good speech starters for school captain

How to Write a Speech to Win School Captain

Tips on Writing a Welcome Address at a High School Graduation

Writing and delivering a winning speech for a school leadership role requires planning, a sense of purpose and practice. No matter whether you are hoping to be picked for school captain, school president or class president, you need to convince others that you really, really want the job for all the right reasons. Make your speech less about you and more about what you can do to serve others and make a difference.

What Is a School Captain?

A school or class captain in the British school system is like a school or class president in the American school system. Despite different titles, the roles are similar. The purpose of a student leadership position is to act as a positive role model, encourage school spirit and embody school beliefs and values. A school captain is a go-between for teachers and students to represent the student voice and to ensure excellent two-way communication.

School Captain Responsibilities

Duties vary somewhat by school, but typically, assignments include bringing forward student concerns to the administration to advocate for positive change, such as healthier food options on the school menu and in vending machines. Student leaders may head a committee to plan student activities that will build a sense of community. Other tasks may include giving tours of the school to visitors and greeting parents who are attending functions.

Serious School Captain Speeches

Before launching your campaign or drafting your speech, interview a cross section of your classmates to find out what they like about the school and what improvements they hope to see in the upcoming year. Develop a consistent message in your campaign materials and speech that identifies your goals based on an assessment of student needs.

Do not fall into the trap of making grandiose promises just to be chosen by administration or voted into office. The tone of your speech should be upbeat, positive and high energy to hold your listeners' attention.

Humorous Class Captain Speech

If you are witty, outgoing and considered the class clown, you may want to interject humor into your speech. A funny but teacher-approved story will show your likable and relatable side.

For instance, you may want to share that you were cast as a juggler in the school play when making the point that you are experienced at juggling multiple tasks. However, do not go overboard with humor, or you run the risk of not being seen as a serious contender who will work hard.

Prepare Your Speech

Speeches are like English essays, with a strong beginning, middle and end. Keep in mind how much time you will be allotted because you may be cut off if you exceed the time limit. Outline your speech with main points and then write out your speech to avoid stumbling on your words or rambling.

Start with an introduction that includes your name, year in school and the reasons you are highly qualified to serve as school captain. List specific examples of your prior accomplishments in extracurricular activities and student organizations. Mention that you are a visionary student who believes every student should feel welcome and supported at the school.

In the body of your speech, identity two or three goals or issues you would like to address if selected for the position. Emphasize your leadership qualities. For instance, you might state that other students and teachers would describe you as outgoing, approachable, dedicated and responsible. End with an action statement summarizing what you hope to accomplish and directly ask for their vote or support. Show a draft of your speech to a favorite teacher and ask for feedback.

Practice Your Speech

Stand in front of a mirror at home and practice your speech or enlist your family as an audience. You should sound eager and excited to represent and serve fellow students. Smile, maintain good eye contact and use gestures intentionally. Speak clearly and articulate your words. Pretend you are confident even if you are shaking and super nervous. That is perfectly normal and does not mean you are not leadership material.

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Writing an Effective Year 12 School Captain Speech: A Guide to Winning the Election

Unlock the Secrets to Crafting a Winning School Captain Speech

Introduction: The role of a school captain is not just about holding a prestigious title; it’s about being a leader and making a positive impact on your school community. One crucial aspect of the election process is delivering an effective speech that captivates your audience and convinces them to vote for you. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the strategies and techniques to write and deliver an impactful Year 12 School Captain speech that will help you win the election and make a difference in your school.

Understanding the Role of a School Captain: Leadership and Responsibilities

Gain a clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Year 12 School Captain. Explore the qualities and attributes that make an effective leader and how they translate into your speech.

Researching and Analyzing Your Audience: Knowing Your School Community

Learn the importance of understanding your audience and tailoring your speech to resonate with them. Conduct research to gather insights about your school community’s values, concerns, and aspirations.

Crafting a Powerful Opening: Grabbing Attention from the Start

Discover techniques to create a memorable opening that captures the attention of your audience. Explore storytelling, thought-provoking statements, or inspiring quotes to establish a strong connection.

Developing a Clear Structure: Organizing Your Speech Effectively

Learn how to structure your speech to convey your message coherently. Explore the use of introduction, body, and conclusion to ensure a logical flow and make your points compelling.

Showcasing Your Qualities and Accomplishments: Building Credibility

Highlight your strengths, experiences, and accomplishments to establish credibility and demonstrate your suitability for the role of School Captain. Use anecdotes, examples, or testimonials to support your claims.

Addressing Key Issues and Concerns: Connecting with Your Audience

Identify and address the issues and concerns that matter to your school community. Show empathy, propose solutions, and share your vision for a better school environment.

Sharing Your Future Plans: Inspiring Action and Change

Articulate your vision and goals for the school. Outline specific initiatives, events, or improvements you intend to implement if elected as School Captain. Inspire your audience to take action and join your cause.

Utilizing Language Techniques: Persuasion and Emotional Appeal

Explore rhetorical devices, such as metaphors, parallelism, or rhetorical questions, to enhance the persuasive impact of your speech. Use emotional appeal to connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Practicing Effective Delivery: Confidence and Authenticity

Discover strategies to enhance your delivery skills , including vocal variety, body language, and eye contact. Practice your speech to ensure confidence and authenticity in your delivery.

Closing with a Memorable Conclusion: Leave a Lasting Impression

Craft a powerful and inspiring conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression. Use a call to action or an uplifting message to motivate your audience to vote for you.

FAQs – How to Write a Winning Year 12 School Captain Speech?

1: how long should a school captain speech be.

Aim for a speech duration of around 3-5 minutes to effectively convey your message without losing your audience’s attention.

2: Should I include personal anecdotes in my speech?

Personal anecdotes can be impactful and help create a connection with your audience. However, ensure they are relevant to your message and add value to your overall speech.

3: How can I engage the audience during my speech?

Engage your audience through eye contact, inviting them to participate, or incorporating interactive elements, such as asking rhetorical questions or involving them in a brief activity.

4: Is it necessary to memorize my entire speech?

While memorization can provide a sense of confidence, it is important to maintain a balance between memorization and spontaneity. Memorize key points and practice enough to ensure a smooth delivery.

5: How can I handle nervousness before and during my speech?

Prepare thoroughly, practice regularly, and visualize yourself delivering a successful speech. Deep breathing exercises and positive self-talk can also help manage nervousness.

6: Should I mention other candidates in my speech?

Avoid directly criticizing or mentioning other candidates. Focus on presenting your unique qualities, ideas, and plans to stand out as the best candidate.

7: How can I make my speech memorable?

Use storytelling, vivid imagery, or powerful quotes to make your speech memorable . Aim to inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Here are a few examples of a school captain speech:

Example 1: “Dear fellow students, teachers, and staff, today I stand before you as a candidate for the position of School Captain. I believe that our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a community that fosters growth, friendship, and opportunity. If elected, I promise to be a dedicated and approachable leader who will listen to your concerns and work tirelessly to address them. Together, we can create a school environment that encourages inclusivity, excellence, and personal development. Let us embrace our differences and celebrate our achievements, for united we can make our school truly exceptional.”   Example 2: “Respected principal, teachers, and my fellow students, I am honored to be standing here as a candidate for the role of School Captain. Our school is not just a building; it is a place where dreams are nurtured and futures are shaped. If entrusted with the responsibility, I will strive to be a beacon of inspiration and encouragement for all students. I will work closely with our teachers and staff to ensure that each one of us has the support and resources we need to excel academically and personally. Let us embark on a journey of growth, unity, and achievement, making our school a shining example of excellence.   Example 3: “Dear everyone, today I am humbled to stand before you as a candidate for the position of School Captain. Our school is more than just classrooms and textbooks; it is a vibrant community that thrives on enthusiasm and participation. If chosen as your leader, I will promote a culture of involvement, where every student’s voice is heard and valued. Together, we can organize exciting events, foster a sense of belonging, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Let us come together as a united front, supporting and inspiring one another to reach new heights. Vote for me, and together, we’ll make our school experience truly unforgettable.”

Key Points:

• Understand the role of a School Captain and the qualities of an effective leader.
• Research your audience and tailor your speech to their values and concerns.
• Craft a powerful opening , organize your speech effectively, and showcase your qualities.
• Address key issues and propose solutions while sharing your future plans.
• Utilize language techniques, practice effective delivery, and close with a memorable conclusion.

Bio: The author, an experienced public speaker and advocate of youth leadership, shares valuable insights in “Writing an Effective Year 12 School Captain Speech: A Guide to Winning the Election.” With a passion for empowering students, the author provides practical tips and strategies to help aspiring School Captains create impactful speeches and make a positive impact on their school community.

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• Effective Public Speaking Techniques for School Leadership Roles.
• The Role of Empathy in School Captain Speeches: Building Connections.
• Comparing Speech Styles: Inspirational vs. Informative School Captain Speeches.
• Overcoming Stage Fright: Tips for Confident School Captain Speech Delivery.
• Balancing Confidence and Humility in School Captain Speeches.
• Analyzing Past Successful School Captain Speeches: What Made Them Stand Out?
• Speech Content vs. Delivery: Striking the Right Balance for Impactful Speeches
• Exploring the World of Creative Writing: What, When, and Where to Find Inspiring Examples

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Answer ( 1 )

In this guide, we’ll give you everything you need to know about writing a winning speech for the school captain election. First, we’ll show you some example speeches from past winners and finalists to give you an idea of what a successful speech might look like. Then we’ll talk about how to craft your own outline and where to find inspiration for topics in your own life. Finally, we’ll cover some tips for how best to deliver your speech if it all goes well with writing it!

School captain speech examples

In this article, we’ll look at the speeches that won school captain elections. We’ll also give you some tips on how to write your own winning speech for a school captain election.

We’ve got two examples of speeches that were given by students who went on to win their school captain elections: one from an Australian high school student and another from an American middle school student. Both speeches are very good because they have all the elements of a great speech–they’re funny, they have interesting facts and stories in them (which keeps people engaged), and both speakers talk about things that relate directly back to themselves or their peers (so they make it easy for listeners).

School captain speech topic ideas

Here are some ideas for school captain speech topics:

• The importance of school spirit.
• Why it’s important to give back to the community.
• How you plan on making your school better by becoming a leader and role model for others.

How to write a great school captain speech outline

To write a great speech outline, you need to follow these three steps:

• Start with a hook. You want to grab your audience’s attention right away. This can be done by using an interesting fact or statistic that relates to the topic of your speech, or by telling a story that illustrates what you’re going to talk about later on in the speech. If possible, try not to use any quotes from movies or other sources unless it’s absolutely necessary for illustrating your point (and even then, only use them sparingly).
• Use strong openings and closings when writing out your speech outline–and make sure both are relevant! Don’t forget about these two sections because they are just as important as any other part of writing an effective school captain election speech outline; if nothing else comes across strongly enough for voters during these sections then there won’t be much left worth remembering later on down in middle parts like introduction paragraph(s), body paragraphs(s) etcetera…

How to write a winning school captain speech

• Use the right tone
• Use the right body language
• Use the right content and style of speech
• Deliver your speech effectively

A winning school captain speech can help you win the election.

A good school captain speech can help you win the election. If you’re running for school captain and want to give an impressive speech that will make everyone remember you, then this article is for you!

To write a great school captain speech outline:

• Think about your audience. What do they want from their new leader? What are their hopes and dreams for the future of the school? How can they see themselves reflected in your words?
• Have a clear message. Make sure that everything in your talk ties back into what makes YOU special – why should people vote for YOU instead of anyone else who wants this job too (and there will almost certainly be other candidates). Don’t try too hard though; keep it simple!

With the help of these school captain speech examples, you can write a great speech that will help you win your election. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to write from scratch and there are plenty of resources available online. Just make sure that whatever you do use is original and doesn’t copy anyone else’s work!

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How to Write a Better Captain Speech

Table of Contents

Are you feeling nervous about your upcoming class captain speech? Don’t worry; you’re not alone!

Writing a class captain speech can be daunting and nerve-wracking. It’s a significant opportunity to share your passion for the role and show everyone why you are the right person for the job.

But don’t let fear stop you from being successful — with some planning and preparation, writing an excellent class captain speech is easy! Keep reading to learn how to write a class captain speech .

Who Is a Class Captain?

A class captain is a leader in their classroom who promotes positive behavior, encourages classmates to follow school rules. A class captain acts as a role model.

They are also responsible for encouraging collaboration among students and helping to build community spirit. As the class captain, you should be prepared to act as an ambassador for your classroom on special occasions or during school events.

Characteristics of a Class Captain

Being a class captain is an important role and requires certain qualities. A great class captain should:

• Show enthusiasm and excitement for the job.
• Be well-prepared to take on the responsibilities of the role.
• Have strong communication skills, including public speaking.
• Be able to resolve conflicts between students or with teachers in a mature manner.
• Inspire other students to be their best by setting an example of hard work and dedication.

Structure of a Class Captain Speech

• Introduction – Introduce yourself and share why you are the right person for the job.
• Strengths – Highlight the strengths that make you an ideal class captain and how these will benefit the classroom.
• Goals – Explain what you plan to achieve as a class captain, such as improving student morale or increasing participation in school activities.
• Conclusion – Summarize your message with a call to action, encouraging other students to support you in becoming their class leader.

How to Write a Class Captain Speech

Step 1: Start by Introducing Yourself

Your introduction is critical because it sets the tone and helps people understand who you are. Start by introducing yourself to your classmates, letting them know what year of school you’re in. Add any other relevant information that might help give context to your speech.

Step 2: Outline Your Strengths and Abilities.

Now that you’ve introduced yourself, it’s time to explain why you are the right person for the job. Share with them your strengths and qualities that make you a great class captain. Things like having strong communication skills or being organized and reliable.

Step 3: Explain What Goals You Plan to Achieve As Class Captain

You should also talk about the goals and objectives you plan to accomplish during your tenure as class captain. These include increasing student participation in school events or improving classroom morale. Talk about how you will go about achieving these goals and how they will benefit the classroom environment.

Step 4: Conclude With a Call to Action.

Finally, wrap up your speech with a call to action, encouraging your fellow students to support you in becoming their class captain. Ask them for their vote and remind them of the positive changes you plan to bring about as a leader.

Guideline for a Class Captain Speech

1. be prepared.

Before you start writing your class captain speech, it’s essential to do some research and learn more about what the role entails. This will help you outline the goals and objectives you plan to achieve as a leader.

2. Use Language Appropriately

Keeping the language of your speech simple is essential for connecting with your audience. Avoid using jargon or overly complex words, and stick to examples that everyone in the classroom can relate to.

3. Keep It Short & Sweet

People have short attention spans, so keep your class captain’s speech concise and to the point. Aim for up to two minutes in length, but be bold and take longer if you need to.

4. Make It Personal

Your speech should be about your goals for the role, so make sure it reflects your personality and passions. This is an excellent opportunity to show everyone why you are the perfect class captain!

5. Practice

Once you’ve written your speech, practice delivering it out loud several times until you feel comfortable with the content and delivery. This will help reduce anxiety or nervousness when it comes time to deliver it in front of your classmates.

Sample of a Class Captain Speech

Good morning everyone! My name is John, and I’m running for class captain this year.

I’m the right person for the job because I have strong communication skills and a passion for helping others. As class captain, my goal will be to create a positive learning environment in our classroom where everyone feels respected and supported.

To accomplish this, I will work closely with teachers to ensure that all students follow school rules and behave appropriately. I will also strive to promote collaboration among classmates by organizing activities and encouraging teamwork. Finally, I’ll work hard to increase student participation in school events, so everyone can get involved and have fun together! With your support, we can make this a fantastic year.

So please, join me in making our classroom a better place by voting for me as your class captain! Thank you.

Writing a class captain speech doesn’t have to be challenging or scary. With some planning and preparation, you can create an inspiring speech that will get your classmates excited about being part of the team .

That said, remember to introduce yourself, outline your strengths and abilities. Also, don’t forget to spell out your goals as a leader. Finally, conclude with a compelling call-to-action.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How To Write A Speech For School Captain

Table of Contents

How to write a school captain speech for primary

A school captain is a student leader who inspires his colleagues and helps to bridge the communication gap between students and the administration. As a school captain, you must lead the rest of the school and help them achieve their personal goals. A captain must be ready to correct and organize the students` body to live the values, mission, and vision of their institution. As a captain, communication is very critical. Understanding how to present the students’ issues to the administration requires good communication skills. To inspire action and keep the students` body in control of a healthy communication mechanism in place. Vertical communication with students is typically a common phenomenon, and for efficacy, a good speech is necessary.

The purpose of the provision of school captain requires prime communication skills, and captain`s speeches are critical. Apt writing skills are necessary to achieve the best results. This article, therefore, focuses on some of the key tips a school captain ought to look out for when drafting their speeches. The article also features a speech outline and a sample of a captain’s speech.

Five tips on school captain speech writing

1. be authoritative.

A leader is authoritative and decisive. Being a school captain comes with a responsibility that you have to fulfill. The position of a school captain, therefore, needs an authoritative and decisive person who can guide the school in the right direction without wavering. Such aspects must be reflected in your speech.

2. Keep your message short and clear

Listening to long speeches can be boring. As a captain, you ought to talk more and act less. Therefore, for each speech addressed to the students should be short with minimal explanations.  Long speeches can be boring and less effective than short content-rich speeches. Short speeches truncate the unnecessary details and enhance the understandability of the message.

3. Simple language and illustrations

Simplicity is one of the key requirements a school captain’s speech ought to be. Writing in very technical jargon would be ineffective. This is because the audience is diverse and have different levels of language mastery. Freshmen might not be able to understand technical language used by a finalist school captain, and thus the students in lower academic levels need to understand the message fully.

4. Organize your content in point form

A captain’s speech must be orderly and precise. Organizing each point into its paragraph is a good place to start. If the message is organized in a paragraph, then each paragraph should feature a single point which is well elaborated. For each paragraph, it must have a topic sentence , then few supporting sentences. The supporting sentences must be relevant to the topic sentence. Include an illustration for example, if necessary, at the end of the paragraph.

5. Use active voice in the first person

Since you are the school captain, it is obvious you must write the speech in the first person. It is also wise to use active voice which is more authoritative and powerful to deliver the message. Active voice is more effective to call for an action.

Outline example

The captain`s speech also needs an outline to act as a guiding tool for writing the essay. Outlines ensure the captain sticks to the relevant and important issues he wishes to address in his speech. After outlining them, he can proceed to write a great speech from the outline.

Here below is an example of a captain’s speech outline that can be used to write a speech.

Introduction

• A short recap based on personal observations

Paragraph 1

• 3-4 Support sentences for point 1

Paragraph 2

• 3-4 Support sentences for point 2

Paragraph 3

• 3-4 Support sentences for point 3
• A brief summary of the contents of the speech

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Speech Guidelines for a School Captain Candidate Plus an Example

Being the school captain is among the things that many students strive to attain in school. Whilst some are fortunate to become leaders in their respective schools, others disappear into oblivion with their hopes forever shattered. One of the factors that separates winners from other candidates is the whole concept of speech making and delivery.

And when I’m talking about speech, I’m not talking about words just put together for the sole reason of announcing your candidature. These are very cleverly selected words that will arouse the students’ desire to elect you as their representative. It is true that when you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This maxim is also true in speeches. A speech that does not go through the guidelines explained below will not have the desired outcome.

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Speech Writing Guidelines for a School Captain

1. let your message be brief and precise.

Avoid using many filler words to make the speech long. With a long speech, you will obviously loose the attention of the audience. The speech should be short and content rich. It should be straight to the point. You should hit the nail while it is hot- the nail in this case refers to the first few minutes that the audience is attentive. Hit them with that punch line that will leave you glued to their minds. You should keep your explanations minimal and if you can do it without explanations, the better.

2. Simplicity is genius

As albert Einstein rightly put it, “If you can’t explain it simply, then you don’t understand it well enough.” The beauty of using simple language is that you reach a wide scope of students. Using complex and complicated jargon will isolate the audience and the message will not reach its intended destination.

Furthermore, you do not want your fellow students to think you are above them. If they cannot understand you, how will they trust you to deliver their grievances to the authorities above? While a technical jargon showcases your mastery of the language and may open for you unlimited opportunities in the future, at this point in time it would be advisable to speak in a language that befits a school setting. Do not forget that you will also be communicating to pupils of the lower grade. Do not overlook their votes, they are equally as important as other votes.

3. Content should be organized in point form.

The speech should be broken down into parts to make it more orderly and precise. The organization of the speech will be explained better in the outline section later in the article. Ensure that each paragraph has its own point. Each paragraph must begin with a topic sentence, followed by few supporting lines and these supporting sentences must be related to the topic sentence. The paragraphs should however be brief. Try not to go very deep into the topic at hand.

4. Exhibit qualities of a leader.

Whether you are delivering it before a congregation or just putting it on paper, there must be some level of authority that the people listening or reading can feel. Nobody wants to be represented by a coward. Naturally, people are conditioned to follow a courageous leader, who has authority and leads by example. Apart from that, kindly be as honest as possible in your speech. Do not promise things you cannot deliver. Mistrust is one deep pit you cannot salvage yourself from.

5. Use the first person.

This is quite obvious always use the first voice when referring to yourself and in second person when referring to the students or audience. It creates a form of bond between you and the students when you refer to them directly. Also, always use active voice, as it is more authoritative and direct. Passive voice is least effective when you call people into action. For instance, when you say, “We will beat them,” sounds more authoritative than saying, “They will be beaten by us.”

Planning is an integral part of a speech. An outline gives you the format or rather, a rough draft of what your speech should look like. Here is the basic format of a speech:

Introduction

Remember first impressions always last. The contents of your introduction and how you present it will either make you or break you. This is an important part of your speech, as this is the part which will either win the audience’s attention or lose it. The length of the introduction should be no more than 10% of the whole speech. So, if your speech is to last 5 minutes, then your introduction should take like 40 to 45 seconds. Here, you should provide your greetings, introduce yourself and state your purpose.

The body is the bulk of the speech, making 80% of it. What you intend to do when elected the school captain should falls within this segment. Each point should be kept in separate paragraphs and should be accompanied by few sentences shading more light on each one of them. You should however be brief and avoid going into too much details. This will bore the audience and will make the speech too long. The body should follow this format:

1 st  Paragraph

• Topic sentence 1
• 3-4 sentences supporting topic 1

2 nd  Paragraph

• Topic sentence 2
• 3-4 sentences supporting topic 2

3 rd  Paragraph

• Topic sentence 3
• 3-4 sentences supporting topic 3

This part should only be 10% of the speech. Your conclusive remarks are just as important as any other part of the speech. It would be absurd to give a mind blowing presentation and then have a lackluster ending. One of the best way of wrapping things up is by use of a famous quote with a few additional remarks or you may give thanks to all the people who have supported you to where you are. You may also opt to quickly summarize all your points, whichever way you choose it, when done correctly they are both equally effective.

Essay Sample for a School Captain

Dear students, teachers and the *insert school* community at large, good afternoon. It is yet again that time of the year that we have to exercise our individual rights to select the rightful leaders to represent us. I come at your presence, not as a leader but rather as a servant who will put your interests first before mine.

I have spent all my learning years in this school and I’m very aware of all the challenges that students go through. Each year, I have witnessed recurring issues that threaten the pillars of our institution, which are peace, love and unity. I’m here to put an end to that. Your humble servant speaking is *insert your Names*, sixth grade and I’m running for this year’s School Captain.

I have a confession to make. The idea of vying for the School Captain position was first initiated to me in the fourth grade by *insert teacher’s name*, who saw the leadership qualities in me. Mr./Mrs. *teacher*’s sentiments are also shared by other teachers and students, who have privately confided in me about my natural ability to inspire and mobilize people.

I would like to publicly thank them, because they are the spark that ignited this fire in me. My decision to vie for this position is a way of me giving back to this wonderful school. All the years I have spent in this here have been nothing, but good and memorable. Everyone in this school, including teachers and my fellow students have been wonderful and if I was to go back in time, I would still do it again here.

Coming from a very religious background, my parents taught me the importance of humility. That is the reason why I’m naturally humble, friendly and approachable. I believe all people are born equal and I give each person the respect he/she deserves. As most of you are aware, I have worked hand in hand with the outgoing School Captain to ensure that this institution is always running smoothly.

I would like to personally call upon you to come in large numbers during the voting period and continue what I already started with my predecessor. It does not matter who wins. The most important thing is that the process has to be free and fair. Let the voice of the people be heard, because injustice here is a threat to justice everywhere.

Lastly, I would like thank my parents, friends, teachers, students and everyone, who took part in molding me to become the person I am. If it were not for you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I would also like to thank everyone who showed up to this function today. You sacrificed your precious time to come and lend us your ears. A great day is indeed seen in the morning. All the people that participated in this democratic practice are surely destined for greatness. They are the people who will bring good change to this wonderful nation in the future. Vote wisely, vote with your hearts. May God bless you. Thank you.

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How to Start a Speech: Tips and Examples for a Captivating Opening

By Status.net Editorial Team on December 12, 2023 — 11 minutes to read

When preparing a speech, knowing your audience is key. To tailor your message, consider their interests, demographics, and needs.

Choosing the Right Opening Line

Finding the perfect opening line for your speech is crucial in grabbing your audience’s attention. A strong opening line sets the stage for the points you want to make and helps you establish a connection with your listeners. Here are a few tips and examples to help you choose the right opening line.

1. Start with a question

Engage your audience from the very beginning by asking them a thought-provoking question related to your topic. This approach encourages them to think, and it can create a sense of anticipation about what’s coming next.

• “Have you ever wondered how much time we spend on our phones every day?”

2. Share a personal story

A relatable personal story can create an emotional connection with your audience. Make sure your story is short, relevant to your speech, and ends with a clear point.

• “When I was a child, my grandmother used to tell me that every kind deed we do plants a seed of goodness in the world. It was this philosophy that inspired me to start volunteering.”

3. Use a quote or a statistic

Incorporate a powerful quote or an intriguing statistic at the outset of your speech to engage your audience and provide context for your topic.

• “As the great Maya Angelou once said, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'”

4. Make them laugh

Injecting a little humor into your opening line puts everyone at ease and makes your speech more memorable. Just make sure your joke is relevant and doesn’t offend your audience.

• “They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit!”

5. Paint a mental picture

Draw your audience in by describing a vivid scene or painting an illustration in their minds. This creates an immersive experience that makes it easier for your audience to follow your speech.

• “Picture this: you’re walking down the beach, and you look out on the horizon. The sun is setting, and the sky is a breathtaking canvas of reds, oranges, and pinks.”

Using a Personal Story

Sharing a personal story can be a highly effective way to engage your audience from the very beginning of your speech. When you open your talk with a powerful, relatable story, it helps create an emotional connection with your listeners, making them more invested in what you have to say.

Think about an experience from your life that is relevant to the topic of your speech. Your story doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic, but it should be clear and vivid. Include enough detail to paint a picture in your audience’s minds, but keep it concise and on point.

The key to successfully using a personal story is to make it relatable. Choose a situation that your audience can empathize with or easily understand. For instance, if you’re giving a speech about overcoming adversity, you could talk about a time where you faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge and overcame it.

Make sure to connect your story to the main point or theme of your speech. After sharing your experience, explain how it relates to the topic at hand, and let your audience see the relevance to their own lives. This will make your speech more impactful and show your listeners why your personal story holds meaning.

Making a Shocking Statement

Starting your speech with a shocking statement can instantly grab your audience’s attention. This technique works especially well when your speech topic relates to a hot-button issue or a controversial subject. Just make sure that the statement is relevant and true, as false claims may damage your credibility.

For example, “Believe it or not, 90% of startups fail during their first five years in the market.” This statement might surprise your listeners and make them more receptive to your ideas on how to avoid pitfalls and foster a successful business.

So next time you’re crafting a speech, consider opening with a powerful shocking statement. It could be just the thing to get your audience sitting up and paying full attention. (Try to keep your shocking statement relevant to your speech topic and factual to enhance your credibility.)

Using Humor

Humor can be an excellent way to break the ice and grab your audience’s attention. Opening your speech with a funny story or a joke can make a memorable first impression. Just be sure to keep it relevant to your topic and audience.

A good joke can set a light-hearted tone, lead into the importance of effective time management, and get your audience engaged from the start.

When using humor in your speech, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Be relatable: Choose a story or joke that your audience can easily relate to. It will be more engaging and connect your listeners to your message.
• Keep it appropriate: Make sure the humor fits the occasion and audience. Stay away from controversial topics and avoid offending any particular group.
• Practice your delivery: Timing and delivery are essential when telling a joke. Practice saying it out loud and adjust your pacing and tone of voice to ensure your audience gets the joke.
• Go with the flow: If your joke flops or doesn’t get the reaction you were hoping for, don’t panic or apologize. Simply move on to the next part of your speech smoothly, and don’t let it shake your confidence.
• Don’t overdo it: While humor can be useful in capturing your audience’s attention, remember that you’re not a stand-up comedian. Use it sparingly and focus on getting your message across clearly and effectively.

Incorporating a Quote

When you want to start your speech with a powerful quote, ensure that the quote is relevant to your topic. Choose a quote from a credible source, such as a famous historical figure, a well-known author, or a respected expert in your field. This will not only grab your audience’s attention but also establish your speech’s credibility.

For example, if you’re giving a speech about resilience, you might use this quote by Nelson Mandela: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Once you’ve found the perfect quote, integrate it smoothly into your speech’s introduction. You can briefly introduce the source of the quote, providing context for why their words are significant. For example:

Nelson Mandela, an inspirational leader known for his perseverance, once said: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

When you’re incorporating a quote in your speech, practice your delivery to ensure it has the intended impact. Focus on your tone, pace, and pronunciation. By doing so, you can convey the quote’s meaning effectively and connect with your audience emotionally.

Lastly, connect the quote to your main points by briefly explaining how it relates to the subject matter of your speech. By creating a natural transition from the quote to your topic, you can maintain your audience’s interest and set the stage for a compelling speech.

In our resilience example, this could look like:

“This quote by Mandela beautifully illustrates the power of resilience. Today, I want to share with you some stories of remarkable individuals who, like Mandela, overcame obstacles and rose every time they fell. Through their experiences, we might learn how to cultivate our own resilience and make the most of life’s challenges.”

Starting with a Question

Opening your speech with a question can be a great way to engage your audience from the start. This strategy encourages your listeners to think and become active participants in your presentation. Your opening question should be related to your core message, sparking their curiosity, and setting the stage for the following content. Here are a few examples:

• For a motivational speech : “Have you ever wondered what you would do if you couldn’t fail?”
• For a business presentation : “What’s the biggest challenge your team faces daily, and how can we overcome it?”
• For an educational talk : “How does the way we use technology today impact the future of our society?”

When choosing the right starting question, consider your audience. You want to ask something that is relevant to their experiences and interests. The question should be interesting enough to draw their attention and resonate with their emotions. For instance, if you’re presenting to a group of entrepreneurs, gear your question towards entrepreneurship, and so on.

To boost your question’s impact, consider using rhetorical questions. These don’t require a verbal response, but get your audience thinking about their experiences or opinions. Here’s an example:

• For an environmental speech : “What kind of world do we want to leave for our children?”

After posing your question, take a moment to let it sink in, and gauge the audience’s reaction. You can also use a brief pause to give the listeners time to think about their answers before moving on with your speech.

Acknowledging the Occasion

When starting a speech, you can acknowledge the occasion that brought everyone together. This helps create a connection with your audience and sets the stage for the rest of your speech. Make sure to mention the event name, its purpose, and any relevant individuals or groups you would like to thank for organizing it. For example:

“Hello everyone, and welcome to the 10th annual Charity Gala Dinner. I’m truly grateful to the fundraising committee for inviting me to speak tonight.”

After addressing the event itself, include a brief personal touch to show your connection with the topic or the audience. This helps the audience relate to you and gain interest in what you have to say. Here’s an example:

“As a long-time supporter of this cause, I am honored to share my thoughts on how we can continue making a difference in our community.”

Next, give a brief overview of your speech so the audience knows what to expect. This sets the context and helps them follow your points. You could say something like:

“Tonight, I’ll be sharing my experiences volunteering at the local food bank and discussing the impact of your generous donations.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective opening lines for speeches.

A powerful opening line will grab your audience’s attention and set the stage for the rest of your speech. Some effective opening lines include:

• Start with a bold statement: “The world needs your creativity now more than ever.”
• Share a surprising fact: “Did you know that the average person spends (…) years of their life at work?”
• Pose a thought-provoking question: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”
• Tell a short, engaging story: “When I was 10 years old, I discovered my passion for baking in my grandmother’s kitchen.”

Can you provide examples of engaging introductions for speeches?

• Use humor: “As a kid, I believed that 7 pm bedtime was a form of torture. Now, as an adult, I find myself dreaming of 7 pm bedtime.”
• Share a personal experience: “On a trip to Italy, I found myself lost in the winding streets of a small village. It was there, amidst my confusion, that I stumbled upon the best gelato I’d ever tasted.”
• Use an analogy: “Starting a new business is like taking a journey into the unknown. There will be challenges to overcome, and you’ll need resilience, determination, and a strong compass.”

Which speech styles can make a powerful impact on the audience?

Different speech styles will resonate with different audiences. Some styles to consider include:

• Inspirational: Motivate your audience to take action or overcome challenges.
• Storytelling: Share personal experiences or anecdotes to illustrate your points and keep listeners engaged.
• Educational: Provide useful information and insights to help your audience learn or grow.
• Persuasive: Present a compelling argument to convince your audience to adopt a particular perspective or take specific action.

How do successful speakers establish a connection with their listeners?

Establishing a connection with your listeners is key to delivering an impactful speech. Some ways to connect with your audience include:

• Show empathy: Demonstrating understanding and concern for your audience’s feelings and experiences will generate a sense of trust and connection.
• Be relatable: Share personal stories or examples that allow your audience to see themselves in your experiences, thus making your speech more relatable.
• Keep it genuine: Avoid overrehearsing or coming across as scripted. Instead, strive for authenticity and flexibility in your delivery.
• Encourage participation: Engaging your audience through questions, activities, or conversation can help build rapport and make them feel more involved.

What are some techniques for maintaining a friendly and professional tone in speeches?

To maintain a friendly and professional tone in your speeches, consider these tips:

• Balance humor and seriousness: Use humor to lighten the mood and engage your audience, but make sure to also cover the serious points in your speech.
• Speak naturally: Use your everyday vocabulary and avoid jargon or overly formal language when possible.
• Show respect: Acknowledge differing opinions and experiences, and treat your audience with courtesy and fairness.
• Provide useful information: Offer valuable insights and solutions to your audience’s concerns, ensuring they leave your speech feeling more informed and empowered.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in Leadership [Examples, Tips]
• Effective Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace (Examples)
• Empathy: Definition, Types, and Tips for Effective Practice
• How to Improve Key Communication Skills
• Examples of Empathy (and 38 Empathy Statements)
• What is Self Compassion? (Exercises, Methods, Examples)

9 Killer Speech Openers to Start a Talk or Presentation.​

Danny Riley 8 min read

What you’ll learn:

• The importance of a “killer” speech opening.
• 9 powerful speech openers and how to use them.
• Examples from great speakers you can learn from.

Great speech openers hook your audience.

“ Well begun is half done” – Mary Poppins.

A killer speech opener will make the difference between a presentation that makes you soar or your audience snore .

I’ve researched the whole web to find nine killer speech openers to make your audience lean in and listen rather than tune out and daydream.

You’ll see how masters of the craft have used them, and how you can too.

Number seven takes hutzpah to pull off. Ready for the whole list of killer speech openers?

The Shock Opener

One of the best ways to open your speech with a buzz is to startle or shock them.

You can shock an audience in many ways, but they all rest on the major senses of VAKS:

• Kinesthetic (touch) 

We don’t want your audience tasting your talk, but it should leave a good taste in their mouths.

Changing Minds suggests asking if the audience is awake after appearing from a flashbang and a cloud of smoke, and this might work for you if you’re a magician or playing some kind of character for your speech like a genie.

Suppose you aren’t going for the magic angle. 

In that case, you can shock them on a psychological level instead, as Conor Neill recommends, and tell your audience a surprising fact or statistic that makes them question their thinking or beliefs.

“Did you know that half the water on earth is older than the sun?”

Questions like these will shake an audience awake and turn on their critical thinking nervous-system.

Don’t take my word for it; you can see an incredible demonstration of the shock opener in Mohammed Qahtani’s speech, The Power of Words .

Qahtani opens by taking out a cigarette and placing it into his mouth before trying to light it. The audience is so shocked that they gasp and tell him to stop.

Remember, if your audience is shocked, they are listening.

Your audience doesn’t always have to be jolted to attention with a shock opener, though you can use a more subtle approach to grab their focus. 

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The story opener.

You can set the tone of your speech instantly with a story .

In Hollywood, filmmakers and directors use an ‘establishing shot’ to set the tone and theme of the entire film.

When creating your speech, think of a short story that sums up your talk.

Maybe you tell half the story to begin with, and then the other half at the end. 

The important thing is your tale must be relatable . If your audience can’t imagine themselves in the story, they won’t be engaged.

We all experience very similar things in life: 

• We all went to school and had a teacher we loved
• We all have parents who loved us or made mistakes in our upbringing
• We all had a first crush.

We are all cut from the same cloth, so it’s good to be reminded that others are going through what we face or think as we do.

Bryan Stevenson does a stellar job of recounting his mischievous grandmother in his TED talk, We need to talk about an injustice .

The best thing is, you can combine a story-opener with any other speech opener in this list.

It’s truly versatile.

One of my favourite speech openers is next, though.

The Intrigue Opener

I love this speech opener.

What better way to hook your audience than to intrigue them with mystery or a juicy secret?

Take a look at Daniel Pink’s TED Talk The puzzle of motivation . After he begins, Pink, looking like a guilty man sent to the gallows tells his audience:

“I need to confess something, at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago, I did something I regret. Something I’m not particularly proud of”.

Wow. How intriguing, right?

You have to admit; you want to know what he’s about to confess.

Choose every sentence, every word, and every mark of punctuation to increase the tantalisation temperature.

Whether it’s a secret or confession, the Intrigue Opener piques just enough curiosity in your audience to keep them from checking Whatsapp.

As humans, we need closure. 

We do not like open loops. 

That’s why it is both enthralling and aggravating when someone plays on our need to be sure.

Just as we cannot stand an open loop, we are instantly engaged when someone gives us a puzzle to solve.

You’ll notice the best speeches, books, tv shows, and films do not spoon feed you all of the information.

I’ve always liked the way Malcolm Gladwell writes his non-fiction books because they contain puzzles that you solve as a reader.

This puzzle needs to be related to the speech or presentation you’re delivering, of course. It cannot be a random puzzle and will ideally be impossible or extremely difficult to solve at first.

After the speech begins and the puzzle is revealed, you should slowly drop hints on how to solve the mystery.

Up next, speech openers that use a physical object to create curiosity in the audience’s mind.

The Prop Opener

One of the most potent ways you will captivate your audience is to use a powerful prop in your opening address.

What better way to capture an audience’s imagination than to show them a mysterious or beautiful object?

If you’ve never seen the Prop Opener done well, then take a look at one of the greatest speeches of all time:

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi’s, See Something .

Danajaya enters with a simple rose in his breast pocket, takes it out, gazes at it nostalgically, smells it and then begins to speak.

This same prop appears again right at the end of his speech to end his talk with a flourish.

There are many different props you can use.

JJ Abrams used a Mystery Box to absorb the audience’s attention and used the box as a metaphor for his entire career.

If you think the prop opener is just for TED Talks and Toastmasters Final Speeches, remember that most company product launch centre around one or more props.

Steve Jobs revealed his new products in ever-innovative ways.

Still, while the last two speeches I’ve mentioned opened with physical items, most of Jobs’s presentations built intrigue through the sight of the product.

So remember, you can use an object, or tease your audience with the absence of a prop, but make that prop integral to your talk.

You don’t always have to use a prop, of course. 

A more minimalist approach to opening your speech uses the best audience reaction a speaker can receive: laughter.

The Funny Opener

Using laughter to win over your audience is the golden ticket to immediate rapport with your audience.

Jack Schafer, PhD at Psychology Today, said that People Will Like You If You Make Them Laugh , which seems obvious, but at least you know we have scientists on the case. 

He also mentions that constructing humour requires and projects a high level of intelligence .

Of course, laughter is subjective, but it is also infectious, and if you get enough members of your audience to titter, it will spread across the whole group.

If you want to see just how quickly you can win an audience over with humour, take a look at Ken Robinson’s subtle but delightful ability to raise a chuckle in his speech Do Schools Kill Creativity? 

Ken’s ability to speak conversationally to an audience of thousands is genuinely remarkable.

If you break down his humour, it is easy to see how you could include similar content in your presentations. 

Whether you can pull it off as well as Ken is another story.

Not everyone feels like they can be a comedian, though; I get that. 

Well, that’s alright because there are other ways to open your talk that play on other strong emotions.

You can inspire your audience too.

The Inspirational Opener

One of my favourite ways to help beginner speakers to open their presentation is with a quote.

A quote acts like a story in that it sets the tone and theme of your speech, but it takes much less effort and even less skill.

An effective quote is usually only one line long and supported by the credibility of the original author who uttered those words.

Watch the way Clint Smith opens his TED Talk  The Danger of Silence .

Using Martin Luther King’s voice to start his speech gives Clint what psychologists call the transference effect .

Just by citing someone else, especially someone admired and famous, you redirect the emotions an audience have towards that person onto yourself.

One caveat to using quotes, though:

Fact check them . I cringe whenever I see someone incorrectly quoting someone.

Have you ever heard the quote by Albert Einstein:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results”?

A great quote, isn’t it?

But Albert Einstein never said those words .

A quick check on Reuters will help you add more credibility to your inspirational opener.

Finally, try to use a quote few people have ever heard. Inspiring words have been filling the archives of history for millennia, so seek out something that has been left dusty on the shelf rather than the same recycled iterations.

Next, let’s look at a type of bold speech opener that take real hutzpah to land well.

The Perspective Shift Opener

A powerful speech opener that will take confidence is the perspective shift opener.

This opener will lead the audience in one direction before changing direction and setting a new pace for the speech.

Cameron Russel does a fantastic job of controlling the frame in her TED Talk Looks aren’t everything. Believe me; I’m a model.

Russel takes to the stage dressed in a skimpy dress and begins to tell the audience about her career, but then does a rapid wardrobe change on stage in front of the entire audience. 

This change of dress sets a new tone, feel, and direction for the speech.

If you can change the audience’s perspective or frame of reality, you are in the driving seat.

One of the best things you can hope for as a speaker is moving hearts and changing minds. 

If you aren’t a confident speaker, start small.

Vanessa Van Edwards suggests never mentioning how nervous you are. 

It’s distracting and makes the audience pick up on all the subtle nervous energy and cues you give off. Control the frame instead and act cool and confident: they will buy into it.

Another great way to hold frame control over an audience is by using the power of silence .

The Silence Opener

Silence is a valuable commodity in today’s noisy and distracting digital world.

Creating silence at the beginning of your talk can profoundly affect your audience and their focus.

Did you ever have a teacher at school who used silence effectively?

When my English classmates were noisy, our teacher Mr Rylance would hold up his hand in silence. 

Slowly we would settle down and focus on his raised hand. 

A few would giggle, but that would peter out until we all wrapt in a hypnotic stillness.

If you want to see an example of how to use silence, then look at Neal Glitterman’s speech The Power of Silence .

You can see how much gravity silence can have , especially as a speech opener.

The final killer opener I want to introduce you to is the big promise opener.

The Big Promise Opener

I believe that all speeches and presentations should contain a big promise as it tells your audience why they should keep on listening.

Ideally, your big promise will be your speech title or phrase that pays which is a recurring foundational phrase you will use throughout your presentation.

A big promise is your way of making a deal with the audience : you listen to me, and you’ll get something in return.

Creating a big promise at the beginning of your speech is like adding a teaser trailer to the beginning of a TV show. It suggests a reason you should stick around.

When Arthur Benjamin introduces his talk Faster than a calculator by announcing:

 “I am a human calculator!”

You know that proof is on the way.

Remember the essential rule of the Big Promise Opener: make it big and keep your promise.

WOW your audience with these killer speech openers.

I hope you feel that I kept my promise of sharing nine killer speech openers to start a presentation.

Did you notice any other speech openers at the beginning of this article?

Don’t forget; these openers can be mixed and matched.

You can include a number of these speech openers in the same presentation to create more impact.

Let me know which of these killer openers was your favourite, and let me know if you have any more you’d like to share.

– Danny Riley

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How to Make a Good Speech for School

Last Updated: February 26, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,262,842 times.

A good speech in school will earn you the admiration of your teachers and peers alike. You probably won't deliver the kind of speech you hear in the movies, but that's a good thing: people will enjoy your original take much more. From getting an idea to conquering stage fright, here are the steps to take if you want to make your final speech a memorable, exciting success.

Sample Speeches

Writing the Speech

• If you're not sure which theme to choose, write down or summarize a few stories and statements you could include in your speech. Pick the ones you like best and see if there's a unifying theme to tie them together.
• See What to Do and What Not to Do for more advice on themes.

• Don't interrupt one point with a clause, or section set aside by commas or parentheses. Instead of saying "Our tennis and basketball teams, which we all know won the regional championships two years ago, need increased funding to compete," say "Our tennis and basketball teams both won the regional championships two years ago. Now we need to increase their funding to compete with other schools."
• You can reference your school's slang once or twice to get a laugh, but don't overdo it, especially if there are parents in the audience.

• Find a broad message that your whole audience can connect to their own life, but still deals with a specific idea. For instance: "Become an even better version of the hero who inspired you." (But don't steal your "original" idea from this website!)
• Your stories can be specific incidents in your life or from history, but you should connect them to a more general idea. For instance, you could tell a story about your sibling's hospital visit, then go on to talk about overcoming fear and hardship in general.
• If you like what you're writing but it doesn't fit the theme you had planned, it's fine to adjust your topic or switch it entirely. Switch back and forth between writing stories and brainstorming a theme if you keep getting stuck.

• Surprise your audience by diving right into a tough story. "When I was ten years old, I lost my father."
• Make your audience laugh by telling a joke, especially one that everyone in the room will get. "Hello everyone. Let's have a round of applause for the guy who installed air conditioning."
• Start with a grand, thought-provoking statement. "Our galaxy contains billions of earth-like planets, and we're only just beginning to discover them."
• Most likely, someone else will introduce you, and many of your classmates know you already. Unless you're asked specifically to introduce yourself, you can get right to the good stuff.

• To use an example from earlier, if your theme is "Become an even better version of the hero who inspired you," you could begin your speech with two or three sentence about your hero, then say "You all have heroes who inspire you, but you don't have to just follow them. You can become even greater than the people you look up to."

• Include phrases such as "Now I'd like to talk about..." and "But we should also remember..." when moving on to your next idea.

• Build up to a big ending, then crack a joke to wrap up a funny speech. "And I know when you walk to the ballot box tomorrow, you'll be ready to do the right thing. Protect the interests of yourself and your school by washing your hands afterward. Do you know how many people touch that thing?"
• If you're giving a commencement speech, leave people feeling excited or awed about the future. This is a big moment and you have the power to help them realize it. "Years from now, you will be the father or mother your kid looks up to. The writer who changes the way we think. The inventor who creates new ways to live. Come up to the stage and start becoming heroes!"

• Have a teacher, family member, or trusted friend check it over for grammar mistakes and offer feedback. Spelling isn't as important, since you'll be speaking out loud.

• If your topic involves a lot of numbers, plan to write them on the board so your audience can remember them

• Your notes are there to remind you what to say next and of important facts. "Move on to bear wrestling story (guy's name is Paul Bunyan)" is the level of detail you need.

Practicing and Delivering the Speech

• Practice giving your speech in as situation as similar to your actual speech as possible.
• In general, you should stay fairly still while giving a speech. Small hand gestures and occasionally moving to a new spot are fine, especially if they help you feel and appear confident

• If you speech is too long, you absolutely need to cut some material out of it or shorten the longer stories or ideas. If you're giving a commencement speech, aim for a 10 or 15 minute maximum. An election speech should be no more than a few minutes, and your teacher should be able to tell you the time limit for a class assignment speech.

• If you can't stop rushing, work out how long you should spend on each section and write the number of minutes at the top of each index card or paragraph. Practice near a clock so you can check whether you're on pace.

• Use slightly different words each time once you have the main ideas down. Try not to get caught up on exact memorization; using a new phrase to communicate the written idea makes your speech sound more natural.

• Practice varying your facial expression if your face looks fixed and mechanical.
• Try to vary the tone of your voice as well. Don't make it sound like you're reciting every word from memory; pretend you're speaking in ordinary conversation.

• Try to make eye contact with different members of your audience throughout the speech. Don't stare at any one person for too long.
• Resist the temptation to hide by standing near a corner or large object.
• Don't fidget, tap your foot, or make other nervous gestures. Try slowly walking back and forth across the stage to get rid of your nervous energy.

• Dressing nicely will increase your confidence and gain respect and attention from your audience.

What to Do and What Not to Do

• Memories your class shares and personal memories that many people will connect to, such as your first day at the school.
• Overcoming obstacles. Talk about how your classmates overcame problems related to academics, finances, and health, and how proud everyone is that they're standing here.
• The diversity of your classmates and celebrating the rich variety of experiences, personalities, and interests at your school. Describe some of the many ways people will go on to do good in the world.

• Address your audience directly. Ask them questions to get them thinking, although you shouldn't expect an answer.
• Use groups of three. The human brain loves repetition, and especially trios. Start three sentences with the same phrase, speaking louder each sentence.
• Use emotive language. Try to provoke a strong emotional response in your audience, not present a list of facts to them.

• Don't tell stories that only a few friends will understand. Even references that your whole class will get should be used sparingly if there are parents in the room as well.

• Go change the world!
• Today is not the last day of your education, but the first.
• The future belongs to you.
• If elected, I will be the voice of the students.
• It's time for change!

• If you're giving a high school commencement speech, remember that not everyone in your class will be attending college. Don't joke about your education letting you avoid a "bad" profession; chances are good there's a parent who has that job out in the audience.=

Common Questions: Tips for Writing & Rehearsing a Speech

How do you start a speech for school?

Start by introducing yourself and thanking the audience. You can kick off the speech with a relevant “what if” question that gets the audience thinking and expand on it. Or try starting with a strong statement or quote related to your topic, then follow it up with an impactful question to answer in your speech. [14] X Research source

Where do I start when I'm writing a speech?

Start by sitting down and brainstorming to get your creative juices flowing. What is the focus of your speech? Who is your audience? Why is your speech important? Once you have some notes down, start refining your ideas until you get to one main point or theme that you’ll base your speech on. [15] X Research source

What parts should I include in a speech to make it the most effective?

Create a speech that has a clear introduction for your main point or thesis statement. Then, include and expand on 2-3 main points to make up the body of your speech. To conclude, summarize and restate your thesis to include your key points, and then make your closing statement. [16] X Research source

How do I get better at giving a speech I've written?

Read the speech out loud several times to get a feel for it. Record or take video of yourself giving the speech to find any weak spots and adjust anything that feels awkward or choppy. Ask friends or family to watch you rehearse and give you honest feedback. Then, just keep practicing until you've nailed it. [17] X Research source

• Look at everyone in the audience, not just one person. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure you don't offend or embarrass your audience. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Before you start, pick a spot on the wall to focus on. Throughout the speech, keep looking at that spot after each sentence. This shows to your audience and teacher that you can make eye contact! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

• Writing tool
• Index cards

You Might Also Like

• ↑ [v161163_b01].12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://finley-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/f/finley-h/localcontent/how_to_write_a_speech.pdf
• ↑ https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/articles/for-the-novice-six-simple-steps-to-writing-a-fantastic-speech
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-introductions
• ↑ [v161163_b01]. 12 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zv7fqp3/articles/z4w96v4
• ↑ https://classroom.synonym.com/write-good-speech-school-4859.html
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-start-off-a-speech
• ↑ https://open.maricopa.edu/com225/chapter/selecting-a-topic-brainstorming-your-ideas/
• ↑ https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/support/writingcenter/public-speaking/resources-for-public-speaking/speech-structure
• ↑ https://open.maricopa.edu/com225/chapter/practicing-your-speech/

About This Article

To make a good speech for school, choose a theme or topic to focus your speech on so it's easier to write. When you're writing your speech, stick with simple language so your audience understands and doesn't get bored. Also, try to start your speech with a joke, story, or shocking fact that will immediately grab their attention. Remember to talk directly to your audience by asking rhetorical questions and making references they'll understand. End your speech with something memorable, like an inspirational quote or a call to action. To learn more about how to practice and memorize your speech before you present it, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to start a speech for students (Ultimate opening lines)

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Topics , Speech Writing

Schools and their love for speeches is an affair we are all quite aware of. Now if you are looking to move beyond the mundane way of delivering speeches in school and are in search of some amazing speech openings for students, you are at the right place!

Speeches are the most common form of public speaking that is encouraged in schools . Be it for a competition, assignment, presentation, or even as a punishment (oops), speeches are everywhere in a student’s life.  

To get a quick idea on speech opening lines for students , don’t forget to check out our video on 3 speech opening lines for students!

But before we dive into understanding how to go about your speeches, it is important to first understand why educational institutes focus so much on speeches or public speaking in general that they begin introducing us to speeches as early as primary sections.

Why is speech encouraged in Primary school?

It is a common practice to give the students a little idea about giving speeches as early as primary school. Part of the reason is that these are the foundational years and form as a stepping stone for the students to get a little more used to public speaking as they move to higher classes .

A couple of ways students in primary schools may be asked to give speeches would be to introduce themselves or at competitions like fancy dress competitions.

What is the use of speech in high school?

In high school, as students gain more understanding about the world at large and develop their opinions, giving speeches is encouraged in school to help them navigate their thoughts to their peers. Further, speeches as a form of public speaking also help build the student’s soft skills .

A few ways giving speeches in high school can help in developing their soft skills are:

1. critical thinking.

Speeches aren’t about blurting out your ideas or opinions, rather it requires you to research and find evidence to back your point of view, or to think critically to deliver a speech that effectively reaches the other students.

2. Problem-solving

Speeches could be framed around a popular or controversial issue that the student wishes to provide their insight into. This would encourage them to come up with solutions. Apart from that, even coming up with a speech can be a task sometimes, and overcoming those challenges too can be counted in as a way of problem-solving

3. Time-management

With a huge number of students in high school, speeches are almost always time-bound. This also means that the students have to structure their speeches in a way that fits the time given, further inculcating time management skills in them.

4. Active listening

Speeches are not only about delivering or conveying your ideas or findings but also about listening carefully to what others have to say in terms of questions that may ask.

Why is speech required at college?

Speeches in college have an entirely different goal than the one that schools have.

In college, it isn’t always mandatory to give speeches or to participate in public speaking. However, a few reasons why giving speeches or public speaking is encouraged in colleges is because:

• It helps in developing communication and public speaking skills that can be very beneficial to their professional life later.
• Speeches may also be a way to meet new people and make new connections.
• It improves the student’s leadership skills. How? We have all heard how a good speaker carries with him or her the potential to influence and lead the crowd, and that is how practicing public speaking in college helps improve a student’s leadership skills.

When can students be asked to give a speech?

As we just discussed that the purpose of giving speeches changes as we progress in our school. However, there are a couple of situations where mostly all students are expected to present their speech. And they are:

Classroom/section speeches

Classroom or section speeches are the ones you give in front of your classmates or people from your age group. Generally, the presentation of assignments and competitions comes under this category.

Graduation Speech

Students may also be expected to present a graduation speech . However, the big difference here is that not everyone gets the opportunity to present a graduation speech or commencement address as it is known.

What type of speech is a graduation speech? Or what type of speech is a commencement speech?

Graduation speeches or commencement speeches are parting speeches wherein the focus is on reflecting on the good times in the institute and motivating others for their bright future ahead. Depending on the purpose as selected by the speaker, these speeches could be persuasive, informative, or entertaining in nature . 

How to start a speech as a student 

Giving speeches as a student, even if you have been doing it for the past few years can still end up being a little challenging.  But rather than giving you tons of tips on things you can focus on while coming up with your speech or speech openings for students, we have got one ultimate tip . If you follow that, you should ideally be able to reach your audience more effectively.

Ultimate tip when writing speeches or speech openings for students

Write how you speak, not how you write.

When I came across this tip, I was surprised too. Because is indeed true that we write very differently when we have to show the speech to someone in written form but if asked honestly, do we speak in such a highly polished, extra professional vocabulary?

The idea is not to write the speech or speech opening riddled with slang but rather in a way that you’d feel comfortable listening to and understanding easily had you been the listener.

So in short, prepare the speech with the listener in mind, not the reader .

What is a good opening line for a speech?

Most opening lines for speech in school begin with a good morning.  We usually follow it with greetings or addressing the audience and the guests.

Wondering how you greet everyone in a speech?

Here is a list of ways you can begin with a simple good morning:

• Good morning everyone presents here today. I’m delighted to present my views and understanding on a very delicate yet overlooked topic; Gender sensitization in the workplace.
• Good afternoon esteemed members of the jury, my friends and peers, and everyone present in the room today.
• Good morning to the faculty, the non-teaching staff, and the class of 2022!!

Now it is a good practice to begin your speech with your usual greetings. However, in this blog, we are trying to look beyond the usual.

It doesn’t mean that you will not be saying good morning or your basic greetings; the only difference is that you’ll not be opening your speech with it but addressing these basic formalities later in the speech.

How do you start a speech without saying good morning?

There are a couple of ways you can start a speech without saying good morning. Here are some of the ways we will take a look at in this blog:

• “Imagine” scenario
• “What if” scenario
• Rhetorical questions
• Statistics and figures
• Powerful statements

Quotes are phrases or things spoken by someone influential . Quotes as speech openings for students can not only help them go beyond the widely popular way of beginning any speech but will also help them establish credibility right in the very beginning!

Now if you have ever wondered,

How to start your speech with a quote?

Here are a couple of examples of using quotes as speech openings for students:

Lon Watters had said that “A school is a building with four walls, with tomorrow inside.” And it would be wrong if I said that I didn’t agree with every bit of what he said. As we come to an end of our journey with this school that has provided us with tons of opportunities to learn, grow, interact and make memories we sure will cherish forever…

“If you don’t have a plan for your life, somebody else does.” This is a quote given by Michael Hyatt and isn’t it something we have all been experiencing all these years of growing up as our parents or guardians make plans for us right from the way we dress to the school we go to and sometimes even the careers we choose. Good morning everyone, I am Myra, a student of XYZ school standing here to voice my opinion on “Factors that influence your career decisions.”

 2. “Imagine” Scenario

This happens to be a personal favorite of mine when it comes to speech openings for students. A very simple yet beautiful way to engage your audience right at the beginning of your speech while at the same time allowing them to relate to what you’ll be saying next is what the image” scenarios are all about.

Before we begin, I’d like you to take a moment and imagine walking through a trail. You see the lush greens and pretty sky above you, the most dynamic clouds following everyone you go. Try sniffing the smell of wet soil and a hint of flowery fragrance as you walk towards the edge of the hill expecting to take a glimpse of the utter beauty that these hours of walking would lead you to, but you find something else. You see something that sends chills down your spine. There are some strange men performing rituals right in the very heart of these dense greens. You wonder what it is all about until it hits you; you have just uncovered a cult.

For the next example, I’d like you to take a look at the video below and check for yourself how wonderfully the speaker (although not a student) has made use of the “imagine” scenario to share his tragic experience with his audience.

Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.

3. “What If” Scenario

What if I told you that the best speech openings for students are actually the ones wherein they come up with an opening that best represents their style and comfort at delivering speeches, be it with a joke or a story?

Do you see what I did there?

That is an example of a “what if” scenario. It is similar to the imagination scenario we discussed above but the only difference here is that “what if” speech openings for students focus on providing an alternative idea to the audience while the imagined scenarios provide the audience an opportunity to relate to the speaker.

4. Rhetorical question

Rhetorical questions are questions the speaker includes in his/her/their speech that doesn’t necessarily require the audience to come up with an answer but are posed to get the audience thinking on the same.

Using rhetorical questions as speech openings for students can work wonders especially when you are looking for either a very quick speech opening or have very little time to deliver the speech.

An example of using rhetorical questions for speech opening is given below:

Talking about the new policy that makes it illegal to check the gender of the child before birth, do you think that it will curb the issue of female foeticide? Or will it simply take the activity underground?

The art of silence is phenomenal. Opening your speech in silence can help enhance your speech in two ways.

First, it will give the audience some time to settle in , post which you can expect to grab their dedicated attention. And secondly, silence would give you some time to understand the room and calm your pre-stage anxiousness .

6. Statistics and figures

Want to begin your speech on a hard-hitting and eye-opening note?

Show the numbers, the figures, and any statistics that serve your purpose for giving the speech.

It is very common to overlook the seriousness of any situation when you aren’t aware of the real extent of its seriousness. But when we have numbers in front of us, there is no more room for being in denial.

Examples of using Statistics or figures as speech openings for students

• According to the 2019 WWF report , on average, we consume about 1,769 microplastic particles every week. 1769 microplastic particles every single week, can you imagine that?
• 3.2 million teenagers between the age of 12-17 were depressed in the US as of 2017. Now you can only assume the number has increased over the past 5 years.

7. Powerful  Statements

Powerful statements are statements that try to break any common ideologies held by the public. Another example of a powerful statement is stating a fact or idea that isn’t openly spoken .

The video below is one such example of how the speaker tries to break a perception generally held by the people.

How often have we been told to include stories in our speech?

Almost every time isn’t it? So here we are to bombard you yet again by saying that stories are extremely fun and engaging forms of speech openings for students.

You can either share your experience or someone else’s story.

You can also refer to a Recent Conversation by starting your speech with something like “Just the other day as I was walking out of my Philosophy lecture, I asked Mr.Dee about his philosophy on life, and what he said was so eye-opening that I could not wait to share with all of you.”

An adorable example of how to begin a speech with a story is given below to help you get a clearer idea.

Examples of speech openings for students

Speech opening lines for public speaking competitions.

When it comes to public speaking competitions like elocutions, speech competitions, or even presentations, it is almost always recommended to begin with self-introduction . The reason is quite simple; there is a high chance that your audience might not know you .

But if you don’t want to begin with a self-introduction, you can start by using any of the alternatives we discussed earlier. Click here to go back and take another peek at it.

Speech Opening Lines for Self-introductions

Speech openings for self-introductions need to be simple, to the point yet descriptive.

Wait a minute? Wasn’t I contradicting myself in that line?

Yes, but that is how opening lines for self-introductions would ideally work. As people expect you to talk about yourself in depth in the rest of your speech, your opening lines would just be a teaser about yourself.

2 most important things to add in your self-introduction opening lines for students

• What do you do?

Other things that you can talk about in these opening lines include:

• Where are you from?
• What is your goal?
• What does your organization do?
• A little bit about your family

Examples of opening lines for students

Good morning, I am Reini. I recently graduated from BMU college and have since been working as a Design intern at Desgynopedia. 

Hello and good evening everyone. I am Nicole and this is my team, Alina, Tim, Harold, and Noman. We are in our senior year majoring in Organizational psychology. Today we would like to talk about the 5 main Psychological factors that impact any organization’s overall performance.

Hey, I am Nizan. I am a nerd for Political Science and Greek Philosophy and am currently majoring in the same. My love for the subjects is also the reason why I am here to present a topic I found very intriguing “The injustice behind socrates’ death.”

Funny speech opening lines for students

If you are giving a speech for a competition, one of the most fun ways of opening your speech could be to say “Good morning to the faculty, my friends, and (look at the opponents) others.”

Other funny opening line examples:

• I almost bunked school today until I realized that this speech carries marks and I sure don’t want to be in a class with our juniors. Just imagine! Who could do that?
• Hello and good morning to everyone, except the ones who are well prepared for their speeches today.
• Hello everyone, I’m excited to present my speech on XYZ’s topic today. I mean come on, what could be better than waking up at 7 am on a Monday morning to give a speech?
• Today I’ll be talking about XYZ because I was told to!

Best Speech Opening Lines by students

1. chase dahl.

In one of the funniest speech opening lines by students, Chase Dahl opens up by saying “You know I have never understood how imagining the audience naked was supposed to make you less nervous. Honestly, I’m just uncomfortable right now.”

2. Kyle Martin (The King’s Academy)

Yet another Valedictorian speech that has caught our eye is the one given by Kyle Martin. The reason we would suggest you take a look into the opening lines of his speech is so that you can take notes on how beautifully he has described the efforts taken by every department of the institute as he tries to thank them for their efforts.

Presentation Opening Lines

Presentation speeches are a little different compared to your usual speeches and the major reason for that is because now you have access to visuals or your PPT.

Besides some of the ways already discussed above, you can begin the presentation by pointing out a particular slide. You can show your audience a graph, table, pictures, or any other creative and eye-catching ideas that can also turn out to be an amazing presentation opening.

How to start a presentation speech example for students

A few common ways you can open your speech are:

• Hello everyone, I am Miya. I would first like to thank you all for your time.
• For those who don’t know me, my name is Nazia, and if you do know me, hello again!
• Good afternoon to all you wonderful people present here. I am Ryan and as you can see on screen, today I’ll be speaking on “The hazards of drinking from plastic bottles.”

For more examples of opening lines check out 50 Speech Opening Lines .

You might also like to know:

How to start a speech for the student council.

Speeches for student council are usually persuasive. They are your pitch to convince your fellow students to vote for you and help you get the position you are looking for.

So ideally, you should start by addressing everyone in the room . Then make a point to introduce yourself. Once you have introduced yourself, remind the audience why you are speaking which means let them know the position you are campaigning for. Bring up at least 1-2 issues that the students are most concerned about and tell them how if elected you’ll provide solutions to their issues.

Try to end it on a high note and don’t forget to add your campaign slogan .

You can also begin by stating your campaign slogan .

Yet another way to begin your speech for the student council is by challenging your opponent’s point of view or campaign . However, this would work only f you have a better strategy or solutions to the issues raised by your opponents.

Lastly, do something that no one expects from you . Let me share a story here to help you understand this point better. During one of the student council speeches, one candidate asked the audience to stand up, move a step in the front then go back to their seats and settle down. Following this, she said, “My parents told me if I could move the audience, I’d win.” And so she did win!

What is a speech class?

A speech class in high school or college is usually a short course or 1-semester course wherein the student is expected to improve on their public speaking skills along with critical thinking and active listening skills.

It essentially enhances their oral communication skills.

This also reminds me to introduce you to our courses that help enhance your public speaking and communication skills. If you are interested, head to Frantically Speaking .

But if your appetite for learning more about opening speeches isn’t satiated yet, we suggest you go check out our Video on the Powerful speech opening lines.

To Conclude

There are tons of ways to get creative with speech openings for students. From saying a simple good morning to adding stories, quotes, statistics, rhetorical questions, and even silence!

Get creative with your speech openings. As we always say, there are no right or wrong ways of public speaking as such, only a way that suits perfectly for you is the one that is right for you.

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

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Five of the Best Speech Opening Lines

Great opening lines to a speech get us curious and can set the direction for a powerful talk.   In those first few seconds you have the chance to gain your audience’s attention, earn their trust, and persuade them you are someone worth listening to.   The best introductions to speeches are a mile away from the standard welcomes and thank yous that set the snoozometer to max. Get it right, and those initial words can captivate the crowd from the off, creating a connection with every individual in the room.   But how do you go about opening your speech with something different and memorable? A great place to start is looking at examples of introductions to successful speeches to see what you can learn from them.   To show you what we mean, we’ve picked some of our favourite opening lines from TED talks, home to some of the best conference speeches in the world. From funny stories to hard-hitting introductions, TED talks show the art of the possible when it comes to getting your speech off to a kick-ass start.   Have a go at guessing the speaker, or the focus of the rest of their talk (hint…we give you the answers later on).  

Do you want to improve your public speaking? Why not view our  Public Speaking Courses !

Guess the Speech: Five of the best speech opening lines

Speech A:  Good morning. How are you? It’s been great, hasn’t it? I’ve been blown away by the whole thing. In fact, I’m leaving.

Speech B:  For a long time, there was me, and my body. Me was composed of stories, of cravings, of strivings, of desires of the future. Me was trying not to be an outcome of my violent past, but the separation that had already occurred between me and my body was a pretty significant outcome. Me was always trying to become something, somebody. Me only existed in the trying. My body was often in the way.

Speech C:  Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat.

Speech D:  Okay, now I don’t want to alarm anybody in this room, but it’s just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar. (Laughter) Also, the person to your left is a liar. Also the person sitting in your very seats is a liar. We’re all liars. What I’m going to do today is I’m going to show you what the research says about why we’re all liars, how you can become a liespotter and why you might want to go the extra mile and go from liespotting to truth seeking, and ultimately to trust building.

Speech E:  Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3,000 ft. Imagine a plane full of smoke. Imagine an engine going clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. It sounds scary. Well I had a unique seat that day. I was sitting in 1D.

Answers: Who delivered these great opening lines?

These examples pack a punch for very different reasons. There’s absolutely no chance of the audience zoning out when the speaker goes straight in with such a powerful start.   So, who gave these speeches, and why are the introductions so good? Time for the big reveal….

A:  Sir Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

Deceptively simple, the opening lines for this speech set the tone for what has become the most viewed TED talk of all (currently nearly 57 million views). Far from being just ‘throat clearing’, Sir Ken’s funny introduction cleverly paves the way for a talk that will gently but profoundly show us a new way of looking at education. It’s as if we are at a dinner party, being hosted by Sir Ken – he makes us feel comfortable, interested and open all at once. We are not being lectured to (which is always a possibility when education is the subject matter of choice), we want to learn and hear more. Very skilful indeed.

Ginger tip: funny introductions

Using humour in your introduction can be a great way to get your speech off to a flying start – but only if you do it in a way that feels natural. This example shows how you can make people laugh without telling a joke. It’s about finding your own funny and feeling totally comfortable with what you’re saying. If it feels a bit forced to you, it definitely will to your audience. You don’t have to make people roll around on the floor laughing, but light-hearted and amusing anecdotes can add energy and engagement to your talk – which is especially needed if you’re in the dreaded after-lunch slot . Remember, when you open your speech with something funny, you are setting the tone for the rest of your talk – so you’ll need to pepper humour throughout.

Extra Ginger nuggets

How to write a funny speech Funny inspiring speakers talks 

B:  Eve Ensler: Suddenly, my body

As you’d expect from a the writer of the Vagina Monologues, the start of this speech opening was profound, stark in its honesty and inviting. We empathize and want to know more. Unfortunately this speech suffered from a common affliction that writers face; in getting focused on the precise words of the speech (in this instance, Eve Ensler read her speech), we can get disconnected from the full power of the material. Whilst the words were powerful, we would have enjoyed the rest of this speech more if Eve had given herself permission to find the right words in the moment, rather than needing to be perfectly scripted.

Ginger tip: going unscripted

You want it to be perfect. You’re worried about forgetting something vital. You’re scared of doing it wrong. These are common and perfectly understandable reasons why people opt to script their speech and read it word for word. But rather than delivering a foot-perfect performance, you’re more likely to lose the vital connection with the audience. Not to mention risking plunging yourself into the dreaded ‘I’m sorry I’ve lost my place’ scenario. More than anything, people want you to be human and to speak from the heart. It takes confidence to ditch your notes, but with some simple techniques, you can prepare and remember your speech in a way that allows you to deliver a clear, compelling and authentic talk.

How to start a speech with power and confidence How to remember a speech without notes

C:  Jamie Oliver’s TED Wish: Teach every child about food

This is one of our favourite ever TED talks, and it doesn’t pull its punches from the very first line. Jamie Oliver manages to balance preparation (statistics, stories, well-developed ideas) with heart in his TED talk. This speech opening line both makes our jaws drop to the ground in shock at such a statistic and opens our hearts to the human side of the story. Powerful stuff.

Ginger tip: punchy facts

Opening your speech with a hard-hitting fact can quickly add credibility to your talk and demonstrate the scale of an issue. It’s best to keep statistics simple and make them as relevant to the audience as possible, so it feels memorable rather than dry. Resist the urge to stuff the rest of the speech with stats. Try to stick to a few powerful facts and bring them to life with real examples.

Extra Ginger nuggets:

The key to presenting data…is not to present data How to make a powerful point with your speech

D:  Pamela Meyer: How to spot a liar

We love talks that balance humour and connect us to the subject matter in hand – and Pamela Meyer does this perfectly in her TED talk opening line. By bringing a challenge straight to us, in our very seats, Pamela engages us and makes sure the talk is about ‘me’ the audience member. We’re laughing and ready to listen. Great job.

Ginger tip: setting up a problem

Setting up a problem at the start of your speech immediately creates a reason for listening and a direction for your talk. And if you involve the audience in the problem, it’s even more powerful. It doesn’t have to be something completely new, in fact telling us what we already know and explaining why that’s a problem can be a really engaging way to start. Depending on the subject matter, you can frame the problem in different ways – from serious to humorous. And it gives a natural structure to the rest of your talk as you explore how to solve the issue.  

The best way to engage your audience Five methods to master audience interaction

E:  Ric Elias: 3 things I learned while my plane crashed

Wow, what an opening! Who wouldn’t want to know more? Ric Elias showed here how powerful it is to jump straight into a story, with no fussing around with thank yous and throat clearing. Unfortunately after the winning start, the rest of the talk lacked some of the gusto and drama of its opening lines. What can we learn from this? Start with power, but make sure you structure your talk to include a journey that will continue to keep us involved all the way through.

Ginger tip: start with a story

Stories are one of the most effective ways to inspire others. We’re hard wired to connect with stories and your experience of the world is one of the most valuable speaking tools that you possess. Telling a story is a popular way to open a speech because it can quickly build that all-important human connection with your audience. If you have a message that’s personal, or if you’re trying to influence your audience to make a change, a story is a great place to start.

Why is it so important to tell your story? 3 storytelling secrets for public speaking

Creating the best introduction for your speech

We hope these examples of great opening lines demonstrate that you don’t have to conform to the ‘safe’ introductions we’re all used to hearing at corporate conferences. In fact, at Ginger, we dare our speakers to rip up the ‘rulebook’, to be courageous, and to take a different approach to setting the scene. You can find even more tips in our free guide,  The 10 best ways to start your talk .   We’d love to hear your thoughts on these and other examples of great opening lines – so please share your ideas in the comments below.

Beyond introductions

Of course, it’s all very well creating a captivating introduction, but you don’t want the rest of your talk to fall off a cliff edge after you’ve built it up so spectacularly. Maintaining the audience’s attention for the rest of your speech is just as important.   We’ve developed the  TED-style Talk Guidebook  to help you through the process of writing a brilliant speech. Whether you’re crafting a short talk or a keynote, it will help you create a speech that’s as good as a TED talk – so you can wow your audience from the first word to the final thank you.   If you’d like to get hands-on support with becoming a better public speaker, then take a look at our  training courses.  There’s something for every level, from nervous beginners to becoming a leading speaker on the world stage. We’d love to welcome you along.

UK based? Here’s some courses that you might enjoy: 

• Presentation Skills and Essentials
• Leadership and Communications
• TED Talk Presentations

Ginger Leadership Communications

This showcase of inspiring female speakers is part of Ginger’s work with game changing leaders.

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Speech on Sports Captain

A sports captain plays a key role in leading a team to victory. They’re the ones who inspire, motivate, and guide their teammates on and off the field.

Being a sports captain isn’t just about wearing a special armband. It’s about showing courage, making tough decisions, and setting an example for others.

1-minute Speech on Sports Captain

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good day to you all. Today, I stand before you to deliver a speech on a role that’s crucial in the sporting world – the Sports Captain. A sports captain is not just a title, it’s a responsibility, a duty, and a personification of commitment and teamwork.

A sports captain is the backbone of a team. They hold the baton of leadership, organizing, and uniting the team. They are tasked to bring out the best in each player, ensuring everyone is working harmoniously towards a shared goal. They liaise between the coach and the players, ensuring that the strategies are understood and executed properly.

Being a sports captain is not just about talent in a particular sport. It’s also about exhibiting strong leadership skills, showing respect towards teammates and opponents alike, demonstrating a high level of discipline, and the ability to motivate and inspire others.

A sports captain is also a role model, setting an example both on and off the field. They have to maintain a fine balance of competitiveness and sportsmanship, as they represent not only themselves but also their team and their school or organization. It is their ethical behavior and positive attitude that sets the tone for the rest of the team.

In conclusion, being a sports captain is both an honor and a challenge. It requires an individual to transcend personal glory for the betterment of the team. So let’s appreciate the hard work and dedication of our sports captains, and support them as they guide our teams to victory.

2-minute Speech on Sports Captain

Good morning to all. Today, I am honoured to stand before you and speak on the topic of ‘Sports Captain’. A sports captain is not just a title, it is a responsibility, an honour, and a platform to inspire. A sports captain leads their team not just on the field but off the field as well, instilling discipline, promoting teamwork and embodying sportsmanship.

A sports captain is expected to lead by example. This does not merely mean scoring the highest runs or goals but demonstrating a high level of commitment, dedication, and respect for the game. As a sports captain, one should be the first to arrive and the last to leave, always ready to put in the extra effort to improve oneself and the team. They ought to be an epitome of discipline, punctuality and physical fitness.

However, a good sports captain knows that leadership extends beyond personal performance. They understand the importance of teamwork and unity. They know how to motivate their team members, encourage them during their lows, and celebrate their achievements. They must possess the ability to bring together individuals with different temperaments, strengths and weaknesses, and mould them into a cohesive unit. They must foster an environment of trust and respect, where every team member feels valued.

Furthermore, a sports captain must embody sportsmanship. Winning is important, but a great sports captain understands that it is not everything. They should appreciate the spirit of the game, respect their opponents, accept defeat graciously, and celebrate victory humbly. They set a standard for their teammates to follow, ensuring that the game is played in its truest spirit.

Being a sports captain also means being a role model. Younger players look up to the captain for guidance and inspiration. They observe the captain’s behaviour, actions, and attitude towards the game. Therefore, a sports captain must be mindful of this influence and strive to set a positive example, both on and off the field.

In conclusion, a sports captain is a leader, a team player, a sportsman, and a role model. Stepping into this role requires a perfect blend of talent, leadership skills, and a deep-rooted love for the game. Being a sports captain is a rewarding experience, offering opportunities to learn, grow, and inspire. It is a role that requires commitment and dedication, but the rewards are equally great.

Remember, a team is only as strong as its weakest link, and a good sports captain ensures that every link in the chain is strong. So, let us applaud the spirit of sportsmanship and celebrate the role of a sports captain in shaping a team. Thank you for your attention.

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