Chapter 7:

Introductions and Conclusions

The beginning of a speech is often the hardest to create. Have you ever heard the saying that it takes only 7 seconds to create a first impression? (Goman, 2011). Your introduction is your first impression. Use it to pique the interest of your listeners and establish common ground. Too often speakers give little time and attention to how they will begin a speech, opting instead for the strategy of simply stating, for example, “Hi, I’m Sandy, and today I’m going to talk to you about ways to reduce pollution.” This type of introduction generates little enthusiasm on the part of listeners and fails to convey a speaker’s genuine interest in sharing information with listeners. An effective introduction helps create a favorable first impression with listeners. It also boosts your confidence as a speaker, and generates interest in the speech.

Key Terms

Rhetorical Questions
Credibility
‘Attention Getters’
Introductions
Conclusions
WIIFM