Parts of a Speech
THE INTRODUCTION
Purpose of an Introduction
1. Its gets the attention of the audience.
2. It provides a clear link from your attention-getter to
your speech topic, or thesis statement.
3. It gives your specific thesis statement.
4. It presents a preview of the major areas that will be
discussed.
Sample Introduction
#1 Have you ever heard the saying, “Let a smile be your
umbrella”? What about the observation, “Laugh and the
world laughs with you”? Both of these statements deal
with how a positive attitude and a sense of humor can
make a bad situation a little bit better both for you and
the people around you. #2 However, did you know that
your ability to laugh can mean a great deal more than a
pleasant smile or momentary delight? As a matter of fact,
laughter can be very beneficial in many ways. #3
Consequently, I would like to discuss the various areas in
your lives where laughter can play a significant positive
role. #4 Let’s take a look at how laughter can help you on
the job, with your friends and family, and with your
health.
Attention-Getters
 The first words you say to your audience must make
them want to listen to you.
 You must “grab” your audience’s attention or “hook”
them into your topic.
 We will examine five types of attention-getters.
Attention-Getter #1
Asking Questions
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Fires up the audience’s curiosity about your topic
Makes the audience active participants in your speech
A Note of Caution
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Sometimes you might ask your audience to raise their hands or
to speak out loud. While this may lead to spirited audience
involvement, it can also create chaos and a loss of
concentration.
Consider using rhetorical questions that don’t demand a
verbal response, but they still encourage your audience to
think about your topic.
Attention-Getter #1
Examples:
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For a speech on the power of vocabulary:
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“How many of you know the meaning of the word verisimilitude?
How about veracity? What about the word verity? …..
For a speech on shifting blame:
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Have you ever heard someone say, “The devil made me do it”?
Have you heard the expression, “Don’t blame me; it’s not my
fault”? ….
Attention-Getter #2
Making References
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Allows you to work well with your audience
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You might refer to people in the audience, your physical
surroundings, other speakers the group has heard, or the
significance of the occasion.
Allows you to be comfortable, congenial, and conversational
with the audience
Attention-Getter #2
Examples:

“I see that Bob and Ina are in the audience. When we first
started this class project over two months ago, they were the
ones who provided the leadership and enthusiasm that the rest
of us needed at that time. The word leadership is exactly what
I wish to talk about tonight….

“for some reason, every time that we are in this classroom, the
air-conditioning is out. Maybe we should all bring our own
fans next time.. However, the temperature might not be the
only thing that is ‘sticky’ today. My topic, “Why AIDS Needs to
Be Talked about in Schools” could also make people warm and
uncomfortable….
Attention-Getter #3
Making a Startling Statement
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Jolts the audience into paying attention
Research your topic looking for data or studies that might
surprise listeners and make them even more interested in the
topic.
A Note of Caution
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Be careful not to offend your audience.
Attention-Getter #3
Example:

A student spoke to a high school about the problems associated
with violence in society. While she spoke, she comfortably
moved her right hand as if she were “keeping the beat” to a
song only she heard…

I love music. I love dancing. I love how men and women, young
and old, rich or poor, can move and smile and laugh and keep
rhythm to their favorite songs. However, I’m not here to talk about
music—because, ironically, every time that my hand comes down
to “keep the beat,” a young child is physically or sexually abused in
this country.
Attention-Getter #4
Giving a Quotation
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Delivering the exact words that someone else has said can add
a degree of style and sophistication to your speech.
Quotes are abundant and fairly easy to find.
Select quotes that are clear and appropriate for your speech
topic and select authors who are reliable and trusted.
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Be sure to give your audience some idea of who the author is and
what he or she has done that his noteworthy.
Keep in mind that your quote does not have to be serious or
from an author who lived centuries ago; quotes that are light
and written by people living can be effective too.
Attention-Getter #4
Examples:
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For a speech on “What Has Happened to Friendship?”
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“First in war—first in peace—and first in the hearts of his
countrymen.” These are the words that began the Revolutionary
War General Henry Lee’s famous funeral oration for George
Washington. The quotation shows us a man of conscience and a
man who cared for his fellow man. However, do we care for our
fellow man the same as Washington did in his day?....
For a speech on why people are gullible:

“You can fool all of the people some of the time and you can fool
some of the people all the time, but you can’t fool all of the people
all of the time.” Abraham Lincoln, the author of this quotation,
might have added the words “except in America,” because
Americans are often easy prey for those wishing to make a fast
buck….
Attention-Getter #5
Telling a Story
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Everyone loves a well told story.
Illustrations and personal accounts quickly give you an “in”
with your audience because it allows you to show your
personality.
Your story should be short and to the point; it should hold the
interest of the audience yet lead clearly into your speech topic.
Personal experiences that were special or a heart-stopping
ordeal can be effective, but your story does not have to be
personal. Interesting accounts about other people, places,
events, etc. can be effective too.
Attention-Getter #5
 Example:
 For a speech that will talk about what fear means…

A few weeks ago, my mom and dad had gone out for the evening
and I was alone at home. At about 2 A.M. I heard a noise by the
downstairs window. Even though I hoped that the sounds would
go away, they didn’t. As a matter of fact, they got louder. It
sounded as if someone was struggling to reach the latch of the
window. I was petrified, but somehow I managed to go
downstairs. Slowly, I moved the curtain to see what was outside.
You can imagine my fear when I saw two eyes looking right back at
me. It was a raccoon! …
The Link
 The link serves two purposes.
1.
The link is the statement between the attention-getter and
the thesis statement and it logically connects the two.
2.
The link should develop a bridge between the audience and
the topic.
 Your objective, just as with the attention-getter, is to
connect with the audience members so that they are
motivated to listen to your topic.
The Thesis Statement
 Your thesis should both clarify the overall goal of
your speech (to inform, to persuade, or to entertain)
and state your specific topic.
 Your thesis should also clarify your specific slant or
angle on your topic.

This will help insure that you keep your speech focused and
your information on target.
Your job for the rest of the period….
 Find a group of 3-4 people
 Take the topic: FORT COLLINS HIGH SCHOOL.
 Decide how you would focus this topic into a speech.
 Write an ‘attention-getter’ that fits under each type
we just discussed (5).
 Share ideas
 Write a full introduction based on your favorite
attention-getter. You will need to include all four
parts of an introduction.