Presentation Skills: Powerful Speech Openings and Closings

Learning Objectives & Warm-up

Learning Objectives

Master Speech Openings

Learn three powerful ways to start presentations that engage audiences immediately

Storytelling Techniques

Discover how to use adult storytelling to connect with professional audiences

Memorable Closings

Create endings that inspire action and leave lasting impressions

Warm-up Discussion

First Impressions

The power of opening moments

Question 1: How do you typically start your presentations? What's your go-to opening?

Question 2: Think of a memorable speech or presentation - what made the opening so effective?

Question 3: What challenges do you face when trying to capture audience attention from the start?

Video Content & Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Avoid starting with basic introductions - the audience already knows who you are

Technical difficulties signal that this is BlackBerry time

Three ways to start: relevant question, shocking factoid, or compelling story

Adult storytelling starts with time and place, not "once upon a time"

Stories should connect your personal experience to the topic's importance

Video Notes

19 out of 20 speakers start with boring introductions (01:30)
Technical difficulties signal disengagement time (03:45)
Third best: Start with a question that matters to the audience (06:20)
Second best: Shocking factoid that makes people rethink (07:15)
Best: Story that connects you personally to the topic (09:30)
Adult storytelling formula: time + place + personal connection (11:45)
Stories are about people, not objects or things (13:20)

3rd Best

Relevant Question

Start with a question that directly matters to your audience. It should be something they care about and want to know the answer to.

Example: "How many of you have ever felt nervous before giving a presentation?"

2nd Best

Shocking Factoid

Share a surprising statistic or fact that challenges assumptions and makes people think differently about your topic.

Example: "Research shows that people fear public speaking more than death."

Best

Compelling Story

Tell a personal story that connects your experience to why the topic matters. Use adult storytelling techniques.

Example: "Three years ago, I was sitting in a conference room..."

Adult Storytelling Framework

Professional stories follow a different structure than children's stories.

Time & Place

Set the scene with specific details

Personal Connection

Share your role in the story

Challenge/Conflict

Describe what went wrong

Resolution

Connect to your main message

Essential Vocabulary

Key terms for powerful speech openings and closings (9 words)

Factoid

/ˈfæk.tɔɪd/

A surprising piece of information that challenges assumptions

Example: "Here's a factoid: people fear public speaking more than death."

Compelling

/kəmˈpel.ɪŋ/

Very interesting or exciting; capturing attention

Example: A compelling story keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

Anecdote

/ˈæn.ɪk.doʊt/

A short, interesting story about a real person or event

Example: She opened her presentation with a personal anecdote about failure.

Captivating

/ˈkæp.tɪ.veɪ.tɪŋ/

Holding the attention of someone completely

Example: His captivating opening made everyone forget their phones.

Memorable

/ˈmem.ər.ə.bəl/

Worth remembering; easily remembered

Example: A memorable closing leaves the audience thinking long after the speech ends.

Engagement

/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ.mənt/

The level of interest and participation from the audience

Example: Good openings create immediate audience engagement.

Call to Action

/kɔːl tuː ˈæk.ʃən/

A request for the audience to take specific action

Example: End with a clear call to action: "Start practicing these techniques today."

Hook

/hʊk/

Something that catches and holds the audience's attention

Example: A good hook in your opening makes people want to hear more.

Resonance

/ˈrez.ən.əns/

The quality of creating a deep emotional connection

Example: Stories have resonance when they connect to universal human experiences.

Grammar & Phrases

Opening Presentations

Welcoming and Introduction Structure

"Hello/Good morning, [everyone/everybody]. [Welcome to/Thank you for joining]. Today's [first presenter/speaker] is [name]."

Use this structure to formally introduce speakers and set the stage for presentations in academic or professional settings.

Hello everyone! Welcome to public speaking.

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to today's workshop.

Today's first presenter is [name].

Today's first presenter is Sarah from the marketing team.

Good morning! Today, I'd like to talk about...

Good morning! Today, I'd like to talk about effective communication strategies.

Thank you all for being here today.

Thank you all for being here today to discuss this important topic.

I'm here to present on...

I'm here to present on the latest market research findings.

Let's begin with an overview of...

Let's begin with an overview of today's agenda and objectives.

Requesting Attention and Environment

Polite Requests for Audience Management

"I would ask everyone to [action]. [Name], could you [request], please?"

Use these phrases to politely manage the audience and speaking environment before beginning your presentation.

I would ask everyone to give him their full attention.

I would ask everyone to give our speaker their full attention during this important presentation.

Could you dim the lights, please?

Maria, could you dim the lights, please, so we can see the slides better?

Please turn off your mobile devices.

Please turn off your mobile devices or put them on silent mode.

If everyone could take their seats...

If everyone could take their seats, we'll begin in just a moment.

May I have your attention, please?

May I have your attention, please? We're ready to start the presentation.

Let's focus on the screen for a moment.

Let's focus on the screen for a moment to review these important statistics.

Speaking Practice

Practice Activities

Three Opening Techniques

Your Challenge

Practice all three opening techniques from the video: relevant question, shocking factoid, and compelling story. Choose the same topic and try each approach.

Example topic: Time Management

Question: "How many hours did you waste this week?"

Factoid: "The average person checks their phone 96 times per day."

Story: "Last Tuesday, I was sitting in my office at 11 PM..."

Try the same topic with all three opening techniques

Adult Storytelling Structure

Your Challenge

Create a professional story using the adult storytelling framework: time & place, personal connection, challenge/conflict, and resolution.

Structure your story:

1. "Three years ago, I was sitting in..."

2. "I was responsible for..."

3. "But then something went wrong..."

4. "That's why today's topic is so important..."

Follow the four-step adult storytelling framework

Knowledge Check

Test Your Understanding

According to the video, what is the BEST way to start a presentation?

Introducing yourself and your credentials

Asking a relevant question

Sharing a shocking factoid

Telling a compelling personal story

What makes a factoid effective for opening a presentation?

It's a well-known statistic

It's surprising and challenges assumptions

It's from a recent news article

It's personally meaningful to you

What is the purpose of a "hook" in a presentation?

To capture audience attention and interest

To summarize the main points

To introduce the speaker

To thank the audience

Which of these is NOT a recommended way to start a presentation?

Sharing a surprising statistic

Telling a personal story

Asking a thought-provoking question

Apologizing for being nervous

What should you do after delivering your hook?

Start your main content immediately

Briefly explain how it connects to your topic

Wait for audience questions

Move to your conclusion