Chapter 9:
Beginning and Ending Your
Speech
• Lecturer: Mr. Vath Vary
• Email: varyvath@gmail.com
• Tel: 017 471 117
Course:
Public Speaking
Content
• Developing Your
Introduction
• Developing Your
Conclusion
• Speech for Review and
Analysis
The Parts of a Speech
Beginning and Ending: The Primacy and Recency Effects
• People tend to remember
the beginning (primacy
effect) and the end (recency
effect) of a speech more
than the middle,
• Ensure to make the
introduction and conclusion
crucial for capturing
attention, shaping
perceptions, and
reinforcing key messages.
Introduction
• The introduction’s
four elements work
together to prepare
your audience to
listen to the main
ideas you’ll present
in the body of your
speech.
Get Your Audience’s Attention
Purpose
• Aligns with the general and specific purpose of your
speech.
• Shows why the topic matters to the audience.
• Sparks interest and curiosity.
• Builds speaker-audience connection.
• Eases speaker nervousness.
• Introduces a unifying theme.
Time
• Should be brief and to the point.
• Must not take time away from the main body of the
speech.
• Can range from 15 seconds to over a minute, depending
on context.
Creativity
• Requires imagination and originality.
• Helps engage the audience effectively.
• Can include humour, storytelling, or relevant commentary.
• The introduction’s first element is the attention
getter, a device used to create interest in your
speech.
Strategy Description Tips for Effectiveness
Surprising Fact or Statistic Share an unexpected or alarming fact to
instantly grab attention.
Ensure it's accurate, relevant, and truly
surprising. Avoid overused or stale
statistics.
Emotionally Arousing Story Tell a brief, touching human-interest story to
appeal to the audience's emotions.
Keep it concise, topic-appropriate, and
respectful to the setting.
Humour or Joke
Use humour to build rapport and put the
audience at ease.
Make sure it’s relevant and inoffensive.
Test it beforehand if unsure.
Audience-Specific Information Reference data or opinions gathered from your
audience to personalise your opening.
Must be intriguing and directly
connected to your topic.
Direct Question Ask a question that requires audience response
or reflection to engage them actively.
Choose questions that are easy to relate
to and stimulate interest or curiosity.
Rhetorical Question Pose a thought-provoking question that you
plan to answer later in your speech.
Use it to lead into your topic or
highlight its importance.
Common Techniques of Attention Getters
Attention Getters: Presentation Media
 Start your speech with a brief audio or
visual clip, photograph, or other media to
capture interest.
o For example, display a detailed image of
muscle tissue to introduce a speech on MRI
technology.
 Keep media brief and clearly relevant to
your topic.
Indicating Purpose and Thesis
Once you have the audience’s attention, clearly communicate the purpose of
your speech and its central message (thesis) in a few concise sentences,
helping listeners understand what you want them to think, feel, or do.
Establishing Credibility
o Briefly explain your relevant
experience or research to show that
you are knowledgeable and
trustworthy, which encourages your
audience to take your message
seriously.
o For example: "In my five years as a
lifeguard, I've successfully applied three
basic techniques to save someone who's
drowning."
Preview Your Main Points
Successful speakers keep audiences
focused throughout the speech by
describing the speech’s structure and
repeating main points.
Thus, the speaker
• Previews in the introduction what will be said
in the body of the speech.
• Presents the main points and subpoints in
the body.
• Reviews the main points in the conclusion.
Introduction
Element
Example 1: Informative
Speech Example 2: Persuasive Speech Example 3: Entertaining Speech
Indicate Thesis
Growing a simple indoor herb
garden is easy and enjoyable
Incorporating meditation into our daily lives
reduces stress and can even increase our
longevity
Some people claim they learned everything they
needed to know in kindergarten, but I learned
everything I needed to know my first year of high
school
Indicate Purpose
Today, you’ll learn how to set up
your own garden
As part of a balanced lifestyle, you should take
the necessary steps to make meditation part of
your daily routine
I think you’ll appreciate all the lessons I learned in
spite of what my teachers were trying to tell me
Establish Credibility
I will explain the basic equipment
you’ll need that I’ve found in my
many years of herb gardening
I meditate regularly—and did so this morning as
part of my preparation for this speech
I admit this may sound odd, but I was an unusual
teenager, recording my first year of high school like I
was writing a documentary
Use of Transitions
To begin (transition), I will explain
the basic equipment… Next
(transition), I will show you how to
plant… Finally (transition), I’ll give
you some tips…
To make clear how to start meditating, I will first
(transition) explain the positive effects… I will
then (transition) describe several different
kinds… After (transition) describing the types, I
will explain how you can begin meditating…
Before I regale you with my many brilliant insights
(transition), I will give you some background…
Second, (transition) I’ll explain the three most
important lessons… Finally (transition), I’ll tell you
how I’ve applied those lessons recently, even for this
class
Preview Main Points
I will explain the basic equipment
you’ll need… I will show you how
to plant… I’ll give you some tips on
keeping your herbs happy and
healthy
I will first explain the positive effects meditation
can give you… I will then describe several
different kinds of meditation… After describing
the types, I will explain how you can begin
meditating on a daily basis
I will give you some background on my high school…
I’ll explain the three most important lessons I
learned… I’ll tell you how I’ve applied those lessons
recently, even for this class
Examples
Conclusion
• While your introduction captures attention (primacy effect),
• your conclusion benefits from the recency effect, meaning
an audience is more likely to remember what speakers
present at the end of a speech than what they present in the
speech body.
• Your conclusion is the last chance to make an
impression, so make it count.
Conclusion
• Review Your Main Points
• Use a brief summary to remind your audience of the key
ideas from your speech.
• This typically follows a transition and avoids repeating
details.
• Reinforce Your Purpose
• Highlight the importance of your message—whether to
inform, persuade, or entertain—so your audience
remembers the value of what you've shared.
• Provide Closure
• End with confidence and clarity.
• Avoid vague endings; instead, leave a strong final
impression that signals your speech has purposefully
concluded.
Speech Purpose Example Conclusion
To Inform • In a speech to inform: In summary (transition), today you’ve learned how to get
started windsurfing. I described the history of windsurfing, the equipment you’ll
need, and where you can try out this fun sport (review main points).
To Persuade
• In a speech to persuade: Let’s review (transition) what I covered in my speech. I
told you about how you can improve your study habits and get better grades
almost immediately. I’ve described the most common problems students create
for themselves, how those mistakes lead to poor results in the classroom, and
what to do about it to improve your grades (review main points).
To Entertain
• In a speech to entertain: Now (transition) you know my secrets of backpacking
in style: Treat your backpacking guide very, very well; bring the proper
equipment; and make backup reservations at a nearby resort hotel (review
main points).
Examples of Speech Conclusions: Review Your Main Points
Examples of Conclusion Statements: Reinforce Your Purpose
Speech Type Conclusion Statement
Informative
• “We’ve finally got the evidence that proves what scientists had long
suspected: Humans are evolved apes.” (informative speech reporting new
DNA evidence)
Informative
• “The three aspects of matching you to the right profession are identifying
what you ideally want in a job or profession, what you must have, and what
you absolutely don’t want.” (informative speech on how to choose a job or
profession)
Persuasive
• “Now’s the time to decide: Are you going to give up or shape up?”
(persuasive speech promoting exercise program for college students)
• “You will be the ones who will have to pay for that new football stadium!”
(persuasive speech against constructing a new stadium)
Technique Description Example Speech Type
Quotation Conclude with a memorable quote that
supports your message.
“As author Rita Mae Brown once said... If
they’re okay, then it’s you.”
Entertaining speech on mental
health
Presentation Media
Use a powerful visual or audio element to
reinforce your message.
Jacqueline Novogratz showed a slide and
emphasized the desire for self-reliance in
developing countries.
Persuasive speech on global
poverty solutions
Dramatic Statement End with a striking fact or statistic to leave a
strong impression.
“And in the ten minutes I’ve been talking,
twenty people in Africa have died of
malaria.”
Informative speech on malaria
Refer to the Introduction Circle back to your opening story or point to
bring the speech full circle.
“Now I’ll finish the story I started in the
introduction... I found a great summer job...”
Informative speech on summer job
search
Refer to Subsequent Events Mention follow-up developments or future
implications.
“Later, in coordination with the U.S.
Department of Justice, AMBER Alert plans
were passed in all fifty states.”
Informative speech on AMBER
Alert
Reinforce Speaker-Audience
Bond
Acknowledge shared values or experiences
to strengthen connection.
“Now that I’ve learned how people in other
cultures view freedom... we all realize that
there are many different ways to think of this
common word.”
Informative speech on defining
freedom
Thank the Audience
End respectfully by thanking listeners for
their time and attention.
“Thank you for considering my proposal to
increase the number of elective courses...”
Persuasive speech on graduation
requirements
Effective Techniques for Closure
Summary
• A strong speech begins by grabbing
attention, stating your purpose and thesis,
showing credibility, and previewing key
points.
• End by reviewing those points, reinforcing
your purpose, and providing clear closure
—perhaps with a quote, dramatic
statement, or callback to your
introduction.
Speech for Review and Analysis
182

Chapter-9-Beginning-and-Ending-Your-Speech.pptx

  • 1.
    Chapter 9: Beginning andEnding Your Speech • Lecturer: Mr. Vath Vary • Email: varyvath@gmail.com • Tel: 017 471 117 Course: Public Speaking
  • 2.
    Content • Developing Your Introduction •Developing Your Conclusion • Speech for Review and Analysis
  • 3.
    The Parts ofa Speech
  • 4.
    Beginning and Ending:The Primacy and Recency Effects • People tend to remember the beginning (primacy effect) and the end (recency effect) of a speech more than the middle, • Ensure to make the introduction and conclusion crucial for capturing attention, shaping perceptions, and reinforcing key messages.
  • 5.
    Introduction • The introduction’s fourelements work together to prepare your audience to listen to the main ideas you’ll present in the body of your speech.
  • 6.
    Get Your Audience’sAttention Purpose • Aligns with the general and specific purpose of your speech. • Shows why the topic matters to the audience. • Sparks interest and curiosity. • Builds speaker-audience connection. • Eases speaker nervousness. • Introduces a unifying theme. Time • Should be brief and to the point. • Must not take time away from the main body of the speech. • Can range from 15 seconds to over a minute, depending on context. Creativity • Requires imagination and originality. • Helps engage the audience effectively. • Can include humour, storytelling, or relevant commentary. • The introduction’s first element is the attention getter, a device used to create interest in your speech.
  • 7.
    Strategy Description Tipsfor Effectiveness Surprising Fact or Statistic Share an unexpected or alarming fact to instantly grab attention. Ensure it's accurate, relevant, and truly surprising. Avoid overused or stale statistics. Emotionally Arousing Story Tell a brief, touching human-interest story to appeal to the audience's emotions. Keep it concise, topic-appropriate, and respectful to the setting. Humour or Joke Use humour to build rapport and put the audience at ease. Make sure it’s relevant and inoffensive. Test it beforehand if unsure. Audience-Specific Information Reference data or opinions gathered from your audience to personalise your opening. Must be intriguing and directly connected to your topic. Direct Question Ask a question that requires audience response or reflection to engage them actively. Choose questions that are easy to relate to and stimulate interest or curiosity. Rhetorical Question Pose a thought-provoking question that you plan to answer later in your speech. Use it to lead into your topic or highlight its importance. Common Techniques of Attention Getters
  • 8.
    Attention Getters: PresentationMedia  Start your speech with a brief audio or visual clip, photograph, or other media to capture interest. o For example, display a detailed image of muscle tissue to introduce a speech on MRI technology.  Keep media brief and clearly relevant to your topic.
  • 9.
    Indicating Purpose andThesis Once you have the audience’s attention, clearly communicate the purpose of your speech and its central message (thesis) in a few concise sentences, helping listeners understand what you want them to think, feel, or do.
  • 10.
    Establishing Credibility o Brieflyexplain your relevant experience or research to show that you are knowledgeable and trustworthy, which encourages your audience to take your message seriously. o For example: "In my five years as a lifeguard, I've successfully applied three basic techniques to save someone who's drowning."
  • 11.
    Preview Your MainPoints Successful speakers keep audiences focused throughout the speech by describing the speech’s structure and repeating main points. Thus, the speaker • Previews in the introduction what will be said in the body of the speech. • Presents the main points and subpoints in the body. • Reviews the main points in the conclusion.
  • 12.
    Introduction Element Example 1: Informative SpeechExample 2: Persuasive Speech Example 3: Entertaining Speech Indicate Thesis Growing a simple indoor herb garden is easy and enjoyable Incorporating meditation into our daily lives reduces stress and can even increase our longevity Some people claim they learned everything they needed to know in kindergarten, but I learned everything I needed to know my first year of high school Indicate Purpose Today, you’ll learn how to set up your own garden As part of a balanced lifestyle, you should take the necessary steps to make meditation part of your daily routine I think you’ll appreciate all the lessons I learned in spite of what my teachers were trying to tell me Establish Credibility I will explain the basic equipment you’ll need that I’ve found in my many years of herb gardening I meditate regularly—and did so this morning as part of my preparation for this speech I admit this may sound odd, but I was an unusual teenager, recording my first year of high school like I was writing a documentary Use of Transitions To begin (transition), I will explain the basic equipment… Next (transition), I will show you how to plant… Finally (transition), I’ll give you some tips… To make clear how to start meditating, I will first (transition) explain the positive effects… I will then (transition) describe several different kinds… After (transition) describing the types, I will explain how you can begin meditating… Before I regale you with my many brilliant insights (transition), I will give you some background… Second, (transition) I’ll explain the three most important lessons… Finally (transition), I’ll tell you how I’ve applied those lessons recently, even for this class Preview Main Points I will explain the basic equipment you’ll need… I will show you how to plant… I’ll give you some tips on keeping your herbs happy and healthy I will first explain the positive effects meditation can give you… I will then describe several different kinds of meditation… After describing the types, I will explain how you can begin meditating on a daily basis I will give you some background on my high school… I’ll explain the three most important lessons I learned… I’ll tell you how I’ve applied those lessons recently, even for this class Examples
  • 13.
    Conclusion • While yourintroduction captures attention (primacy effect), • your conclusion benefits from the recency effect, meaning an audience is more likely to remember what speakers present at the end of a speech than what they present in the speech body. • Your conclusion is the last chance to make an impression, so make it count.
  • 14.
    Conclusion • Review YourMain Points • Use a brief summary to remind your audience of the key ideas from your speech. • This typically follows a transition and avoids repeating details. • Reinforce Your Purpose • Highlight the importance of your message—whether to inform, persuade, or entertain—so your audience remembers the value of what you've shared. • Provide Closure • End with confidence and clarity. • Avoid vague endings; instead, leave a strong final impression that signals your speech has purposefully concluded.
  • 15.
    Speech Purpose ExampleConclusion To Inform • In a speech to inform: In summary (transition), today you’ve learned how to get started windsurfing. I described the history of windsurfing, the equipment you’ll need, and where you can try out this fun sport (review main points). To Persuade • In a speech to persuade: Let’s review (transition) what I covered in my speech. I told you about how you can improve your study habits and get better grades almost immediately. I’ve described the most common problems students create for themselves, how those mistakes lead to poor results in the classroom, and what to do about it to improve your grades (review main points). To Entertain • In a speech to entertain: Now (transition) you know my secrets of backpacking in style: Treat your backpacking guide very, very well; bring the proper equipment; and make backup reservations at a nearby resort hotel (review main points). Examples of Speech Conclusions: Review Your Main Points
  • 16.
    Examples of ConclusionStatements: Reinforce Your Purpose Speech Type Conclusion Statement Informative • “We’ve finally got the evidence that proves what scientists had long suspected: Humans are evolved apes.” (informative speech reporting new DNA evidence) Informative • “The three aspects of matching you to the right profession are identifying what you ideally want in a job or profession, what you must have, and what you absolutely don’t want.” (informative speech on how to choose a job or profession) Persuasive • “Now’s the time to decide: Are you going to give up or shape up?” (persuasive speech promoting exercise program for college students) • “You will be the ones who will have to pay for that new football stadium!” (persuasive speech against constructing a new stadium)
  • 17.
    Technique Description ExampleSpeech Type Quotation Conclude with a memorable quote that supports your message. “As author Rita Mae Brown once said... If they’re okay, then it’s you.” Entertaining speech on mental health Presentation Media Use a powerful visual or audio element to reinforce your message. Jacqueline Novogratz showed a slide and emphasized the desire for self-reliance in developing countries. Persuasive speech on global poverty solutions Dramatic Statement End with a striking fact or statistic to leave a strong impression. “And in the ten minutes I’ve been talking, twenty people in Africa have died of malaria.” Informative speech on malaria Refer to the Introduction Circle back to your opening story or point to bring the speech full circle. “Now I’ll finish the story I started in the introduction... I found a great summer job...” Informative speech on summer job search Refer to Subsequent Events Mention follow-up developments or future implications. “Later, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice, AMBER Alert plans were passed in all fifty states.” Informative speech on AMBER Alert Reinforce Speaker-Audience Bond Acknowledge shared values or experiences to strengthen connection. “Now that I’ve learned how people in other cultures view freedom... we all realize that there are many different ways to think of this common word.” Informative speech on defining freedom Thank the Audience End respectfully by thanking listeners for their time and attention. “Thank you for considering my proposal to increase the number of elective courses...” Persuasive speech on graduation requirements Effective Techniques for Closure
  • 18.
    Summary • A strongspeech begins by grabbing attention, stating your purpose and thesis, showing credibility, and previewing key points. • End by reviewing those points, reinforcing your purpose, and providing clear closure —perhaps with a quote, dramatic statement, or callback to your introduction.
  • 19.
    Speech for Reviewand Analysis 182