Full Speech of Introduction: "The Dance of Life" by Ashley White

Audience Analysis

Ashley's introduction uses the pronoun "we" to include her audience as she talks about their common journeys of self discovery. She uses a series of rhetorical questions to capture their attention and signal the direction of her speech. Later, as she describes the challenges of being a dancer, of what scoliosis is and how it is treated, her explanations are helpful, clear, and movingly personal.

Content and Supporting Ideas

Ashley's introductory speech moves fluidly through three clear phases: she describes her passion for dance, leads to her challenges with scoliosis, and shares her new passion and future career. The content of her speech is a compelling narrative with a surprise twist. As she describes each of the three phases of self-discovery, Ashley leads her listeners along chronologically, explaining the passions and challenges that have defined her. She speaks with clarity and detail. Her speech inspires as she describes, without self-pity, the way she has redefined herself and her life goals. She uses her own story to illustrate the larger, common theme of self discovery.

Introduction/Transitions/Conclusion

Ashley uses rhetorical questions to engage audience interest and to creatively preview her main points. Each segment of her speech moves fluidly into the next with smooth transitions that serve as chronological guideposts. The conclusion answers the rhetorical questions she posed in the introduction and recaptures the larger theme of lifelong rediscovery and self-definition.

Delivery

Ashley uses the lectern with confident posture and a warm smile. She scans her audience frequently and handles note cards unobtrusively although they limit her ability to gesture freely. Her voice is well modulated. Occasionally a slightly longer pause would reinforce the drama written into her speech. For instance, a longer pause before she says "My dance teacher was the first to notice the curve…" would be effective. Ashley strictly adheres to the wording of her speech using note cards to prompt her through what is nearly memorized. Twice this trips her up as she momentarily loses her train of thought and needs to stop. Ashley's delivery style also limits some sense of naturalness; for example, when she says that "dance truly does offer an inexpressible enjoyment" this statement would carry more genuine feeling if she delivered it freely, without consulting her notes.