Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 33

THE INTRODUCTION OF A TALK

Hold a magnifying glass in the sun. As the sun's rays beat down the glass catches them and refracts or bends them and brings these scattered rays to a focal point. The light is concentrated at one small point. So it is with the introduction of a talk. Many scattered thoughts are in the minds of the different ones in the audience. The introduction serves as a magnifying glass to catch these scattered thoughts and bring them to a common focus, that focus being the theme of the subject under discussion. By causing the mental processes to pass through the talk introduc-

tion all thoughts of the audience are turned toward and brought to bear upon the one point at issue.

Focus attention on the word "introduction". The word introduce is from the Latin intro, meaning "to the inside", and ductus, "to lead." The introduction of a talk leads the mind of the audience from a broad scope of general knowledge "to the inside", to the relatively confined area of a specific subject. It should be of a general rather than detailed nature and containing such material as will be readily accepted as true by the audience. They should be somewhat familiar with it. From such familiar and general observations lead them into the burden of the speech with its detailed arguments and proofs. Thus the introduction prepares the way. It must establish contact with the audience, and focus the attention of the audience on the subject, and, if necessary, clarify the subject.

Following are some of the ways of forming the introduction:

First, HISTORICAL; which is merely giving the historical background of the subject. For instance, if one is assigned to talk about Jehovah's witnesses of today he might refer to the faithful men of old as the first witnesses, then to Christ Jesus as the Chief Witness —all of which is historical  —and then go into the discussion of Jehovah's witnesses of today. The historical method is used in the introduction to Fighting for Liberty on the Home Front.

Then there is the use of ILLUSTRATION, to relate some example or incident that has taken place and that shows the appropriateness, need or necessity of considering at this particular time the subject to be discussed. The events used to illustrate need not have actually occurred, but may be imaginative. Jesus' parables were such. A vivid illustration is drawn at the outset of the book Salvation, and from this is drawn a parallel which puts in a nutshell the situation confronting mankind. The opening paragraph of this lesson is developed by illustration.

In the development of historical and illustrative introductions narration and description oftentimes play an important part, and sometimes these two forms of construction in themselves constitute the introduction. In this connection note the historical narration that figures prominently in the openings of the books, "The Truth Shall Make You Free" and "The Kingdom Is at Hand". Description with the addition of some narration makes up the introduction to the Bible character article on Boaz. (See The Watchtower 12/15/44.)

Another method is the use of some general principle or familiar quotation or proverb which the audience knows and will not dispute, and this, of course, must be the keynote of the discussion to follow. A quotation is used as the opening words of "The Kingdom Is at Hand". A proverb is used to introduce the Bible character article on Caleb. (See The Watchtower 12/15/43.) If one were to speak concerning the legality of the work of Jehovah's witnesses, he might open with quoting such principles as freedom of speech, press, assembly and worship.

Also one may use PARTITIONING. State the subject up for consideration and then partition or divide the subject matter into its various aspects, each one of which will be dealt with in the body of the speech. One might combine some of these types of introduction; and often one would want to include this form of partitioning so that the audience will know what to expect and what to look for as the talk progresses. This lesson would have been introduced by partitioning if the various types of introductions to be considered had been stated at the outset.

In the introduction one might create curiosity on the part of the listeners by laying down a barrage of QUESTIONS, good, pointed ones that are pertinent to the subject mate-rial. Thus their interest will be aroused and they will be alert to catch the answers to those questions as the speech unfolds. Examples of this type of introduction are found in The New World and Religion Reaps the Whirlwind. A

similar means of stirring interest at the outset is by confronting the audience with a PROBLEM, one that is of personal interest and concern to them, and then in the body of the talk proceed with the solution.

It is sometimes advisable, in the introduction, to QUALIFY the discussion to follow, either by limiting the material to be considered within certain bounds or by limiting the application of the principles presented. As an example, the introduction might be an explanation of the position of Jehovah's witnesses regarding flag-saluting, limiting at the outset the application of such information to those in a covenant with Jehovah God.

One suggestion: When stating at the beginning the proposition to be proved in the body of the talk, it is not advisable to do so dogmatically. It should be stated with surety and conviction at the conclusion after it has been proved, but not at the start, as this might arouse antagonism. Note that the recorded speech "Snare and Racket" does not start out by saying dogmatically that religion is a snare and a racket, but rather, "It is often said that religion is a snare and a racket." It merely presents the proposition for discussion; and this introductory statement is not made dogmatically, as it would immediately close the minds of many people to what is to follow. In this connection it is noted that defining the terms in the introduction is sometimes of value. Thus in the above illustration the terms "religion" and "snare" and "racket" would be defined. This lesson uses this principle in defining introduction.

A word of caution: The introduction should be no longer than necessary to establish contact, to arouse interest and to disclose and clarify the subject. Its purpose is merely to "lead to the inside". It acts as a funnel to guide the scattered thoughts of the audience into the body of the subject. One would not use a very large funnel to fill a very small bottle. Likewise one would not consume 10 minutes of a 20-minute talk on the introduction. The introduction is merely to gain a mental toe hold, to establish a

beachhead on the mind of the audience; it is not to complete the conquest. From this vantage point the body of the talk takes over and marches on.