INTRODUCTION
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence or entertain the listeners. The introduction is the most important aspect, as your audience will accept our message in the first 30-90 seconds or they will switch off and ignore the rest of the speech. In the introduction, you will introduce the theme, set the scene, establish a direction, gain attention of the audience and get them involved. The introduction should be short, positive, easy to handle, generate interest and expectancy. It should create a vivid image that the audience can identify with. Do not repeat the title, read the instruction, apologize, explain, complain or make excuses.
Ideas on how to gain an attention at the introduction of your speech:
In public speaking, there are five basic elements often expressed as “who is saying what, to whom, using what medium and with what effects?”. The purpose of public speaking can range from transmitting information to motivating people to act, to telling a story. Public speaking have several components which are motivational speaking, leadership/personal development programm, business presentation, customer service, large group communication and mass communication. Public speaking is a powerful tool used to motivate, influence, persuade, inform, translate or simply entertain.
In planning your speech you should know the purpose of the speech, decide what you wish to speak about i.e select a speech topic or establish a theme which will be the central idea or concept, decide what is the primary purpose of the speech-whether you wish to inform, instruct, convince, influence or motivate, decide on the objectives of your speech, know the venue and attend public speaking occasions like wedding, business presentation, inaugurations etc. listen to the experienced and be present when important issues are being discussed.