Unit 6: The outline: parts of your speech

It is the part in which you state the purpose of your speech and identify the main points you will cover later. (It is best to mention no more than three of those.) You want to prepare your audience for what comes next, so sometimes you may even tell them what they will learn by the end of the speech.

At the same time you want to capture people’s attention and motivate them to listen to you. A good introduction sets the tone for the speech and establishes rapport with the audience, too. It also gives you a chance to give the audience necessary background and establish your credentials.

If you want to arouse curiosity, you may want to start with a question or an example. Sometimes you may want to start with a handy quotation, related to your topic.

If you have problems thinking of a good beginning, imagine talking to your friend about a topic: how would you start? Remember, do not make the introduction too long, it should only take 10 to 15% of your speech.