1. Chapter 10 Introductions and Conclusions

2. 2 Primacy- Recency Effect The way you begin and the way you end is how people will remember the entire experience. 2

3. 3 The Three T’s Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them Tell them what you told them. 3

4. Introductions and conclusions: Introduction Your introduction and conclusion can make or break your presentation. During the introduction, your listeners form their initial impressions of you and your topic. A strong introduction establishes rapport with listeners by: - capturing their interest - orienting them to your speech - establishing your credibility as a speaker

5. Introducing your speech: An overview One minute of a five to ten minute speech should be devoted to the introduction. A good introduction should: –Gain your audiences attention –Signal your thesis –Show your audience “What’s in it for them” –Establish your credibility –Preview your main points

6. Introducing your speech: Gain your audience’s attention Use material that will capture your audiences attention and interest at the start of the speech.

7. Gain your audience’s attention: Tell a story or anecdote Stories personalize a speech and entertain listeners. With stories, be sure that: –story is relevant to your main message –the story comes across as believable

8. Gain your audience’s attention: Offer a striking or provocative statement Surprise listeners by presenting a fact or startling idea that is: –New –Ironic –Counter-intuitive Use vivid language to grab the audience’s attention.

9. Gain your audience’s attention: Build suspense Build suspense by providing an ambiguous or unfinished example to increase your audience’s curiosity.

10. Gain your audience’s attention: Stress similarity Letting listeners know you’re one of them helps: –listeners trust you –bridge the audience- speaker gap

11. Gaining your audience’s attention using humor Note that humor is a high risk – high reward approach.

12. Gain your audience’s attention: Ask a rhetorical question Ask a rhetorical question that has an obvious answer and does not require a response. When using a rhetorical question: –ensure that the question gets listeners thinking –avoid overly general questions that do not address audience’s real concerns and issues

13. Gain your audience’s attention: Provide a quotation Quote someone with high credibility, someone whom your audience likes and respects. Consider using a thought-provoking or counter-intuitive quotation.

14. Introducing your speech: Signal your thesis Thesis statement should reveal speech’s “bottom line.” Make it clear that your attention-getter is over and you are about to reveal the main points of your real topic. Should clearly convey your topic and purpose in delivering the presentation.

15. Introducing your speech: Show audience “What’s in it for them” Motivate audience members to believe that you have their best interests in mind.

16. Introducing your speech: Establish your credibility Demonstrate your knowledge and competence. Briefly and modestly emphasize your recent, most relevant credentials.

17. Introducing your speech: Preview your main points Signal what main ideas to expect and in what order. Use signposts to help listeners understand the structure of your speech: –First –Next –Finally

18. Concluding you speech: An overview No more than one minute of a five to ten minute speech. Conclusions sum up the message you developed in the body of your speech and leave a memorable impression. You should: –transition to your conclusion –summarize your main points –finish with a memorable clincher

19. Concluding your speech: Transition to your conclusion Use transitional language that signals you are wrapping things up. For example –“Today, we have seen how important it is for every member of this class to participate in our annual food drive.” –We have seen indicates you are finished with the main part of the speech and ready to move on to the next.

20. Concluding you speech: Finish with a clincher Create a 30- second clincher that: –is tied to your introduction –leaves an imprint on your audience’s brains

21. Concluding you speech: Finish with a clincher Conclude with an emotional message, particularly if you are delivering a persuasive or commemorative speech.

22. Concluding you speech: Finish with a clincher Conclude with a story or anecdote

23. Concluding you speech: Finish with a clincher End with a suggestion or call to action.