`Tips for Giving Speeches of Introduction`

From Stephen Lucas, The Art of Public Speaking, 3rd edition (New York: Random House, 1989), PP. 348-351.

A speech of Introduction should accomplish three purposes:

Here are some tips:

Be brief. The attention should be on the main speaker, not the one giving the introduction. Under normal circumstances, an introduction should be no more than 2-3 minutes long--and even shorter if the audience already knows the speaker.
Make sure your introduction is completely accurate. Check with the speaker beforehand to make sure the information is correct, especially the speaker's name.
Adapt your remarks to the occasion. Certain situations will require more formal language than others.
Adapt your introduction to the main speaker. Don't make things difficult for the speaker by praising him or her too much or by telling funny yet embarrassing details.
Adapt your remarks to the audience. Your aim is to make this audience want to hear this speaker on this topic. Give information that will interest this particular audience in this speaker and topic.
Try to create a sense of anticipation and drama. You will usually withhold the speaker's name until the end to build drama. As with all ceremonial speeches, you should set the information in a creative and engaging context to get and keep the audience's attention.
Practice. It may be short, but it is also important. Work out the delivery beforehand and give the speech with sincerity and enthusiasm.

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