How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Amplification Opener

Techniques > Public speaking > Preparing the Presentation > Amplification Opener

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Start your speech or presentation by taking something that most people consider as being relatively unimportant or distant, and then amplify it. Blow it up to show that it is really significant.

Consider something that is a bit worrying and make it terrifying. Find something that seems distant and make it close. Take something that will happen a long time hence and show that it is imminent.

Example

Water isn't a problem, really, is it? You turn the tap and there it is. But for much of the world, water is more precious than gold, and its availability is far from predictable. It's a big problem. And climate change is making it worse. What will happen when hot lands get hotter? Those who cannot find water will move to lands where there is water. Here.

Technology keeps getting smarter, but did you know how much smarter? Walking, flying robots are around the corner. Moore's Law is still flying and artificial intelligence is ramping up amazingly. In ten years robots will be as smart and mobile as many animals. And ten years after they will have left us behind. Are we ready? What opportunities does this offer?

Discussion

This is basically a shock tactic. By taking something small and amplifying it, you can create surprise and consequent avid attention.

Although this method works best when the amplification is directly related to your subject, you may also be able to make it work in less obvious situations, particularly if you can use the amplified subject as a metaphor, bridging from the opener to your apparently related subject matter.