What is an elegant opening for a speech?

Answer 1

I agree with what Howard mentioned, all great points.

I would like to add one more point to make a speech opening appealing:

Once you are standing on the stage in front of your audiences, make a pause, look around your audiences, not just a quick glance from left to right or vice versa, but make sure to make a few eye contacts to let your audiences feel that you are connecting with them. Then start with the speech.

I call this "a powerful silence" to start a speech.

Answer 2

Many possibilities exist to make a speech's opening appealing. Please consider the following:

an exciting specific example using robust words that relates to your position

a question that will make the audience know and think about the issue

a humorous opening sentence

a relevant, interesting quotation that can lead into the issue you will discuss

a short, concise review of one aspect of the main issue you will discuss.

These are just some possiblities.