Parts of the Speech Introduction and Conclusion

The introduction

The introduction to your speech is important as it sets the stage for the rest of your speech. The introduction grabs the audience, connects to them, and tells them how you will approach your speech so they can follow. The introduction should include three parts, sometimes these are woven together. For example, your attention grabber and your psychological orientation may be combined. Here are the three distinct parts of the introduction you will include:

1. Attention grabber. The attention grabber just does that; it grabs the audience attention. It can include your thesis, or be more of “hook” and then lead into your thesis in the second or even third parts of your introduction.  Example: A previous COMM student of mine had a real grabber for his hockey speech intro: “How many of you have ever been in 0 degree weather or below? Now how many of you then thought it would be a good idea for you and your older brother to jump off a balcony into 10 feet of snow in this weather wearing nothing but capes and underwear?  Moments like this defined my childhood and where my love of snow and cold weather started at an early age.”
2. Psychological orientation. This is where you make it relevant and connect to your particular audience.  If you are speaking to an audience full of college students, you have some clear connections to be made. You are all students. You are all taking public speaking. Think about how you might connect to this audience in a way that will draw them into your topic. Example:  The same student used psychological connection to this audience by drawing them in: “As HSU students, I think we can all say that we know a little about cold weather. For some of us, myself included, it may have been one of the reasons you were drawn to this campus. However, icy passion drove me to an activity that has since become a defining part of my life: hockey.”
3. Logical orientation. The logical orientation includes how you will approach your topic so that your audience understands the framework and what to expect to some extent. This is where you need to bring up your main points so that the audience can follow. Example: “Hockey has influenced my life by showing me that practice and dedication, as well as patience and discipline, can give me the ability to conquer even the greatest adversity.” Note how this student used his thesis statement as the logical orientation. The audience knows that he will talk about practice and dedication, and his patience and discipline with respect to determination.

The conclusion

The conclusion of your speech is very important as it offers an opportunity to re-state your message and let the audience know you are coming to a close. The conclusion also has three distinct parts:

1. Logical closure. The logical closure serves the same function as the logical orientation in the introduction, however it does just the opposite. Instead of talking about how you will approach your topic, you will know review for your audience the main points that you shared with them during your speech. This gives them the sense of ‘wrap up’ just like in a written essay. It prepares them for then end. Example: “Today, I have tried to give you all a brief glimpse into the icy world of hockey and how it has led me to understand that through patience, practice and dedication, even the tallest mountain is conquerable.”
2. Psychological closure. This is where you again reconnect and remind your audience about their connection to the topic.  Example: “I have told you how the ice has affected me, given you a brief history of hockey and how they have shaped my identity. Now, you don’t need to run out and sign up for hockey just to learn the lessons I have learned, however, the ice will always be there if you think you are up to the test!  We are all less than 30 minutes away from some really great snow; go out and enjoy it!”
3. Clincher. Time to close the speech with a bang!  Don’t tell your audience that you are done, literally. This means, you do not need to say ‘thank you’ when you are done to let them know you are finished. Show them by ending it with meaning and letting them know it is the last statement so they are not left questioning whether you are finished.  Example: “From an early age, I knew that I loved hockey and whether or not I wanted it, the ice has become a part of me, and defines who I am no matter how many times I lose or fall down. Find something that feeds your passion.”

Important tips for practicing the intro and conclusion for your speech:

• Write the three parts of your intro and your conclusion down and memorize word-for-word. You really want to nail these in your speech!
• Be sure to find something that would appeal to your specific audience when writing the psychological orientation.

adapted from Stuart, Sprague &. “Introductions.” The Speaker’s Handbook. N.p.: Wadsworth, 2012. 13.1+.