1. Title of selection and author’s name.
2. Try to get the audience’s attention. (The way to do this is by using eye contact and not looking down as much as possible and using your voice to its fullest potential as you give a compelling opening statement about why you chose the piece.)
3. Make sure your delivery sets an appropriate mood.
4. Have direct audience contact as much as possible.
5. Use a natural delivery in which you remain yourself.
6. Any biographical or critical information about the author or the selection that is interesting or important for the audience to know.
7. Background information about what has happened before your excerpt begins if you are not performing the entire work.