8 Points to Building a Strong Opening Statement
How to Prepare for Debate
Crafting a compelling opening statement is akin to creating the foundation of a skyscraper. It needs to be robust, have a strong foundation, captivating, and set the stage for everything that follows.
Whether you’re writing an essay, delivering a speech, or presenting a case in court, your opening statement is crucial.
It’s your first, and possibly only chance to grab your audience’s attention and make a lasting impression. Here’s how to build a strong opening statement that will leave your audience wanting more.
1. Understand Your Purpose
Before you can create a powerful opening statement, you need to understand its purpose. An opening statement serves to:
- Introduce your topic or argument.
- Provide context and background information.
- Outline the structure of your presentation or argument.
- Engage your audience and make them want to listen or read further.
Pro Tip: Clarity and Precision
Be clear about what you want to achieve with your opening statement. Whether it’s to inform, persuade, or entertain, your purpose should guide every word you choose.
2. Know Your Audience
Understanding your audience is critical to tailoring your message. Consider their interests, knowledge level, and expectations. An opening statement that resonates with a group of high school students will differ significantly from one intended for a panel of experts.
Example: Tailoring to Your Audience
If you’re presenting to a group of tech-savvy professionals, you might start with a surprising statistic about the latest technological advancements. For a general audience, a relatable anecdote or a thought-provoking question might work better.
3. Start with a Hook
Your opening statement needs a hook to capture attention. This can be a startling fact, a rhetorical question, an anecdote, or a powerful quote. The goal is to pique your audience’s curiosity and make them want to hear more.
Types of Hooks:
- Anecdote: A short, engaging story that relates to your topic.
- Question: A thought-provoking question that invites your audience to think.
- Quote: A relevant and impactful quote from a well-known figure.
- Statistic: A surprising or shocking statistic that highlights the importance of your topic.
- Bold Statement: A strong, assertive statement that grabs attention.
Example: Using a Hook
Imagine you’re giving a speech on climate change. You might start with a statistic: “Did you know that 2020 was the hottest year on record?” This immediately highlights the urgency of your topic.
4. Provide Context
Once you have your audience’s attention, it’s important to provide context. This means offering some background information on your topic so your audience understands why it’s relevant and important.
Pro Tip: Keep It Relevant
Avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information. Focus on the key points that will help them understand the importance of your topic.
Example: Providing Context
Continuing with the climate change speech, you might follow your statistic with some background: “For the past century, global temperatures have been steadily rising, leading to extreme weather patterns and affecting ecosystems worldwide.”
5. Outline Your Structure
Giving your audience a roadmap of what to expect helps them follow along and stay engaged. Define your scope carefully and ensure they remain on track. Otherwise you will end up with cross-purpose arguments.
To do this start by briefly outlining the main points you’ll be covering.
Pro Tip: Be Concise
Keep your outline short and to the point. You don’t need to go into detail here — just provide a high-level overview.
Example: Outlining Your Structure
“In today’s speech, we’ll explore the causes of climate change, its impact on our planet, and what we can do to mitigate its effects.”
6. State Your Thesis
Your thesis statement is the core of your opening statement. It’s a concise summary of the main point or argument you’ll be making. This helps to focus your audience’s attention and gives them a clear understanding of your position.
Example: Stating Your Thesis
“Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time, and immediate action is necessary to prevent irreversible damage to our planet.”
Then you would go on to explain:
- what the change in climate is
- why it’s such a pressing issue
- why action is necessary
- what action is required and why
- why damage will be irreversible
- and how the actions will prevent it
7. Use Engaging Language
Your language should be engaging and dynamic. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences that might confuse your audience. Instead, use vivid descriptions, active voice, and varied sentence structures to keep your audience interested.
Pro Tip: Be Authentic
Your opening statement should reflect your personality and style. Don’t try to sound like someone else — be genuine and let your passion for the topic shine through.
Example: Using Engaging Language
“Imagine a world where our children can no longer enjoy the beauty of a clear blue sky or the vibrant colors of a coral reef. This is the future we face if we don’t act now.”
8. Practice Makes Perfect
Finally, practice your opening statement until you can deliver it smoothly and confidently. This is especially important for speeches or presentations, where your delivery can significantly impact how your message is received.
Pro Tip: Get Feedback
Practice in front of a friend or colleague and ask for feedback. They can provide valuable insights and help you refine your opening statement.
Real-Life Example: Steve Jobs’ iPhone Launch
One of the most famous opening statements in recent history comes from Steve Jobs during the 2007 iPhone launch. Jobs started with a hook by stating, “This is a day I’ve been looking forward to for two and a half years.”
He then provided context by talking about the evolution of Apple’s products. He outlined the structure by saying Apple was about to introduce three revolutionary products in one. His thesis was clear: the iPhone would revolutionize the tech industry. Jobs used engaging language, and his genuine excitement was palpable.
Final Thoughts
Building a strong opening statement is both an art and a science.
By understanding your purpose, knowing your audience, starting with a hook, providing context, outlining your structure, stating your thesis, using engaging language, and practicing your delivery, you can create an opening statement that captivates and convinces your audience.
Note this article is purely focussing on the opening statement. In the opening you are making a promise. Be sure to follow up by delivering on that promise in the body of your talk and remain true to your opening statement.
Remember, your opening statement sets the tone and scope for everything that follows, so make it count.
Thanks for reading
