Page 389 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

372 Appendix B

Introduction An introduction has three essential elements: an attention step, a need
step, and a thesis statement. First to motivate your audience to listen, get their atten-
tion in any number of ways: using humor, asking questions, making a striking state-
ment, offering a striking quotation, or telling a short story (see Table B.5).
The need step follows the introduction and shows the audience why they need
or can benefit from the information your group is about to give them. Speakers
often state this directly. For example, if your topic is the outrageous prices in the
campus bookstore, tell people how they can save money. Sometimes, this is handled
indirectly, such as when the topic is so significant everyone should know something
about it: “What happens to social security will affect all of us no matter how young
or old we are today.”

TABLE B.4
Outline of options I. Introduction
for an organized A. Attention Material
presentation 1. Striking statement
2. Striking quotation
3. Real question
4. Rhetorical question
5. Humor
6. Story
B. Need Step
1. Direct
2. Indirect
C. Preview
II. Body
A. Chronological
B. Spatial
C. Cause- effect
D. Problem- solution
E. Topical
III. Conclusion
A. Summary
B. Appeal

The third element of a good introduction is the thesis statement and preview that
tells the audience what you specifically will be talking about. Like a road map, the
thesis shows your audience where you are going so they can follow your points. Use
numbers (i.e., “first, second, third”) so that they know how many points to expect.

Body The main portion of your speech is the body, in which you actually discuss
your main ideas. Present your ideas in an easily recognized pattern so that your audi-
ence hears the relationship among them. Use transition statements that help move
your speech smoothly from point to point.

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