HOW TO PREPARE FOR DEBATE AND SPEECH (part 8)

                                                  HOW TO OPEN A SPEECH
   
1.    The opening of a speech is difficult. It is also highly important, for our hearers are fresh then and   comparatively easy to impress. It is of too much consequence to be left to chance;it ought to be carefully worked out in advance.

2.    The introduction ought to be short, only a sentence or two. Often it can be dispensed with altogether. Wade right into the heart of your subject with the smallest number of words. No one objects to that.

3.    Novices are prone to begin either with attempting to tell a humorous story or by making an apology. Both of these are usually bad. Very very few people can relate a humorous anecdote successfully. The attempt usually embarrasses the audience instead of  entertaining them. The attempt should be relevant, not dragged  in just for the sake of the story.Humour should be the icing on the cake, not the cake itself ... Never apologize. It is usually an insult to your audience; it bores them. Drive right into what you have to say, say it quickly.

4.    A speaker may win the immediate attention of his audience by:

               a:     Arousing curiously.

               b:     Relating  a human interest story.

               c:     Beginning with a specific illustration.

               d:    Using an exhibit.

               e:     Asking a question.

                f:     Opening with a striking quotation.

                g:     Starting with shocking facts.

5.    Don't make your opening too formal. Don't let the bones show. Make it appear free, casual, inevitable. This  can be done by referring to something that has just happened,or something that has just been said.