Advanced Speech
The Speech of Self-Introduction
The Speech of Self-Introduction provides you with an opportunity to develop credibility
before your audience. It is a chance for you to be seen as competent, trustworthy, likeable, and
forceful. Since no one can relate his or her life story in a single speech, you should choose a
topic that best defines you (or the person you are introducing). Complete the “Self-Awareness
Inventory” (attached) to help you come up with a specific topic for your presentation. Write
down responses to all of the questions in the inventory, then think through all of these potential
topic areas before making a decision on your topic.
Once you have determined your topic, begin to plan your speech. Be certain that it has
an introduction, body, and conclusion. Start by planning the body of the speech. In the body of
your speech you will develop your major ideas (main points). You may include up to three
main points in your presentation. Each main point must be supported by facts and figures,
examples, or narratives. These materials should be inserted into the outline worksheet in the
appropriate places (see attached).
After you have prepared the body of your speech, you should develop an introduction
that grabs the audience’s attention and leads into the body of your speech. Finally, you should
prepare a conclusion that summarizes your message and concluding remarks that reflect on the
meaning and significance of your speech.
More thoughts to consider as you complete your speech outline:
 Grab the audience’s attention in the introduction. Immediately bring in your central
speech idea.
 Give some background information. Tell why it is important to you, why you are doing it,
why you want to tell them, etcetera.
 Now work out your topic in a few sentences. Draw the contours, make it personal.
 Give an example(s).
 In your conclusion, offer a memorable answer on the question the listeners probably will
have when they listen to your public speaking speech: what's in it for me? Tell how this
aspect of your life makes who you are and what you are. It will be the perfect ending of
your self introduction speech.
Self-Awareness Inventory
Complete this survey to help you craft a memorable speech of self-introduction!
1.
What factors in my cultural background have influenced me the most?
2. What factors in my environment have influenced me the most?
3. What person or persons have had a real impact on my life?
4. What experiences have I had that have shaped me as person?
5. What activities of mine define me as a person?
6. What type of influence has my work had in shaping me?
7. Do I have a goal or purpose in life that shapes my behavior?
8. Do I have special values that influence my life?
9. What activity has played or plays an important part in your life? Tell the story and extract the message.
10. What is your main personal goal?
11. What do you like very much?
12. What do you hate or dislike?
13. Have you developed a very special skill?
14. What is your lifestyle?
15. Can you come up with a turning point or milestone in you life?
16. What is your hobby or interest in your spare time?
17. What is a pet peeve or another very familiar topic you like to talk about, to do or to discuss?
18. Where you are from? Do your roots reveal something about yourself that's new for the audience? That
always works in a speech for self introduction.
19. Is there an object or prop that means a lot to you?
20. What distinguishes you from other individuals in class?
Checklist for a Speech of Self-Introduction
 Have I narrowed my topic down to one thing that best defines me as an individual?
 Have I created an introduction that generates attention and interest?
 Does my introduction preview the main points in my speech?
 Does the body of my speech contain at least three main points?
 Is each main point of my speech supported by either facts and figures, examples, or narratives?
 Does my conclusion contain a summary that recaps my message?
 Do I end my speech with concluding remarks that leave the audience with something to remember?
Adapted from Speech Preparation Workbook, Third Edition, Suzanne Osborn
http://www.speech-topics-help.com/self-introduction-speech.html
Introducing a Speaker
Your assignment is to introduce a speaker. A good introduction should be brief—certainly no more than three
minutes, and preferably just a minute or two.
All introductions should let the audience know:
 Why it is that this speaker
 from this organization
 is talking about this topic
 to this audience
 at this time.
However, for our purposes, since we already know all of this information, you will want to focus on the speaker
and the following: his or her biographical information, interests, hobbies, affiliations, academic successes,
essentially the same types of things you used to create your self-introduction speeches.
Avoid just listing the individual’s information. Find a way to show that the upcoming speaker has unique
qualifications. Quote him or her, if possible, or quote someone else’s remarks showing the speaker’s special
attributes.
Introduction dos:
 Be sure to pronounce his or name correctly.
 Repeat the name several times during the introduction so the audience can catch it.
 At the end of the introduction, face the audience (not the speaker) and announce the speaker’s
name, “We couldn’t have found a more qualified individual to speak today than—John Smith.”
 Then turn to the speaker and smile.
 In formal situations, applaud until the speaker reaches your side, shake hands, and return to your
place.
 In informal situations, sit down as soon as the speaker rises and starts toward the lectern.
 Play close attention to the speaker’s opening. It may contain a reference to you, and you should
be prepared to smile or nod in response.
 Plan these movements carefully. Make sure the speaker knows the last line of your introduction
so he or she can use it as a cue.
Introduction don’ts:
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Don’t upstage the speaker by making your introduction too funny. Let the speaker be the star.
Don’t try to summarize the speaker’s speech. You may misinterpret his focus.
Don’t rely on memory—write out a complete introduction.
Don’t ad-lib. Spontaneous comments could come back to haunt you.
Don’t draw attention to any negative conditions, like recovering from an illness, etc. These
kinds of comments do not help to create a relaxed mood.
Don’t try to con the audience by saying things like “ . . . the funniest person you’ll ever hear.”
Don’t put pressure on the speaker by saying, “Now we’ll find out whether or not he is an
excellent speaker.”
Avoid clichés:
o “Here is a speaker who needs no introduction . . .”
o “His reputation speaks for itself . . .”
o “Without further ado . . .”
o “Heeeeere’s . . .”
Adapted from How to Write a Speech, by Joan Detz
Introduction Speech Example:
Thirty years ago I walked out of an Iowa City store onto the main street and
noticed Sam Becker walking about twenty feet ahead of me. His youngest daughter
was alongside Sam, but she was terribly upset about something; crying, and
obviously hurt about something. Sam put his arm around his daughter, and in the
space of two blocks, said something that comforted and fixed the problem. She was
smiling when they parted company.
I share this snapshot of Sam with you because, for me, it captures Sam’s
approach to life, higher education, scholarship, and our profession.
Sam Becker has figuratively put his arm around difficulties and problems for
his entire career. He’s made all of us as teachers and scholars better persons and
better professionals with his intellect, his vision, his energy, and his instinctive
willingness to help.
How much has Sam helped us? Sam has taught at four universities; written
six books; been active in eight professional associations; authored ten monographs;
served on twelve editorial boards; worked on evaluation teams for thirty-two
colleges and universities; served on thirty-six university committees; lectured at
fifty colleges and universities; directed fifty-five PhDs; and authored 105 articles.
Without doubt, he has helped and assisted and supported all of us.
Our speaker today, Sam Becker.
Taken from Mastering Public Speaking, by George L. Grice and John F. Skinner.
Writing the “Introducing a Speaker” speech:
Now, you need to interview the person you are introducing by asking him or her to share with
you his or her answers to the self-awareness survey. Take at the information that you find the
most unique to create your speech. Remember to use the guidelines on the previous page!!!!!!!