Finding balance in a speech – Public speaking contradictions
‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few’ – Great speeches – Winston Churchill
Whether you are a nervous public speaker or an accomplished orator, the opening of your speech is still the most important part.
A weak or incorrect opening can knock the confidence of a nervous speaker and destroy the faith of an expectant audience. If you can’t deliver your opening line, how interesting will the rest of your speech be?!
A strong opening to a speech does three key things:
– Grabs the interest of your audience
– Reflects your confidence in what you have to say
– Leads perfectly in to, and justifies, the rest of your speech.
Therefore your opening line should pique curiosity, be delivered powerfully and accurately and be relevant to your speech topic and objectives!
Always ask yourself if your opening line does these three things – if not, there is most likely a stronger opening to your speech waiting to be written.
What next? Learn that opening line.
