Tips for Starting Strong

PLAN THE BEGINNING AT THE END

In most cases, don’t plan the introduction to your presentation before you’ve developed the body of your speech. There are many decisions to make when developing a presentation; how to begin should not necessarily be the first. You must know your purpose before deciding how your introduction can support it. Even better, identify your KEY POINTS (153–56) so you’ll know how to preview them.

DON’T APOLOGIZE FOR LACK OF PREPARATION

Wouldn’t it be strange if an actor walked on stage before a play and told the audience he hadn’t really learned his lines or that his opening number would be a little rough? Why, then, should a speaker apologize for their presentation before it’s even begun? Too often, speakers open with apologies or excuses: “I don’t speak very often, so please excuse my nervousness”; “I wish I’d had a few more days to prepare for this presentation, but I just found out on Tuesday that I had to make it.”

Comments like these do not accomplish very much and in fact can adversely impact your CREDIBILITY (74–81). If your message is well delivered, excuses will only confuse your audience. Your introduction should not apologize for your level of preparation or the quality of your DELIVERY (209–301). If you’ve practiced and are adequately prepared, you can begin with confidence.

AVOID SAYING “MY SPEECH IS ABOUT . . .”

Beginning statements such as “I’m going to talk about . . .” or “My topic is . . .” may be true, but they’re unlikely to help you gain the audience’s attention or interest. Even though “My speech is about . . .” may introduce your topic, it will not necessarily be engaging or make the important connection between you and your audience.

Nevertheless, like many rules, there are exceptions. “I’m going to talk about how I was surrounded by killer sharks and survived” would probably make even the most jaded audience listen. “My talk will be about the budget crisis and how it will affect your jobs” will likewise hold audience attention and interest. Middle-schooler Margaret Muller (see p. 194) starts by saying “Today I’d like to tell you about Down syndrome” for good reason. By openly and confidently addressing the one thing her classmates already knew about her—that she has Down syndrome—she appropriately establishes a connection with her audience in her introduction.

SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS

Don’t overpromise what you can deliver in the introduction to your presentation. Our advice is simple: avoid offering impossible outcomes, like promising your audience that you will help them become more popular, lose weight, or get all A’s. Your message is more likely to have a meaningful impact on your audience if you have an achievable goal.

USE HUMOR WISELY

USING HUMOR (340–42) in an introduction can be risky. Your audience may remember the humor but forget your message. And what if no one laughs? What if audience members are offended? But when used wisely, humor can energize your introduction. If it's appropriate and relevant to your purpose, humor can gain audience attention and provide a hint about the mood and direction of your talk.

KEEP IT SHORT

Generally, we recommend that your introduction take up no more than 10 percent of your speaking time. If it takes more time than that, make sure it’s for a good reason. Otherwise, your audience may lose patience. There are, of course, times when your introduction will need to be longer. If you are facing a distrustful audience, for example, you may need more time to establish your credibility, generate a more hospitable mood, and reduce audience concerns about your message.