The 15 Step Course 8. The functions of a speech introduction are to grab the attention and interest of the listener, establish rapport between speaker and listener, orient the listeners to what they are about to hear, and set the tone for the speech. Introductions can begin with a relevant quotation, a startling statement of fact or opinion, an illustration that points to the problem, a story that makes a point, an overview of the main ideas, or even a simple greeting.
Some approaches are more difficult.
It is difficult to use humor well, for instance. Similarly, a rhetorical question is a more difficult opening strategy to use than some of the others. A conclusion should focus the thoughts and feelings of the listeners on what they heard in the speech, and it should always summarize the main ideas of the speech. A quotation may be a useful strategy toward the end. A reference to the introduction sometimes works well.