Final answer:
You should clearly state the main points and objectives of your speech in the introduction to engage the audience and establish credibility. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing a speech introduction, you should usually clearly state the main points and objectives of your speech. This engages your audience, presents the topic and main ideas, and validates your credibility as a speaker. While humor can be an effective tool, detailed statistics and data may overwhelm the audience at the start, and the most important information should not be saved for the conclusion but rather introduced upfront, with the intention to further explore it in the body of the speech.
One effective method is to open with a specific detail, statistic, or quotation that is dramatic enough to capture the audience's attention, ensuring it's both credible and relevant to the topic at hand. Following this hook, a smooth transition to the main topic of the speech is essential for maintaining audience interest and setting the stage for the arguments to follow. Ultimately, the introduction should lead seamlessly into a definitive statement of the main theme or claim, providing a snapshot of what is to be expected in the speech.