THE HOOK
- All about creating an immediate impact on your audience. The hook is the first thing. that is said. There are multiple ways to go about doing this.
- Anecdote – this is a short story, usually humorous or interesting, about a real incident or person. This helps connect to your audience by setting the stage and outlining the theme of your speech through a narrative.
- Controversial statment – This is a statement designed to elicit a strong emotional response from your audience. this is done by saying something contrary to what would be considered appropriate.
- Audience conversation – using conversational language that puts your audience at ease and encourages them to join in the conversation. Using slang, incorporating them into the speech to make the audience feel included. eg we, our – group conversation.
- Audience command – this is about instructing your audience to do something. This can be powerful and when used to highlight a theme. It makes your audience active participants in the speech, not just passive listeners.
- Quotations – Starting your speech off with a quote can add authority right away. this will help your audience accept that you are informed on the topic you are about to speak on.
- Rhetorical question – this is a question that does not need an answer. This can be extremely confronting for your audience. It will put them in a position where they must think about how they would answer the question. This is best used to highlight the theme of your speech.
THE OVERVIEW
- Now you have them hooked, what do you do? THis is where you introduce them to the outline of your speech.
- Delivering information on the ‘big picture’ is important in this section of your speech. Use the ‘w’ (who, what, when, where, why) questions as a base and build up from there.