Six ways to grab your audience at the begining

This was an assignment of ELI, English Learning Institute class. A topic is quite interesting, so I share this summary.

MAIN IDEA:You should convey information in a compelling, persuasive way

it is critical to grab and keep your audience’s attention.

It makes a powerful connection at the very beginning.

if you succeed in engaging your audience at the very beginning, 

you will increase their reaction to the whole of what you are trying to communicate.

1 Make it personal

Presenter's personal explanation can establish an instant rapport with your audience.

Forensic Expert (of investigating crime) story

of, relating to, or denoting the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime

As I reflected on the human tragedies I had witnessed...the deep blue Adriatic swelled below [my plane]. The local time was 2:30 p.m.—that’s 8:30 a.m. Eastern time in the United States. The date was September 11, 2001.

2 Throw out a quirky fact / Use unexpected, characterized fact

Use unexpected statistics or explaining with exposing the false of a common myth can ease the introduction to a difficult topic. 

(The revelation of an offbeat statistic or the debunking of a common myth can ease the introduction to a difficult topic or even woo skeptics.)

For example, an author who is pitching his trend-bucking proposal for a streamlined, rather than gourmet, cookbook to a publisher points out that, according to a recent survey, the average American currently spends 15 minutes preparing dinner.

3 Put them on the edge of their seats / Appeal with a quiz, (questions and answer)

By creating suspending things, the author invites his audience’s participation and anticipation at the same time.

He begins his appeal with a quiz, asking his audience to ponder the related significance of the years 1866, 1953, and 2040:

4 Draw a hypothetical scenario

This approach can focus on either the past or the future and provide either a positive or negative contrast.

imaginative examples

Imagine with hightech, with deaf world

5 Create a series of vignettes / Create a series of episode, illustration

To draw your readers into the big-picture point you are trying to get across to them, it can be helpful to orient them with a series of connected “reality snapshots” written in the dramatic present tense:

Reorganized facts

In NY, In Washington, In New Jersey

Illustration can then linked together with an opening punch line–like sentence:

6 Use a pertinent quote / Use a relevant, applicable quote

Audience can rely on quotes that illustrate the historical evolution of that industry:

Regardless of which approach you choose, 

You must grab and keep your audience’s attention at the beginning.

(the bottom line remains the same: Don’t cast your line without first baiting your hook.)