Quick answer
Best attention getters for speeches
The best attention getters for speeches are short, relevant hooks that make the audience want the next sentence. Use a surprising fact, direct question, vivid story, quote, statistic, prop, or bold statement, then connect it to your main point immediately.
- Use one hook, not several competing openings.
- Keep the hook under 20 seconds before explaining why it matters.
- Rehearse the opening until it sounds natural, not memorized.
There are days that you might be having trouble grabbing your audience’s attention during a speech, especially if your speech is too lengthy for the average attention span of an individual.
Being prepared when planning a speech is essential, as you must instantly draw your audience’s attention.
The first minute of your speech will leave the most impression. Good attention-getters for speeches can immediately catch an audience’s attention, while a poor one will turn an audience against the speaker.
People don't usually tune into speeches in the middle, so you have to catch their attention right from the beginning and have a list of attention-getters for speeches to use.
In this article, you can get good attention-getters for speeches that will be your ticket to being a speaker that people would find interesting. There are also different types of attention-getters for speeches you can choose from to suit your speech topic.
What are attention-getters For
An attention-getter is intended to intrigue the audience members and inspire them to listen attentively for several minutes. There are countless options for attention-getters for speeches.
Most importantly, in your audience's mind, an attention-getter can generate excitement and persuade them that the speech would be informative and useful.
Your attention-getter wording should be refined and practiced. Be sure to understand your speech's mood/tone; assess the suitability of humor, emotion, aggressiveness, etc.
Not only should the words draw attention from the audience, but the delivery should be smooth and confident to let the audience know you are a competent speaker prepared for this address.
Watch how to write attention-getters for speeches:
Why It’s Important to Include Attention Getters in Your Speech
List of Attention Getters for Speeches
Quotations are the simplest, but they can come off as cliche if not done well. Short stories may be more intimate and appear to increase trust. A humorous attention-getter can also loosen up the right crowd.
The attention-getter should not be eclipsed for a minute, so do your best to keep it short and sweet.
The following must be present for good attention-getters for speeches:
- Win the attention of the viewer.
- Set up some reputation or relatability.
- Outline the speech's thesis.
- Give a justification for the viewer to listen.
- Clear transition into the speech's body
Top 10 Good Attention Getters
There are a lot of good attention-getters, but we narrowed it to the top 10 attention-getters for speeches that will surely make your audience lend you their ears:
1. Jokes
A lot of people enjoy a good laugh. Jokes are at the top of the list of good attention-getters for speeches.
You create a bond with the audience by telling a good joke early in the speech, and you inspire them to listen with the promise of more laughter.
Ensure the joke isn't insulting, and the rest of the expression suits you well. Making a terrible joke can hamper your stage’s morale and ruin the rest of your speech.
Make sure you write jokes perfect for the crowd you're trying to discuss. In this case, there is no one-joke-fits-all.
Inside jokes are the best way to make the audience feel like they have a customized speech, depending on the setting.
Frequently asked questions
What is an attention getter in a speech?
An attention getter is the opening line or moment that makes listeners focus on your speech. It should connect directly to your topic and audience.
What is the easiest attention getter to use?
A direct question is often the easiest because it immediately involves the audience and can lead naturally into your main idea.
How long should an attention getter be?
Most attention getters should be under 20 seconds. The goal is to earn attention quickly, then move into the speech.
