These three elements should be sandwiched between two other key elements: an opening and a closing.

OPENING - your first words or actions before the introduction. The opening should be brief, no more than three sentences. The opening's function is to grab the audience's attention so they will want to hear more. It should arouse interest and suggest the speech's theme. Openings can be dramatic - involving props, gestures, or simply powerful words. Or make them emotional or rhetorical, using a demonstration, a quotation, a question, even silence, but be sure it relates to your topic.

CLOSING - Your very last comment on your topic following your conclusion. Make the closing brief, no more than three sentences. The closing's function is to accent your purpose and leave the audience with something to remember. The closing is the climax, the whip-cracker, clincher, result-getter. It must tie in with the opening thought. Never leave your audience in doubt. A weak, inconclusive, apologetic closing kills what otherwise could be a great speech. Avoid "thank you." The audience should be thanking you! Let the closing give the "so what?" of the speech. Closings, like openings, can be dramatic, emotional or rhetorical. Your may use devices such as humor or a question. But, like the opening, the closing must relate to your topic.

Here are some examples of good openings:

Startling question or challenging statement:
Have you ever killed anyone? (A speech on capital punishment)
I'm looking for someone to fall off a cliff with me. (A speech on hang gliding)

Quotation, illustration or story:
Give me liberty or give me death. (A speech on patriotism)

An exhibit - A picture or an article such as a toy gun to open a speech on gun control or a news photo of a smashed car to introduce a presentation on safe-driving.

A Generalization, provided it relates to the speech topic:
Look at the person on either side of you. One of your will not be here at the next meeting. (Arouses curiosity)

Examples of poor openings:

Apologetic statement: This subject might not interest some of you.

General statement presented in a general way: Most people drive too fast.

Story or joke that does not relate to the speech topic.

Long or slow-moving sentence.

Platitude It is indeed an honor to be here tonight.

Fatuous question: Did you ever stop to think …

Here are examples of good closings:

Appeal for definite action:
We can solve this problem if each of you writes to your congressman. (Hand out a sample letter, or for fundraising, pass out donor cards.

Pointed story, quotation or illustration that fits your subject.

An exhibit or prop, such as a picture or an object or group of objects.

Here are examples of poor closings:

Solicitation of questions from the audience. Let your introducer do that and call you back to the lectern for answers.

Fatuous statement: It really was a pleasure to be here.

Apologetic statement: Did you ever stop to think …

Thank you.: The audience owes you thanks. Exception: If you specifically requested to speak for a personal or organizational purpose.

Every speech deserves an ear-and eye-catching opening and a closing that sends the audience reeling.

Anthony Perrella, ATM, is a member of the Camden County Club 1189-38 in Haddonfield, New Jersey.