How to write the opening remarks?

The skills of opening remarks, how to make the opening remarks attractive

As a speaker, no matter how much content you have prepared, the first 30 seconds of your speech are the most important. Don't underestimate this short opening statement, it will determine the fate of every sentence you say later. The audience will decide whether to listen to your speech patiently or not according to your first impression. Therefore, only the original prologue, with its novelty, curiosity and Minhui beauty, can leave a deep impression on the audience, immediately control the atmosphere on the field, instantly concentrate the audience's attention, and build ladders and bridges for the next smooth speech.

1) Importance of opening remarks

The preface, as the name implies, is what is said at the beginning. A poor opening speech is tantamount to a vain opening speech, and the first impression when meeting people is very important. As the saying goes, "A good beginning is half the battle", so the opening remarks are very important. Many celebrities also gave good advice. Gorky, a great Russian writer, said: "The most difficult thing is the preface, which is the first sentence. Just like in music, the tone of the whole song is given by it. It usually takes a long time to find it. " Gorky's passage contains two meanings: first, the first sentence of the speech is very important, and its function is like the "tuning" of music, which stipulates the basic appearance and style of the whole song. Second, the appropriate first sentence is not so easy to find, but the result of long-term accumulation and serious study.

It is decisive for the speaker to gain the trust of the audience and attract their attention. The prologue is the first bridge between the speaker and the audience.

The opening remarks should achieve three purposes: first, to narrow the distance; Second, build trust; Third, stimulate interest and prepare for the following speech.

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 disease. This number is twice as many as the number of people who died in 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 alcohol or 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.

3. Problems that should be paid attention to when starting business.

The most basic method of opening remarks mentioned above should be used flexibly according to different people and things. No matter which method is used, you should pay attention to the following issues:

(1) The opening remarks cannot be too long.

(2) If it is a slightly longer speech, preview the main contents of the speech.

(3) Don't use cliches that many people have used. For example, "I have nothing to say, just because …" "I'm not a good speaker, but …", don't use other cliches. If you really can't think of a better opening statement, just start straight, such as: "Let me talk to you about this problem …", "I agree with this statement for the following reasons …", "I disagree with that view, and I have the following reasons …"

(4) concentrate the attention of the audience. It's up to you which way to use.

(5) Let the audience know the purpose and content of your speech.

(6) Let the audience have the following expectations. Start with a light joke, and then enter the part of stating facts and theoretical argumentation. In this process, your audience will gradually relax and begin to listen carefully to your speech.

(7) establish interactive contact with the audience. Arouse the audience's interest, try to make them relax and devote themselves to your speech. Speech is not hypnosis, you should actively communicate with the audience.

(8) Tell the audience about your speech and their relationship, and make them firmly believe that they will benefit from your speech.

(9) Let the audience realize that you are the controller of the speech and give necessary guidance. For example, when and how should they deal with these problems. Make necessary explanations for each new problem.

(10) Discuss possible related problems with the audience and win their support.

4) Improper opening method

Just as there are all kinds of opening ways to attract the attention of the audience, there are also many misunderstandings of opening ways that even experienced speakers can easily fall into. Once you get into it, your carefully prepared speech will be in vain:

(1) Don't repeat the topic and content of the speech at the beginning. This period of time is the stage where you stimulate the audience's interest and create suspense. It is obviously unwise to repeat what the audience knows. Don't start by saying, "The question I want to discuss with you today is …".

(2) Don't pretend to be sorry at the beginning. You may think that this will make you more friendly and humble, but the fact is often counterproductive, and the audience will mistakenly think that you lack self-confidence.

(3) Don't treat the "important" people in the audience specially. There is no need to say "Thank you, Mayor Li, Director Wang and Chairman Zhang ...". Only on very formal occasions, in front of a very distinguished audience, will such overly polite words be used. If you want the audience to notice one of their characters, just call them by their first names in the speech.

(4) Don't explain why you are speaking. Don't explain to the audience why you think others invited you to give this speech. Remember, standing in front of the stage is the best reason. You know, of course the audience knows. Even if you have to say it, you should highly summarize your explanation, because your friends don't need to explain it, and your enemies don't believe it.

(5) Don't say how important it is that you choose this topic. Because the audience will identify with themselves, what you have to do is to discuss with them the essence behind the topic.

Give a speech on the topic "Why change". Start with a story about how you changed the idea and how it affected you. Or get to the point with an appropriate joke.