourages participants to listen to your presentation with an open mind.
Starting your speech with something audience members are unfamiliar with is a surefire way to lose their interest and struggle to win it back.
A speech’s ultimate purpose is to inspire audience members to take action. You also want to inform them of the positive impact they can have.
Whether you want them to purchase a product, invest in your project, learn a new technique or understand a complex formula, everything you say should be the focus of the desired action.
A powerful opening statement related to the context of your presentation can immediately entice your audience. Following this statement with a direct question will encourage audience members to pay attention, think carefully and come up with an answer.
You can get to know your audience by using key questions to get them involved. For example:
Since most people feel inclined to find a solution when presented with a question, they will instinctively want to answer you. This tactic can make your audience more likely to continue listening to you throughout your speech.
Integrating props and interactive technology at the onset of a professional speech can significantly elevate its impact.
Props serve as visual aids, reinforcing key messages and enhancing audience comprehension. Meanwhile, interactive technology fosters engagement, inviting the audience to actively take part in the presentation.
This combination of tactics captures the audience’s attention and creates a dynamic and memorable experience.
Here are some things it’s best to avoid when starting your speech:
Audiences are quick to pick up on nonverbal cues, such as poor posture or low energy. If your mannerisms are distracting and your speaking technique makes you appear unconfident, the audience will likely lose interest.
Consider doing some yoga poses to boost your energy levels, increase blood flow and warm up your muscles before a presentation. Downward-facing dog and sun salutations are good examples.
You can also try using essential oils, especially citrus-based oils, to activate your senses. Add them to a diffuser or inhale them lightly.
Starting a speech with a generic topic that’s irrelevant to the event you are speaking at will lead to confusion among audience members. They may lose interest in what you are trying to relay.
While many people are uncomfortable with public speaking, addressing your feelings of inadequacy is never a good idea. Never start a speech with an apology.
Touching your face, adjusting your clothing, awkward gestures and other signs of nervousness can be detrimental to how an audience perceives your ability to present the material. Your inability to remain calm and stay focused will distract them and possibly even make them feel uncomfortable.
To combat nerves, visualize your speech going seamlessly before you get started. Also, take deep breaths – lots of them!
Being overconfident can also deter your audience and make them feel uncomfortable. There’s a fine line between lacking confidence and overcompensating.
Try to match the audience’s knowledge level. This is how you build a relationship that encourages audience members to share your ideas and connect with what you say. They may quickly lose interest if you appear too confident.
Including too many statistics in your opening statement can make it difficult for audience members to focus. They might get lost in the data and doubt their ability to keep up with what you’re saying, causing them to switch off or get distracted.
This type of opening appeals to the analytical learner. They love numbers! If you use numbers, show an example so other (or different) learners can appreciate the statistical angle.
While it’s okay to use statistics to grab the audience’s attention, try to use figures sparingly, especially at the start of your speech.
Try not to share too many details about yourself or your company, as this can distract audience members from the main topic. It can also confuse them. They might not understand what you are intending to share.
Stay focused on the subject matter and avoid making the speech a campaign about working with your company – unless, of course, that’s the intention.
We’re all proud of what we do and the organization’s we represent, but you need to adopt a strategic approach to promote a company or business. Whatever you say about yourself or your business should back up and complement your wider message.
Always remain professional and avoid provocative or inappropriate language. Don’t try to be funny or use slang terms, and keep your words clear and concise.
Unacceptable behavior will be off-putting for many audience members, so start your speech with language and actions that are appropriate to the setting and audience. This will set a positive tone for the rest of the presentation.
This is why knowing your audience is crucial. People who attend a stand-up performance at a comedy club will be expecting foul language. Professionals attending a presentation will expect a more formal approach.
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Speech starting lines are the initial sentences or opening statements in a speech. They serve to capture the audience’s attention, set the tone for the speech, and introduce the topic or purpose of the address. Effective speech starting lines are engaging, clear, and relevant to the audience, helping to establish a connection and interest right from the beginning.
Speech starting lines are the initial phrases or sentences used to begin a speech. These opening remarks are crucial as they aim to grab the audience’s attention, introduce the subject matter, and set the stage for the rest of the presentation. Effective speech starting lines engage the audience, clearly present the topic, and establish the desired tone and context for the speech.
Introduction and Greeting “Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight.” Acknowledgment “It’s an honor to stand before you on this special occasion.” Introduction “For those who might not know me, I’m John Smith, a member of this wonderful community for the past 10 years.” Hook “Let me start with a quick story. When I first joined this organization, I had no idea the profound impact it would have on my life.” Preview “Tonight, I want to share with you some of the lessons I’ve learned and the incredible experiences I’ve had along the way.”
1. use a quote.
Begin with a relevant quote.
Example: “Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will never forget how you made them feel.’ Let’s discuss the importance of empathy.”
Start with a brief personal anecdote.
Example: “At ten, I got lost in a city. A stranger helped me, teaching me the value of kindness.”
Pose a thought-provoking question.
Example: “Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a difference? Let’s explore impactful community service.”
Open with an interesting fact.
Example: “Did you know nearly 70% of employees feel disengaged at work? Let’s discuss creating fulfilling workplaces.”
Grab attention with a strong statement.
Example: “Change is inevitable, but growth is optional. Let’s talk about choosing growth.”
Lighten the mood with humor.
Example: “Oscar Wilde said, ‘I have nothing to declare except my genius.’ Now, let’s discuss effective communication.”
Paint a picture with words.
Example: “Imagine standing on a cliff, the ocean before you. This leap of faith is what we’ll discuss today.”
1. Be Confident : Project confidence with your voice and body language.
2. Use Pauses : Pause after your opening line to let it sink in.
3. Engage the Audience : Interact with your audience through questions or direct eye contact.
4. Show Enthusiasm : Express genuine enthusiasm about your topic.
5. Be Natural : Speak in a conversational tone as if talking to a friend.
6. Practice : Rehearse your opening lines multiple times.
7. Breathe : Take a deep breath before you start to calm your nerves.
Start with a powerful quote, a surprising fact, or a personal anecdote to grab the audience’s attention and set the tone.
The opening line sets the tone, engages the audience, and establishes your credibility, making it crucial for a successful speech.
Use a relevant joke or a light-hearted comment to break the ice and create a relaxed atmosphere.
Starting with a question engages the audience and encourages them to think, making them more receptive to your message.
A personal story makes your speech relatable, builds a connection with the audience, and captures their interest.
Yes, a well-chosen quote can provide insight, provoke thought, and set the stage for your topic.
Present a surprising or relevant fact or statistic to grab attention and highlight the importance of your topic.
Start with a compelling fact, a provocative question, or a powerful statement to immediately engage and persuade your audience.
Create suspense by hinting at a story or fact that you’ll reveal later, keeping the audience intrigued and attentive.
Begin with a personal success story or an inspiring quote to energize and motivate your audience.
Text prompt
10 Examples of Public speaking
20 Examples of Gas lighting
Michele vrouvas, 27 jun 2018.
If someone were to write an informative speech about you, what would you want them to say? Coming up with the main points and highlights about a person's life can be difficult, but not impossible. The goal of an informative speech about a person is to present the topic in a way that informs your audience about useful and unique information and keeps them interested in the subject.
A good way to start this process is to frame a key message based on the person’s most notable characteristics or memorable achievements. Then articulate several main points that demonstrate those characteristics and achievements, backing up each with careful research. Use anecdotes about the person that create vivid mental images for the audience. Finally, don't allow the speech to drag on for more than 25 minutes.
Write an attention-grabbing introduction. Tell a story about the person, ask a rhetorical question that seems relevant to his or her accomplishments or make a startling statement. For example, if your speech is about a major league baseball player who broke all records for hitting home-runs, you might shock the audience by announcing upfront that as a little league player he went several seasons without even hitting the ball.
Choose a core message about the person to form a thesis statement. Even opinions are appropriate for an informative speech. For example, the thesis for a speech about a former president might be that his economic policies ended up causing more harm than good.
It might be an anniversary of the person’s death or the realization of a goal that the person worked to achieve. This should appear towards the beginning of your speech. Get this information out to your audience right away so they know why you chose this topic.
Write a credibility statement explaining why the speaker is qualified to give an informative speech about this person. You might say the speaker studied or worked under the person, is a longtime admirer of his or a close friend.
These can be either topical or chronological. A topical announcement would be, “First let me explain the historical context of the president’s policy-making decisions and then I’ll tell you why and how he formulated his policies.” A chronological statement of main points might say, “Before I tell you why the president chose this course of action, I must summarize similar policies from presidents in the past and then explain the event the political event that triggered the president’s decision.”
Move on to the body of the speech. Take up each main point in the order they were discussed in your introduction. Mention special research, such as interviews with the person’s family or a review of his private papers.
Conclude by restating your theme. This is like tying a bow on a package. It's the final touch on your speech that allows you to wrap-up all of your main points and leaves the audience with a finished package. Your close should stick with the audience. When you're finished the goal is to leave them interested in your topic and possibly wanting to find out more information.
Michele Vrouvas has been writing professionally since 2007. In addition to articles for online publications, she is a litigation paralegal and has been a reporter for several local newspapers. A former teacher, Vrouvas also worked as a professional cook for five years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Caldwell College.
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© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .
Last Updated: December 13, 2022 Fact Checked
This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a Private Tutor and Life Coach in Santa Cruz, California. In 2018, she founded Mindful & Well, a natural healing and wellness coaching service. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. Emily also received her Wellness Coach Certificate from Cornell University and completed the Mindfulness Training by Mindful Schools. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 91,818 times.
There are lots of things to think about when writing a paper about a famous person from history. Your teacher may have given you this assignment with exact instructions on who to write about and what information to include, or they may have just asked you to write about someone from history that you admire without telling you exactly what information to include. When writing the essay, take your time and rely on good information that you have collected from books and respected internet resources. Don’t underestimate the time you will need to edit your essay in order to have a final product that you can feel proud of.
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Quick guide
This activity helps students improve their presentation skills and speaking fluency and promotes learner autonomy. Students research and present about famous people of their choice, based on a teacher-generated theme, on multiple occasions throughout the semester. Possible themes include: political leader, inventor, artist, philosopher, etc. The teacher chooses a different theme for each presentation session, during each of which all students present individually.
Preparation
Step 1: Tell students that they will all make several individual 3-minute presentations during the semester, each with a different focus on a famous person. Explain that they will have to find information about interesting people using the library and/or Internet and prepare picture printouts or drawings to be used as visual aids.
Step 2: Inform students that each presentation should be organized in the following order: biographical information, famous accomplishments, and relevance for us.
Step 3: Tell students that presentations will be 3 minutes followed by 1 minute of audience question time and that they will give their presentation three consecutive times to three different audiences to help develop fluency.
Step 4: Pass out the grading rubric (Appendix A) and tell students that the teacher will grade the following presentation skills on a scale of 1-3: eye contact, gestures, voice volume, and speaking fluency. Inform students that the teacher will walk around the classroom and grade presentation skills based on partial observations of each presenter.
Step 5: Explain that each presentation session will have different rounds, with one set of students presenting three consecutive times each round, separately, in different classroom locations while the remaining students sit near a presenter and listen. I find that four rounds—A, B, C, and D—work well, with one fourth of the class presenting simultaneously in each round. For example, a class of 20 students would have five presenters per round. Rounds with more simultaneous presenters may be difficult to grade.
Step 6: Tell students that they may look at notes only during audience question time. (As a variation, allow note cards during the presentation.)
Step 7: Tell students that the theme for the first session will be inventor and that all students will make this first presentation on <insert date>.
Step 8: Do a model presentation (recommended).
Step 1: Pass out a worksheet for students to fill out during the presentations (Appendix B). On the worksheet, students will write down something interesting they learn from each presenter.
Step 2: Write the presentation skill criteria on the board as a reminder.
Step 3: Announce which students will present in round A (decided before class) and indicate where in the classroom they will present. Give those students tape to put up their picture(s) in their presentation space.
Step 4: Instruct audience members to arrange seats around each presenter in a semicircle and freely choose a seat near a presenter.
Step 5: Start the presentations. Move around to observe and grade presentation skills.
Step 6: After 3 minutes, stop the presentations and start audience question time. After approximately 1 minute, stop the question time.
Step 7: Instruct the audience members to stand up and find a new presenter to sit around.
Step 8: Repeat steps 5 and 6 until presenters in round A have given their presentations three times.
Step 9: Repeat the same process for rounds B, C, and D.
Step 10: Have students return to their seats and silently answer the peer and self-assessment questions on the worksheet (Appendix B).
Step 11: Have students discuss their answers with a classmate.
Step 12: Collect the peer and self-assessment worksheets and provide activity feedback and student grades.
Follow-up writing activity
Have students write a summary of a classmate’s presentation, explaining why they like the famous person, or even a research paper about this person’s life and achievements.
Students overwhelmingly enjoy this activity. Their presentation skills can improve considerably, and they become more confident English speakers.
The appendices are available below...
Updated 04/19/2024
Published 11/16/2019
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A tribute takes on so many different meanings, it can be hard to remember what it’s supposed to be. But when you write a tribute speech, you can get to its true purpose, which is to honor a specific person. Usually, you can hear tribute speeches at funerals, memorials, and celebrations -- but all tend to follow a similar formula.
Also see our tribute speech topic ideas and tribute speech samples below for some ideas to get you started.
If you’re speaking at a funeral or at a memorial, you might need to write a tribute speech. Or even if you’re speaking at a celebration and simply focusing this piece on a loved one who has died, this guide is for you.
You want your tribute speech to use the right words and to paint an accurate, admirable picture of the person. A heartfelt speech evokes emotion in the listeners and conveys a clear message.
Tip : While speaking at a virtual event, like a live-streamed memorial organized by a service such as GatheringUs , practice your speech using your video conferencing software ahead of time so you can anticipate and fix any audio issues.
What purpose does your tribute speech serve? Are you sharing a particular moment in a loved one’s life, writing about their successes, or about their positive attributes? Do you want the audience to come away with a particular message or understanding of your loved one?
Brainstorm a few characteristics or key points you’d like to include in the tribute speech. With these kinds of speeches, it’s ok to evoke emotion and share that feeling with your audience. What emotions do you want your audience to feel? If you’re giving your speech at a memorial, you might want your words to highlight a sense of fondness or happiness. Make sure you are considering your audience as well as the person you’re writing about.
After all, writing a tribute speech for your mother will be very different than writing one for a friend.
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Before you begin writing, create an outline. Writing an outline helps you organize your thoughts before putting pen to paper. Most tribute speeches follow the same format. Here’s a quick guideline to follow:
You can include as many main points as you’d wish, but less is usually more. If you’re giving a speech at a funeral, there may be time limits to consider. Knowing what to say when someone dies is never easy. Using an outline organizes your thoughts in a clear way no matter the purpose of your speech.
The hardest part of a tribute speech is often the introduction. How do you capture the audience’s attention? If your speech is during a funeral, for instance, emotions are already high. If you’re giving a speech at another event or celebration, you similarly need to capture attention. How do you hook listeners with your tribute?
Start by relating to the listeners themselves. You need to appeal to the audience on a personal level to develop a connection with your words. If you’re speaking at a funeral, remind them how the deceased person brought everyone together. Open with your relationship with this person, and talk about your loved one’s role in your life.
A good way to start is with a personal story. Humans naturally are drawn to stories. Including one at the beginning of your speech brings the audience closer to you. From there, it’s easier to share your main points with the listeners’ full attention.
It might be tempting to drag out your introduction, especially if you’re using a personal take to capture the audience’s attention. Consider keeping the introduction brief so you can get to your point sooner rather than later. A concisely worded speech makes more of an impact through brevity and pauses than long drawn-out sentences.
With a tribute speech, you might include any of the following:
All of these need real-life evidence. Memories, attributes, and physical creations provide plenty of support for what your loved one did in their life, and how they made you feel. How you share these main points is up to you.
Consider how you knew this person personally. Do you have a particularly funny or touching memory that was not shared widely? Did you see a special side of this person? These are all valuable questions to answer when writing a memorial tribute.
Finish your tribute speech on a high note. Popular quotes or poems can provide a way to tie up your speech. Or even ending with a quote or familiar saying from your loved one can leave your audience fondly remembering the person. Wrapping up your tribute speech can also be used to recall your main points and making a final statement about the person.
You might ask the audience to remember their own favorite memory of this person or to think of them when they visit a certain place. Either way, leave them with something memorable.
Finally, before you present, it’s time to practice. If you’re anxious, use these tips to put you at ease:
As long as you’re putting emotion into the topic, this shines through for the audience. Practice really does make perfect. Don’t be afraid to share your speech with your friends and family before the big day.
For inspiration planning your tribute speech, review these topic ideas below. Your tribute can be about anything that matters to you.
To get a strong feel for what a tribute speech looks like, read through these samples below. Each speech serves a different purpose, but you’ll see how they impact the audience through storytelling and compassion.
Tribute to a friend after their passing
"Good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining me to celebrate the life of my dear friend, Julian. All of us here admired Julian’s devotion to his family. I first met Julian through his wife, Stephanie. There was never a time when he wasn’t raving about Stephanie and all of their adventures together. I remember specifically one late night at work. Julian was the first to tell the whole office to head home. He always said nothing was more important than family, and that was certainly true. That’s the legacy Julian leaves behind: his shining family. I know we’ll all remember him even though he’s no longer with us. We still see Julian in his son and daughter, Mark and Mandy. Let’s make sure he’s never forgotten."
Tribute to a coworker "Thanks for joining me at this year’s celebration. Today, I’d like to highlight the success of Luisa, one of our best underwriters. Luisa is dedicated to her clients and helping them secure the home of their dreams. When Luisa first began working here, she would spend hours pouring over each applicant’s documents. She wanted to get everything right the first time. “The family is counting on us,” she would say. Luisa is right. It’s this kind of passion and attention to detail that makes her such an asset to our company."
Tribute to a sibling for a wedding
"I’m so thankful to be speaking about June on her wedding day. June and I have known each other for basically our whole lives, give or take the two years of me being an only child. Since then, June has always been the one who had my back. From the playground to college, she was always there. June is the first person I want to tell about my day — even if she’s bad at answering her phone! I am so grateful for our special bond. I just wanted to say thank you to my little sister for being my rock.:
With the steps and examples listed above, hopefully you have some inspiration to help you write a top-notch tribute speech. From learning how to hook listeners to find the right words to say, you have many paths you can take with a tribute.
And in the end, a tribute speech is a commemoration of someone special. Whether you’re giving your speech as a sympathy message at a funeral or at a celebration, make the most of this opportunity.
Everyone deserves to be remembered. Creating a tribute speech is a powerful way to evoke emotion and build strong relationships. They are for personal and professional relationships, remembering those who have died, and even just reminding us of the things we love most. It’s time to put your own pen to paper in honor of someone special.
For more help finding the right words, read our guide to what to say on a death anniversary .
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Analyze their response and tweak the joke accordingly if necessary. Starting your speech with humour means your setting the tone of your speech. It would make sense to have a few more jokes sprinkled around the rest of the speech as well as the audience might be expecting the same from you. 4. Mohammed Qahtani.
Then craft your message—and the quotes that will make it pop—based on the actions you want your audience to take. "The meaning of communication is the response you get.". ~NLP maxim. Use the power of REPETITION. One of the great speeches in U.S. history is Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
4. Make them laugh. Injecting a little humor into your opening line puts everyone at ease and makes your speech more memorable. Just make sure your joke is relevant and doesn't offend your audience. Example: "They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit!". 5.
Opening Lines of the Top 10 Greatest Speeches of All Time. #1: Socrates - "Apology". "How you, men of Athens, have been affected by my accusers. I do not know.". #2: Patrick Henry - "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death". "Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.".
Here are 26 different techniques for beginning your speech: 1. Use a quote. One method of starting a speech and gaining the audience's attention is to use a famous or relatable quote. This approach can give your audience context for your topic and connect it to something they recognize. For instance, if you plan to give a speech on a political ...
Ask a million people how to start a speech with a bang and you will get a million different answers. While some prefer to start their speech with the good old charm of a quote, others prefer to put on their hats of creativity to discover new ways to capture the attention of their audience. ... Step 1: Pick a relevant yet famous song related to ...
Typical Patterns for Speech Openings. Get the audience's attention-called a hook or a grabber. Establish rapport and tell the audience why you care about the topic of why you are credible to speak on the topic. Introduce the speech thesis/preview/good idea. Tell the audience why they should care about this topic.
15) Tell a Personal Story. You can start your talk with a personal story. Some of the most powerful words to capture the complete attention of the audience and make a personal connection are, "Once upon a time…". From infancy and early childhood, people love stories of any kind.
9 Tips on How to Start a Speech. Giving a speech can be equal parts intimidating and nerve-racking. To pacify any fears, explore each of the tips below. They'll help you launch into an engaging, interesting speech. Prepare for the speech. Use imagery. Start with a famous quote. Tell a joke. Ask a thought-provoking question.
Here are 20 different techniques how to start a speech. Ask a provocative question. Share an intriguing fact. Tell a compelling story. Use a relevant quote. Start with a joke. Present a startling statistic. Use a powerful image. Begin with a personal anecdote.
That's why persuasive speeches about the environment are so important. By inspiring people to take action, they make a true difference. One of the most famous environmental speeches of all time is Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" lecture, which was later turned into an Academy Award-winning documentary.
1 Make a provocative statement. "I want to discuss with you this afternoonwhy you're going to fail to have a great career." One surefire way to get your audience's attention is to make a provocative statement that creates interest and a keen desire to know more about what you have to say. The presentation above, for example, does just that by ...
Provide all information that isn't available to your readers. If you connect with people well, you may not notice that others don't know your subject as well or even didn't know about the subject before your speech. Even if you work on a speech for someone, you will need to try and include a personal anecdote. This does make a lot of ...
After that point, you'll be able to change those opinions about as easily as you can change a hamster into a ham sandwich. So here's how to be strong in the first 60 seconds of your speech. (2) Your opening sets the entire tone of your presentation (including whether you'll be interesting or not). (3) This is when you introduce your message and ...
Follow these tips to kickstart your speech in the best possible way. 1. Thank the organizers. Whether you thank the organizers for inviting you to speak at the event is a personal choice. Consider Toastmasters, a non-profit organization that helps people improve their public speaking and leadership skills.
Need ideas on how to start your upcoming speech? Public speaking is listed as Americans' number one fear, before death at number 5, and loneliness at number ...
How to Write Speech Starting Lines. 1. Use a Quote. Begin with a relevant quote. Example: "Maya Angelou once said, 'People will never forget how you made them feel.'. Let's discuss the importance of empathy.". 2. Tell a Story. Start with a brief personal anecdote.
3. Write an introduction. Start your introduction by using an attention grabbing statement or startling fact to draw the reader's attention. Also be sure to include significant information about this person in the introduction, so that a reader who doesn't know who this person is can have a bit more information.
1 I Give You. Generally speaking, widely famous people require briefer introductions. The phrase "our next speaker needs no introduction" has become cliche for a reason. For the most part, they don't. If it's done in an engaging way that quickly highlights the things they're known for, and sets up what they're going to say, you've done your job.
The goal of an informative speech about a person is to leave your audience with a key message based on the person's life. > CLASS ; COLLEGE ; TESTS ; VOCAB ; LIFE ; TECH ; ... A good way to start this process is to frame a key message based on the person's most notable characteristics or memorable achievements. Then articulate several main ...
Try making a list of your hobbies and interests and then run a Google search to find famous people who also had one of these hobbies or interests. 3. Brainstorm a list of questions. Write down all of the questions you want to answer about your person. If your teacher told you what questions to answer, then use those.
Step 5: Start the presentations. Move around to observe and grade presentation skills. Step 6: After 3 minutes, stop the presentations and start audience question time. After approximately 1 minute, stop the question time. Step 7: Instruct the audience members to stand up and find a new presenter to sit around.
Biographies are how we learn information about another human being's life. Whether you want to start writing a biography about a famous person, historical figure, or an influential family member, it's important to know all the elements that make a biography worth both writing and reading.
You want your tribute speech to use the right words and to paint an accurate, admirable picture of the person. A heartfelt speech evokes emotion in the listeners and conveys a clear message. Tip: While speaking at a virtual event, ... Start by relating to the listeners themselves. You need to appeal to the audience on a personal level to ...
Roberts Liardon Back Porch Chat for June 5, 2024. Interview with Gene Bailey from Revival Radio TV.