A good introduction needs to get the audience's attention, state the topic, make the topic relatable, establish credibility, and preview the main points. Introductions should be the last part of the speech written, as they set expectations and need to match the content.
Think about your topic and audience; investigate or research the topic; compose an outline; rehearse your speech, and revise the outline according to feedback received from your rehearsal. This five-step model for planning a speech is the basis for both lessons and learning activities.
Gain Audience Attention and Interest. The first major purpose of an introduction is to gain your audience's attention and make them interested in what you have to say. ...
The introduction must do five things: (1) it provides background to the situation; (2) it identifies the problem; (3) it argues that the problem needs to be solved; (4) it summarizes the solution; (5) it establishes the writer's credibility.
Speakers who exhibit the five traits listed above—who are comfortable, caring, confident, credible, and charismatic— are expressive and fully interested in the world around them. They are genuine when they unleash their ideals and principles before an audience.
According to Joos (1976), speech style is divided into five forms. They are frozen style, formal style, consultative style, casual style and intimate style. It means that people have five options of styles when they want to communicate with other people.
A good introduction should identify your topic, provide essential context, and indicate your particular focus in the essay. It also needs to engage your readers' interest. A strong conclusion will provide a sense of closure to the essay while again placing your concepts in a somewhat wider context.
The three parts of an introduction are typically the hook, the background information or topical sentence, and the thesis statement. Learn these parts and understand how they're different from each other, how you may place them, and how you can structure your sentences in each.
Once you have the body of the speech complete, then you consider the introduction. With the body of the speech complete, it is relatively simple to complete two of the four functions of the introduction. You already know the purpose of the speech, so now you need to put it in a one-sentence statement.
Allow yourself the time to edit for focus, clarity, concision, continuity, variety, and impact. If you do, you will give your audience a performance that will dazzle them.
The 5Ps of presentation – planning, preparation, practice, performance, and passion – are a guide for a successful presentation. Try to apply this to your next presentation and see how things have improved from the previous.
