演讲中最关键的三分钟

 　　The most critical three minutes in aa speech are the very first three minutes. Unfortunately,many people think that the first thre minutes are just the introductory part of the speech. Therefore,during preparation and rehearsal¹ of the speech,they tend to ignore their imprortance.

　　This conception is totally wrong. If we compare giving a speech to piloting an airport,the first three minutes of a speech are like the takeoff of the airplane.We all know that the takeoff is the most critical of piloting;so how come we ignore tne importance of the first three minutes of a speech?

　　The first three minutes are unique. First,the audience's attention is naturally high because their concentration level decreases as the time elapses. If an audience loses interests in the speaker during the first few minutes,no matter how hard the speaker tries in later part of the speech,there is litter chance that he can regain² his audience's attention. Second,a speaker only has one chance to make a first impression,they are a speaker's best opportunity to win an audience.

　　In line with the nature of the first three minutes,there are at least two goals that a speaker should achieve during this period:to grab the audience's attention,and to establish his credibility. In sum,you need to make an excellent first impression.

　　How to grab the audience's attention? Before I tell you the successful ways,I want to tell you what is doomed³ to be a failing start-up line:"Good morning,ladies and gentlemen." No audience would ever listen to it because they have heard it for thousands of time. It is boring! Try to open with a line that make them listen. For example,you can say "How many of you in tjis room have used internet this week?" or"Do you kown what if industry will be developing at threefold speed for the next ten years?" Just remember,your start-up line needs not to be outrageous⁴ to draw attention;it just needs to be interesting.

　　Many things can be intereting to the audience. A comment on some current local or national events will surely get them interested. Especiall effective are current relating to retail⁵ price,housing,car,and fashion.Humor and anecdote⁶ have the same efect because laughing gets the audience feeling relaxed and ready to hear your story. However,keep them short and to the point since uncomprehensible jokes that have nothing to do with the topic sometimes offend certain people. Morever,question are great because they require an answer. Ask someting,a little mysterious about the auidence ,such as"How many of you plant flowers at home?" But remember,beginning part of you speech is to grab attention. Therefore,save elaboration of your topic for the middle section of your speech. At the beginning,you should say a step ahead of the audience. This doesn'tmean talk fast;it means do not stammer⁷ when telling stories or making points. In one word,keep everything during the first three minutes brief.

　　doom 注定,命定

　　stammer 口吃,结巴

1 rehearsal   

n.排练，排演；练习

参考例句：

• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。
• You can sharpen your skills with rehearsal.排练可以让技巧更加纯熟。

2 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

3 doomed   

命定的

参考例句：

• The court doomed the accused to a long term of imprisonment. 法庭判处被告长期监禁。
• A country ruled by an iron hand is doomed to suffer. 被铁腕人物统治的国家定会遭受不幸的。

4 outrageous   

adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的

参考例句：

• Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
• Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。

5 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

6 anecdote   

n.轶事，趣闻，短故事

参考例句：

• He departed from the text to tell an anecdote.他偏离课文讲起了一则轶事。
• It had never been more than a family anecdote.那不过是个家庭趣谈罢了。

7 stammer   

n.结巴，口吃；v.结结巴巴地说

参考例句：

• He's got a bad stammer.他口吃非常严重。
• We must not try to play off the boy troubled with a stammer.我们不可以取笑这个有口吃病的男孩。