Quote for the Day

“The best way to make a good speech is to have a good beginning and a good ending - and have them

close together”

-Anon.

Introductions &Conclusions

Communication Applications

Goals of the Intro

• Create audience interest• Create a good impression of

speaker (yourself) and topic• Prepare the audience to listen

intelligently

Parts of an Introduction

• Attention-getter

• Link/Bridge

• Thesis statement

• Preview main points

Attention-getters

• Rhetorical Question– A thinking question (not actually

answered)– As an introduction, it is used to gain

the audience’s curiosity• Examples

– “Can a fish drown?”

Attention-getters

• Startling Statement – Using outstanding data to

surprise/startle your audience• Example

– “Scientists now believe that by the year 2025 the world will run out of oil”

– “By this time tomorrow, 3,000 people in Africa will have died of AIDS”

Attention-getters

• Anecdote– A short story (may be personal) that

ties the topic to you/an example– Can use as a “frame story”

(with conclusion)• Examples

– Cancer: Lance Armstrong (Live Strong)

– Diabetes: My great grandmother

Attention-getters

• Famous Quote– Using a quote your audience would

recognize that related to your topic• Examples

– “Ask not what your country can do for you…”

– “We have nothing to fear…”– “We hold these truths to be self-

evident…”

Parts of an Introduction

• Attention-getter

• Link/Bridge

• Thesis statement

• Preview main points

Link/Bridge

• Link from attention getter to general subject

– Attention-getter Link Topic• Creates a bridge between the

audience’s prior knowledge/experience and the topic

– Familiar to unfamiliar

Parts of an Introduction

• Attention-getter

• Link/Bridge

• Thesis statement

• Preview main points

State Thesis (Topic)

• Main idea of the speech

• Topic statement

State Thesis (Topic)

• What is your purpose?– To inform

• Today I would like to inform you about the blood donation process”

– To persuade• “Today I would like to give you some

reasons to become a blood donor”

– To mark a special occasion• “Today I would like to thank those who

have donated blood to save my grandfather’s life”

Parts of an Introduction

• Attention-getter

• Link/Bridge

• Thesis statement

• Preview main points

Preview of Main Points

• List each main point in brief– Should have 2-4 Main Points

• Use creative language– Try to use word play and creative

language to paint a memorable picture.

– Use same phrasing in transitions between main points.

Preview of Main Points

• Example: Informative Speech– “First we’ll fill in the blanks on the

blood donor screening process. Second we’ll roll up our sleeves on the equipment used to collect blood. And finally, we’ll take a break and review what happens to our donation until it’s used to save a life. But first…”

Conclusions

Communication Applications

Goals of the Conclusion

• Reinforce theme

• Provide sense of finality

• Challenge audience to respond– Informative: Use what they learned– Persuasive: Call to action

Intros vs. Conclusion

Introduction

Attention-getter

Link

Thesis

Preview of Points

Conclusion

Review of Points

Thesis

Tie Back

Attention-getter

Parts of the Conclusion

• Signal your closing– Use a transition phrase– Avoid “in conclusion” or “finally”– Get creative; use tone, pitch, rate

Parts of the Conclusion

• Summarize Main Points– “Today we have filled in the blanks on

blood donor screening process, rolled up our sleeves on the equipment used, and taken a break to look at how your donation gets to its recipient.”

Parts of the Conclusion

• Restate thesis– Audience: “What was your point

again?”– “Today I have told you about…”

(informative)– “Today I have given you reasons to…”

(persuade)

Parts of the Conclusion

• Make closing line memorable– Reference back to introduction– Quote, Startling Statement, Rhetorical

Question• Repeat what you said in attention getter• Avoid new material; confuses audience

– Anecdote• Finish introduction story (frame story)• or Recap story

Introductions &Conclusions

Communication Applications