Humorous opening techniques in speeches

Humorous opening techniques in speeches

The wonderful opening remarks have three functions. First, attract the attention of the audience and stimulate their curiosity; Second, summarize the main contents of your speech; Third, explain to the audience the necessity of listening to your speech.

1, a fascinating start

The main purpose of the opening remarks is to win the attention of the audience. Because the audience's first impression of the speech will soon form, if the opening remarks can't attract them, then the rest will be wasted. Example: Suppose it is 2050. You are 65 years old. You have just received a letter. Open the envelope, there is a check for $65.438 billion. No, you didn't win any lottery tickets. When you realize that your small investment strategy of the past 40 years has finally paid off, you can't help but frown.

2. Outline the main points

Within a few seconds after you start your speech, the audience should have a good understanding of what you are going to say. Don't digress from Wan Li by telling a few jokes or examples, and forget the fundamental goal.

For example, today I will answer three questions, which will help you manage your finances. First, how do you make money? Second, how to invest? Third, how to make big money with small money?

3. Explain to your audience the reason for listening to your speech.

Even if you have caught the audience's attention and clarified the theme of the speech, you must tell the audience why you want to continue listening.

For example:

Finding the answers to these three questions can really bring unexpected benefits. You only need a little investment and a rigorous attitude, and you can earn $6,543,800+.

The technique of opening remarks

The opening speech only needs a few words, and a longer speech needs several paragraphs. How to effectively attract the audience, lead to the topic, build trust and introduce the main points in a few minutes? The following six skills are tried and tested, so try them: (1) The language is amazing; (2) ask questions; (3) using humor; (4) setting suspense; (5) telling stories; (6) Building trust. Not all these skills can be applied to any speech or any occasion. However, among these skills, you can certainly find at least one that can be fully utilized in your next speech.

1. The language is amazing.

If you want to attract your audience quickly, you should make an amazing speech at the beginning. You may describe an unusual scene, reveal a shocking data, or vividly describe a sensational problem. The audience will not only pay attention suddenly, but also pay close attention, seek more information about your speech and explore the reasons for your speech. Heather Larsen of North State University in South Dakota used a series of amazing words when writing her speech "Sailing Against the Current", which quickly attracted her audience.

For example, every 1 1 minute, an American dies of this crime, which is twice the number of people who die of murder. This year, 46,000 people died of this disease, and the number of deaths in the eight-year Vietnam War was only this number. In the past ten years, the number of people who died of this disease in the United States was three times that of133,000 who died of AIDS. This disease will cost you, me and other Americans more than $6 billion in medical expenses this year, and you will lose your ability to work, not to mention the loss of our lives. The wave of breast cancer I'm talking about may directly attack everyone here.

ask questions

You can attract the audience by asking some questions related to the central idea. For example:

See this dollar bill? What does it do for you? You can use it to invest, you can save it to buy more expensive items, or you can simply spend it. Although 1 can't buy many things now, on the other hand, children can use this 1 to buy what they like, even if what they buy will hurt them. This 1 dollar can make children get it cheaply and everywhere, but it is very deadly "cool". Obviously, Wilson didn't want her audience to really answer her questions. She just wants them to think about her topic-the danger of inhaling solvents and aerosols.

Use humor

Humor, if used properly, can achieve good results in attracting the attention of the audience. It helps to ease the atmosphere and make them willing to continue listening to your speech.

The speaker began with his own story and expressed his gratitude for being invited to speak in a humorous tone.

For example:

Three company executives tried to define the word "reputation".

The first one said, "Fame is when the White House invites you to meet the President."

The second said, "Fame is an invitation from the White House. While you were there, the phone rang, but the president didn't answer it. "

The third supervisor said, "Neither of you is right. Fame means that you are invited to the White House to meet the president, and then the presidential hotline rings. He took it, listened and said, "This is for you!" " "

Today, I was invited to give a speech here, just like there was a phone call for me at the White House.

Suspense

Rebecca Witt studied at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. She once gave a speech to college students to see how she started.

For example:

I am a word consisting of seven letters. I ruined my friendship, my family, my neighborhood and my classmates. I am the biggest killer among teenagers today. I'm not an alcoholic or a cocaine. My name is suicide.

Witt's opening remarks aroused the curiosity of the audience and prompted them to continue listening in order to find the answer. So, in order to keep the audience interested, Witt quoted some shocking statistics and raised two thought-provoking questions.

For example:

Why didn't high school take measures? As an integral part of the daily curriculum, why do high schools lack compulsory suicide prevention programs? These questions are very important. That's why I'm speaking here today.

At first, Witt's opening remarks aroused the audience's interest, so they were attracted within a minute or two. But to keep the audience interested after the first two sentences, Witt has to continue to work hard. By quoting data and asking questions, she ensured that her audience remained interested.

Tell a story

As long as it is related to the theme of your speech, everyone will like touching stories. No matter what kind of speech, opening with a story will leave a deep impression on people. A college student began his speech with the following story: "The field of medical care struggle".

For example:

Tim Dufemile, an emergency nurse in California, became a hero, not because he successfully saved a patient, but because he bravely saved an emergency doctor. A disgruntled patient shot three emergency doctors without warning, causing two minor injuries and one shot in the head and chest. Duffy Miller jumped on the gunman, rescued the seriously injured doctor and rushed to the emergency operating room.

6. Building trust

The reason why the audience listens to your speech is closely related to your credibility. You should make your audience understand that you are qualified to stand here and explain this topic.

When Minister John F. Ferguson spoke at the Veterans Day rally held in a middle school in kirkland, Washington, his opening remarks won the trust of the audience.

For example:

We are gathered here to pay tribute to the American men and women who have served in the military, especially those veterans who participated in the Vietnam War. I am one of them. I served in the United States Marine Corps. I am a member of the Counter-Spy Team 15, just outside the demilitarized zone. Our group is a small part of the intelligence military action force, which is now called Project Phoenix.

John F. Ferguson explained to the audience that he had personally participated in the Vietnam War. He didn't blow his own horn and exaggerate; He just clarified what his task was at that time. His experience is directly related to the theme of war veterans and the purpose of school reunion. Therefore, to the audience, he seems to be more credible.

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