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How to start a speech?

How to start a persuasive speech?

  • I have to write a speech for my English class. This is my very first speech and I'm completely lost on how to start it. The topic is "City officials should enforce a curfew on minors." This will be presented in front of high school students, if there is any ideas on how I should start the speech please answer. :D

  • Answer:

    You should begin with an introduction. Writing a persuasive speech is a little like writing a persuasive essay. You should have have at least 3 points. Write down on scrap paper 3 reasons why the curfew could be enforced. You need to make sure they're 3 different reasons. You don't want one to just be elaboration on a reason. You might have to spend a little time thinking about the reasons. Once you get the 3 reasons, take the first one and write down some elaborations. Explain why it's a good reason. Use examples, quotes from a famous person, an example of something that happened to someone, etc. Next do the same for the other 2 reasons. When you finish that, all you have to do is write your introduction and your closing. The introduction basically tells them what you're going to say and the closing tells them what you just said. The intro also should grab their attention and interest and help them be oriented for what to look for in your speech. You should include your 3 reasons simply stated without elaborations. The closing is where you close the sale. Make a strong appeal. Tell them what you want. If what you want them to write to their the city council or the mayor, ask for that. If you want them to agree with you, say, "I hope that you will agree that....." Good luck.

sarsarwylie at Amazon Askville Visit the source

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The key is to get the attention of the audience right off the bat through the use of an effective attention-grabber. The attention-grabber should have something to do with the speech, so don't just start out by yelling "Sex" and then not talking about sex. An attention-grabber can be any number of things: a startling statement, a rhetorical question, (the two most common), reference to something in the news, reference to a specific audience member, use of a visual aid, a joke or funny story (as long as they're short, funny, and have to do with the topic). Whatever you do, don't start out with, "hello, my name is _____" because your audience will know your name either through a listing that's posted, or someone introducing you. And, using your name as an attention-grabber just won't cut it. For your topic, I'd recommend a startling statement, to wit: "Last year, the police arrested (and it should be a small number in this case for it to be startling) minors in this town. Think about that, (number) of kids arrested because the police haven't bothered to enforce the city's curfew laws. How many of those kids could have been raped, murdered, or otherwise molested? Fortunately, they weren't, but if they were your kids, would you want to take that chance?" Obviously, you'll have to get the figures and offer correct attribution for your sources, but a simple phone call to the cop shop where you live should get you the correct information. You're on your own from there! Just so you'll know, this is what I have to go through with my classes every other semester, since for some reason, I always wind up with a public speaking class on my schedule at the university where I teach. Autumn Wind's advise is also helpful for the rest of the speech - just remember that old rule: (Introduction) "Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em," (Body) "Tell 'em, (Conclusion) "Tell 'em what you told 'em." "Shut up and sit down!"

OldHippieHatesNewAV

Grab some minors holding liquor bottles and bring them in looking drunk and abusive. It will get everyone's attention before you start!! I had to do a lecture on bystander intervention in psychology at university and so I got a mate to lie down near the classroom and watched the actions of passers-by. The research suggests that the more people present the less chance of any help, if a person is alone there is a greater chance of help. The lecture was a great success!

Chowfan.Jexebellion

Context, position (what folks should do or believe), then your proofs supporting your claims.

danielpauldavis

Start with a creative description of how the world would look with(out) curfew. Use your fantasy to make up some more or less likely scenarios of good or bad things that could happen. Then refer back to these examples during the rest of the speech. Also, you could add some examples from the real world, where crimes happen to/with minors in similar cities.

Globi

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