Hooks
The Challenge
The challenge prepares the audience for a request to take an action of some sort. This can be especially effective for a problem/solution speech.
Example: “Today I am going to ask you to do something very difficult, but something that will change the world.” *
The Joke
This is a nice way to sort of ease your audience into the topic and get them to think of you favorably … if the joke is funny.
Example: “What do you call a room full of guys watching the World Series? … The Cardinals.”
The Poignant Story
Don’t avoid this technique just because you might not know what “poignant” means. It just means “to create a strong feeling within.” So a poignant story should make the audience feel a strong emotion, especially pity or sorrow. Now, don’t get carried away with a long story. Remember that this is a hook for a speech, not its own speech!
Example: “September 4th, 1993, Jim Abbott threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees. There were plenty of no-hitters before that day and many since. But this was an achievement unlike the others before or since. You see, Abbot was born with only the use of his left arm.”
The Powerful Quote
This is a terrific way to introduce your topic through the use of someone else’s ideas or words.
Example: “If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” – George Washington
The Provocative Question
The provocative question forces your audience to consider a topic before you ever even get into your thesis and argument.
Example: “What would you do if you had no money and your family was starving? Would robbery be justified?”
The Rhetorical Question
A rhetorical question is a question that does not expect an answer in return.
Example: “Have you ever felt like the whole world was plotting against you?”
The Startling Statement
Startling statements need to have a real impact to be effective. Many times, they will use comparisons, examples, or statistics.
Example: “A minute at sea level lasts longer than a minute at the top of a mountain.”
The Surprising Statistic
This opener uses numbers to make (hopefully) strong point about the topic you are going to explore in your speech.
Example: “The average Internet user spends fewer than ten seconds on a Web page before moving on.”
The Teaser
This hook creates some interest and suspense for your audience. You’ll have their attention because they will want some resolution to the tease. However, if you only tease the audience and don’t deliver some closure, you will have an angry or disappointed audience when you are finished speaking.
Example: “Three minutes from now, I will tell you something that you will never forget as long as you live.”
The Unexpected
This method uses some misdirection to engage the audience. They will be following along with you, thinking you’re headed one direction until you say something they didn’t see coming.
Example: “I have been multitasking for my entire life. I am always doing several things at once: texting, listening to music, surfing the web, homework. I believe multitasking has ruined my brain.”
The Unusual Fact
People love interesting facts. That’s what makes this opening so alluring.
Example: “There is a garbage patch the size of Texas floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of plastic and debris that has been caught in currents in the ocean.
The challenge prepares the audience for a request to take an action of some sort. This can be especially effective for a problem/solution speech.
Example: “Today I am going to ask you to do something very difficult, but something that will change the world.” *
The Joke
This is a nice way to sort of ease your audience into the topic and get them to think of you favorably … if the joke is funny.
Example: “What do you call a room full of guys watching the World Series? … The Cardinals.”
The Poignant Story
Don’t avoid this technique just because you might not know what “poignant” means. It just means “to create a strong feeling within.” So a poignant story should make the audience feel a strong emotion, especially pity or sorrow. Now, don’t get carried away with a long story. Remember that this is a hook for a speech, not its own speech!
Example: “September 4th, 1993, Jim Abbott threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees. There were plenty of no-hitters before that day and many since. But this was an achievement unlike the others before or since. You see, Abbot was born with only the use of his left arm.”
The Powerful Quote
This is a terrific way to introduce your topic through the use of someone else’s ideas or words.
Example: “If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” – George Washington
The Provocative Question
The provocative question forces your audience to consider a topic before you ever even get into your thesis and argument.
Example: “What would you do if you had no money and your family was starving? Would robbery be justified?”
The Rhetorical Question
A rhetorical question is a question that does not expect an answer in return.
Example: “Have you ever felt like the whole world was plotting against you?”
The Startling Statement
Startling statements need to have a real impact to be effective. Many times, they will use comparisons, examples, or statistics.
Example: “A minute at sea level lasts longer than a minute at the top of a mountain.”
The Surprising Statistic
This opener uses numbers to make (hopefully) strong point about the topic you are going to explore in your speech.
Example: “The average Internet user spends fewer than ten seconds on a Web page before moving on.”
The Teaser
This hook creates some interest and suspense for your audience. You’ll have their attention because they will want some resolution to the tease. However, if you only tease the audience and don’t deliver some closure, you will have an angry or disappointed audience when you are finished speaking.
Example: “Three minutes from now, I will tell you something that you will never forget as long as you live.”
The Unexpected
This method uses some misdirection to engage the audience. They will be following along with you, thinking you’re headed one direction until you say something they didn’t see coming.
Example: “I have been multitasking for my entire life. I am always doing several things at once: texting, listening to music, surfing the web, homework. I believe multitasking has ruined my brain.”
The Unusual Fact
People love interesting facts. That’s what makes this opening so alluring.
Example: “There is a garbage patch the size of Texas floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of plastic and debris that has been caught in currents in the ocean.