Start and end a speech with a story

Here is one of my favorite public speaking secrets:

1. Gain attention in the introduction by starting a story. The story must tie straight to the speaker's topic. Often, the start of the story will be sad or disturbing. Don't finish the story yet! Leave the audience in suspense.
 
2. End the speech by finishing the same story. With luck, you'll be able to give the story a happy ending. The audience will see that you presented a problem, explained the issues, and then showed them how to solve the problem.

Example:

Start with the story: "One day, Chris was failing in college. Chris wasn't completing the homework and felt discouraged every time a big, fat textbook came into view. Chris could escape temporarily into the world of video games or the party scene, but Chris' school problems didn't go away. Chris was ready to give up and drop out. Then, Chris figured out the real problem: Chris just didn't have the reading skills for college-level work."

Then, the speaker explains how adults can improve their reading skills, describes adult literacy programs in the audience's region, and presents research proving that they work.

End by finishing the story:

"So, finally, after finishing the adult literacy course, Chris returned to school with a new attitude. Subjects that seemed too hard to learn were now within reach. The textbooks didn't seem so fat and scary. Chris started getting good grades, graduated, and started a successful business. Adult literacy is a problem, but the solution is in plain sight."

Many of the greatest public speakers told stories. Russell Conwell's great speech "Acres of Diamonds" was just a string of stories that all aimed at one point. Ronald Reagan told stories. People love stories. You love stories, too, and so will your audience.