The purpose of the introduction is to prepare the audience to listen to your speech. The following aspects which may help you to catch your audience's attention.

Remember:

• Appearance is important: dressing, expression of your face, having eye contact, psoture etc. decides on symphathy or antipathy.
• Speak slowly
• Smile at the beginning (Tip: Write "SMILE" on your index card!)

A good way to start your presentation is if you keep the following points in mind

• Interesting beginning (rhetorical question, story anecdote, visuals etc.)
• Introduce yourself and the subject you have worked on - a single sentence!
• Say how long the presentation will last
• Tell the audience whether they will get any handouts and when
• Tell the audience when they will be able to ask questions

Tip: Memorize your introduction. This will help you to keep eye-contact with your audience. Engaging the audience ist important, because audience members decide if the will continue to listen during the first minutes of your speech.

Source: Malcom Goodale, Professional Presentation, Cambridge 1998