Smart Talking
KALMARTESIO
September 26, 2014
Public Speaking
• 2 Messages in a Speech:
– Message delivered by speaker
– Message received by listener
• Goal of Speaker--intended message is clearly
communicated
• How message is received by audience:
– Depends on Verbal Message (what speaker says)
– Depends on Non-Verbal Message (how it is said)
Impromptu Speech
“It takes three weeks to prepare a good
impromptu speech.”
-Mark Twain
An impromptu speech will unnerve even the
best public speaker. One of the most
daunting experiences a person can face is
the request to deliver a speech without
notice.
Impromptu speech for a school or college
assignment
Impromptu speech for an unexpected
occasion
What are the benefits of giving
impromptu speeches?
Improve your oral expression of thought
Develop your communication skills
Develop confidence in public speaking
Learn to “Think on Your Feet”
What to do when asked to give an
impromptu speech
1. Listen
2. Prepare
3. Relax
4. Act Confidently
5. Speak slowly and smoothly
6. Focus
1. Listen
a. Listen carefully to the question / speech topic.
b. Make sure you understand the topic.
c. Ask for the question to be repeated.

This ensures that you understand it.

It also gives you a little more time to prepare.
2. Prepare!
What? Impromptu = No Preparation, right?
You may be given a short time to collect your thoughts.
If not, as you are walking from your seat to the front, use
this time to prepare as much as possible.
Whatever time you have, use it to prepare an outline.
• Speech Topic
• INTRODUCTION
Specific Purpose Statement: ______________
• BODY
– Point 1: _______________________________
Support 1: ____________________________
Support 2: ____________________________
Support 3: ____________________________
Short Summary of point 1:
– Point 2: _______________________________
Support 1: ____________________________
Support 2: ____________________________
Support 3: ____________________________
Short Summary of point 2:
– Point 3: _______________________________
Support 1: ____________________________
Support 2: ____________________________
Support 3: ____________________________
Short Summary of point 3:
• CONCLUSION
Summarize why your answer is the best: __________
a. PREPARE an opening sentence.
Consider repeating the question / topic.
You may want to reword it slightly.
This shows that you understand the question.
It also shows some originality on your part.
Topic:
Should the government regulate cigarette
smoking?
A possible introduction:
“ This afternoon, I would like to tell you why I
believe the government should regulate cigarette
smoking.”
b. PREPARE the main points.
Depending on:
 the topic,
 how much time you are given to speak,
 and your knowledge of the subject,
come up with 2 or 3 main points.
Don’t try to think of more than 3 main points.
You will probably just overwhelm yourself!
c. PREPARE the conclusion.
You can briefly restate your main points, and how
they support your position on the topic.
Should the government regulate cigarette smoking?
“So, I believe that due to the negative health effects
on individuals – as well as the cost to society – our
government should regulate cigarette smoking.”
For example, have a “pre-formulated” conclusion.
“So, I believe that due to “fill in main point #1
here” – as well as “fill in main point #2 here” – “fill
in restated topic here”.
“So, I believe that due to the negative health effects
on individuals – as well as the cost to society – our
government should regulate cigarette smoking.”
Remember, an impromptu speech is almost
always a persuasive speech.
Consequently, the reasons you give in support
of your conclusion must be logical and make
good sense.
It may be difficult to come up with statistics
and quotations. But if you can recall some facts
or a good analogy, make sure to use them!
3. Relax
Take 1 or 2 deep breaths before starting to speak.
Pause briefly before speaking.
Tell yourself that you can be successful.
4. Act Confidently
Look at the audience and smile.
Stand with good posture.
Don’t fidget.
Don’t grab onto the lectern.
Don’t put your hands in your pockets.
5. Speak Slowly and Smoothly
This gives you time to think as you speak.
Your audience will be able to listen to you better.
This helps you reduce fillers (umms and aahs)
6. Focus
Focus on your subject.
Be brief.
Use the speech techniques you have learned,
especially maintaining good eye contact.
Impromptu Speaking Tips
Giving a Speech
with
Little Preparation
Organize the Message
• Identify Purpose and Goal
– Why a speech?
– What do you hope to accomplish?
– Inform? Persuade? Instruct?
• Identify Central Idea
– Must be relevant to audience: Why should they
listen?
– Not overly broad
Select Purpose & Central Idea
• Choose 2-3 Points
– Reinforce your Central Idea
– Highlight Central Idea through Examples
**IMPORTANT**
• Plan Intro & Conclusion
– Intro audience to topic
– Reiterate Central Idea at end
– EASY TO OVERLOOK CONCLUSION
Step 1
Write down what first comes up in your mind.
 A rhetorical question
 A value
 A quotation
 A practical example
 A solution for a problem
 A challenge for your class mates
 That first idea leads you to a specific speech
statement - your thesis - to the point you want to
make.
Step 2
Provide two or three points that support
your statement or thesis.
Reasons
Facts
Statistics
Ways how-to-do-it
Personal experiences or solutions
Step 3
Provide couple of supports for each
point. Two is okay. Three is best
Bottom-line: The supports have to prove
the points, and the points have to prove
the statement of your impromptu speech
topics.
Select Purpose & Central Idea
Example
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that online
voting should not be approved.
Central Idea: We should not approve online voting
because it will increase voter fraud and disfranchise
voters without Internet access.
Scripting Body of Speech
Choose 2-3 Main Points
• Balance Main Points
• Distinguish Sub-points
• Use Stories & Examples
Scripting Body of Speech
Organize Main Points
•
Chronological
Narrate a sequence of events, explain a process
•
Spatial
Follow a directional pattern--top to bottom, left to right
•
Causal or Problem-Solution
Shows a cause-effect relationship or issue-resolution
•
Topical
Divides into sub-topics
Organization patterns
Past-Present-Future.
Time.
Problem-Solving.
Location.
Cause-Effect.
Effect-Cause.
Related Subtopics.
Advantage-Disadvantage.
Transitions
Show relationship between language, cue audience and
enhance flow of speech
First, second, third…
Now that you understand the problem, I
want to tell you about a solution…
In contrast to…;
Similar to the first point…
Maybe you are wondering….
Plan Introduction & Conclusion
• Introduction
– Get Attention!
– State your purpose
– Relate to your
audience
– Establish credibility
– Preview your main
points
• Conclusion
– Cue the end
– Review your main
points or central idea
– Vivid ending
Final Tips on Delivery
• Don’t rush your introduction
• Make eye contact with your audience
before you begin to speak
• Smile, look happy to be here
• Pause at transitions
• Sell this topic as exciting
Tips to Avoid Panic and Embarrassment
• Grab a pen and a piece of paper.
• Jot down interesting or significant points.
• Feel free to acknowledge that you have not
prepared for a speech.
• Hijack the topic.
• Begin with your introductory sentence,
elaborate, then start working your way to your
ending sentence.
• As you deliver your speech, concentrate on
pronunciation and tone.  intelligibility
What If You Draw a Blank?
• Pretend like you're pausing on purpose.
– Walk back and forth slowly, as if you're letting your
last point sink in.
• There is always a joker or popular person who will stand
out in the crowd. Stare at someone and try to draw a
response from him or her while you think.