Making an Impromptu
Presentation
AGCM 4203
Professional Development
in Agricultural Communications
Effective Presentations
Verbal
7%
Vocal
38%
Visual
55%
“Nothing is more important
in life than the ability to
communicate effectively”
Gerald Ford
“The ability to write and speak in public
are considered critical skills needed in a
new employee”
“… if they can’t communicate and work in
teams they are not going to make it in
the business world”
Focus Group Interview
with Agribusiness Employers
Questions …
 What
is an impromptu presentation?
 When
have you been asked to make
an impromptu presentation?
 When
might you be called upon to
make an impromptu presentation?
“It usually takes me more
than three weeks to prepare
a good impromptu speech”
Mark Twain
Impromptu Presentation Steps
1. Begin with a positive thank you




Move to the front
Acknowledge the speaker
Pause to relax
Paraphrase (re-state) the
question
Impromptu Presentation Steps
2. Make 1 to 3 positive points




Select key points
What are the important facts?
What message do I want to send?
What is important to the
audience?
Impromptu Presentation Steps
3. Support your points with facts,
data, and examples
 Adds clarity
 Know your source of information
 Don’t know, then say so
Impromptu Presentation Steps
4. Offer a brief summary or
closing
 Maybe use a quote
 Importance
 Offer thanks for the opportunity
Impromptu Presentation Steps
1. Begin with a positive thank you
2. Make 1 to 3 positive points
3. Support your points with facts,
data, and examples
4. Offer a brief summary or
closing
“All the great speakers
were bad speakers at first”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
For this class …
1. Give one impromptu presentation
at some point during the semester
2. I will put you “on the spot” at some
point during the semester
3. You will be graded and the
impromptu is worth 25 pts.