The Introduction of a Speech: Do Good Introductions Predict a Good Speech?

Can the introduction predict the success or failure of the speech? Does anything predict a successful speech? First, textbooks were examined to see what is being taught about introductions. Then the results of the first speeches given by freshmen and sophomores in a hybrid communication course were studied to see if successful introductions predicted successful speeches. Finally, some other predictors to speech success are discussed, including public speaking experience and the verbality of the student\u27s chosen major. This comparison of the introduction of the speech and the subsequent grade on the speech was done as a preliminary think piece, so no attempt was made to determine statistical significance. The study asked, What\u27s out there? and will hopefully lead to more controlled statistical analyses