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Writing an Introduction
Introductions matter. Make a lasting first impression that informs your audience on the issue, your personality, and stating a clear position on the topic. Start watching the video below to get started!
Review the material below about writing introductions!
Structure breakdown
Hook. 1-2 sentences that grab the audience’s attention. Hooks preview the topic and connects the unfamiliar subject matter with a familiar context.
Types of hooks
1. The fact/statistic hook. These are especially great if they draw from current events.
Example: “On March 16, a series of mass shootings targeting several massage parlors in Atlanta triggered warnings across of anti-Asian sentiment and a call to action to…”
2. Strong statement/declaration hook. Lead with a strong declaration.
Example: “Homeless people in major cities are currently being treated as objects – or perhaps worse, trash. Major cities across America must enact policy to immediately address the issue of homelessness…”
3. Interesting/Rhetorical question hook. Try to make the audience think.
Example: “Why are Americans becoming conditioned to accepting that school shootings are the new normal?”
4. The story hook. Tell a short story!
Example: “When I was young, my mother always told me one thing: if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. Hate speech across college campuses in America is…”
5. The quotation hook. These do become quite cliché, but may work.
Example: Martin Luther King once said that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Context. Establish relevant information for the topic.
Thesis. One sentence statement that clearly states your position on the topic and previews the arguments made in the speech.
Example
Hook: Antiquated, unsustainable, and ill-prepared energy grids plague America. On February 10, three severe winter storms caused Texas’ isolated power grid to go dark for millions of people across the state, causing shortages in food, water, and heat.
This begins with a strong statement/declaration and follows it up with a fact based on current events.
Context: According to a Reuters fact check on February 19, “coal, gas and nuclear [energy], lost nearly twice as much power than renewable energy sources, which contributed to just 13% of the power outages”. This points out to the fact that the world continues to face consequences of global warming. We must not only update our outdated systems in preparation, but further make sustainable systems to combat climate change.
This context draws from news reports to frame the topic to focus on the failure of coal energy among others.
Thesis: Thus, the United States Federal Government should move towards banning coal power plants as coal energy the major contributor to pollution, causing losses to our environment, health, and economy.
This thesis clearly states the plan and previews the major arguments.
Recommendations
Timing. Typical introductions should occupy less than 20% of your speech time. For example, for a 3-minute speech, the introduction should be 30 to 45 seconds.
Transitions. Essential. Between every sentence and paragraph, there should be a transition which allows the sentences to flow together and provide a crystal-clear structure for the listeners.