 |
Monday,
February 6th 2012
Site Updated
February 6th 2012
Toastmastering
SInc.e April 1976
|
 |
Introducing a Speaker
The introductory remarks by which speakers are presented to their audience
are an important part of public speaking. Introductions, typically, are
so bad that one of America’s greatest lecturers, Mark Twain, refused
to let anyone introduce him: he simply walked out on the stage alone and
introduced himself. There are however, important reasons why a speaker
should be introduced and guidelines that should be followed by both the
speaker and the introducer.
WHY AN INTRODUCTION?
Why should a speaker be introduced to an audience, especially if the
audience already knows the speaker?
There are several reasons:
- No matter how familiar a speaker is with the audience, the speaker
needs to separate him/herself from the listeners. An introduction aids
in the separation; it’s a brief ceremony marking the significance of
a speaker’s transition from being IN the group to stepping forth IN
FRONT and leading its thinking
- The listeners will be more perceptive and appreciative if they understand
what the speaker is undertaking. If the speaker’s goal is to clarify
an idea or persuade the group, the introduction will help to establish
the group’s "mental set"
- Even when a speaker is well known, the audience may not know what
special reason the speaker has for speaking about the chosen topic or
any experience or expertise the speaker has in the subject area. A good
introduction makes it clear that the speaker speaks from special knowledge,
experience or authority
- An introduction “builds a bridge” from where the thoughts of the group
are at the moment to where the speaker wants them to be.
Introductions need NOT be flat, dull or stereotyped. They can be witty,
fun to give and fun to hear -
If you do the following:
- Give star billing to the speaker. Don’t be a scene stealer and try
to impress the listeners with how clever or wise you are. Every sentence
you say should be directed to fulfilling one of the functions of an
introduction. Direct the group’s attention to the speaker, not to yourself
- Know what the speaker will be talking about. Plan your introduction
around the speaker’s topic. Don’t make a preliminary talk of your own
on the subject
For example, if your speaker is presenting an accountant’s viewpoint on
the new tax laws and you happen to be a better tax accountant than the
speaker, use this fact to help, not to undermine the speaker. You could
say, ”As an accountant myself, I realise how important Alice’s subject
is and I am eager to learn more about it….” Then let the speaker give
the speech
- Make clear to listeners the speaker’s expertise and experience in
the topic
Set the mood for the speaker and the speech. If Jim Clayton has just
given a hilarious speech about his fishing vacation, and the speaker you
are about to introduce will be talking about the need to support cancer
research, your audience must be mentally prepared for the subject transition.
Your introduction should change the atmosphere. You could say,
“Jim’s account of the fish that got away was the funniest
story I’ve heard for a long time, and I know that you enjoyed it
too. We can be sure that some aspects of Jim’s experience were probably
more serious than he indicated.
“Fortunately, they turned out well. However, there are some experiences
in life that don’t turn out well. Life has its tragedies to match
its comedies. Our next speaker is a person who experienced one of life's
tragedies. She has recently spent more time in the hospital than any of
us would like to contemplate, and her life has dramatically changed because
of her experience. Two years ago, Judy Smith discovered that she had cancer.
After extensive treatment it is now in remission. Judy now counsels other
cancer patients in coping with their illness. She will speak today about
what we can do to help prevent and cure cancer. Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Judy Smith.
Be brief! If you tell a joke, make it swift and to the point. An introduction
should never be longer than one minute; thirty seconds would be adequate.
Prepare your introduction carefully and make every word count. By following
these guidelines, your introductions will be effective and beneficial,
whether you are the speaker or the introducer.
When you have the opportunity to present an introduction, take the job
seriously. It’s your opportunity for another speaking experience,
even though you are not the featured speaker.
WHEN YOU’RE THE SPEAKER
As a speaker you should help prepare a good introduction for yourself.
Don’t be modest and tell your introducer that you don’t care
how you are introduced – you could be sabotaging your own speech.
Instead, help your introducer by doing the following:
- Take it for granted that the introduction will be properly prepared. Contribute to the introducer’s attitude toward the job by offering your assistance and by showing your appreciation. Your introducer is working to help you; work with him/her and express your thanks
- Tell your introducer what you think ought to be said in introducing you. You don’t want claims that you are especially brilliant, successful or intelligent, or that you are a “good speaker”. These things will be evident in your speech. Say to your introducer, ”I am going to talk about government bonds as a personal investment and I intend to analyse them from an accountant’s point of view. It will be helpful if you explain to the group when you introduce me that I have had such-and-such experience as an accountant”
- Answer all questions your introducer asks about your general background, but be careful that your introduction doesn’t include a lot of data that sounds impressive but has no relevance to your speech
Table of Contents
|
 |
