Effective communication is an essential skill for everyone who’s willing to stand in front of an audience and speak. How you begin, how you engage, and how you wrap up your speech can have a significant effect on your listeners. The right wording not only hooks an audience, but also helps to keep their attention throughout the duration of the speech. In this article, we focus on ten English phrases that every speaker should incorporate to keep the audience engaged from the beginning all the way to the end.

Thank You All for Being Here Today

Preceding your speech by expressing gratitude enables you to create a favorable environment before the onslaught. By saying “Thank you all for being here today”, it shows you appreciate their presence. That alone goes a long way in assisting you with fundamental connections.

In addition, it ensures a good level of politeness which can increase the chances of your audience receiving the speech. It is a less complicated way to demonstrate that you respect their effort and focus, which subsequently increases their willingness to actively participate during the speech.

I Will Begin With

After thanking the audience, you should make it clear that you are about to begin your speech. “I will begin with” is a good way of making it known that your presentation is about to commence. It is straightforward and guides the audience’s focus to the body of the speech. This phrase is useful in managing the audience’s expectations as well as preparing them for the speech.

In the absence of this phrase, your audience will have no idea where the beginning of the speech is and this is especially the case where audience participation has already taken place. This transition will also help your audience to feel more at ease as the phrase indicates that the core of the speech is about to commence.

Before Proceeding Further, Do Any of You Have Questions?

Asking questions helps to keep your audience engaged. With long speeches, without any interactions, participants tend to get bored. To alleviate this, I suggest using the phrase: “before proceeding further do any of you have questions?”

This phrase serves to encourage participation and helps participants clarify any confusion they might have. It also demonstrates that you value their opinions, which is why, you and them help each other engage in better two way communication. If you engage your audience early, there are less chances of them zoning out during long speeches.

I Can See Hands Up In The Sky, I See You Sir. Go Ahead.

Try not to miss people immediately after you have your audience responding to your request for questions. If someone from your audience raises his or her hand, acknowledge the person without delay by saying “i can see hands up in the sky, and I see you sir provide your answer.”

With this technique, you pinpoint audience members because very few people would raise their hands together thereby creating an environment conducive to participation. This ensures that everyone in the audience feels appreciated and with everyone wearing willing to talk, there are going to be closed sessions at the end of the speech.

Let Me Tell You a Story

Humans have a rich history of enjoying and partaking in storytelling. At the same time, storytelling can also be showcased as an undeniable skill of public speaking. This is why the phrase, “Let me tell you a story,” has the potential to capture an audience’s undivided attention. It can also rationalize the speech which will make it more enjoyable.

Stories invoke different emotions and stir curiosity which is why people easily resonate with them. An appropriately told story has the potential to ease the tension, teach us important lessons and also drive home the point you are trying to make. From historical accounts to personal experiences and anecdotes, stories can effectively ensure that your audience remembers your message.

I Am Going to Open An Opportunity For You

While giving a presentation, there are certain cases when the audience needs to be directed at a particular segment of the presentation. This can be done by saying, “I am going to open an opportunity for you,” which in turn creates anticipation and interest in your audience.

Once this phrase is heard, every member of the audience automatically understands that something of importance is about to follow. It urges them to be more alert and attentive while also preparing them for some form of action. Once you have established rapport with the audience, your willingness to bear their expectations will increase.

Difficult Problems Exist for All of Us to Solve and I Will Try to Establish the Next Steps To Take

These quotes can enable the speaker to introduce issues that they and their listeners must deal with. “Difficult problems exist for all of us to solve and I will try to establish the next steps to take ” enables a speaker to motivate their audience and posit a solution in a systemic way.

Most people have problems they need to overcome, and this quote provides a pathway to dealing with them. It frames the speech in such a manner that pushes toward forward movement. This slogan will allow the presenter to offer guidance and solution thinking that nurtures rapport and trust.

Formulating the Vision for the Future Needs to Begin

“It has come to the time to set the vision for the future ” is probably one of the most constructive statement that can be made use of when a speaker wishes to uplift and motivate. It serves as fuel for the audience to ponder over the future opportunities that await them.

In doing so, you encourage them to concentrate to the future which in essence motivates them to think and do something about it. It helps to foster a specific outcome to work towards and hope for. Therefore, when the “sight” of that vision is set to wider horizons, they enable the people around them to understand that straighter path as well.

I Have Only One Signal to Give to You

The end of a presentation should correspond with a take away message. The phrase, “I have only one signal to give to you,” helps phrases like, “When you leave here, make sure you remember this,” really pop while simultaneously getting across a strong call to action.

Giving your audience one piece of actionable advice or information is easier for them to remember and act on than giving them multiple signals. Bombarding them with messages can weaken the meaning, but one signal gets the point across and ensures it is remembered.

Thank You for Your Time and Patient Listening! Together We Can Achieve More

In the last section of your speech, it is ideal to express gratitude and appreciation. “Thank you for listening, together we can achieve more,” allows the audience to feel as though they are part of the voice which is always good.

This statement further provides unity between you and the audience in achieving something great. This is a very strong way of ending a speech in motivational context so that the audience is charged into taking active measures.

Final Thoughts

By using these 10 English phrases, you will improve your speech writing skills and your public speaking ability. Starting from welcoming the participants right through to the interactive queries, each phrase offered is important in establishing rapport and keeping interest. The next time you use the stage, remember these phrases and use them to improve your audience’s participation, and make the presentation more dynamic and unforgettable.

Categories: English for Business