Writing the Introduction

Attention Getter: The purpose of the attention getter is to get and maintain the audience's

attention. You may use: stories, quotes, startling statement; references to past events and

rhetorical questions.

Definitions

Stories: interesting accounts about people, places and events. You may also include personal experiences as well, as long as, they relate to your thesis.

Quotes: repetition of the exact words that someone else has said. Quotes come in two versions: words spoken by a person; and words spoken about a person, place or event.

Startling Statement: Unexpected fact or prediction.

Definitions (continued)

References: Allusions concerning people and events in history. (I Have A dream)

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

Rhetorical questions: Questions that are formulated to make your audience think.

Linking Statement

The linking statement ties the attention getter to the thesis statement. This can be done in several ways depending on the kind of attention getter. If you use aStory- you will write one to two sentences that shows how the story relates to the thesis.Quotes- Who said it and why?Why the ideas expressed is typical of that person

Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is one sentence that tells the audience your topic and your opinion.

Topic + Opinion = thesis statement

“JFK was a man of vision who encouraged our nation to move toward the future.”

Preview

The preview is a list of elements you will be discussing in your speech. Whatever you say here is the major points in the body of the speech.

Usually only one sentence.

Example of the Introduction: Attention Getter

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our

energies and skills, because the challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling

to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”

Example of the Introduction: Linking Statement

During a visit to the NASA Space Center, JohnF. Kennedy challenged all Americans to look

toward the future by suggesting that by going to the moon we would reap more benefits than just

the act of going to there.

Example of the Introduction: Thesis Statement

JFK was a man of great vision.

Example of the Introduction:The Preview

To better understand why JFK is considered a visionary, we will be discussing his family

background, career, and contribution to society.

The Body of the Speech