“The Eloquent Introduction: Beginning With a Bang”
By Ubong Essien, CSP — Dean, School of Eloquence
Never waste your opening.
In the classroom of eloquence, we teach that the introduction of a speech is prime real estate—too valuable for routine greetings and needless formalities. It must do one thing above all:
Grab attention. Arrest interest. Trigger curiosity.
This was one of Monica’s early lessons—how to open strong. We explored options:
- A compelling personal story.
- A startling statistic.
- A powerful quote.
- A rhetorical question that stirs reflection.
These aren’t gimmicks—they’re eloquence appetizers. They prepare the audience for the main meal.
In Monica’s case, a story from her childhood—about growing up in a home where kindness to widows and orphans was a way of life—immediately connected. It didn’t just introduce her topic; it introduced her heart.
That’s the power of an eloquent introduction:
It turns listeners into leaners. It gets them saying, “Tell me more.”
So the next time you’re called to speak, remember:
Start with substance. Start with soul. Start with eloquence.