Tell Them What You Are Going To Tell Them

Tell Them What You're Going To Tell Them: Mastering the Art of the Strong Introduction

The age-old adage, "Tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them," isn't just a relic of outdated rhetoric. It's a powerful framework for structuring compelling and effective content, whether it's a presentation, a blog post, a research paper, or even a casual conversation. This principle, often attributed to the military, underscores the importance of clarity, predictability, and reinforcement in communication. This article will delve deep into the "tell them what you're going to tell them" principle, exploring its practical applications, underlying psychology, and how mastering it can significantly enhance your writing and communication skills, boosting both reader engagement and SEO performance. We'll examine its use in different content formats, address common pitfalls, and provide actionable strategies for crafting compelling introductions that hook your audience and set the stage for a successful communication experience.

Understanding the Power of the Three-Part Structure

The "tell them what you're going to tell them" structure is essentially a three-part framework:

1. The Introduction (Tell them what you're going to tell them): This section sets the stage, outlining the main points and the overall purpose of your communication. It's the roadmap for your audience, guiding them through the journey of your message. A strong introduction grabs attention, establishes relevance, and builds anticipation.

2. The Body (Tell them): This is the core of your message, where you delve into the details, provide evidence, and support your claims with facts, examples, and compelling narratives. This section requires careful organization and logical flow to maintain reader engagement.

3. The Conclusion (Tell them what you told them): This section summarizes your key points, reiterates the main message, and provides a sense of closure. It leaves a lasting impression on the audience, reinforcing the key takeaways and solidifying the overall message.

This structure isn't about redundancy; it's about clarity and reinforcement. By previewing the main points in the introduction, you provide context and improve comprehension. The body fleshes out these points, and the conclusion serves as a powerful reminder, solidifying understanding and enhancing retention.

The Psychology Behind Effective Introductions

The effectiveness of the "tell them what you're going to tell them" approach lies in its alignment with fundamental cognitive principles. Humans naturally crave predictability and structure. A well-crafted introduction satisfies this need, reducing cognitive load and allowing the audience to focus on understanding the message rather than struggling to decipher its structure.

• Reduced Cognitive Load: By outlining the main points upfront, you simplify the processing task for your audience. Their brains don't have to work as hard to piece together the information, leading to improved comprehension and retention.

• Improved Comprehension: The introduction acts as a mental scaffold, providing a framework for the subsequent information. This framework helps the audience organize and integrate the information more effectively.

• Enhanced Engagement: A strong introduction that clearly states the purpose and relevance of the message hooks the reader, motivating them to continue reading. It piques their curiosity and establishes a sense of anticipation.

• Increased Recall: The repetition of key points in the conclusion reinforces learning and enhances recall. The information is processed multiple times, solidifying its presence in memory.

Crafting Compelling Introductions: Practical Strategies

Creating a powerful introduction requires more than just stating your topic. It involves capturing the reader's attention, establishing relevance, and creating a roadmap for the subsequent discussion. Here are some practical strategies:

• Start with a Hook: Begin with a compelling statistic, a thought-provoking question, a captivating anecdote, or a relevant quote to grab the reader's attention immediately. This initial hook sets the tone and creates anticipation for what's to come.

• Establish Relevance: Clearly articulate why the topic is important and how it benefits the reader. Connect the topic to the reader's needs, interests, or experiences. This establishes a sense of purpose and motivates them to engage with the content.

• Provide a Roadmap: Briefly outline the main points you will be discussing. This acts as a guide, letting the reader know what to expect and how the information will be presented. Use clear and concise language to avoid overwhelming the reader.

• Use Strong Keywords: Integrate relevant keywords naturally into your introduction. This not only improves SEO but also helps search engines understand the topic and context of your content. Use LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords to broaden your reach and improve semantic relevance.

• Maintain a Concise and Engaging Style: Avoid overly long introductions. Keep your introduction brief and to the point, focusing on clarity and engagement. Use active voice and strong verbs to maintain a dynamic and engaging style.

Applying the Principle Across Different Content Formats

The "tell them what you're going to tell them" principle transcends specific content formats. Its application is just as crucial in:

• Blog Posts: A clear introduction outlining the main points helps readers quickly understand the article's value and focus. This improves readability and reduces bounce rates.

• Presentations: In presentations, a strong introduction sets the tone, captures the audience's attention, and provides a clear overview of the key takeaways.

• Research Papers: Academic papers often benefit from a structured introduction that clearly states the research question, methodology, and expected findings.

• Emails: Even emails can utilize this structure. A brief overview of the email's purpose in the opening lines ensures the recipient understands the message's intent quickly.

• Sales Pitches: In sales contexts, a clear articulation of the product's benefits and value proposition at the outset helps to capture the prospect's interest and sets the stage for a successful sales conversation.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While the "tell them what you're going to tell them" principle is beneficial, some pitfalls can undermine its effectiveness:

• Overly Detailed Introductions: Avoid overwhelming the reader with too much detail in the introduction. Keep it concise and focus on the main points.

• Lack of Clarity: Ensure that your roadmap is clear and easy to understand. Avoid jargon or overly technical language that might confuse the reader.

• Boring or Unengaging Introductions: A dull introduction can quickly lose the reader's attention. Use engaging language and compelling hooks to maintain interest.

• Ignoring the Conclusion: Don't neglect the importance of the conclusion. It's crucial to reiterate the main points and provide a sense of closure.

• Keyword Stuffing: While keyword integration is important, avoid keyword stuffing. Focus on natural language and seamless integration of keywords to avoid penalization from search engines.

Mastering the Art of the Strong Introduction: A Continuous Process

Mastering the art of crafting strong introductions is an ongoing process. It requires practice, attention to detail, and a willingness to experiment with different techniques. By consistently applying the "tell them what you're going to tell them" principle, paying attention to the underlying psychology, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can significantly improve your communication skills and create content that is both engaging and effective. This principle, while seemingly simple, is a powerful tool that can elevate your writing and communication to new heights, resulting in higher reader engagement, improved comprehension, and ultimately, better search engine optimization. Remember, a strong introduction is the key to unlocking the full potential of your message. It’s the foundation upon which you build a compelling narrative, and the first step towards successful communication.