What is the role of this sentence in the context of the entire speech?

The formula for a great speech is difficult to determine because the audience is unpredictable and the circumstances in which you deliver a speech often affect the outcome of the presentation. But starting with an attention-getting device, telling stories, knowing the thesis of your speech, including new information, summarizing as you go, and crafting a great exit line will give you a good foundation to insure success in your next speech.

Explanation:

The formula for a great speech is difficult to determine because the audience is unpredictable and the circumstances in which you deliver a speech often affect the outcome of the presentation. But starting with an attention-getting device, telling stories, knowing the thesis of your speech, including new information, summarizing as you go, and crafting a great exit line will give you a good foundation to insure success in your next speech.

in the quotation from passage, connie willis states that literature is a way for authors from the past to communicate with readers of today. we can read their stories, books, and other texts to learn lessons about life. willis refers to these lessons as messages “from beyond the grave.” willis has a favorable viewpoint about the timelessness of literature.