You have a well-structured speech with the three important parts – introduction, body and conclusion. A well-balanced speech usually has the following percentages: introduction (10 to 15 %), body (70 to 80%) and conclusion (10 to 15 %).

Whatever opening you use – humour, joke, quotation – the introduction is very important to ‘hook’ the audience’s interest. Your introduction is an invitation and is very critical. If you do not get the audience, you may lose them forever. It is advisable to memorise the introduction so as not to grope for words.

The introduction should be a ‘lasso’, powered to prevent the listener from wandering away. Remember Shakespeare: Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

Like the introduction, the conclusion must contain strong points to leave your audience with positive memories. You may end with a summary of the purpose of your speech. You should not allow your conclusion to fall from your lips. It should be planned and memorised in advance.

Psychologists have proved that the introduction and the conclusion of any speech have the most impact. Therefore, give them a little extra thought, time and effort. As Lord Mancroft says, a speech is like a love affair. Any fool can start it, but to end, it requires considerable skill.