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How to Introduce a Speaker

If you need advice on how to introduce a speaker look no further than Richard C. Borden’s 1935 classic Public Speaking as Listeners Like It.  Here, collected and condensed, are the author’s inimitable insights.

5 Don’ts When You Introduce a Speaker

  1. When you introduce a speaker, avoid all stale and stilted phrases such as, “It is indeed an honor,” or “A man who needs no introduction…”
  2. Don’t embarrass the speaker with extravagant promises of his or her oratorical brilliance.
  3. Don’t exaggerate your speakers qualifications, and
  4. Don’t give the speaker false starts like, “And so I take great pleasure in introducing Ms. Paula Prolix…” and Ms. Prolix stands up…,” a woman who is eminently qualified…”  And Ms. Prolix has to sit back down.
  5. Don’t try to steal the show by showing off your own speaking chops.

4 Simple Questions

There’s more to a great speech of introduction than simply avoiding missteps.  Answer these four simple questions briefly and skillfully:

Why this subject?

Why this subject before this audience?

Why this subject before this audience at this time?

Why this subject before this audience at this time by this speaker?

When you do this you will have created a pleasant harmony between subject, audience, occasion, and speaker.

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