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 selfevident…”
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
Conclusion
Attention-getter
Link
Thesis
Preview of Points
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