Starting with a Quote

When it comes to delivering a speech, the introduction is crucial. There are a number of tactics you can use to set up the topic nicely and capture the interest and attention of the audience. One method that I have used successfully is to begin with a quote.

There are a number of ways this can be done. One of my favorite ways is to use a song lyric. One speech I delivered started with the line, "What a long strange trip it's been," from The Grateful Dead's, Truckin. At the beginning of a semester, as I introduce myself to my students, I find borrowing a line from Harry Chapin is effective as I say, "Seems like I've been here before but I can't remember when, but I've got this funny feeling we'll all be together once again".

Using a song lyric at the beginning of a speech is effective, probably more so if your audience is familiar with the song, but even if they are not, it will work. In my lecture to my students, I will often quote Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train. Coming across as a conservative teacher, many of my students are surprised to hear me say, "Crazy, but that's how it goes, Millions of people living as foes, Maybe it's not too late, To learn how to love and forget how to hate". I explain that if these are the words of a madman, then maybe the world needs more of them. The line, I explain, could be used to begin a speech about not rating record albums or about the need to all work together in peace.

There are many quotes available for you to find and use. The quote does not have to be from a musician either. "Will Rodgers once said, 'I'm not a member of an organized party, I'm a Democrat". For a person giving a speech at a party dinner, discussing the need to organize and have a game plan, a quote like that would be great.

Of course, in order to quote a person, the individual does not need to be famous. One example is to quote someone who said something impactful to you. For instance, if a doctor made certain comments to you, you might be able to begin a speech by saying, "If you have something you want to do, do it now as you don't have much time left to live. That was what my doctor told me when I went in for a routine visit. That was 20 years ago and the doctor has since died."

There are multiple quotes you could find to use for just about any speech you are delivering. With the internet at your disposal, it is even easier to find these quotes. Look for them, it will spice up your speech nicely.