The exordium is the introduction of a speech.
The Latin word exordium came to Spanish as exordio . The term refers to the preamble or the first part of a speech or literary work .
It can be said that the exordium is the introduction or beginning of the speech. Its purpose is to capture the attention of the public and prepare their willingness to receive the content.
The exordium in rhetoric
According to classical rhetoric , the exordium is the initial section of a speech. In the exordium, the speaker explains why he is speaking and tries to get the listeners to adopt a benevolent position.
Thus, with this beginning of the speech the aim is to generate sympathy, specify the topic of the speech and awaken interest in the audience. That is why it is a key instance where the speaker has to exploit his capabilities and use his resources in the best possible way.
The speaker's characteristics
He who gives a speech must show his probity and wisdom in the exordium. Prudence and modesty are other values that must be demonstrated to promote a good reception of the message .
Due to its operation, the exordium serves to anticipate possible conflicts, defusing them before they break out. The speaker (or writer) must strive to present the topic in such a way that its most controversial components are softened.
It is common to mention the importance of suggesting instead of assuring: in the exordium the speaker should not present himself as someone who knows everything about the matter, but rather must show, clearly and concisely, the position he will defend.
The exordium aims to arouse the interest of the audience.
Types of exordium
Several types of exordia are recognized according to their particularities. Abrupt exordia , also known as ex abrupto exordia , begin unexpectedly with the intention of impressing the audience, for example .
Direct exordia are based on the assumption that the audience already knows the topic to be discussed, thereby avoiding detours. The exordia by instruction or insinuation , meanwhile, begin with tranquility and moderation to build the atmosphere little by little.
Other parts of speech
The rhetoric indicates that, after the exordium, comes the proposition . This is a short statement about the matter in question.
The structure of the speech then contemplates the division , which involves listing and ordering the thematic blocks. The division is followed by the longest part: the narrative , also mentioned as exposition or development . At this point the facts that make it possible to demonstrate the conclusion are presented.
In the argument , on the other hand, the evidence that confirms the thesis of the narrative is presented. You can also appeal to refutation , which responds to another concept in an opposite way. Finally, the speech closes with the peroration to mobilize the listeners' affections, summarizing what has already been developed.
The forensic exordium
In the legal field, the introduction that a lawyer makes before a court is called an exordium, which extends until the professional fully immerses himself in the facts.
Before examining the events and proceeding to evaluate them in evidentiary terms, the lawyer makes the exordium to anticipate what his presentation will be about, seeking to generate interest and, in turn, sympathy towards the case defended.