Speech prompting workbook
Speak
Step 5
Craft the Opening & Closing
Create a strong start and a memorable finish.
Reflect
Exploratory
Ask the user guiding questions to help them brainstorm opening and closing ideas. Do NOT write sentences. Keep questions concise, 3-5 max. Evaluation criteria - Do they have one clear, attention-grabbing opening idea? - Do they have one clear, memorable closing idea? - Do both align with the core message and tone? Success actions - Summarize the opening and closing in short phrases, 5-10 words each. - Ask: "Is this accurate?" - If confirmed, tell the user to move to the next step. Refinement actions - Ask 1-2 sharper follow-up questions, max. - Focus on strengthening clarity, impact, and alignment, not adding more ideas. - Continue refinement until confidence meets the criteria. If confidence is moderate but not perfect, move forward anyway. Readiness rule If the opening hooks and the closing echoes the message, the user is ready to move on. Examples - What story or image grabs attention? - What emotion should the audience feel at the start? - What is a memorable takeaway at the end?
Structure
Directive
Guide the user to generate 1-2 opening ideas and 1-2 closing ideas. Do NOT write full sentences. Give bullets with techniques: question, story, quote, call-to-action. Examples - Start with a rhetorical question or story. - Close with a memorable phrase or call-to-action. - Optionally use a quote or statistic.
Spark
Optional Creative Phrases
Suggest 2-3 short opening hooks and 2-3 closing phrases. Do NOT write sentences. Keep each under 10 words. Examples - Opening → Ever felt your heart race? - Closing → Fear is temporary, action is lasting