NAME ____________________ CLASS ___________ DATE _________
for GIVING AND LISTENING TO A PERSUASIVE SPEECH, CHAPTER 25
page 747
Guide to Introductions and Conclusions
DIRECTIONS
 Read the following examples of introductions and conclusions to a speech
about recycling.
 Then, write possible introductions and conclusions to your own speech.
 Last, decide with a classmate which introduction and conclusion are most
effective.
IN YOUR INTRODUCTION, capture your audience’s attention. Try one of
the following:
 A thought-provoking question:
What would our world be like without trees?
 A relevant, interesting, and emotionally appealing anecdote:
Some students at Clarktown Middle School did not believe that
the school’s paper-recycling efforts would make a difference.
These students were wrong. They discovered that by simply
recycling white paper instead of throwing it away, they could save
over one hundred trees in a year.
 A powerful, startling, or emotionally appealing quotation:
Saving paper is one of the “easiest and most beneficial
contributions we can make to our environment,” according to
Marjorie Lamb, author of 2 Minutes a Day for a Greener Planet.
 An interesting fact:
Scientists believe that the earth now has only half the forests that
were here during prehistoric times.
IN YOUR CONCLUSION, sum up your argument and provide a
recommendation, or a call to action.
 Restate your opinion:
Our school should start a paper-recycling program.
 Include a recommendation, or a call to action:
Sign the petition on the bulletin board outside the cafeteria and
help us convince the principal to start the paper-recycling
program immediately.
Underlying content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to
the underlying content are the responsibility of the instructor.
35
NAME ____________________ CLASS ___________ DATE _________
for GIVING AND LISTENING TO A PERSUASIVE SPEECH, CHAPTER 25
page 747
Guide to Introductions and Conclusions
(continued)
PLAN YOUR INTRODUCTION
A thought-provoking question you could ask:
An anecdote you could use:
A quotation you could use:
An interesting fact you could use:
PLAN YOUR CONCLUSION
How you could restate your opinion:
Your call to action:
Underlying content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to
the underlying content are the responsibility of the instructor.
36