The Better Speaker Series
Impromptu Speaking
Feeling Put On The Spot?
 What’s more challenging than
preparing to give a speech?
 How about giving a speech…
without advance preparation?
The Triumphs And Terrors Of
Table Topics
 Immediately after being asked
a question, you are expected to
give a 1 minute answer that is: Organized
- Coherent
- Entertaining
Every day off-the-cuff speaking
opportunities
Three Approaches To Help
 Applying Impromptu Speaking Tactics
- Structuring a response
 Selecting A Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
 Whatever You Do, Don’t…
- Talk without a purpose
Impromptu Speaking Tactics Is There A Formula?
 We can’t always anticipate a
question’s content…
 Or predict when we will be
asked “to give a few words”
 It is possible to become
better prepared and confident
to answer
There is A Formula !
When Giving An Impromptu Talk
1. Listen
2.Pause
3.Confirm
4.Tell
5.End!
Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End
 Don’t just hear, be attentive
 Use what you listened to as part
of your response:
- Resist speaking until ready
- Focus on what was said
- Agree/disagree with question
Listen: Advantages
 According respect:
- Give respect by listening
- Gain respect in return
 Ready-made dialog:
- Use what you heard in replying
- Directly comment on question
Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End
 Give your brain a chance to refresh
 Adds drama
 Acknowledge the question:
- Smile
- Nod
- No filler words (“Ah”, “Um”)
Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End
 Repeat question out loud:
- Give your mind a chance to
absorb concept
- Verify the topic, in case you
misunderstood the question
Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End
 Dazzle audience with your reply!
 Stay focused on what you say
 Express only the essential
points in your reply
Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End!
 Don’t prolong your response
 Bring your comments to a close:
- Summarize your main point
- Smile at the conclusion
- Make final eye contact
- Sit down!
Remember The Secret Formula
1.Listen
2.Pause
3.Confirm
4.Tell
5.End!
Selecting A Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
 Express an Opinion
 Address Cause and Effect
 Break the Topic into Components
 Past, Present and Future
Just 3 or 4 points to make
during your speech
Strategies: Express An Opinion
 State your opinion
 Pro/Con, justify your position:
- One item of support to answer a
question
- Two or three items of support if
responding to a speech
Strategies: Address Cause And
Effect
 State the situation
 Discuss causes
 Align with consequences
LOGICAL FLOW
Strategies: Break Topic Into
Components
 Discuss each element
individually
 Describe elements by their:
- Differences
- Difficulty
- Relative importance
Strategies: Discuss The Past,
Present, And Future
 Establish a timeline reference:
- Assess the situation over a
period of time, consider:
- Benchmarks
- Milestones
- Historical significance
Selecting A Strategy Summary
 Express an Opinion
 Address Cause and Effect
 Break the Topic into Components
 Discuss the Past, Present and
Future
Whatever You Do, Don’t…
Short list of things not to do
 Apologize
- It’s annoying
 Ramble
- Avoid repetition
 Invent
- Be sincere and honest
What We Learned Today
Impromptu Speaking Tactics
- Structuring a response
Impromptu Speaking Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
Whatever You Do, Don’t…
- Short list of things not to do
Wrap-up
 To think on your feet is a good
habit to cultivate
 It takes time and effort to
establish these habits
 Practice these basic concepts to
accept the challenge of
“Impromptu Speaking”