Public Speaking Chapter 10: Introductions and Conclusions

a good introduction should:

- gain your audience's attention - signal your thesis - show the importance of your topic - establish your credibility - preview your main points

finish with a memorable clincher

a clincher should be about 30 seconds long and leave an imprint on audience members' minds tie your clincher to the introduction end with a striking sentence or phrase that sums up your speech

summarize your main points

a conclusion begins with a summary that reminds the audience of your thesis and reviews all the main ideas summarize your main ideas in a compound sentence covering each main point or restate each point in a complete sentence

concluding your speech

conclusions should take one minute or less sum up the speech body's message and leave a memorable impression conclusion format: - transition to your conclusion - summarize your main points - finish with a memorable clincher

show your audience what's in it for them

motivate audience members to believe that you have their best interests in mind

preview your main points

signal what main ideas the audience can expect, and in what order, with a preview use signposts to help listeners understand the structure of your speech - first - next - finally

signal your thesis

the thesis statement should reveal the speech's "bottom line" make it clear that your attention-getter is over and you are about to reveal the main points of your topic the thesis should clearly convey your topic and your purpose in delivering the presentation

gain your audience's attention

use an attention-getter tell a story or anecdote offer a striking or provocative statement build suspense let listeners know you are one of them use humor

transition to your conclusion

use transitional language that signals you are wrapping up ex. "Today, we have seen how important it is for every member or this class to participate in our annual campus food drive" - we have seen indicates that you are finished with the main part of the speech and ready to move on to the next

intro/conclusion

your intro/conclusion can make or break your presentation a strong introduction establishes rapport with listeners a strong conclusion leaves an impression of you and your speech