“The Eloquent Takeoff: How to Launch Your Speech with Power”
By Ubong Essien, CSP — Dean, School of Eloquence
When an airplane takes off, everything matters — speed, thrust, angle. A mistake at takeoff can affect the entire flight.
The same is true in public speaking.
At the School of Eloquence, we teach that the beginning of your speech is prime real estate — too valuable to waste on weak openings. With Monica, we emphasized that eloquence starts with an impactful launch.
We explored four powerful ways to begin:
- A compelling personal story
- A startling statistic
- A profound quotation
- A rhetorical question
Each method is designed to arrest attention, stir the audience emotionally, and pull them into your message. I call them “eloquence appetizers.” Just like a fine meal, the way you start sets the tone for what follows.
“Monica,” I said, “never waste your introduction. Make it a moment that commands the room.”
The eloquent speaker knows that a strong takeoff stabilizes the entire flight of their speech. Don’t stumble through the introduction — soar through it.
Start with purpose. Start with power. Start with eloquence.