Chapter 10 Review

“Strong introductions create audience interest; strong conclusions create lasting impressions.”

In this chapter, we provided ideas for crafting effective introductions and conclusions for your speeches. We noted that a good introduction has several purposes—including capturing your audience’s attention, indicating your thesis, conveying the importance of your topic for audience members, establishing your credibility, and previewing your main points. We also showed that an effective conclusion transitions smoothly from the body of your speech, helps your audience remember your main points, and enables you to leave a lasting impression on listeners. There are many strategies to choose from in developing your introduction and conclusion, so you have room to be creative. By tailoring these elements of your speech to your audience and allotting the right amount of time to each, you stand an excellent chance of delivering an effective presentation.

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LaunchPad for Speak Up offers videos and encourages self-assessment through adaptive quizzing. Look for the check icon and play icon throughout the chapter for adaptive quizzing and online video activities.

Key Terms

Play video attention-getter 281

Play video rhetorical question 286

Play video preview 292

summary 294

Play video clincher 295

Review Questions

  1. Question

    Briefly explain the five major functions of a good introduction.

  2. Question

    Describe seven specific strategies you can use to create an attention-getting introduction.
    Describe seven specific strategies you can use to create an attention-getting introduction.

  3. Question

    What three steps must you take to develop a solid conclusion?

  4. Question

    Offer five types of memorable clinchers.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. Question

    Why is it important to offer an attention-getting introduction in a speech? In what kinds of public speaking situations do you think it might be preferable to present a less dramatic or entertaining opener?
    Why is it important to offer an attention-getting introduction in a speech? In what kinds of public speaking situations do you think it might be preferable to present a less dramatic or entertaining opener?

  2. Page 302

    Question

    How can you effectively use audience analysis to determine whether humor would be a good attention-getting strategy and whether a particular joke will work or fall flat?
    How can you effectively use audience analysis to determine whether humor would be a good attention-getting strategy and whether a particular joke will work or fall flat?

  3. Question

    What happens if you fail to present a solid conclusion to your speech?

Activities

  1. Question

    Working in groups, select a potential speech topic. Then have each group member select a different attention-gaining strategy and use that strategy to develop an attention-getter. Share your attention-getter with other group members.
    Chapter 10 - Activity Question 1

  2. Question

    Imagine that you are about to give a speech to a group of total strangers you know little about. How would you use your introduction to establish credibility? How would this differ from the way you would establish credibility to a group you had something in common with—for example, students at your college, members of your religious faith, or people who participate in the same sport or activity that you do?
    Chapter 10 - Activity Question 2

  3. Question

    Working in groups, select a potential speech topic that is relevant at your campus. Then discuss how you could show each of the following audiences “what’s in it for them”: students who work while attending school, student athletes, students who are active in extracurricular activities, students with children.
    Chapter 10 - Activity Question 3

  4. Question

    Review the illustration “Finish with a Memorable Clincher” and the accompanying text on page 299. Imagine you are presenting a speech on a problem of concern in your community. Indicate what your topic would be, and develop your own memorable clincher, using astronaut Sally Ride’s speech as an example.
    Chapter 10 - Activity Question 4

  5. Question

    Video Activity 10.4: “Full Introduction: Attention-Getter, Thesis, and Preview” and “Full Conclusion.” Watch the introduction and conclusion to Cameron’s speech analyzing a quotation by Confucius. Which parts of an introduction does he include (attention-getter, thesis, connection with the audience, credibility, preview)? Does his conclusion include a summary and a clincher? Evaluate the quality of his introduction and conclusion. Is there anything you would add or change?
    Chapter 10 - Activity Question 5