The Open Educational Resource
College Public Speaking Textbook
Chapter 8:
Introductions and
Conclusions
Exploring Public Speaking, v. 4.1 (2020)
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Chapter 8 Learning Objectives
• Recognize the FUNCTIONS of introductions and conclusions;
• Identify the Primary Elements Of a SPEECH INTRODUCTION;
• Identify the Primary Elements Of a SPEECH CONCLUSION;
• CONSTRUCT introductions and conclusions.
Outline Of Topics
• General GUIDELINES for
INTRODUCTIONS AND
CONCLUSIONS
• Structuring the Introduction
• Examples of Introductions
Chapter 8 • Structuring the Conclusion
• Examples of Conclusions
Overview
Introductions Conclusions
Should be 10-15% of the speech Should be 5-10% of the speech
time, so for a 5-minute speech, time, so for a 5-minute speech,
the length would be 30-45 the length would be about 30
seconds seconds (max)
• RAMBLING
• JUST SPEAKING to get
comfortable
• STARTING WITH YOUR
SPECIFIC PURPOSE
Common • HURTING CREDIBILITY
INTRODUCT • TALKING BEFORE you are
at the speaking platform
ION • READING from your notes
Errors • INAPPROPRIATE humor
• Talking TOO FAST
• Signaling the end
MULTIPLE TIMES
Common
• RAMBLING
CONCLUSI • Talking AS YOU LEAVE
• Showing you were NOT
ON
HAPPY with your speech
Errors
Compose The Introduction
AFTER You Have A Strong
Sense Of The Body.
• Get audience's ATTENTION
• Establish or enhance your CREDIBILITY
• Establish RAPPORT with the audience
• Preview your TOPIC/purpose/central idea
• Preview your MAIN POINTS
Methods of Gaining Attention
Immediate Reference to Reference to Humor Quotations
Narrative Rhetorical Startling
or Story Question Statistics/ Reference to Audience/ Current or
Facts Subject/ Appeal to Self Historical
Purpose Interest Events
Getting Audience
Attention
Attention getters They can be Make them Be sure you are
should be PERSONAL (and relevant to your in control of your
SHORT or TRUTHFUL), audience. emotions.
SUMMARIZED. HISTORICAL,
CURRENT or
from LITERARY
SOURCES
Seek RELEVANCE to the topic
and audience.
Regardle
ss of Seek for FAMILIARITY and
INTEREST for the audience.
How
You Gain
Attention Make sure the technique is NOT
... OFFENSIVE and that you are
COMFORTABLE with it.
SIGNAL THE END
"So, now to wrap things up...."
RESTATE YOUR MAIN POINTS
Always summarize.
Structurin
g the
PROVIDE A CLINCHER
Conclusio Leave your audience with something memorable.
n
Techniques for Concluding
You can refer back to your INTRODUCTORY METHOD, or use...
A Question Visualizing Inspiration Reference A Challenge Anecdote or Quotations
the Future (poem, heroic Back to Personal Story
figure) Audience/
ppeal to Self
Interest
Please message
your instructor
with any
questions!
THAT CONCLUDES CHAPTER 8!
