How to design an opening and closing that makes an impact.

The Critical Importance of the Beginning and the End

The opening and closing of a public speaking presentation are, without a doubt, the two most important and decisive moments for the success of your message.

The beginning is your only chance to make a good first impression, a crucial moment that will determine whether you succeed in capturing your audience's attention and arousing their interest in what you are going to say.

The first 30 to 45 seconds are vital; if you fail to engage your audience in that brief period, it will be very difficult to win them back later on.

The closing is your last chance to reinforce your message and leave a lasting impression.

A good ending should leave a positive feeling with the audience and prom pt them to reflect, ensuring that your key ideas remain in their minds long after you've finished speaking.

In fact, the opening and the conclusion, together, should contain the essential points of your entire speech: the former indicates what is to be said, and the latter summarizes what has been said.

The Art of the Beginning: Techniques for a Captivating Opening

To capture your audience's attention from the very first moment, you need a powerful "hook".

It's critical to avoid starting with apologies ("excuse me, I'm a little nervous") or forced jokes, both of which can undermine your credibility from the start. Instead, opt for one of these proven techniques:

Pitch a rhetorical question: Start with a thought-provoking question, such as, "Have you ever wondered why ...?"

Share a powerful quote: Use a famous or timely quote that encapsulates the spirit of your message. This lends historical or authoritative weight to your intervention.

Present a surprising fact or image: An unexpected statistic or powerful image can generate immediate impact and arouse curiosity.

Tell a personal story or anecdote: Stories create an instant emotional connection.

Telling a short story, even if it doesn't seem directly related at first, generates anticipation for how you will tie it back to your topic.

A masterful example was how Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, generating intrigue by announcing three revolutionary products that were actually one.

Show an object: Holding an object silently before you start speaking creates a focus and generates questions in the audience's mind.

The Golden Clasp: Strategies for a Memorable Closure

A powerful ending is what ensures that your presentation will be remembered. Instead of ending abruptly, design a closing that accomplishes three key objectives.

First, give a very brief summary of your main ideas or conclusions, reinforcing the key message you want the audience to take away.

Second, present a proposal, resolution or a final reflection derived from everything you have said.

Finally, end with a clear call to action o