One Simple Trick for Nailing an Intro or Short Article

Summary

The author shares a strategy for crafting effective introductions or short articles by determining the closing line first to ensure a structured and memorable delivery.

Abstract

The article discusses a method for overcoming the anxiety of public speaking by focusing on the final line of an introduction or short piece. The author, recounting a personal experience at a group retreat, emphasizes the importance of having a clear endpoint to build towards, which simplifies the construction of the talk or post and leaves a lasting impression on the audience. This technique involves crafting the title and opening line with care, but dedicating most of the effort to the final sentence, as it is the memory that will linger with listeners or readers. The author also provides examples of effective closing lines from popular media and credits a podcast episode for introducing him to Internal Family Systems therapy, which underscores the impact of memorable endings.

Opinions

The author admits to being judgmental during others' introductions, highlighting a personal challenge with patience and empathy.
Despite this, they acknowledge their own critical nature and express a commitment to self-improvement.
The author values brevity and clarity in introductions and appreciates when others can convey their points succinctly.
They recommend an AI service, ZAI.chat, as a cost-effective alternative to ChatGPT Plus (GPT-4), suggesting confidence in AI tools for enhancing communication.
The author believes that the last sentence of a talk or written piece is crucial for its overall impact and memorability.

Terrified of public speaking? There’s an easy hack to make sure you say something others appreciate

Everybody say a few words about yourself — created in Midjourney

It’s almost my turn, oh my god, what am I going to say?

I was sitting in a circle of 30 people at a group retreat yesterday, listening as we went around the circle and each participant introduced themselves. I was literally at the end of the line and had plenty of time to prepare for my 15 seconds of fame, but I didn’t need it.

As I listened to the others speak, a part of me was judging them mercilessly for going on too long, or for rambling without a point or an end to their story. Yeah, I can be a dick, I’m working on it. Many of them of course gave excellent, concise introductions.

Soon I gave my quick intro, got some cheap laughs with a joke about knowing the specific episode number of a podcast because I recommend it so often, and closed it by expressing how much I looked forward to getting to know everyone.

As the microphone was handed back to the host, my daughter leaned over beside me and asked, “That was great, I never know what to say, how do you come up with an intro?”

I replied, “First, thank you, daughter, love the compliment.” And then as I thought about it I realized I had a simple trick I use to formulate very short talks, that also works well for written posts!

I told her, “I figure out the last line of what I’m going to say, first. That way I can build up everything else to that line and the structure creates itself.”

It works for me and it will work for you. Starting with the end in mind is great advice in any field of endeavour, but in writing and speaking, it’s a great shortcut to a memorable short post or talk.

Yes spend time on your title and on your opening line, but for lasting effect, to make it memorable, focus most of all on the last sentence. You know.

This one.

Jason Sudeikis's closing credits dialog in Horrible Bosses made it even more memorable. It’s about the memory you leave with.

Tim Ferriss's excellent podcast interviewing Dick Schwartz about Internal Family Systems therapy. Episode 492. This is what got me into IFS. Thank you, Tim!