Great speeches usually begin with a strong attention-grabbing element that can engage the audience. This can take various forms, such as:
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A Story or Anecdote: Sharing a personal story or an engaging anecdote can draw listeners in and create an emotional connection.
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A Powerful Quote: Starting with a relevant and impactful quote can set the tone and highlight the speech's theme.
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A Thought-Provoking Question: Asking a question can provoke thought and encourage the audience to reflect on the topic.
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A Surprising Fact or Statistic: Presenting a surprising or shocking fact can capture attention and stimulate curiosity.
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An Inspirational Statement: Kicking off the speech with a bold statement or declaration can energize the audience and convey confidence.
While the options you've provided (class discussions, written essays, someone else's idea, or long texts) typically do not directly relate to the effective beginnings of great speeches, they may form part of the speech preparation or content development process. In essence, a great speech is rooted in engaging the audience right from the start.