I have written a recent post describing speech starting lines. But, on this occasion, I talked about the theory of various tactics. In this post, we look at specific examples of historic speeches. These speeches use the techniques I described in the earlier post.
I have used one example for each to explain how the technique works. You will find many examples of these tactics in books and on the Internet. They all work well. With practice, you will find that deciding on the correct approach is not difficult.
Formal Introduction
John F Kennedy began his inaugural speech in 1961 with a formal introduction. This opening is customary, and you will find examples where people take office. Here is the quote,
“Vice President Johnson, Mr Speaker, Mr Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens….”
John F Kennedy
The people you should refer to and the order in which you would place them will depend on the situation. There is no hard and fast rule, and it comes down to feel. I’m sure Kennedy spent a great deal of time on these opening few words and making sure they were appropriate.
Quote make excellent speech starting lines
I have long believed that opening with a quote is a great tactic. I have searched many speeches and have not found a good example. Opening with a quote may not be popular. There are many great quotes with which you can begin your address.
Please comment below if you can give an example of a historic speech started with a quote.
Joke
Mohammed Ali was, without question, the greatest boxer of all time. Not only was he a master in the ring, but he was a distinctive personality in public. Ali’s quick one-liners are current today. His speeches made it clear that he was and will remain the greatest boxer the world has ever seen. It would take great bravery to disagree.
“I am the greatest. Not only do I knock em out. I pick the round.”
Mohammed Ali
Is this a quote, or is this a statement? It depends on who you are and what you believe. We may see this as a witty jibe, whereas Ali himself saw it as a statement.
Anecdote
Demosthenes was one of the most outstanding speakers of the ancient world. He spoke passionately in an attempt to secure freedom for his community. During his trial in 330 BC, Demosthenes spoke eloquently and with force. He opens one part of his testimony with an anecdote describing his childhood.
“It was my lot, Aeschines, When a boy to frequent the schools suited to my situation and to have wherewithal to avoid doing anything mean through want. When I emerged from boyhood….”
Demosthenes
An anecdote is an excellent example of good speech starting lines. The more personal they are and relevant, the better your connection with an audience. In this situation, Demosthenes speaks of himself. When writing, be careful not to sound self-indulgent. Any reference to your past or your experiences must be relevant and illuminating.
Historic Event
Martin Luther King begins his famous speech, “I have a dream”, by referring to an historical event. King delivered this address in August 1963. This is one of the most remarkable speech starting lines of all time. His opening lines were,
“Five score years ago, a Great American in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation….”
Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1863 Abraham Lincoln created the Emancipation Proclamation. This legislation gave many enslaved people their freedom. King would have known only too well the significance of this historic date.
King also mirrors the Gettysburg Address, “Fourscore and seven years ago….” It is deliberate, I’m sure.
The opening is a stroke of genius. The reference is not only perfect for the thesis of the speech. It also sets the tone for what is to follow. King’s speech is one of the greatest of all time. There is much to learn from studying it in full.
Dramatic
In 1985 a famine raged in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure launched Live Aid. This tragedy led to tremendous performances in the UK and the United States. Bob Geldof gave many passionate speeches in the coming months and years. His commitment to poverty around the world is second to none.
This most dramatic and eye-opening speech appeared on the BBC. The Live Aid concert was in full swing. Presenters and celebrities were pleading with the public to donate their money. Geldof’s speech was short and to the point, galvanising many people into action. These events raised millions for this worthy cause.
His words were,
“Don’t go to the pub tonight. There are people dying now! So please stay in and give me the fu**ing money.”
Bob Geldof
Bob Geldof says precious little else. This short sharp opening demonstrates how powerful a shock can be. I encourage you to avoid profanity in any speech you give. But, Geldof’s choice of words on daytime television added to his passion. Were Sir Bob’s comments measured? I’m not sure. However, the effect was undeniable.
Conclusion
It is vital that the opening of a speech conveys the gravitas required to carry it forward.
These examples show a variety of ways you can achieve a good start. The list is not exhaustive. A good speechwriter will be able to tailor you’re beginning to you and to the people to which you speak. Your opening must also be relevant and support your speech’s central thesis.
Speechwriters spend hours, even days, hammering out a speech’s opening line. This work may seem overkill, but any good writer knows that if you start badly, you are unlikely to recover.
Put time into your opening. A good start will reward you later in the speech. Every speaker gets a minute or two of grace from an audience. It is essential to prove yourself in the first few seconds. If your start is weak, impressing yourself on an audience becomes complex. Get the opening right, and success should follow.
All quotes in this article come from “Speeches that changed the world”, compiled by Kathy Lowne.