Creating an Introduction - Written by Anonymous

A proper introduction is important to the success of any presentation. An introduction helps the audience understand the purpose of a presentation and the speaker's qualifications. 

A well-crafted introduction will help:
(1) Establish a proper mind set, or set a mood or tone
(2) Give the speaker authority
(3) Make a transition to the speech

There are three essential parts of the introduction:

1) The Speaker's Name
* Make sure you confirm the spelling and pronunciation of the name
* Write name phonetically if necessary

2) The Speaker's Topic
* Relate the speakers background and credential to the speech topic
* Tell how the topic will benefit the audience

3) The Title of the Speech

The introduction should prepare the audience to hear this speaker and speech.  Why is this the right person to give this speech?  What are their qualifications or background?  For example, if the speech is about a medical issue, does the speaker have medical credentials? 

If the speaker has pages of qualifications, don't use all of them in the introduction - pare them down into a concise list of the most relevant or timely. 

The introduction should set the tone for the speech.  If the speech is to be serious, then the introduction should be serious. The audience should know whether they will be entertained or educated.

A good introduction will also help to make the speaker feel comfortable.  The focus of an introduction is not on the introducer, but on the speaker and his/her qualifications. 

The end of the introduction should provide a smooth transition to the speech.  If the introduction ends with a relevant fact or comment that transitions into the speech, the momentum of the introduction can keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Even a "help me welcome John Smith" is smoother than a "here he is" or "I'll turn the lectern over to..."

If you can talk with the speaker in advance of the speech, you can ask specific questions that can help you craft the introduction. 

Some people come prepared with an introduction, but if you have the time to write an introduction specific to the occasion, it will sound more natural and less generic.

Do's:
1) Keep it short
2) Keep it simple
3) Create anticipation for the speech, but don't reveal details of the speech
4) Ask the speaker for input on what should be included in the introduction

Don'ts:
1) Don't upstage the speaker
2) Don't surprise the speaker with information that could distract or embarrass him/her
3) Don't rely on cliches, such as "without further adieu"
4) Don't save the speaker's name until last

About the Author: Our mystery writer asked to remain anonymous.  Who are we to argue?

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