
Key Takeaways
- Introductions are only 10–15 percent of one’s speech, so speakers need to make sure they think through the entire introduction to ensure that they will capture an audience. ...
- A speaker’s perceived credibility is a combination of competence, trustworthiness, and caring/goodwill. ...
How much of a speech should be an introduction?
Unfortunately, that 10 to 15 percent of your speech can either make your audience interested in what you have to say or cause them to tune out before you’ve really gotten started. Overall, a good introduction should serve five functions. Let’s examine each of these.
Why is it important to think about the introduction of speech?
It also helps your audience keep track of where you are if they momentarily daydream or get distracted. Introductions are only 10–15 percent of one’s speech, so speakers need to make sure they think through the entire introduction to ensure that they will capture an audience.
When should you work out the exact wording of the introduction?
True/False: You should usually work out the exact wording of the introduction after you have finished preparing the body of your speech. If you were giving an informative speech on the subject of troglodytes, you would probably include a ____________ in your introduction.
What is the purpose of an introduction?
The second major function of an introduction is to reveal the purpose of your speech to your audience. Have you ever sat through a speech wondering what the basic point was? Have you ever come away after a speech and had no idea what the speaker was talking about?

What percentage of your overall speech should your introduction and conclusion be?
about 10%The general rule is that the introduction and conclusion should each be about 10% of your total speech, leaving 80% for the body section.
What percent of a speech should the conclusion be?
All types of presentations consist of three basic parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. In general, the introduction should be about 10-15% of your speaking time, the body around 75%, and the conclusion only 10%.
What percent of your speech should the introduction be quizlet?
The introduction should constitute about 10 to 20 percent of a speech. The conclusion should normally comprise about 5 to 10 percent of a speech.
What is a good introduction for a speech?
A good introduction needs to get the audience's attention, state the topic, make the topic relatable, establish credibility, and preview the main points. Introductions should be the last part of the speech written, as they set expectations and need to match the content.
How long should introductions be?
Most introductions should be about three to five sentences long. And you should aim for a word count between 50-80 words. You don't need to say everything in that first paragraph.
How long should an introduction be in a 1000 word essay?
The introduction for a 1000 word essay should be almost 200 words. The introductory paragraph has a hook statement followed by a little background to the topic of your essay. After a compelling introduction has been written, 600 to 800 words are written in the body paragraphs with proofs and reasonings.
What percent of your speech should the body be?
So to that end, the introduction and conclusion need to be relatively short and to the point. The general rule is that the introduction and conclusion should each be about 10% of your total speech, leaving 80% for the body section.
What is the first thing that you should do in the introduction of your speech quizlet?
The first thing you should do in the introduction of a speech is to reveal the topic. When you use a rhetorical question to gain attention in a speech introduction, you should state the question, pause a moment, and then give the answer.
When should you write an introduction to a speech quizlet?
You should always write the body of your speech before you write the introduction. An introduction generally makes up about 10% of the length of the entire speech.
How do I start my introduction?
Here are the steps you can take to help you write an introduction:Consider your purpose. ... Attract the reader's attention. ... Describe your topic. ... Add a thesis. ... Revisit your introduction after writing your post. ... Take time to understand your audience. ... Be specific and clear. ... Keep it short.More items...•
Should I introduce myself in a speech?
Introducing yourself at the beginning of your presentation or keynote speech establishes your authority and credibility. Introducing yourself effectively can also pique your audience's interest and get their attention. Keep your introduction short and sweet.
How effective is the introduction?
An introduction is the first paragraph/section of an essay, and it plays an important role in writing an effective paper. The introduction allows the writer to begin the essay by gaining readers' attention, providing necessary background information, and by establishing the essay's main idea, purpose, and direction.
What is a good conclusion for a speech?
Summarize the main points of your speech. Restate your purpose or thesis. Create closure, a sense of finality.
How do you conclude a speech?
Different Ways to End a Presentation or SpeechThe power of three. ... A compelling story. ... A surprising fact. ... A running clock. ... Acknowledging people or companies. ... A short, memorable sentence. ... An interesting quote. ... A visual image.More items...•
How do you signal a conclusion in a speech?
3 phrases to use as a signal to the end in your presentation conclusion“This brings me to the end of my presentation. To summarize my main points,…”“Well, that is all I have for today. Let me now summarize what I talked about…. ”“I have now come to the end of my presentation. In summary, I spoke about…”
What should be in the conclusion of a presentation?
How to conclude a presentationSummarize the key points. Choose three or four points from the presentation and reiterate them. ... Echo the core message. ... Present a call to action. ... Use a powerful quote. ... Ask a rhetorical question. ... Tell a story. ... Give a visual image. ... Acknowledge others.More items...
What is the importance of introduction in a speech?from brainly.com
A good start is vital to any presentation. The introduction prepares the hearer's mood to receive the rest of the speech well . The speaker should involve the audience, sharpen their interest and curiosity. However, the introduction should be quick so the audience does not get tired and remain curious about the rest of the speech, so the introduction should ideally occupy 10% of your speech.
What is the key to an effective introduction?from quizlet.com
The key to an effective introduction is to create interest while helping audience understand how the ideas relate to the listener.
What is informative speech?from quizlet.com
Within business speaking settings, a kind of informative speech that shares information, either to make sure everyone is informed or to help managers with ongoing decision making is known as a:
What is a preview speech?from quizlet.com
It provides a preview of the main points of the speech.
Why is boring the last thing on the list?from thoughtco.com
Because of the recency effect, the last item on the list—boring—might have a disproportionate effect on your judgment of the person, and you might have a less positive impression of them (compared to if boring had been in the middle of the list of words). As Simon Laham and Joseph Forgas explain, we can experience a recency effect ...
How long does it take for a task to interfere?from verywellmind.com
Research has found that if the distracting task takes longer than 15 to 30 seconds , it will eliminate recency effects when trying to recall the original information. 6
What does Ivan say at his brother's wedding?from quizlet.com
Ivan starts his best man speech at his brother's wedding by saying, "Hello everyone, my name is Ivan. I'm so glad we could all gather today to witness this beautiful ceremony." Ivan has decided to _____________ as his attention getter.
What happens if you hear the first thing and the last thing you hear are positive?from verywellmind.com
If the first thing you hear and the last thing you hear are positive, you are more likely to buy it —even if your research revealed negative information between those two times. Marketers take advantage of the recency effect by ensuring the beginning and ends of ads are positive and appealing.
How to learn to read?from verywellmind.com
Try the following steps: 1 Focus on the most important information at the beginning to take advantage of the primacy effect. This might involve reviewing important terminology or learning new information. 2 Use the middle of your learning time to read through old material you have already learned. This period is essentially downtime, but it can be useful for reviewing. 3 Spend the last part of your study session reviewing what you have already learned. This can involve rehearsing those important terms or going over your newly learned material.
When should you work out the exact wording of your introduction?from quizlet.com
Under normal circumstances, you should work out the exact wording of your introduction after you have finished preparing the body of your speech.
How to establish credibility in a speech introduction?from quizlet.com
One way to establish your credibility in a speech introduction is to let the audience know the source of your expertise.
What is the function of a speech conclusion?from quizlet.com
One function of a speech conclusion is to establish the credibility of the speaker.
What is a preview statement in a speech introduction?from quizlet.com
The preview statement in a speech introduction identifies the main points to be discussed in the body.
What is the audience's perception of whether the speaker has the best interests of the audience in mind?from quizlet.com
Goodwill is the audience's perception of whether the speaker has the best interests of the audience in mind.
Why do you start a speech with a quote?from quizlet.com
Opening your speech with a lengthy quotation is an excellent way to gain the attention of your audience.
What is the best way to pull your listeners into a speech?from quizlet.com
Building suspense about the topic in your introduction is a good way to pull your listeners into a speech.
Why is an introduction important?
An introduction is important because it forces the speaker to be mindfully aware of explaining the topic of the speech to the audience. If the speaker doesn’t know what her or his topic is and cannot convey that topic to the audience, then we’ve got really big problems!
What is the purpose of an introduction?
The first major purpose of an introduction is to gain your audience’s attention and make them interested in what you have to say. One of the biggest mistakes that novice speakers make is to assume that people will naturally listen because the speaker is speaking. While many audiences may be polite and not talk ...
What is the fourth function of introduction?
The fourth major function of an introduction is to establish a connection between the speaker and the audience, and one of the most effective means of establishing a connection with your audience is to provide them with reasons why they should listen to your speech. The idea of establishing a connection is an extension of the notion ...
How to build a bridge to the audience?
It is not enough for you alone to be interested in your topic. You need to build a bridge to the audience by explicitly connecting your topic to their possible needs.
How to develop a specific purpose?
To develop a specific purpose, you should complete the following sentence: “I want my audience to understand that…”. Notice that your specific speech purpose is phrased in terms of expected audience responses, not in terms of your own perspective.
How many basic functions are there in an introduction?
List and explain the five basic functions of an introduction.
Can a speaker be 100 percent honest?
The speaker could be 100 percent honest, but the audience will still find the information suspect. For example, in the summer of 2009, many Democratic members of Congress attempted to hold public town-hall meetings about health care.
How much of the message comes from your voice?
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus found that when people are speaking, approximately 7% of the message comes from the words, 36% of the message comes from your voice and 57% of the message comes from your nonverbal communication. Michael Grinder would argue that nonverbal communication is even more important ...
How long does an audience need to be engaged?
The average audience attention span is only 8 to 10 minutes. Therefore as speakers we need to do something new or different every 8 to 10 minutes to re-engage and wake up our audiences. Matt Church talks about a 10 minute cycle, where you Tell – Show – Ask – Share. Tell them some information, bring up or draw a visual, ask them to think about it or apply it to their situation, and then ask them to share that with the person next door or to the whole group.
How much retention rate is there in nonverbal communication?
Tell stories. If you speak to people and just tell them some facts, there is a 5% to 10% retention rate of the information. If you now add some visual material and images, then retention can increase to 25% to 30%.
How many people have speech anxiety?
75% of people suffer from speech anxiety prior to giving a presentation or public speech. That is three out of four individuals suffer from pre speech anxiety. This makes our nerves normal. As a rule of thumb, your introduction should take up about 10 % of your total presentation time.
How long does it take to make a good first impression?
Start Strong. Your first 15 seconds matters. You only have one chance to make a good first impression and that first impression is formed within 15 seconds . So look good, look confident, adopt peak physiology, start strong, lay the foundation and you will do a great job. Eye Contact.
Do audiences appreciate you for going over time?
100% of audiences will appreciate you as a speaker ending on time. No one appreciates a speaker who goes over time, speaks into another speaker’s time, or puts the whole meeting or conference behind schedule. Going over time is a big “no no”
How to structure a speech?from speakwellacademy.com
Break your speech into sections that explain major concepts related to your topic, followed by smaller and smaller subtopics . After all the sub-topics have been covered you can transition onto your next point and discuss all the sub-points before transitioning to your next main point and so on until all your points have been covered.
When information flows in a speech, the audience will more likely pay attention?from study.com
There is a strategy in play. Information that is organized using a main idea followed by main points and other details is easier to understand. It also shows credibility and thorough knowledge of the topic.
Why Is Speech Organization Important?from study.com
We have all been there. You are asked to stand before an audience to present a topic and have no clue where to begin. It's frightening at best!
What is a particular/general/particular structure?from speakwellacademy.com
A particular/general/particular structure organizes speeches by a specific example that frames broader content and illustrates the main or personal objective of the speech. The example given at the beginning of your speech is echoed in the conclusion to help clarify or elucidate your primary message.
Why do you want your speech to be organized?from study.com
You want your speech to be organized because it will be more enjoyable, easier to understand and add credibility to both you and the speech itself. Oh, don't forget, people will also remember the information better if it is organized.
What is reverse chronological speech?from speakwellacademy.com
An alternative approach to chronological order is reverse chronological speech structure in which events and experiences are ordered starting from present and ending with the past – like a flashback in movies.
How to organize speech?from study.com
Speech organization is effectively taking the information one wishes to present and arranging it in a logical order. Start with main points or smaller chunks of information to break down the overall purpose. Then, use supporting materials, like examples, statistics, testimony or a narrative, that backs your claims.
How much of a speech is an introduction?
Introductions are only 10–15 percent of one’s speech, so speakers need to make sure they think through the entire introduction to ensure that they will capture an audience. During an introduction, speakers attempt to impart the general and specific purpose of a speech while making their audience members interested in the speech topic, establishing their own credibility, and providing the audience with a preview of the speech structure.
How long should an introduction be?
This means that if your speech is to be five minutes long, your introduction should be no more than forty-five seconds.
How to build a bridge to the audience?
It is not enough for you alone to be interested in your topic. You need to build a bridge to the audience by explicitly connecting your topic to their possible needs.
Why is an introduction important?
Have you ever sat through a speech wondering what the basic point was? Have you ever come away after a speech and had no idea what the speaker was talking about? An introduction is important because it forces the speaker to be mindfully aware of explaining the topic of the speech to the audience. If the speaker doesn’t know what her or his topic is and cannot convey that topic to the audience, then we’ve got really big problems! Robert Cavett, the founder of the National Speaker’s Association, used the analogy of a preacher giving a sermon when he noted, “When it’s foggy in the pulpit, it’s cloudy in the pews.”
What is the fourth function of introduction?
The fourth major function of an introduction is to establish a connection between the speaker and the audience, and one of the most effective means of establishing a connection with your audience is to provide them with reasons why they should listen to your speech.
Why is it important to have a clear purpose in a speech?
The more clearly focused your purpose is, the easier your task will be in developing your speech. In addition, a clear purpose provides the audience with a single, simple idea to remember even if they daydream during the body of your speech.
What is the purpose of an introduction?
The first major purpose of an introduction is to gain your audience’s attention and make them interested in what you have to say. One of the biggest mistakes that novice speakers make is to assume that people will naturally listen because the speaker is speaking.
Construct the Introduction Last
While this may seem both counter-intuitive and somewhat strange, you really do want to leave the development of the introduction for the last part of your speech preparation. Think of it this way: You can’t introduce the ideas in your speech until you have determined these ideas.
Make It Relevant
Another reason why your introduction should be the last part of your speech you prepare is so that the introduction can relate to the speech. If you prepare the introduction before you prepare the body of the speech, your introduction may be wonderful—but completely disconnected from the rest of the speech.
Be Succinct
In most classroom speeches, and in most speech situations outside the classroom, the speaker will be on a time limit. Even if you are giving a speech in a setting where there is no stated time limit, most people will simply not pay attention to a speech that goes on and on and on.
Write It Out Word for Word
In another chapter, you may have read and studied speech delivery techniques, and in your class, you may be encouraged to use an extemporaneous style of delivery for your speeches. That is good advice. However, introductions are best written out word for word and then delivered as memorized.
