I.

THE INTRODUCTION

A strong introduction is crucial for a successful speech. It grabs the audience's attention,
establishes credibility, and boosts the speaker's confidence. A poor start can distract listeners
and damage the speaker's effectiveness, while a good beginning sets a positive tone and
encourages both audience engagement and speaker assurance.

In most speech situations, the introduction has four objectives:

1. Get the attention and interest of your audience.

2. Reveal the topic of your speech.
3. Establish your credibility and goodwill.
4. Preview the body of the speech.

GET THE ATTENTION AND INTEREST

Importance of Capturing Attention:

Clarence Darrow emphasized that without immediate audience interest, a speech effort will
fail. To engage the audience right away, use the introduction to capture their attention and
maintain their interest.

Methods for Engaging the Audience:

● Relate the Topic to the Audience: Connecting the topic to the audience’s lives or
experiences increases their interest.
For example, a student began her speech with a scenario about finding old postcards in a
grandmother’s attic and accidentally throwing them away, only to realize that doing so could
mean losing a year’s tuition. This dramatic example underscores the importance of valuing
and preserving valuable items, setting the stage for her speech.

● State the Importance of Your Topic: Make clear why your topic matters.

For instance, Shaun Donovan highlighted the impact of poverty by connecting it to children’s
life opportunities like education,… making his speech topic significant to his audience.

● Startle the Audience: A surprising or shocking statement can grab attention

instantly.

The example of predicting which of following women will be sexually assaulted in

their lifetime: Your mother? Your sister? Your girlfriend? Your wife? Your best
friend? According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in three American women
 will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. This shocks and engages the audience by
personalizing the issue.
● Arouse Curiosity of the Audience: Build intrigue by gradually revealing the topic.

For instance, instead of simply announcing that you'll discuss Ramadan, start by highlighting
how over 1 billion people fast daily from dawn to sunset during the month. This approach
creates suspense and draws the audience in, making them more eager to learn about the
subject.
● Question the Audience: Asking rhetorical questions gets listeners to think about the
topic. A series of questions can pull the audience deeper into the subject.

For example, one speaker engaged the audience by asking relatable questions about common
time management struggles, such as sleepless nights or feeling overwhelmed by tasks. This
approach piques interest and sets up the discussion on effective time management strategies
to improve productivity and control.

● Begin with a Quotation: Starting with a relevant quote can be a powerful way to set
the tone and capture attention. Quotations should be brief and directly related to the topic.
For example, a student began a speech on U.S. political reform with a humorous quote from
Mark Twain: "It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly
American criminal class except Congress." This lighthearted approach sets the stage for
discussing the need for reform.

● Tell a Story: Stories naturally draw in listeners, especially when they are dramatic or
suspenseful to set an emotional context for the speech.
For instance, a student opened his speech on heroin abuse by sharing a poignant story about
Philip Seymour Hoffman, a celebrated actor who struggled with addiction. Despite
overcoming heroin addiction for 23 years and achieving great career success, Hoffman
relapsed and died of an overdose in 2014. This story highlights the persistent dangers of
heroin abuse and its impact on individuals and society.

For example, if you're making a speech about a list of safety rules in state parks, you can
begin with a story about hikers who were behaving dangerously in the park. To keep your
audience members captivated through a list of the rules, you can save the information about
whether the hikers were safe until the end of the speech.
hình này của sample introduction
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION WITH COMMENTARY
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about a topic that affects us all: the
importance of mental health awareness. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the
signs of mental health issues, both in ourselves and in others. However, understanding and
addressing these issues is crucial for our overall well-being and the health of our
communities. This speech will explore the significance of mental health awareness, the
common barriers to seeking help, and practical steps we can take to support ourselves and
those around us.
1. REVEAL The Topic
The Role of Technology in Education
o Introduction: “Good afternoon. Technology has revolutionized many aspects
of our lives, and education is no exception. From online learning platforms to
interactive classrooms, technology is transforming how we teach and learn. In
this speech, I will explore the role of technology in education and its potential
to enhance learning experiences.”
Greeting and Rapport Building
 The speaker begins with a friendly greeting, “Good morning, everyone,” which helps
establish a connection with the audience right from the start.
Relevance and Importance
 The speaker immediately introduces the topic, “the importance of mental health
awareness,” and emphasizes its universal relevance by stating it “affects us all.” This
makes the audience feel that the topic is pertinent to their lives.
Contextualisation

 By mentioning “our fast-paced world,” the speaker contextualizes the issue, making it
relatable to the audience’s everyday experiences. This helps in drawing the audience’s
attention and making the topic more engaging.

Problem Statement
 The speaker highlights the problem of overlooking mental health issues, which sets
the stage for discussing why mental health awareness is crucial. This creates a sense
of urgency and importance around the topic.
Purpose and Roadmap
 The speaker clearly outlines the purpose of the speech: to explore the significance of
mental health awareness, barriers to seeking help, and practical steps for support. This
 provides a clear roadmap for the audience, helping them understand what to expect
from the speech.
Engagement
 The introduction is designed to engage the audience by addressing a common issue
and promising practical solutions. This approach not only captures attention but also
encourages the audience to stay engaged throughout the speech.

1. Credibility?

At the heart of credibility is believability. It is essentially asking, “Can this person be

believed?” Credibility not only means believing that what someone says is true, but
trusting them as well. You don’t trust your family member’s medical advice to be credible,
but you trust your doctor’s.
It’s the same thing with public speaking. You must have credibility when delivering your
speech and your audience must see you as trustworthy and believable.
The first element of speaker credibility is not only the knowledge a speaker shares, but
also how they gained that knowledge.
For example, if someone was presenting about the impact of community health programs and
had spent years working to develop community programs, the audience would believe the
speaker’s credibility due to their knowledge gained by experience.
5 Ways You Can Establish Credibility During Your Presentation
1. Talk about yourself, your interests, and why you’re qualified.
Introduce yourself at the beginning and explain why you’re an authority on the given subject.
You can offer examples of your past successes in the field, your educational background, and
why you are personally invested in the topic.
2. Connect to your audience by speaking to them and their needs, and offer them a
new way of thinking.
Audiences want to know what they’re going to get out of your talk. Consider how you’ll
teach them something new, offer new strategies to take back to their workplace, or challenge
them to look at the world in a different way.
3. Cite sources, show data, and tell stories.
As with any research paper, study, or article, using sources to reinforce what you’re saying
gives you credibility because another expert’s credibility is backing you up. For example, if
you’re giving a speech on the benefits of technology in the medical field, citing studies that
have already proven its benefits will help your audience be more willing to believe your
argument.
4. Use open and friendly body language, take your time speaking, and make eye contact.
Studies show that upwards of 90% of what someone communicates is through their body
language. We’ve all experienced situations where we’re more inclined to engage with
someone who makes eye contact, has a friendly tone, faces us directly, and has a confident
stance.
5. Offer to take questions at the end.
Listening to and answering questions at the end of your speech or presentation can be
another chance to demonstrate your credibility with your audience. If asked, you can
elaborate on the content you spoke about, talk about the research you conducted, and tell
more stories that relate to your topic.

2. PREVIEW THE BODY OF SPEECH

The preview of the body in a speech is a crucial element that typically appears at the end of
the introduction. It provides the audience with a roadmap of what the speaker is going to
cover in the speech.
A typical preview includes:
 Mention of Key Points:

The speaker explicitly states the major points that will be covered. For example, “Today,
I’ll be discussing the importance of education, its role in economic development, and how
it promotes global peace.”
 Logical Sequence:

 The points are listed in the order in which they will be presented in the body, so the
audience can anticipate the structure of the speech.
 Brevity:
A preview is concise, giving just enough information to guide the audience without
overwhelming them.
Example of a Preview in a Speech:
Introduction:
"Good morning, everyone. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Its
effects are being felt around the world, from rising sea levels to extreme weather patterns.
Today, we need to understand not just what is happening, but why it's happening and how we
can address it."
Preview:
"In this speech, I will first explain the primary causes of climate change. Then, we’ll move on
to examine its impact on our environment, and finally, I’ll offer some practical solutions that
we can all take to make a difference."

Hình :

Tip for introduction

 brief introduction

creative
Determine your main point
handy your file
practice the introduction, strong eye contact

Ensure the audience has quieted down and focused on you before you begin.