Public Speaking: Writing Catchy and Clear Introductions

A good speech introduction generally has four main parts: greeting, attention getting, thesis statement, and a preview of the main points.

1) Greeting - This is where you greet the listeners if appropriate. Greetings can be formal or informal, depending on the occasion. A greeting can also include a personal introduction.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I'm happy you could be wish us here tonight."

"Good afternoon parents, students, and respected board members of the Paris International School."

"Hello everyone. As many of you know, I'm Charles Van Wooten, professor of Microbiology at Iowa State College."

2) Attention Getter - Within the first 30 seconds of your speech you need to catch the listeners' attention. Our attention spans are not that long, and if you don't start your speech with something interesting, the listeners will tune out, leave, or fall asleep. Let's look at some ways to make an interesting beginning. (Use Overhead "Good Introductions"- present to class)

3) Thesis Statement - This is a statement of your goals, objectives, or main point in the speech. Speakers need to know what you are talking about and why. Do not try to make them guess what you are talking about. Give students the following metaphor: "Would you get on a bus if you didn't know where it was going? Imagine you ask the bus driver and he doesn't give you an answer. The bus has no fixed route. Just like the bus, the speaker needs to let the listeners know where the bus is going. They will not be willing to jump on board and listen to you if they do not know your main point or objective. Be clear and concise in the beginning."

Here are some examples of thesis/objective statements:

"Temperatures around the globe are rising year by year."

"Lahore is the best city to live in Pakistan."

"Many middle class families are facing financial difficulties with the weakening of the economy."

"Making a personal recipe cookbook can not only be great fun to make, but will create a memoir you can cherish for generations."

4) Preview of Main Points - You can think of the preview of main points as telling the riders which stops are coming on the bus route before the final destination. It's best to keep your main points or steps limited to between 2 and 5, as more than 5 points can be difficult for listeners to remember. If you have many main points or steps, try to group them into similar categories. 3 main points or steps is the best number to shoot for. This is where you tell the audience what points will be covered. Do not give any details; that will be done in the body of the speech.

Saying, "__________ is the best area to live in Lahore because of its ambiance, security, and facilities" is giving both the thesis statement and the preview of main points. These can usually be combined in one sentence. You don't always have to give a preview, but in persuasive speeches it is particularly important.

Here are three sample introductions. Try to find the four main parts in each of them. Not all of them have all four parts. Why do you think this is so?

Sample #1 - Western Vs. English Horseback Riding

General purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform listeners about the major differences between English and Western horseback riding

Central theme: Both types of riding are fun but yet have very different styles

I. Introduction - Hello everyone. When you think of horseback riding, you might think of American cowboys racing and their lassos, or you might think of the prim and proper British royals riding through the English countryside. Western and English horseback riding are certainly very different. Some of the ways that they differ include the saddle, the rider's position, the horse's gaits, and competition events.

Sample #2 - Pakistan's Increasing Energy Crisis

General purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform listeners that the energy situation in Pakistan has worsened since January 2006.

Central theme: Load-shedding is a serious problem that affects all aspects of our lives.

I. Introduction - Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for coming out here today. The fact that in Pakistan I am happy when I have 12 hours of electricity a day shows how much Pakistan's energy situation has worsened since my arrival in January 2006.

Sample #3 - Factors to Consider When Moving Abroad

General purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform listeners about 10 major factors they should consider if they are thinking of moving abroad

Central theme: Moving abroad is a big decision and is not something to take lightly

I. Introduction - Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for having me with you tonight. As you may or may not know, my family and I have lived in 17 different countries over the last 35 years. We've sure learned a lot about moving, living in different countries, and adjusting to different cultures. Tonight we're going to look at 10 factors that you should consider if you're thinking about moving abroad. Moving to another country and culture is a big decision, and these factors are also good points to look at if you are deciding between several options.