Thomas Paralegal

A lack of planned transitions may cause beginning speakers to overuse words and vocalized pauses such as well, you know, -okay, or “er.” Plan a variety of transitions to help your speech flow smoothly. If you have trouble developing effective transitions, rethink the structure of your message. Outline your thoughts to be sure that they move in a clear direction and an orderly sequence.
Once you have identified and arranged your main points, decided how to develop them with supporting materials, and planned how to connect them with transitions, you can prepare an introduction and conclusion that will begin and end your speech effectively. Introductions and conclusions are very important because listeners tend to be most affected by what they heat at the beginning and end of a message. The introduction allows you to make a good first impression and to set the stage for how your audience will respond. The conclusion gives you a final opportunity to make a lasting impression.

The introduction to your speech is the invitation you give your audience t listen. When you first begin to speak, the audience will have two basic concerns in mind:
Why should I listen to this speech? and Why should I listen to the speaker?
These questions relate to two of the three basic functions of an introduction.
First, it should capture attention and arouse interest so that your audience wants to listen to your message.
Second, it should help establish you ethos as a competent, trustworthy, and likable person with whom the audience can identify. Finally, your introduction should preview your message to make it easier for the audience to follow.
A successful introduction also helps prepare you to present the rest of you speech. When you get off to a good start, you have less performance anxiety Therefore, you should prepare your introduction carefully. Practice until you are confident and comfortable with your opening words. Establish good eye contact with listeners. Do not read your introduction!