Research on perception and listening reveals that people are highly selective in how they focus their attention. We tend to pay attention to messages that relate to our own needs and interests rather than messages we deem unimportant (Fiske & Taylor, 1991). For example, if you’re like most students, you perk up during a class lecture if your teacher says, “Listen up, people: what I’m covering now will be on the midterm.” After all, it is in your best interest to do well on the midterm. But how do you create messages that connect with your listeners’ interests?

Start with a compelling introduction to your speech. Explain how your audience will benefit from the information you’re about to share (“Knowing the differences between face-to-face and online classes can help you decide which class format is better for you”). People will pay closer attention to your message when they know what’s in it for them.

However, capturing your audience’s attention during the introduction of your speech isn’t all you need to do; you also need to hold their attention during the rest of your presentation. Develop your ideas by using supporting materials—such as interesting and relevant examples or stories—that relate to your audience members’ lives and priorities. As you compose each main point of your speech, keep the following question in mind: How can I relate this point to my audience’s physical, emotional, intellectual, or social priorities?