How to Write an Introductory Speech

If you’ve been asked to introduce someone, it’s because you’re believed to be the best person for the job. Carry that confidence into the writing of your introductory speech. As long as you make the effort to gather relevant information such as stories, bios or quotes, the speech will practically write itself.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Make sure you know why you’re being asked to give an introductory speech for this person. What is the event and what is she planning to talk about after her introduction?

2. Ask for a copy of his bio or gather any information you can on the events that led up to this point in his life. Even if you’ve known him for years, chances are you do not know by heart the precise timeline of milestones in his life.

3. Gather stories about the person you’re introducing. If you know her well, you should have no trouble coming up with funny, heartwarming or triumphant anecdotes that illustrate her sense of humor, compassion or dedication. If you barely know her, or have never met at all, try to talk to her family, friends or colleagues. Ask them for stories that you can string together in your speech – any experiences that stand out as particularly memorable and relevant to the reason for her introduction.

4. Get direct quotes from others who know him best. Ask a good quote-inducing question, like “What inspires you most about him?” Or come up with your own list of reasons you admire him so much.

5. Write your introductory speech using all the information you’ve gathered. The arrangement is up to you, but here’s one suggestion. You could lead with a string of quotes from family, friends and colleagues, such as “She knows what she wants”; “She’s always there when you need her”; “She never gives up,” followed by something like “That’s who Meredith Simonds is to those who know her best.” Then transition into your story or stories with something like, “I remember when…” or “Meredith’s brother will never forget the time when…” After sharing your anecdotes, briefly talk about the major timeline of events that led to this point in her life. Finally, introduce her and, if appropriate, the reason she’s there. For instance, “Now here with us to talk about her lifelong commitment to animal welfare, please welcome Meredith Simonds.”

Tips & Warnings

• All of the information, stories and quotes you gather for your introductory speech should be in the context of why this person is being introduced. If it’s for his success as a chef, for example, focus on his cooking. Maybe his mother can tell you the first meal he ever cooked. Maybe you remember the time he caught the kitchen on fire. Or if he’s an animal rights activist, as in the example given in Step 5, focus on that. Maybe his father can tell you about the first time he saved a baby bird. Or maybe you remember the time he rescued a dog running loose on the freeway.
• Don’t wait until after you’ve written your speech to read it aloud to yourself. Talk yourself through it as you go--you never know how good those words are on paper until you actually hear them spoken aloud.
• Even if you were introducing the same person, you probably wouldn’t give the same speech to a room of executives as you would give to a room full of family and friends. Only you can judge the best way to adjust the tone and content of your speech accordingly.
• If you lack the time and resources to do any of the information gathering suggested in Steps One through Four, simply speak from your heart, especially if you know the person well. Yet even if you think you know nothing about them at all, you do know this--the reason they’re being introduced. Why is that important--to you, to the audience and to the world?
• If all else fails, pepper your introductory speech with famous quotes, passages from books or interesting current events. Just make sure they’re relevant--to the person and purpose of your introduction--and be sure to give credit where credit is due.