Since childhood, I’ve always loved Christmas and the entirety of the holiday season. Everything from the glow of tree lights to the scent of sugar cookies swirling through the house made my heart skip a few beats. Over time, however, it’s the traditions my family established that I began to cherish the most. And when I reminisce on holidays passed, I remember my gift-opening approach. See, I had it down to a system.
Step One: Inspect the wrapping. Was it shiny? Was it smooth? Was it crisp and ready for unwrapping?
Step Two: Assess the size of each gift – the bigger the better of course.
Step Three: Shake the package and listen to the sounds the item makes.
Yes, this is a highly subjective system. But that’s beside the point. The takeaway here is that the gift had to have an alluring outer surface for me to become even remotely interested in what lie inside. Not only did the outside of the present entice me to evaluate further, but it also gave me a basic understanding of what I might actually find inside. Think of your presentation’s opening sentence like a gift. What kind of wrapping will allure your audiences? Which type of opening sentence speaks the highest volumes to presentation attendees?
Describe
A narrative driven by storytelling would be fantastically accompanied by a descriptive opening sentence. Presenters with a natural gift for engaging others through story should consider beginning a presentation in the middle of action. Create a scene for your presentation that provides context and background for the main messages. Instead of producing a conflict between characters after the introduction, place your audience in the activity from the start. A descriptive sentence to kickstart your presentation could sound like this:
Example #1
Ten actions were occurring simultaneously. The avalanche erupted around me and I knew what I had to do.
Example #2
It’s dog-eat-dog in the tech industry right now. We’re all vying to push out the next best thing; the convenient, new application; the highly versatile software.
Question
A question-based opening sentence would yield the best results from an inquisitive presentation audience, or even an audience who may not know that they want to have the answer to the question you first line would propose. By highlighting a question at the beginning of a speech, you are actually establishing the scene for the rest of your messaging. If you decide to use a question to introduce your content, follow this one rule: Do not ask a question that your audience could respond with either a “yes” or a “no.” These types of questions halt the momentum of your presentation narrative.
Example #1
What if we could really feed every person on this planet and eliminate hunger?
Example #2
When will average people be able to visit the moon?
Promise
An opening sentence that makes a promise to the audience is characterized by the use of an experience or moment, or a bold statement or statistic. This kind of beginning line reveals an aspect of the presentation topic without hinting at the details – encouraging audiences to want to learn more. To use a promise sentence, a presenter must ensure that they have the quality content to add an adequate amount of substance. (Disclaimer: The statistic below are completely fictional.)
Example #1
91% of pets talk when their owners are away.
Example #2
When you apply your make-up, think of your face like a blank canvas.
The opening line to your presentation is your content’s first impression to your audience. Focus on choosing an opening that fits your presentation style and that appeals to the needs and interests of attendees. For more information about opening your presentations, click on the resources below.
5 Simple Ways to Add Pizazz to a Professional Presentation
Fast Template Tips: Creating a Unique Title
The Impact of the Silent Presenter
