Introductions and Conclusions

1. Introductions and Conclusions The Importance of the Beginning and the End

2. So What Should Be Your Emphasis? INTRODUCTION = 10 – 15 % THE BODY = 75 – 85% CONCLUSION = 5 – 10% % OF TIME OF YOUR SPEECH!!!

3. 2.Reveal Purpose/ Build Interest • What exactly is your purpose? • to inform? • to convince? • to inspire? • to persuade? 4 Parts of GreatIntroductions 1. Attention Getter Probably the number one thing for getting your speech off to a good start!

4. 4. Preview Provide a mini-outline of what you will be talking about. 4 Parts (continued) 3. Connect to the audience Why should they care what it is that you have to say?

5. INTRODUCTIONS The following are NINE…..9…….IX TIPS for OUTSTANDING INTRODUCTIONS

6. #1 Don’t apologize Apologies are lame and inappropriate. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Don’t tell the audience that you are not as prepared as you hoped you would be.

7. #2 Don’t be long winded You’ll kill the speech quickly with a long, drawn out rambling start. We don’t need a lot of background as to why you picked topic, how you researched it, etc.

8. #3 Don’t antagonize the audience Insulting the audience does little to get them interested in your topic. Example: “You probably haven’t seen as much of the world as I have, but…

9. #4 Don’t start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about…” Boring! Boring! Boring! This never works to get an audience’s attention.

10. It forces you to have great eye contact right from the very start. #5 Memorize your opening sentence - at least

11. #6 Be confident in your attitude You are the professor for the day. Chances are no one knows as much about your topic as you do. You’ve researched, practiced, and prepared. Now do your best!

12. #7 Get set before you start to speak Take care of all the little details before you start. Note cards, visual aids, personal grooming, adjusting microphone or lectern, etc.

13. #8 Style of intro should be same as body of speech Loose casual intro, loose casual body of speech. Tight, carefully worded intro, keep it consistent throughout the speech.

14. #9 Get attention of audience first Skip all the preliminary stuff: “Now before I begin, I need to show (tell, demonstrate, explain…) Do any of that stuff after the attention getter

15. 3 Parts of a great Conclusion 1. Brief Summary 2. Restate Your Purpose 3. Appropriate/Memorable Closing

16. CONCLUSIONS The following are Six…….6……VI tips for EXCELLENT CONCLUSIONS

17. #1 Don’t merely stop at the end of your material Don’t just come to a screeching halt at the end of your material. Work in a great clincher, leaving your audience wanting more.

18. #2 Don’t apologize OK, so you might have goofed up once or twice. Since this is the part that people will remember the most, don’t have them leave thinking about the worst parts of the speech

19. #3 Don’t stretch it out When you are done, you’re done. Say what you have planned to say, now is not the time to adlib a little extra!!

20. #4 Don’t introduce new points If you forgot some points or things you were going to say, OH WELL! Now is not the time to try and squeeze it in!!

21. #5 Don’t pack up early Where you got to go in such a hurry? Packing up early only gives the impression that you are anxious to leave because you even bore yourself!

22. #6 Don’t continue to speak as you leave the podium Don’t wander away as you finish your speech. You deserve the applause, stay at the podium and take a bow!!