MAKE MORE EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTIONS
Perhaps you have observed that a well-organized and well-delivered
introduction not only is a credit to the introducer, but, what is more important, assists the speaker in getting off to a flying start.
Your ID assignment is to
introduce a speaker who is a class member. You will have time to learn about
the speaker and the topic selected. You will also have time to find out the
qualifications of the speaker to talk on that subject. In this way, you will
not only acquire the ability to give an organized introduction, but you will
also learn how to give your introducer the facts necessary to introduce you
properly to an audience.
How do you organize your ideas in making a speech of introduction? One
way is to use the T-I-S formula, as follows:
- T stands for TOPIC. Speak first of the topic, giving the exact
title of the talk.
- I stands for IMPORTANCE. Then, tell the audience why this topic
is important to this particular group.
- S stands for SPEAKER. Finally, give the audience your speaker's
qualifications. As the final words of your
introduction, clearly
and distinctly give the speaker's name.
How do you deliver your talk? Here are four suggestions:
- Be brief. It is not necessary to speak more than sixty
seconds--preferably less.
- Speak Informally. Speak just as you would across the dinner table.
- Be enthusiastic about your assignment. Be animated. Be alive.
Make your introduction sparkle. You owe it to the person you
are introducing and to your audience to put a great deal of zip
into your talk. Act as though it were a real privilege to
introduce this speaker--feel happy about it--talk with real excitement.
- Above all, be warmly sincere. It is discourteous to be otherwise.
Suppose you are scheduled to introduce Wilamina H. Jones, a certified
public accountant, as a speaker at a business club luncheon. You might
introduce her in this manner:
- T(TOPIC) We are to hear a talk on "Why Businesses Fail."
Here is a letter from Dun and Bradstreet in which they make this startling
statement.
- I(IMPORTANCE) "Of all new concerns starting in business this year, about 65%
will fail to reach a sixth birthday." Since we are eager to hear
how we can prevent this calamity from happening to us,...
- S (SPEAKER) Our speaker is an accountant. She has had seven articles published
in The Accounting Review and in The Journal of Accounting Procedure,
and she has done Special Studies for the National Association
of Cost Accountants. Ladies and Gentlemen,(pause)...Wilamina H. Jones.
Ms. Jones.
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