NEW GAME, NEW LIFE 315
316 INTRODUCTORY SPEECHES FOR ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
New Game, New Life
Commentary
Developed around the theme of personal growth, “New Game, New Life” follows a narrative structure.
After explaining how she broke her back during a soccer game, the speaker focuses on how she grew
personally and relationally while recovering from her injury. A video of the speech is available online and
on the DVD of student speeches that accompanies this edition of The Art of Public Speaking. Below is a
synopsis.
Specific Purpose: To introduce myself to the audience by explaining how my soccer injury opened new
possibilities in my life.
Central Idea: Breaking my back on the soccer field changed my life in ways I never could have imagined.
Method of Organization: Topical
Introduction: The introduction consists of the first two paragraphs. In paragraph 1, the speaker gains