Which of the following is a key purpose of the introduction in a speech?

The introduction in a speech serves several important purposes, and one of its key functions is to introduce the main topic. This sets the stage for the audience, providing a clear understanding of what to expect from the speech. By effectively introducing the main topic, the speaker can engage the audience’s interest and attention right from the outset, allowing them to follow the subsequent points more easily.

In doing this, the speaker typically outlines the main ideas that will be discussed, setting a framework for the entire presentation. This helps the audience to form a context for the information that will be presented, enhancing comprehension and retention.

While establishing authority, summarizing the speech, or giving detailed explanations can be aspects of a speech, these do not capture the primary function of the introduction as clearly as introducing the main topic does. Each of those aspects plays a role at different points in the speech but is not the main focus of the introduction.