How to Write Your Speech - Using Ice-­‐Breakers

In many situations, a good way to start a speech or presentation is with an icebreaker. This is usually a joke or an exercise of some sort that breaks the tension in the atmosphere that lingers before speeches.

As I mentioned before, if you’re presenting in front of a hostile crowd, an icebreaker might be a must. And it will be especially good if it is at your expense, since this will indicate that you are open to a critical view of your own beliefs or presentation. It will also suggest that you have listened to the other side for long enough to know the jokes they tell about yours. In addition to jokes, there are other ice-breakers that can be equally effective. For instance, you might ask people in the audience to perform some type of exercise or to think about a topic or an event for 15 seconds. Alternatively, you might ask them to answer interesting or challenging questions to stimulate thought and conversation.

Whatever you do, make sure you keep your audience and mind and focus on providing something that will truly break the ice. If you think that a joke won’t work at your conference, don’t use it. And if you think a thought exercise won’t fly at your business meeting, don’t use it. There are a time and a place for these things; and part of being a good speaker is to know when and where.

Source of Information : Public Speaking Exposed