How to Start a Speech

Informative Speech ,
Demonstrative Speech ,
Persuasive Speech,
Entertaining Speeches, Inspirational Speeches, and Toasts

The best way to start a speech depends on the type, topic, and tone of your speech. In
general, though, you need to offer the audience something interesting to grab hold of
from your first sentence. Here are a few different techniques you can try the next time
you need to start a speech of your own.

Part 1 of 4: Informative Speech Introductions

1. 1

Understand the purpose and tone of an informative speech. Informative speeches are very
basic and only provide factual, useful information to an audience without making judgments on
that information.[1]

 The tone of an informative speech is usually fairly flexible and often dependent on the topic of
the speech. For instance, a speech about cancer would demand a serious start and serious
tone, while one about the history of the yo-yo would be very lighthearted. Likewise, a yo-yo
speech and opening could be very casual, but a speech delivered in an academic or business
setting would need to fit the mood of those settings.

2. 2
 Tell a story or anecdote. Stories connect to an audience by combining information with
entertainment. The story you choose for the start of your speech can be real or fictional, but
either way, it should have a clear connection to the topic of your speech.

 For a speech about maternity care in the United States, you could tell a story about an
experience related to maternity care that you or someone you know went through.

3. 3

Pose a rhetorical question. By asking the audience a question about your topic, you engage
them almost instantly. The audience members will hear the question and begin to ponder their
own answers, thereby becoming involved in the topic of your speech.

 If you were giving a speech about holiday traditions, you could ask, “What was your favorite
holiday tradition growing up?”

4. 4

Offer an appropriate quotation. A pithy or witty quotation that relates to the topic of your
speech can present a strong statement for you to build the rest of your speech's content on.

 Try to choose a quote from a well-known source, since more people will likely respond to it if
they recognize who spoke it.

5. 5
 Evoke a sense of suspense or curiosity. Describe something before revealing what that
something is. By describing the characteristics of something, you invite the audience to try to
unravel the mystery before you reveal the answer, forcing them to become active listeners.

 For a speech about dogs, you could describe the standard characteristics or daily life of a dog
using a first person point of view, and end with the statement, “I am a dog.”

6. 6

Introduce a statistic. A startling statistic can alert your audience to the importance of your
chosen topic. As a result, the audience is more likely to pay attention to what you have to say
about the topic.

 A statistic about declining or increasing birthrates in a specific region or country could alert
people to population issues.

7. 7

Make a declarative statement.[2] As with statistics, a bold declarative statement can shock or
stun the audience into paying attention to a seemingly important topic.

 If your speech is about mood disorders, you might make a statement along the lines of,
“Depression, manic depression, and mood disorders of a similar strain can have deadly side
effects.”
 Part 2 of 4: Demonstrative Speech Introductions

1. 1

Understand the purpose and tone of a demonstrative speech. Demonstrative speeches are
another form of teaching speech, but demonstrative speeches are generally designed to teach
an audience how to do something instead of teaching themabout something.

 Demonstrative speeches are often a little on the lighthearted and non-academic side, so the
opening of such speeches is generally a little relaxed. That said, if you do end up dealing with a
serious topic, like how to stay safe in a hurricane or tornado, you need to make your introduction
and overall speech fairly serious.

2. 2

Ask a rhetorical question or survey question.[3] When explaining how to do something to an

audience, it can be helpful to pose a question that gets the audience interested in learning how
to do whatever it is you plan to teach them.

 For a speech about how to winterize your car, you could ask the audience something like, “How
many of you have ever felt your car slipping on an icy street? Or who here has had their car stall
on the side of the road during freezing temperatures?”

3. 3
 Provide an anecdote. People like hearing about people. If you can provide a true or fictional
anecdote about someone learning what you plan to teach or needing to learn about what you
plan to teach in your speech, you can engage the audience while demonstrating why your topic
is worth paying attention to.

 If you were delivering a speech about how to bake a cake to kids or teens, you might describe a
situation in which a child made a cake for a parent or loved one for a special occasion. Include
details about how the recipient appreciated the gesture.

4. 4

Use a visual aid or sound. When your intention is to deliver a speech that instructs audiences
about how to produce some sort of tangible product or result, showing off a “finished work” at
the start of your speech can intrigue the audience and make them want to learn how to
accomplish the same results.

 For a speech about how to lose weight, you could begin by showing before and after pictures of
people who used the method you are about to describe.

5. 5

Provide a quote that fits the topic. While quotations are not the most often used start for
demonstrative speeches, you can still make the technique work if you use a quotation that
discusses why the knowledge of how to do something is desirable or important.

 A speech about how to use special tax services can benefit from a quote from a financial expert
about the effectiveness of such services.
6. 6

Make a declaration. When all else fails, consider coming right out and declaring, in no
uncertain terms, that the audience needs to learn the information you intend to deliver to them.

 This can work well if your topic is a serious one. For example, if you were giving a speech on
self defense, you could say something like, “If you're out alone and suddenly assaulted, your
reaction in the first few seconds can be the difference between survival and death.”
Part 3 of 4: Persuasive Speech Introductions

1. 1

Understand the purpose and tone of a persuasive speech. Persuasive speeches can be the
most difficult to deliver because, as the speaker, you need to convince the audience to change
their ideas or behaviors about your topic. In a sense, you have to be engaging enough to "sell"
your opinion to those listening in.

 Persuasive speeches are often serious and may use a serious opening, especially if the
speaker is trying to persuade an audience to take a certain beneficial action or to adopt a new
perspective about a topic. The only time that a persuasive speech might take on a more casual,
lighthearted tone is when the speaker is trying to sell an actual product.

2. 2
 State an expert's opinion. If you can find an expert on the topic who agrees with your stance,
quoting or paraphrasing that expert's opinion can provide your speech and position with a
strong foundation from the start.

 If you are trying to persuade an audience about the importance of forming healthy eating and
exercising habits, you might start with a statement made by a well-known expert on the matter
to engage the audience. You could also pull a quote from someone who is generally well-
respected even if that person may not specialize in the field you are addressing.

3. 3

Offer statistics and other evidence. Evidence should be an essential element throughout your
entire persuasive speech, but if you want to make a strong case for yourself at the very
beginning of your speech, a good way to do so is to provide the audience with a statistic or
other similar evidence that demonstrates the importance of your claim.

 For a speech in which you are trying to persuade the audience to take protective measures
against the sun, you can bring up a statistic relating to the number of people who die from skin
cancer on an annual year.

4. 4

Give a testimonial. If you are trying to sell a product or idea, or if you are trying to explain why
a certain course of action is beneficial, a testimonial can engage the audience by introducing a
story to them while simultaneously convincing them of the beneficial element of whatever you
are trying to pitch.
 If you are trying to persuade an audience to buy a specific language learning program, you
could give an example of someone who used that program and who now lives in a country that
speaks the language learned.

5. 5

Make a startling statement.[4] A startling statement shocks or startles an audience into paying
attention. Since these statements often evoke a strong emotional reaction, making one at the
start of your speech can engage the audience quickly.

 Try something simple that cuts to the chase, like “seat belts save lives.”

6. 6

Describe a relatable scenario. If you need to persuade an audience to buy into an idea or to
purchase a product, explaining to that audience why that idea or product relates to their own
lives can be an effective way of getting them interested in what you have to say.

 If you were trying to explain why the audience should buy a certain kitchen utensil, open by
describing a common scenario that might happen in the kitchen for which that utensil could be
used.
Part 4 of 4: Introductions for Entertaining Speeches, Inspirational
Speeches, and Toasts

1. 1
 Understand the your speech. This category of speeches covers, perhaps, the widest range of
tones and purposes, so you need to tailor-fit your introduction to match the tone of the occasion
in question. A serious or sorrowful occasion will usually call for a somber or nostalgic tone, but a
celebratory occasion demands an opening and a speech that is entertaining or uplifting.

 For instance, a speech delivered at someone's wedding should be a lot more lighthearted than
one delivered as a eulogy, and unlike both of these intensely personal speeches, something like
a graduation speech must be general enough to relate to a wide audience.

2. 2

Refer to the subject. Since many entertaining speeches are about personal topics, like
individual people, speakers often begin the speech by referring directly to the topic at hand. This
makes an immediate connection to the audience, whose members are all there for the sake of
the same subject.

 If you were delivering a wedding toast, you might begin by talking about your connection to the
bride, groom, or couple getting married.

3. 3

Refer to the occasion. For a speech delivered at a particular occasion or event, speakers often
begin their presentation by talking directly about that occasion or event. Since everyone in the
audience is presumably there to acknowledge the same occasion, immediately talking about
that occasion is a good way to make an instant connection to the audience.

 If you were giving a speech at a Christmas party or fundraiser, you could talk about your
Christmas memories or something you love about the season.
4. 4

Extend a personal greeting.[5] Most entertaining speeches are fairly lighthearted and personal
in nature, so speakers often introduce themselves to the audience. Within the introduction, the
speaker should explain the connection he or she has to the matter at hand and use that
explanation to bridge into the speech.

 This is most often seen at eulogies and weddings. The speaker introduces himself or herself
and begins to explain who they are in connection to the subject being addressed. It can also be
used at an event being held by an organization. In that case, the speaker might explain who he
or she is within the organization.

5. 5

State an inspirational quote. For an inspirational speech or an entertaining speech about a

particular occasion, a quotation that applies to the occasion or appeals to the audience's
interests can grab hold of their attention.

 Inspirational quotes are a popular way to open a graduation speech. Usually, the speaker would
choose a quote that talks about dreams, education, looking toward the future, or building
character.

6. 6
 Begin with a joke.[6] As long as the the occasion is a fairly lighthearted one, a joke or a bit of
humor can be a great way to start an entertainment or occasion speech. Just make sure that
your use of humor does not offend anyone in the audience.

 At an event held in honor of a particular person, you might tell a humorous story involving you
and the person being honored. Just make sure that the story or joke is not embarrassing or
potentially offensive.

7. 7
Tell a personal story. When you have a personal connection to the subject of your speech, a
common way to start your speech would be to share a personal story that demonstrates that
connection.

 This is another tactic often used for weddings and funerals, but it can be applied at any event
toasting a specific person.