Fast Results E-Zine
When you sign up, you'll get instant access to my article archives, exclusive content and other freebies. Plus, we will never sell, rent or share your information so sign up today.
Search
Bookmark this Page
Blog Carnivals
Blogroll
Resources
Categories
- Blog Carnival (5)
- Bullying (1)
- Career (30)
- Communicators in the news (15)
- General (13)
- Goal Setting (14)
- Inspiration (13)
- Interpersonal Communication (19)
- Job Interview (9)
- Leadership (4)
- Learning (2)
- Motivation (31)
- Networking (6)
- Personal (1)
- Politics (15)
- Public Speaking (61)
- Quick Tip (6)
- Review (2)
- Time Management (4)
- Toastmasters (13)
- Video of the Week (14)
- Writing (4)
Archives
- October 2008 (7)
- September 2008 (11)
- August 2008 (9)
- July 2008 (18)
- June 2008 (9)
- May 2008 (14)
- April 2008 (14)
- March 2008 (11)
- February 2008 (10)
- January 2008 (13)
- December 2007 (13)
- November 2007 (2)
- October 2007 (4)
- September 2007 (3)
- August 2007 (4)
- July 2007 (3)
- June 2007 (4)
- April 2007 (1)
- February 2007 (2)
- January 2007 (3)
- December 2006 (2)
- November 2006 (7)
- October 2006 (6)
- September 2006 (12)
How lucky are we to be here today at this great location? Is there anything better than getting a day off from work to come listen to a speech? Rhetorical questions (questions asked for effect rather than to get an actual answer) are great attention getting devices and can enhance a speech. But many speakers make the mistake of opening their speech with rhetorical questions as a means to grab attention right off the bad. This isn’t always the best idea, so here are some things to think about when considering opening up a speech with a rhetorical question.
Is the audience ready?
The most awkward moments of a speech for the both the speaker and the audience are typically the first few moments of a speech. This is because in most cases, the speaker hasn’t yet established rapport with the audience – the exceptions are when the speaker has addressed the audience before or the speaker is well known and liked by the audience.
Since that rapport has not been established yet, the audience may not know how to react to the question. The audience might be thinking “Is the speaker looking for an answer?” or “Am I supposed to do something or react?” This confusion can distract the audience and prevent them from warming up to you right away.
Even profound statements such as “is there any greater threat to us today than global warming?” or “will there ever be a stop to these increases in business taxes?” have the same problem. Some members of the audience may shout back an answer (and they may or may not share your view) while others look around to see how the people near them are reacting.
Are you ready?
Again, the first few moments of a speech can be an awkward time – even for an experienced speaker, but especially for neophyte speakers. So using a technique to start your speech that can result in an unexpected reaction from your audience (an actual answer, looks of confusion, etc…) can kill your momentum.
Unexpected elements can make a speech a fun, exciting and interesting presentation. But if you’re trying to gauge the audience, you may want to hold off until you’re comfortable with them before taking any risks.
Is the question appropriate for the audience?
This is a tricky one because many speakers don’t consider how the audience is feeling when they make statements such as “isn’t it great to be here?” or “is there anything better than being a salesperson at the XYZ Company?” It’s an unfortunate truth, but many people dislike listening to speech as much as they dislike giving a speech. So starting off with a blanket statement that sounds like they’re trying to patronize the audience will cause the speaker to instantly lose credibility and the interest of the audience.
Asking a rhetorical question requires making some assumptions about your audience. And depending on your question and how passionately members of the audience disagree with your position, a false assumption can quickly turn your audience hostile.
Is it even possible to start a speech with a rhetorical question?
Of course it is. Work the audience before the event if possible to learn the general mood and attitudes of the people who will be in your audience. Play it safe and stick with questions that won’t gt you in trouble – avoid bringing up touchy subjects such as politics, religion or sex.
So when you plan a presentation and are considering starting out with a rhetorical question, keep in mind that it might not always be a good idea and don’t forget to do your homework.
Check out these Related posts:
- Public Speaking Success: Tips for Handling Question and Answer Sessions In a...
- Public Speaking Success: Preparing for a Question and Answer Session Getting...
- Public Speaking Success: Three Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Speech Topic Whether...
- The Speech Introduction When...
- Illegal Job Interview Question 1: Are you married? Why they...
- Illegal Question #2: Do you have Children? Why they...
- Should You Give a Speech While Wearing Your Halloween Costume? When it...
calendar
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Jun | Aug » | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
- Best Public Speaking Articles [2008-11-08] on Review: Personal Development for Smart People
- Best Public Speaking Articles [2008-10-25] on Her Fear of Public Speaking Ruined her Career
- Raleigh Public Speaker on Should You Give a Speech While Wearing Your Halloween Costume?
- Should You Give a Speech While Wearing Your Halloween Costume? | Overnight Sensation - Public Speaking, Communication and Personal Development on Public Speaking Success: Three Ways to Improve Your Speech Delivery
- Should You Give a Speech While Wearing Your Halloween Costume? | Overnight Sensation - Public Speaking, Communication and Personal Development on Her Fear of Public Speaking Ruined her Career
- Motivation: The Power of Youth | Overnight Sensation - Public Speaking, Communication and Personal Development on Overcoming Hopelessness - Part 1
- Motivation: The Power of Youth | Overnight Sensation - Public Speaking, Communication and Personal Development on Overcoming Hopelessness: Part 2 – Getting Out of the Rut:
- Trevor on Motivation: How to Feel Better About Yourself
Popular Articles
- Interview Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Book Review: How to Be a Gentleman
- Motivation: The Power of Youth
- Personal Power: Should you Focus on your Strengths or Strengthen your Weaknesses
- Public Speaking Success: How to Get Ideas for Speech Topics
- Extreme Goal Setting™: Part 2 - Removing the Safety Net
- Job Interview Questions: Where Do You Expect to Be in Five Years?
- Public Speaking: How to Write a Speech - Part 1: Your Speech Outline
- Public Speaking Tips: Five Tips for ESL (English as a Second Language) Speakers
- Tips for Toastmasters: Five Tips for Successful Meetings:
- Public Speaking: How to Write a Powerful Conclusion for Your Speech
recent entries
- Review: Personal Development for Smart People
- Should You Give a Speech While Wearing Your Halloween Costume?
- Motivation: The Power of Youth
- Three Reasons Why You’re Cheating Yourself by NOT Improving Your Speaking Skills
- Her Fear of Public Speaking Ruined her Career
- Public Speaking Sucess: Free Public Speaking Workshop
- Motivation: How to Feel Better About Yourself
- Book Review: How to Be a Gentleman
- Public Speaking Success: The 80/20 Rule of Speech Preparation
- Public Speaking Success: The Pregnant Pause
Wordpress theme by Wordpress Themes & made free by Internet Marketing Center
© 2006-2008 James Feudo All Rights Reserved.



No user commented on " Public Speaking Success: When to Begin a Speech with a Rhetorical Question "