The best way to start a speech depends on a number of factors.If you grab your audience's attention in the beginning of the speech, they will stick with you to the end.There are several methods that may work to get an audience to pay attention.Pick the one that is best for you and the event.
Step 1: Start with a joke.
If the occasion is fairly lighthearted, a joke or a bit of humor can be a good way to start a speech.Don't use humor that offends anyone in the audience.You can tell a funny story at an event in honor of a person.Make sure the story is not offensive.If you want to deliver a joke in your speech, try it on a few people.If a joke is offensive, cut it from your speech.
Step 2: Make a statement.
An audience is shocked by a startling statement.Since these statements often evoke a strong emotional reaction from the audience, it's a good idea to start your speech with one.If you want to cut to the chase, try something like "Seat belts save lives."
Step 3: A bold statement is made.
A daring statement can shock the audience into paying attention.In no uncertain terms, you might say that the audience needs to learn the information you intend to deliver to them.You could say something like, "Depression, manic depression, and mood disorders of a similar strain can have deadly side effects" if you're giving a speech about self-defense.
Step 4: A sense of suspense can be evoked.
Tell what something is before revealing it.The audience will try to understand the mystery before you reveal the answer.For a speech about dogs, you could use a first person point of view and say, "I am a dog"
Step 5: Introduce a shocking fact.
It is possible to alert your audience to the importance of your topic.The audience is more likely to pay attention to what you say.Population issues could be alert to a declining or increasing birthrates in a specific region or country.
Step 6: Surprised statistics and other evidence should be offered.
If you want to make a strong case for yourself at the very beginning of your speech, a good way to do so is to provide the audience with a statistic or other similar evidence.If it will surprise your audience, the statistics will be more effective.The number of people who die from skin cancer on an annual year can be brought up in a speech in which you are trying to persuade the audience to take precautions against the sun.
Step 7: You can tell a story.
Information and entertainment are combined in stories to connect to an audience.The story you choose for the start of your speech can be real or fictional, but it should have a connection to the topic of the speech.For a speech about maternity care in the United States, you could tell a story about an experience that you or someone you know went through.If you were giving a speech about how to bake a cake to kids or teens, you might talk about a situation in which a child made a special cake for a parent or loved one.The recipient appreciated the gesture.
Step 8: An appropriate quotation should be offered.
A pithy or witty quotation that relates to the topic of your speech can give you a strong statement.For an entertaining speech about a particular occasion, use a quotation that appeals to the audience's interests.If you choose a quote from a well-known source, more people will respond to it.Motivational quotes can be used to open a graduation speech.The speaker chooses a quote that talks about dreams, education, looking toward the future, or building character.It is not often that quotations are used to start speeches.
Step 9: There is an expert's opinion.
If you can find an expert on the topic who agrees with your stance, quote or paraphrase that expert's opinion to provide your speech and position with a strong foundation from the beginning.If you want to engage the audience in a discussion about the importance of forming healthy eating and exercising habits, you should start with a statement from an expert.
Step 10: You can use a striking visual aid.
Showing off a finished work at the start of your speech can make the audience want to learn how to accomplish the same results as you show it off.Before and after pictures of people who used the method you are about to describe could be used for a speech about how to lose weight.
Step 11: Give a review.
If you are trying to sell a product or idea, or if you want to explain why a certain course of action is beneficial, a testimonials can engage the audience by introducing a story to them while simultaneously convincing them of the beneficial element of your pitch.If you are trying to convince an audience to buy a specific language learning program, you could give an example of someone who used that program and now lives in a country that speaks the language learned.
Step 12: Ask a question.
To get a sense of where your audience is coming from, ask the audience their position on a particular topic.The audience gets invested in the information you are sharing and makes it relevant for them.For a speech about how to winterize your car, you could ask the audience how many of them have ever felt their car slip on an icy street.Who has had their car stall on the side of the road?
Step 13: Ask a rhetorical question.
You can engage the audience almost instantly by asking a question about your topic.The audience will become involved in the topic of your speech when they hear the question and begin to ponder their own answers.If you are giving a speech about holiday traditions, you could ask, "What was your favorite holiday tradition growing up?"
Step 14: The audience can be asked to visualize something.
Lead your audience through a visualization exercise to inspire their imaginations.The images that were evoked in their minds during this part of the speech may be more important than your words.If you're giving a speech about booking a dream vacation, you might start with "Imagine you are on a tropical beach."The sun beats down on your shoulders as you feel the sand under your feet.You can hear the ocean waves and wind in the palm trees.
Step 15: Get feedback from the audience.
People look for answers to questions when they listen to a speech.Giving your audience the opportunity to ask questions up front can help shape your speech and make sure you address their specific concerns.If you are giving a speech about teaching online classes, you may want to ask a few people what their biggest concern is.You will address their concerns in your speech.
Step 16: The audience should talk to each other.
When you start your speech, ask your audience to share something with their neighbor.A more friendly and communal learning environment is created by this breaking the ice.Say to the audience, "Turn to your neighbor and tell them your favorite kind of exercise."
Step 17: A scenario is described.
Explaining to the audience why the idea or product relates to their own lives can be an effective way of getting them interested in what you have to say.If you are trying to explain why the audience should buy a certain kitchen utensil, open by describing a common scenario that might happen in the kitchen for which that utensil could be used.
Step 18: A personal greeting should be extended.
You can take a lighthearted and personal tone in most entertaining speeches.The speaker introduces himself to the audience.The speaker should explain the connection he or she has to the matter at hand within the introduction.This is usually seen at weddings.The speaker begins to explain who they are in connection to the subject being addressed.If you are delivering a wedding toast, you should start by talking about your connection to the bride, groom, or couple getting married.It can be used at an event.The speaker could explain her position within the organization.
Step 19: Take a second to remember your connection to the subject.
The speaker starts a speech with a reference to the topic at hand.This makes an immediate connection to the audience, whose members are all there for the same reason.
Step 20: Tell a story about yourself.
If you have a personal connection to the subject of your speech, it's a good idea to share a story about it.
Step 21: Refer to the current event.
It confirms to the audience that your speech is relevant by including current news stories.If your speech is about the lack of women working in technology, you should mention a recent story about how girls are being discouraged from pursuing science in high school.
Step 22: Refer to a person or event.
To give your audience a common reference point, start your speech with a relevant historical event.If your speech is about overcoming challenges, you could talk about Helen Keller, a historical figure who did that.
Step 23: Go to the conference theme.
A lot of speeches are given at conferences.The overall purpose of the conference is provided by the theme of these events.This theme should be connected to the beginning of your speech.
Step 24: Refer to the occasion.
For a speech to be delivered at an event, speakers usually start by talking about that event.Since everyone in the audience is likely to acknowledge the same occasion, immediately talking about it is a good way to connect with them.If you were giving a speech at a Christmas party, you could talk about your Christmas memories or something you love about the season.
Step 25: Deliver information with an informative speech.
Informative speeches are very basic and only give useful information to an audience.The tone of an informative speech varies depending on the topic of the speech.One about the history of the yo-yo would be very lighthearted, while a speech about cancer would need a serious start and serious tone.
Step 26: A speech can be used to explain a process.
The purpose of a persuasive speech is to teach an audience how to do something.The openings ofrative speeches tend to be more relaxed because they are on the lighthearted side.If you end up dealing with a serious topic such as how to stay safe in a tornado, make your introduction and speech serious.
Step 27: Your audience will be swayed by a persuasive speech.
Persuasive speeches strive to convince the audience to change their ideas or behaviors about a topic and should use an appropriate tone to communicate that persuasion.These types of speeches are the most difficult to deliver because you have to be engaging enough to sell your opinion to those listening in.If the speaker is trying to persuade an audience to take a certain beneficial action or to adopt a new perspective about a topic, they may use a serious opening.When the speaker is trying to sell an actual product is the only time that a persuasive speech can take on a more casual, lighthearted tone.
Step 28: Commemorate an event with a speech.
speeches for weddings, funerals, graduations, and other events are included in the category of speeches.Values and qualities of particular people are highlighted in these speeches.Tailor-fit your introduction to match the tone of the occasion.A serious or sad occasion will usually call for a somber or nostalgic tone, but a celebratory occasion requires an opening and speech that is entertaining or uplifting.A speech at someone's wedding should be a lot more lighthearted than a eulogy, and both will be very personal.A graduation speech needs to relate to a wide audience.
Step 29: Know your audience.
Before you write your speech, you should get a sense of who will be in your audience.If your audience is a group of community business leaders, you will address them in a different way than if they are teenagers.
Step 30: Prepare your speech by listening to it.
Take some time to listen to your speech.If necessary, check it for timing and trim.Ask a friend for feedback.This will make you comfortable with the speech and allow you to relax a bit.The first sentence of your speech is important.You will be able to overcome anxiety when you start the speech strong.You should also bring a hard copy of your speech with you.
Step 31: Prepare by testing your technology.
If you are using a visual aid such as PowerPoint, make sure your technology is working correctly.
Step 32: There is a glass of water nearby.
Bring some water with you because many people get a dry mouth when they speak.Just before you speak, take a sip.If you are giving a short speech, you won't need to drink water in the middle of it.If your speech is long, you might want to take a break and sip.If you gulp the water down, you will risk spilling it on your shirt or making yourself cough.
Step 33: Start with a confident voice and body language.
Start your speech with a strong voice.Make sure you project confidence in your body language.Stand tall with your shoulders back.Before the speech starts, take some deep breaths.
Step 34: Don't start with an apology.
If you start your speech with a comment such as, "I'm sorry if this speech seems disorganized," the audience will only know it if you tell them.Your audience will assume that you are organized if you act prepared.
Step 35: Keep eye contact with the audience.
The audience is watching you speak.Just above the audience's heads or a point on the back wall is a good place to look at people.
Step 36: Don't just read it.
It's harder for the audience to pay attention when you only read from the paper.If you want to assess the audience engagement with your material, look up frequently.