Impromptu Speaking
By
Donald W. Larson
AC Bronze, CL
March 7, 2007
The Better Speaker Series
Feeling Put On The Spot?
 What’s more challenging than
preparing to give a speech?
 How about giving a speech…
without advance preparation?
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The Triumphs And Terrors Of
Table Topics
 Immediately after being asked a
question, you are expected to
give a 45 to 75 second answer
that is:
- Organized
- Coherent
- Entertaining
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Three Approaches To Help
 The Challenge Of Table Topics
- Structuring a response
 Selecting A Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
 Whatever You Do, Don’t…
- Short list of things not to do
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The Challenge Of Table Topics
 Requires extemporaneous response
 We use it in Toastmasters meetings
to practice for real-life situations:
-
Asked/asking for directions
Answering the phone
Job interview questions
Talking to a customer
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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
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When Giving An Impromptu Talk
1. Listen
2. Pause
3. Confirm
4. Tell
5. End!
We’ll cover these points in detail
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Listen: Responsibilities
 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
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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
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Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End
 Give your brain a chance to refresh
 Adds drama
 Acknowledge the question:
- Smile
- Nod
- No filler words (“Ah”, “Um”)
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Avoid “Filler Word Click-Guilt!”
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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
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Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End
 Dazzle audience with your reply!
 Stay focused on what you say
 Express only the essential points
in your reply
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Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End!
 Don’t belabor your response
 Bring your comments to a close:
- Summarize your main point
- Smile at the conclusion
- Make final eye contact
- Sit down!
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Remember The Secret Formula
1. Listen
2. Pause
3. Confirm
4. Tell
5. End!
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Second Step To Help
 The Challenge Of Table Topics
- Structuring a response
 Selecting A Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
 Whatever You Do, Don’t…
- Short list of things not to do
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Selecting A Strategy
 Express an Opinion
 Address Cause and Effect
 Break the Topic into Components
 Discuss the Past, Present and
Future
We’ll cover these points in detail
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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
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Strategies: Address Cause And
Effect
 State the situation
 Discuss causes
 Align with consequences
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Strategies: Break Topic Into
Components
 Discuss each element
individually
 Describe elements by their:
- Differences
- Difficulty
- Relative importance
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Strategies: Discuss The Past,
Present, And Future
 Establish a timeline reference:
- Assess the situation over a
period of time, consider:
- Benchmarks
- Milestones
- Historical significance
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Selecting A Strategy Summary
 Express an Opinion
 Address Cause and Effect
 Break the Topic into Components
 Discuss the Past, Present and
Future
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Third Step To Help
 The Challenge Of Table Topics
- Structuring a response
 Selecting A Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
 Whatever You Do, Don’t…
- Short list of things not to do
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Whatever You Do, Don’t…
 Apologize
- It’s annoying
 Ramble
- Avoid verbatim repetition
 Invent
- Be sincere and honest
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What We Learned Today
 The Challenge Of Table Topics
- Structuring a response
 Selecting A Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
 Whatever You Do, Don’t…
- Short list of things not to do
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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”
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