speech sentence for

32 Great Speech Opening Lines: Captivate Your Audience From the First Word

Using great speech opening lines is your greatest opportunity to captivate your audience. It’s the moment you get attention, spark curiosity, and set the tone for a powerful message.

But crafting that opening line can be daunting. Should it be a funny opening ? Thought-provoking? Relatable? The answer depends on your audience, topic, and overall goal.

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve prepared 32 great speech opening lines that you can use for a wide range of situations. Whether you’re a student delivering a presentation or a seasoned speaker addressing a conference, these lines will help you make a great first impression.

We’ll also answer the most common questions people ask about speech openings. So, let’s dive in and discover the power of speech openings!

Thought-Provoking speech Opening lines

• “ Imagine a world where… ” (This prompts the audience to envision a scenario related to your topic.)
• “ Have you ever wondered why… ” (This sparks curiosity and encourages active listening.)
• “ The most important thing you’ll learn today is… ” (This creates anticipation and emphasizes the value of your message.)
• “ The decision we make today will determine… ” (This highlights the significance of the issue at hand.)
• “ We are at a crossroads, facing a choice between… ” (This frames the speech as a turning point.)
• “ What if I told you that everything you thought you knew about…was wrong? ” (This challenges assumptions and piques interest.)
• “ There’s a hidden truth we must uncover… ” (This sets up a mystery and builds intrigue.)
• “ We’re here today to challenge the status quo and embrace… ” (This establishes a call to action and promotes change.)

Storytelling speech Open ers

• “ Let me tell you a story about a time when… ” ( Stories create emotional connections and are memorable.)
• “ I remember the day I first… ” (Personal anecdotes add authenticity and relatability.)
• “ Years ago, I met a person who changed my perspective on… ” (This introduces a character and sets the stage for a transformative narrative.)
• “ Picture this: … ” (This paints a vivid image and transports the audience into the heart of your story.)
• “ The year was… and I found myself in a situation I never could have imagined. ” (This sets the scene for a dramatic or humorous anecdote.)
• “ I never thought I’d be standing here today… ” (This creates a sense of overcoming challenges and inspires the audience.)

Humorous speech Opening lines

• “ I was going to tell a joke about [topic], but then I realized it might be too [adjective] for this audience. ” (This playful self-awareness can be disarming and endearing.)
• “ Before I begin, I have a confession to make: I’m not as [adjective] as I look. ” (This creates anticipation and sets a lighthearted tone.)
• “ I promise to keep this speech shorter than a teenager’s attention span. ” (A relatable joke that acknowledges the challenge of holding an audience’s attention.)
• “ If you’re looking for a boring speech, you’ve come to the wrong place. ” (This sets an expectation for an engaging presentation.)
• “ I’m not sure why I was invited to speak. I’m about as qualified as a [humorous comparison]. ” (Self-deprecating humour can be charming and make you more approachable.)
• “ I know what you’re thinking: ‘This person looks just like [famous person].’ Well, you’re half right. We both have [shared characteristic]. ” (A bit of playful interaction can engage the audience and make them feel involved.)

Using Quotes for speech Opening lines

• “ As [famous person] once said, ‘…’. ” ( Quotes from well-known figures add credibility and wisdom.)
• “ [Quote]… These words have stayed with me, and today I want to share why they are so relevant to… ” (This personalizes the quote and demonstrates its importance.)
• “ In the words of the wise [famous person], ‘…’. ” (This adds a touch of humour and reverence.)
• “ [Quote]… This simple yet profound statement captures the essence of what I want to discuss today. ” (This connects the quote directly to your topic.)

Question speech Opening lines

• “ What would you do if you had the power to… ” (This engages the audience and sparks their imagination.)
• “ Have you ever considered the impact of… on our lives? ” (This invites reflection and encourages a deeper understanding of the issue.)
• “ How many of you have ever experienced…? ” (This creates a shared experience and fosters a connection with the audience.)
• “ What if the solution to [problem] was simpler than we thought? ” (This challenges conventional thinking and offers a new perspective.)

Student-Friendly speech Opening lines

• “ Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by… ” (This creates a safe space for students to share common experiences.)
• “ As students, we have the power to… ” (This empowers students and inspires them to take action .)
• “ Our generation is facing unique challenges, but we also have unique opportunities to… ” (This connects with students on a generational level.)
• “ The lessons we learn in school extend far beyond the classroom… ” (This emphasizes the practical value of education.)

FAQ about speech openers

Here are the answers to some common questions people ask about great speech opening lines:

• What is the best opening line for a speech? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but the best opening line will hook your audience, be relevant to your topic, and match the tone you want to set.
• How do you start a good opening speech? Start by understanding your audience and your goal. Then, choose a line that aligns with both. Consider using humour, a story, a question, or a powerful statement.
• What is a good starting sentence for a speech? A good starting sentence grabs attention and makes people want to hear more. It could be a surprising fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
• What is a good greeting to start a speech? While a simple “Good morning/afternoon/evening” is fine, you can make it more engaging by adding a personalized touch or a bit of humour. For example, “Good evening, fellow bookworms and those who were dragged here by bookworms!”

To create a truly impactful speech, consider exploring our comprehensive guide on speech structure , where you’ll learn how to craft a great speech that resonates from start to finish, whether you’re a student giving a presentation or a keynote speaker at a conference.

Watch this video. It provides tips and examples for crafting effective opening lines for speeches.

Remember, your opening line is your golden opportunity to forge a connection with your audience. It’s the bridge between you and your listeners, the first step in a shared journey of ideas and emotions.

Think of the thought-provoking openers as seeds of curiosity, planting questions in your audience’s minds that your speech will answer. Use storytelling openers to create emotional resonance, making your message unforgettable. Employ humorous openers to break the ice and build rapport. Quote openers can add gravitas and wisdom to your words, while question openers invite active participation and critical thinking.

Whether you’re a student seeking to impress your classmates or a professional addressing a conference, the right opening line can transform a good speech into a great one. It’s not just about the words you choose; it’s about the impact you create.

So, take these great speech opening lines, make them your own, and let your voice be heard! Remember, a powerful opening is just the first step.

15 Powerful Attention Getters for Any Type of Speech

Coming up with a great opening line has never been so easy thanks to these ideas.

Arguably, the hardest part of writing a speech is coming up with the perfect hook. The first sentence that comes out of your mouth sets the tone for everything that's going to follow. You need to pack the first few lines with attention getters to make your speech immediately engaging to the audience.

But you don't have to be inherently good at oration like Cicero or Martin Luther King Jr. Instead, you can use these clever tactics to rock your speech from start to finish.

Effective Ways to Grab an Audience's Attention for a Speech

No two orators have the same methods, so no two speeches should start the same way. Don't be afraid to experiment with different ideas to see which one resonates the most with your topic and delivery style.

• Funny Student Council Speech Ideas to Help Everyone Relate to You
• 15 Things That Happen When You Give Birth That No One Talks About
• Self-Introduction Speech Examples & Tips to Help You Be Confident & Calm

All beginners have to start somewhere, and these are some tried-and-true proven ways to grab an audience's attention right away:

1.Start With a Powerful Question

Asking a thought-provoking question can stimulate your audience's curiosity and get them feeling interested in hearing what you plan to follow up with.

2. Use Humor to Break the Tension

Lighthearted jokes or funny anecdotes can warm up the audience by breaking the tension. After a little laugh, they'll probably be more receptive to whatever your message is.

3. Open With an Interesting Statistic

An unexpected or shocking statistic can spark interest and emphasize a major selling point of your topic. Simple stats can also be very punchy, so they make a big impact.

4. Tell a Story

Humans love a narrative, so you can start with a personal or relevant story that makes connections to the various points of your speech in an indirect way.

5. Use a Visual Element

Incorporating graphics, videos, props, or diagrams can add a new dimension to your speech and keep your audience's short attention span locked on you.

6. Quote a Famous Person

One way to open your speech is with an impactful quote from a respected figure to lend authority to your argument or topic.

7. Incorporate Interactive Features

Polls, question-and-answer sessions, or requesting audience members to share their experiences can keep your audience involved. You know what they say - idle hands are the devil's workshop.

8. Challenge Common Beliefs

Stating a contrary opinion or debunking a common myth can be an electric way to get the audience engaged.

9. Use Powerful and Emotive Language

This can draw people in and help them connect with your message on an emotional level. After all, there's a reason one of Cicero's branches of rhetoric is pathos.

10. Relate to your Audience

People like to listen to stuff they relate to, so you can start with a few examples or scenarios that are relatable to your audience's experience.

11. Use Sound Effects or Music

Audio elements can make your presentation more dynamic and memorable. It's hard to look away from a light show or someone sauntering up to the stage with a theme song.

12. Incorporate Physical Activity

Asking your audience to stand up, high five their neighbor, or do a simple exercise can re-energize them. This is especially useful if you're in a group of speeches and need to get the audience to reconnect with you.

13. Pose a Hypothetical Scenario

Paint a picture of a possible future or situation and you can pique your audience's interest.

14. Show Your Passion

Audiences tend to pay attention when speakers display genuine enthusiasm and conviction about their topic, so don't be afraid to get passionate. Inflect in your phrases and let your facial expressions run wild.

15. Surprise Your Audience

Doing something unexpected can break the routine and instantly grab the group's attention.

• Wedding Toast Examples for a Speech They'll Remember

Examples of Attention-Grabbing Phrases to Open a Speech

It's all good and well to know different methods for crafting your intro, but that doesn't magically help with putting the words together. Don't panic. We've got a whole host of attention-grabbing phrases you can use to open any speech with.

• "Imagine if you could..."
• "I'm going to reveal a secret that most experts don't want you to know."
• "How many of you have ever experienced..."
• "Let me start with an alarming fact..."
• "Raise your hand if you believe..."
• "Remember when you were a child and you believed in..."
• "Here's a shocking statistic that will make your hair stand on end..."
• "What if I told you that..."
• "Let's take a journey back in time to..."
• "I have a confession to make..."
• "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
• "Picture this..."
• "I bet you're wondering why I'm here today..."
• "Let me tell you a story..."
• "I was in your shoes once, and then something extraordinary happened..."
• "There's an old saying that goes..."
• "Have you ever thought about why..."
• "Did you know that..."
• "Who here thinks they know what it's like to..."
• "It might sound crazy, but..."
• "Has anyone in here ever..."
• "Every second we waste, someone in the world is..."
• "I want to share with you a life-changing experience I had..."
• "When you wake up in the morning, do you ever feel..."
• "We are standing on the precipice of..."
• "There's a truth that no one talks about, and it's this..."
• "Let's take a moment to reflect on..."
• "The first time I ever experienced..."
• "Who here is brave enough to admit..."
• "Before we get started, I want to ask everyone a question..."

Use a Good Hook for a Successful Speech

People usually think about the mic drop moment towards the end of the speech and leave the opening bit for minutes before they go on. But reciting a speech isn't like performing open mic night at the comedy club.

You need a good hook to reel the audience in, and which one you use will depend on your audience, your topic, and what you want people to take away from your speech. The long and the short of it is, you might be able to procrastinate on writing your speech, but you probably don't want to leave the opener 'til last minute.