How to start before delivering a piece of news or shocking information?

We are often in a situation where we are supposed to deliver a piece of news or shocking information to someone but often it is difficult to start the conversation. The following are some expressions or sentences that you can use as an opening:

      -      Guess what?

      -      You know what?

      -      Have you heard the latest news about …?

      -      Have you heard that …?

You can use the following expressions to respond:

      -      Wow! That sounds great.

      -      Really?

      -      That’s terrific!

      -      Are you sure?

      -      Great! Unbelievable.

Examples:
Dialog 1

Dandi: You know what? Our big family is going to give a surprise birthday party for our grandfather this Sunday.

Dinda: Wow! That sounds great. How old is he?

Dandi: He will be 74 on August 23.

Dinda: Really? I thought he was just around sixty something. He looks a lot younger.

Dandi: I think so. Thanks.

Dialog 2
Kevin: Have you heard the latest news about Yolanda?
Rifky: No. What about her?
Kevin: She got accepted at the Medical Faculty of UGM.
Rifky: Wow! That’s terrific. We should be very proud of her.
Kevin: We are. It means that our school is of good quality.