This document provides guidance on structuring an effective introduction for a speech. It recommends including an attention device to engage the audience, stating the specific purpose of the speech, presenting the central idea or thesis in one sentence, establishing the speaker's credibility or goodwill with the audience, and providing a preview of the main points to be covered in the body of the speech. Attention devices can relate the topic to the audience, highlight the importance of the topic, startle the audience, arouse curiosity, or begin with a quotation or story. The specific purpose should be a full sentence that clearly expresses what the speaker aims to accomplish. The central idea sums up the major themes of the speech.

1. Forming the introduction
SPE 108

2. Determining the general purpose &
specific purpose
• What is the broad goal of your speech?
General Purpose
Example: inform or persuade
• What do you precisely hope to accomplish?
Specific Purpose
Example: To inform my audience about the
benefits of music theory for people with
cognitive delays

3. Structure of the Introduction
A strong introduction contains:
Attention device
Specific purpose
Central idea
Preview statement/transition into the body

4. Attention and interest
Attention devices:
• Relate the topic to the
audience
• State the importance of
your topic
• Startle the audience
• Arouse the curiosity of
the audience
• Question the audience
• Begin with a quotation
• Tell a story

5. Reveal the topic
• Don’t confuse your audience; do not assume
they know what you will be speaking about
• Do not assume your attention device is
descriptive enough
• Introduce your topic clearly:
• Specific purpose
• Central idea

6. Formulating a specific purpose statement
• Write the purpose statement out as a full sentence
Forces you to fully articulate your purpose
• Express your purpose as a statement, not a question
A question doesn’t make you choose a direction for where
your speech will go
• Avoid figurative language in your purpose statement
Forces you to be specific, and avoid sweeping statements
• Limit your purpose to one distinct idea
Forces you to focus your direction
• Make sure your specific purpose is not too vague or
general
If it is, it’s NOT a specific purpose statement

7. Questions to ask about your specific
purpose
1. Does my purpose meet the assignment?
2. Can I accomplish my purpose in the time
allotted?
3. Is the purpose relevant to my audience?
4. Is the purpose too trivial for my audience?
5. Is the purpose too technical for my
audience?

9. Structure of the Introduction
A strong introduction contains:
Attention device
Specific purpose
Central idea
Preview statement/transition into the body

10. The Central Idea
• Central idea: a one sentence
statement that sums up the major
ideas of a speech
• A concise statement about what you
expect to say
• Essentially the same as a thesis
statement in a written paper
• Your residual message – what you
expect the audience to remember
after you’re finished speaking
• The central idea usually emerges after
most of your research is complete,
and you have already decided on the
three main points of your speech.

11. Guidelines for the central idea
The central idea:
1. Should be expressed in a full
sentence
2. Should not be in the form of a
question
3. Should avoid figurative
language
4. Should not be vague or overly
general

13. Establish credibility and goodwill
•
•
•
•
Credibility = perception (audience)
Are you qualified to speak on this topic?
Why should we believe you are?
Whatever the source of your expertise, let the
audience know!
• Goodwill = mean no harm
• How can you take a topic your audience feels
negatively about and reason your side?

14. Preview the Body of the Speech
• Most people are poor
listeners
• Preview statements let
your audience know
EXACTLY what you’re
going to be talking
about
• Identify what main
points are coming up in
the body of the speech

15. Tips for prepping the introduction
• Keep it brief – should be about 10-20% of your total
speech
• When conducting research, keep an eye out for
possible attention devices
• Be creative in developing the introduction
• Re-work wording after you’ve completed the body of
the speech – after you’ve determined the main points,
it’ll be easier to decide how to begin the speech
• Work out the introduction in DETAIL. It is the first –
and most important – part of the speech

16. Example of introduction structure
Attention device
Specific purpose
Central idea
Credibility build/goodwill
Preview statement/transition
44% of you sleep with your phone next to, or even IN bed with you, because you are
afraid to miss any calls, text messages, or other updates during the night, says
the most recent research from the Pew Research Center. After researching this
topic for weeks and being an avid smartphone user myself, I am here today to inform
you about smartphone usage and it’s impact on social relationships. People are
missing out on their lives due to near-constant engagement with digital content, over
real life events. Today we’ll take a look at the statistics of smartphone usage, how
people use their phones and the impact on friendships and family connections. First,
let’s look at the numbers.