Openers for speeches

There are a number of different devices that work well for gaining the audiences attention:
Jokes People love to laugh. By telling a good joke early in the speech, you not only build your rapport with the audience, you also motivate to listen with the promise of more humor. Just make sure that the joke isnt offensive and that it fits well with the rest of your speech.
Quotations Quotations are great attention-getters. Typically, if a quotation has stood the test of time, it offers some sort of humor or insight that will interest the audience. Also, a good quote by a known author will enhance your credibility.
Anecdotes A good story is a very effective attention-getter. If you tell a story about yourself, you can build your credibility, and the story will probably be more relevant to your audience.
Statistics Its a public speaking myth that statistics shouldnt be used in speeches. If you use too many statistics, perhaps, it could be problematic. However, if you select a few really startling statistics that illustrate your point, they can be quite effective. If you are going to use a statistic as an attention-getter, make sure that its relevant and has a lot of impact.
Facts Just as with statistics, youre looking for relevance and impact.
Props A visually interesting prop can be a good attention-getter. If the audience cant figure out what it is or cant figure out what the significance to your speech is (and you eventually explain of course) then you have a potentially effective attention-getter.
Audience Involvement This involves asking the audience to become part of your speech. That could mean asking them a question (rhetorical or otherwise), asking them to do something physical (raise their hands, close their eyes), or asking them to think about something related to your speech.
***
Examine the following 4 audience situations below:
For this online activity get in the practice of writing strong attention getters. Think about how you will open a speech to draw interest and make your topic relatable to the audience.
For each audience write a 30 second attention getter. A strong attention getter is more than a simple statement. It may involve research and sourcing.
Choose a different device from above for each audience.
Addendum: After each all four attention getters write in 4- 5 sentences why you chose each device to fit the audience and speaking situation.
Audience 1: Rally at Texas Rodeo
Purpose: You are one of the representatives of a Go Vegetarian Organization and are holding a rally to raise awareness of the benefits of a vegetarian diet.
Audience 2: Protest in downtown San Jose at the SJSU campus across from City Hall
Purpose: As a leader of the teachers union you are protesting the fact that the State has not given teacher raises in over six years.
Audience 3: Student Assembly at Local High School
Purpose: As the president of the Young Politicians group of Mission College you are going around to local high schools giving a talk on the benefits of voting and involvement students should take in the next election.
Audience 4: Senior Center in Santa Clara
Purpose: You were invited by the center to delivery a speech educating the seniors on the importance of internet security.

Last Completed Projects