Organization is the key to an effective speech. Proper organization allows for a logical flow of words and ideas in a speech, ma
king the speaker’s message meaningful. Without effective organization, a speech will simply fall flat with the audience.
A key to effective speech organization is to carefully craft introductions, conclusions, and transitions that assist the audience in following the message. The parts of a speech that the audience will typically remember most are the introduction and the conclusion. Using transitions that move from one idea to the other seamlessly will help the audience follow your message.
Enticing Introductions
For the audience, the most important part of a speech is the introduction. This is the point where you hook your audience and get them prepared for your message. You want to make sure to grab your audience from the start. When planning the introduction to your speech, there are a few ideas to keep in mind. Start your speech memorably, and you will activate your audience right away. This is vital to audience engagement. To do this, some speakers begin with an unusual question to get the audience thinking. Others start with a unique or funny anecdote that relates to the topic of the speech. Many will start with a surprising fact or statistic that supports the speech’s main idea. These are three ways to draw the audience in and keep them wanting more.
An effective introduction helps you immediately hook your audience.
Creative Conclusions
While beginnings are the way you grab your audience, endings are the final words you want your audience to remember. As a result, you must make sure your conclusion is memorable. You need to end with a “high note” that will leave the audience thinking about the speech or wanting to take some action. Many people write the speech’s conclusion first because these are the words the audience will remember. Of course, what they remember all depends on the way you end your speech. There are several effective ways to close a speech and keep your message in the mind of your audience. Many people use the circular conclusion, returning to a point they made at the beginning of the speech. Other speakers prefer to end with a quote that will linger in the listeners’ minds. Some people even use a prop to help close the speech, which allows the audience to move from listening to seeing. This modest change in the use of senses can be very effective. For persuasive speeches, some speakers prefer to issue a “call to action” to the audience, encouraging them to do something or act a certain way. Whatever type of conclusion you use, make sure that it leaves a lasting impression.
Your conclusion is what people will be most apt to carry away from your speech—so make it matter.
Thoughtful Transitions
To maintain the pace and flow of your speech, transitions are important. Sequencing ideas from one topic to another in a logical way will keep your audience engaged, focused, and comprehending your content. Moving from one main topic to another can pose a challenge because the flow might be slightly disrupted. Speakers use a variety of methods to try to manage this transition. Many choose this opportunity to insert a little humor. For other speakers, this is the time when a visual aid, a prop, a sound, or even a change in speaking position can help announce a transition is being made. This type of segue is helpful to alert the audience that one idea is ending and a new one is beginning. It provides the audience time to absorb your first message before moving onto a new one.
Organizing your speech is a vital step in any effective presentation. Paying careful attention to your introduction, conclusion, and transitions is vital. This way you will be able to hook your audience, keep them focused, and end with an idea that they won’t forget.
