Unit 7 Introducing a Speaker

Opening
• The OPENING is when you address the audience - they are the listeners so you need to grab their attention. • Wait until the audience is quiet and expectant before you begin to speak. An introduction no-one hears is very hard on the speaker - and could jeopardise the opening of his/her speech.
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• Write out your introduction. Practice it in front of a mirror or into a tape recorder for timing. Practise it to sound natural and enthusiastic. Reduce your written introduction to a few key words and phrases. Transfer them, in large font, to a large sheet a paper. This will be your crutch and because it is there you will probably not need to look at it.
Background information
• Even an experienced and accomplished speaker can be nervous when speaking before a group and an introduction can either set the scene for a successful presentation or leave the speaker flat-footed and struggling to regain the attention of their audience and the convey their message.
How to craft a good introduction?
• The answer is prepare, practice and be enthusiastic. These need not take long once you understand what you are doing and why. Preparation involves learning about the speaker, the topical nature of the subject and the audience's interests and concerns. Get speaker information from the speaker. Get audience background from members of the audience and subject information from the Program Chair, the related current awareness media or your own pipeline.
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• When you ask for information, ask what the speaker would like you to emphasize or what the speaker thinks is relevant. Some seasoned speakers prefer to write out their own introduction. If a speaker provides a lengthy vitae, do not feel obligated to use it all. Shift through and pick out the things that connect the speaker with the subject and audience.
What you should do as an ucer?
• Before the meeting: reminders and introductions; speaker information; • During the meeting: introducing speakers; shaking hands; clapping; time; guests
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• A secondary purpose is to motivate the audience to listen. Just because the audience is there it doesn’t mean they are ready to listen. Maybe they came to be seen, take a brief nap or escape something else. You can motivate by giving a preview of the speech from the perspective of the audience. Let them know “What’s In It for Me”-narrow the gap between the audience and the lectern(演讲台).
Conclusion
• Finally the CONCLUSION is where you welcome the speaker, lead the applause and take your seat.
How is a good introduction organized?
• Introductions fuse three elements: the subject, the audience and the speaker. The order of the elements is not important, either can come first or last. The important thing to remember is that the focus is not solely on the speaker, it is on bringing together the three elements so they open a window.
Body (1)
• The BODY of your introduction should tell the audience who the speaker is and prepare them by giving some background on the speaker's experience, qualifications or special interest in the topic. • Learning something about the speaker helps the audience warm towards him/her - in turn the speaker senses the empathy and begins the speech with more confidence.
The purpose of an introduction
• The purpose of an introduction is to gain the audience's attention. Members of the audience arrive individually and need to coalesce as a group. The audience may have just come from listening to another speaker on a totally different topic and are still mulling over the ideas. They may be in the middle of an interesting conversation with a friend. They may be thinking about modifying their own speech scheduled for later in the day.
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• It's a mini-speech - usually about a minute long - but it contains all the elements of a full speech - an opening, a body and a conclusion.
Reminders and introductions
• Contact each participant ahead of time to remind them of their assignments and to gather introductory material. Your ability to give a professional introduction of participants will impress your speakers and your audience.
Body (2)
• Weave the speaker's name into the introduction so the audience will clearly relate the speaker to the topic. • Make sure you give accurate information to the audience - the only way to do this is to contact the speaker beforehand, by phone, fax or email. It can be embarrassing for a speaker to have to correct inaccurate facts before starting a speech.