A startling introduction is a technique that speakers use to grab the attention of their audience and make them curious about what they are going to say next. It can be a surprising fact, a shocking statistic, a provocative question, a humorous anecdote, or a dramatic story that relates to the speech topic. A startling introduction can be very effective in creating interest and engagement, but only if it is firmly related to the speech topic. Otherwise, it can backfire and confuse or alienate the audience.
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Why is it Important to Relate Your Startling Introduction to Your Speech Topic?
According to Toastmasters International, a startling introduction should be relevant to your speech topic for three main reasons:
- It establishes your credibility as a speaker. If you start your speech with something that has nothing to do with your topic, you risk losing the trust and respect of your audience. They may think that you are trying to trick them or that you are not prepared or knowledgeable enough to speak on the subject.
- It sets the tone and direction of your speech. A startling introduction should give the audience a hint of what you are going to talk about and why it matters. It should also create a mood or an emotion that matches your purpose and message. For example, if you are giving a persuasive speech on why people should donate blood, you may start with a personal story of how blood donation saved your life or someone else’s life. This would create a sense of gratitude and urgency in the audience and motivate them to listen to your arguments.
- It helps you connect with your audience. A startling introduction should capture the attention and interest of your audience and make them want to hear more from you. It should also appeal to their values, beliefs, needs, or desires and show them how your speech topic relates to them. For example, if you are giving an informative speech on how artificial intelligence is changing the world, you may start with a surprising fact or statistic about how AI is already affecting various aspects of our lives. This would make the audience curious and eager to learn more about the topic.
How to Choose a Startling Introduction that Relates to Your Speech Topic?
Choosing a startling introduction that relates to your speech topic can be challenging, but there are some steps you can follow to make it easier:
- Know your audience. Before you choose a startling introduction, you need to know who you are speaking to and what they care about. You need to consider their age, gender, culture, education, background, interests, expectations, and attitudes towards your topic. You also need to know what their prior knowledge and experience are on the topic and what their needs and goals are as listeners. This will help you tailor your introduction to suit their preferences and perspectives.
- Know your purpose. You also need to know why you are giving the speech and what you want to achieve with it. You need to have a clear and specific goal and message that you want to convey to your audience. You also need to know what type of speech you are giving: informative, persuasive, inspirational, entertaining, or ceremonial. This will help you choose an appropriate tone and style for your introduction.
- Know your topic. Finally, you need to know your topic well and have enough information and evidence to support it. You need to do thorough research and analysis on your topic and organize it into a logical and coherent structure. You also need to identify the main points and subpoints of your speech and the transitions between them. This will help you choose a relevant and meaningful introduction that leads into your speech.
Once you have done these steps, you can brainstorm different ideas for your startling introduction based on the following criteria:
- It should be interesting and surprising enough to catch the attention of your audience.
- It should be relevant and related enough to your speech topic.
- It should be clear and concise enough to convey your message.
- It should be appropriate and respectful enough for your audience and occasion.
You can use various sources and methods to find ideas for your startling introduction, such as:
- Books, articles, websites, podcasts, videos, or other media related to your topic.
- Statistics, facts, quotes, examples, stories, anecdotes, jokes, or rhetorical questions related to your topic.
- Personal experiences, opinions, observations, or insights related to your topic.
- Current events, trends, issues, or controversies related to your topic.
You can also use different techniques to present your startling introduction, such as:
- Asking a question that challenges or provokes the audience’s thoughts or feelings on the topic.
- Making a statement that contradicts or surprises the audience’s assumptions or expectations on the topic.
- Telling a story that illustrates or exemplifies the main point or theme of the speech.
- Using humor that lightens up the mood or makes fun of a common problem or misconception on the topic.
- Using an analogy that compares or contrasts the topic with something familiar or unfamiliar to the audience.
- Using a quotation that expresses or supports the main idea or argument of the speech.
- Using a visual aid that shows or demonstrates something remarkable or shocking about the topic.
Examples of Startling Introductions that Relate to Speech Topics
Here are some examples of startling introductions that relate to speech topics:
- Speech topic: The benefits of meditation
- Startling introduction: How many of you have ever felt stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed in your life? Raise your hand if you have. (Pause and look around the room.) Wow, that’s almost everyone. Well, what if I told you that there is a simple and effective way to reduce stress, improve your mood, and enhance your well-being? And what if I told you that you can do it anytime, anywhere, and for free? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not. It’s called meditation, and today I’m going to tell you what it is, how it works, and why you should try it.
- Speech topic: The dangers of texting while driving
- Startling introduction: Imagine this: You are driving on a busy highway, listening to your favorite music, and feeling good. You get a text message from your friend, and you decide to check it quickly. You take your eyes off the road for just a few seconds, and then…BAM! You hit another car, causing a massive pile-up. You are severely injured, and so are the other drivers and passengers. Some of them may even die. All because of one text message. This is not a hypothetical scenario. This is a reality that happens every day in America. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration2, texting while driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, causing over 3,000 deaths and 400,000 injuries every year. In this speech, I will explain why texting while driving is so risky, what the laws and penalties are for doing it, and what we can do to prevent it.
- Speech topic: The importance of organ donation
- Startling introduction: Did you know that every 10 minutes, someone is added to the national organ transplant waiting list? And did you know that every day, 22 people die waiting for an organ that never comes? These are not just numbers. These are real people with real families and friends who need our help. Organ donation is the process of giving one or more organs or tissues to someone who needs them to survive or improve their quality of life. It is a gift of life that anyone can give, regardless of age, race, or religion. In this speech, I will tell you why organ donation is important, how it works, and how you can become an organ donor.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new. Thank you for your attention.
