Writing Effective Introductions

1. Writing Effective Introductions Geller’s Saucy Sophomores Fall 2013

2. Anecdote • Vivid detail • Appeals to emotion • Example: • If your thesis is that advertising liquor on TV is irresponsible, you could open with the story of an alcoholic friend who got drunk for the first time after seeing a particularly persuasive ad for Patron tequila.

3. Startling Statistic • Make it relevant to the audience • Ask them to look around the room, or think about their family, neighborhood, school, community, etc. • If your thesis is that America needs to improve its system of preventative mental health care, you could open by sharing ABC News’s recent report of a study showing that up to 1 in 5 Americans suffers from mental illness.

4. Quotation Lead • Make sure the audience knows who you’re quoting and why the person is important. • Here’s a not-so-effective example from a hypothetical speech about texting and driving: “Renowned underwater basket-weaver and purveyor of dead parrots, Andrew Jones, once said, ‘I have a wheel!’ Many teens have wheels these days, and with those wheels comes great responsibility.”

5. Historical or Background Lead • All introductions are going to need some kind of background information, but don’t make it a snooze-fest. • Vivid verbs help • Keep it simple • A good opening line from a speech about wiretapping: “Ever since the September 11th attacks changed the face of national security, debate has raged about where we define the boundary between safety and privacy.”

6. Scenario • Take your audience to Imaginationland… • Help them visualize what the world would be like if they: • Make the change you’re suggesting OR • Disregard your advice • I shall now read you a truly awesome example.