Which of the following attention getting strategies is the riskiest way to start a speech, especially if you do not know your audience well? A. Tell a joke B. Use a startling statistic C. Ask a rhetorical question D. Tell a short story or narrative

(A) Tell a joke

Explanation:

Not knowing the audience to which the speech is being addressed it is always better to play it safe. Telling a story or a startling statistic or even starting with a question; these are all safe options. They grab the attention of the audience regardless of their age and interests. Starting with a joke is risky as it could either reduce the impact of the speech or even offend the listeners.