How to Open a Speech

The most effective public speakers know how to open a speech. The opening is to public speaking what an introduction is to an essay or a lead to a news story. It's your first impression and your chance to grab the audience's attention.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Know your audience. You want to speak on your audience's level and in a voice they can relate to.

2. Grab their attention by using a quotation, an alarming statistic or a gripping opening to a narrative.

3. Give them an idea of what they can expect in your speech.

4. Prove your credibility. Your audience doesn't know you, so you need to convince them that you know what you're talking about. Tell them why you're an expert on the topic in your opening.

5. Provide them with guidelines in the opening. You can do this by telling them how long the speech will be or how many points you are going to be making.

6. Make a smooth transition into the body of your speech.