Speech Structure: Mastering the Introduction

Speech Structure: Mastering the Introduction

Hello!As you know every speech consists of three parts which are introduction, body, and conclusion. The toughest part of a speech is the introduction. An introduction can "make or break" you as a speaker. 

The inrtoduction may be of 4 types:

• Asking questions
• Making references
• Making a startling statement
• Giving a quotation

To become better in making introductions I have done the following tasks.

Task 1

The task is to watch the following public speech performances and identify the technique(s) used in the introduction (attention-getter) in each performance. Identify the thesis statement (write it down). 

Evaluate the transition between the attention-getter and the thesis statement on the scale from 0 (poor transition) to 3 (well-done transition).

1.“How will we survive when the population hits 10 billion?” by Charles C. Mann  at TED2018 https://www.ted.com/talks/charles_c_mann_how_will_we_survive_when_the_population_hits_10_billion 

The speaker used the question as an attention getter. This thesis statement quite smoothly moves towards the thesis statement: Wizards and prophets working together have many paths to success in helping people to survive when the population hits 10 billion. I givee 3 points to smothyness to the introduction because the question is connected with the main topic.

2.  “Still Standing” by Ramona J. Smith at the 2018 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tev43VNRIc 

In the introduction the story is used. It smoothly leads to the thesis statement: Most often, our most challenging openent is ourselves. The transition between the attention-getter and the thesis statement is very good (3):she tells the story about a fight in  the ring  and then in the body she compares challenging situations with fighting.

3.  “Every kid needs a champion” by Rita Pierson at TED Talks Education https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion/discussion?...en

The speaker used the personal story in the introduction. It smoothly moves(3) to the thesis statement:  Children do not learn from people they do not like.

4. “How great leaders inspire action” by Simon Sinek at TEDxPuget Sound  https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?referrer=playlist-the_most_popular_talks_of_all 

The attention getter is the question.  It smoothly leads to the thesis statement: The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe. I give 3 points to the attention getter because the statement is connected to the main topic of the speech.

5. “Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model” by Cameron Russell at TEDxMidAtlantic https://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_russell_looks_aren_t_everything_believe_me_i_m_a_model?referrer=playlist-the_most_popular_talks_of_all&language=en 

The speaker uses a personal story as an attention getter. It smoothly (3)  moves to the thesis statement : Image is powerful, but also, image is superficial.