IMPROMPTU SPEAKING

 

Introduction

 

Imagine you are walking along the street and all of a sudden a TV reporter puts a microphone in front of you and asks you a question.   Your immediate and competent response could be your first steps to stardom. 

Perhaps the above is not reality however the ability to “think and speak” on your feet will be a tremendous asset to have in your business and daily life.  Eg meetings, presentations, supervising staff, interviews.  To successfully communicate your ideas in these situations you must be able to organise your thoughts quickly and present them in a clear and logical manner. 

The best way to be able to respond effectively to an unexpected request such as this is to practice, like most things in life.  You can always practice to yourself eg look around you and speak to yourself for 60 seconds on the first noun you see written.   

In each session of this course you will deliver a short impromptu speech, usually with the objective of it being from 60 to 90 seconds. 

What is Impromptu Speaking

 

It is a speech without planning or preparation.  It is a speech with little or no notice eg when you are called upon, unexpectedly, to offer your opinion or provide instruction. 

 

Have the attitude that it’s a wonderful opportunity rather than “why me!”. 

 

What is Expected

 

An audience will be much more understanding and forgiving with technical errors (eg no speech structure, ahms/ahs) in an impromptu speech (still thanking their good luck that they weren’t asked themselves!).

Try to incorporate the basics of public speaking ie speech structure, eye contact, gestures and vocal variety.

If you are struggling – slow down and lift those shoulders high, and pause.

A good/dry sense of humour is good – a laugh from the audience settles everyone, but no sarcasm or anything else that risks offending or insulting your audience.  Don’t risk getting them offside.

Don’t speak about what you don’t know ie don’t pretend, but at the same time don’t apologise for not knowing eg you can say “I don’t know but what I do know is…”.

When are you likely to be asked to speak Without Notice 

At a staff meeting when you are asked to give an opinion or report on something without notice.  This is an opportunity to display your knowledge and competency.

When your manager asks you, one on one, for an opinion or a report without notice. 

When people learn that you are a member of a Speaking Club or have completed a Public Speaking Course.  So anticipate a speaking request.

At social functions to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, wedding etc.  If you are a close friend of the guest(s) of honor, anticipate a speaking request.

A business or sports function. 

It is unlikely you will ever be asked to speak about something you are not familiar with. 

How to be Ready 

Read in order to be aware and up to date with current news and general type events. 

Have standard responses or general strategies.  Refer under final sub-heading “Some other Predetermined Strategies for successful Impromptu Speaking”. 

What to do when you are asked to give an Impromptu Speech 

Make sure you understand the question and make sure you answer it.  For clarity you can ask that the question be repeated.

Pause to be able to think.  If this is during a seminar, to enable you to momentarily think about the topic, you can: 

Recognise the MC and the audience by saying for example “Mr MC , fellow colleagues, clients”.

Restate the question.

Think about the question as you are rising and stepping behind your chair.

Respond saying “this is (not) something I was expecting to be asked / that’s a very good question”.

Recognise it’s relevance or appropriateness or lack thereof.

When stuck for words use: “that reminds me of”, “however what I do know and would like to say is..

All of the above.

Appear to be confident, don’t be rushed, try to emulate how the confident person would react.

Rise with confidence.

Organise your thoughts.  Take a moment to determine your answer ie the main point of your answer, then support this view with 2 or 3 reasons.

Structure the mini-speech ie by having an Opening, Body & Closing.

Have a strong closing.

Some other Predetermined Strategies for successful Impromptu Speaking

 

Aristotle claimed there are 2 ways to convince an audience ie direct evidence and believing in your subject.  So even if you don’t know anything about the subject speak with belief, conviction and sincerity.  Not only with the words you speak but with tone, energy, vocal variety, gestures (body language) and eye contact.

Describe how the subject affects you personally and how it affects other people or the world in general.
 

Speak on another topic, obviously not appropriate if it’s a request to speak at work.  You can start by saying: “Thanks for that question, and it’s a very good question, but I don’t want to talk about that.  What I’d like to talk about is…”  And of course you already have something prepared on your preferred subject.  Or you could say, “Thanks for the question but what you should have asked is...”.

Follow the PREP Method: 

state your Point of view.

give Reason for point of view.

Explain how point of view came about.  Give your experience or other real life experience if possible.

summarise what you said and repeat Point of view.

Follow the PPF (Past, Present, Future) Method:

Start with “there was a time when…”.

Develop with “But now we find that…”.

Close with “In the future I expect…”.

The 3 Important Things Method.  Start with “There are 3 important things that come to mind about this subject…”.  This hopefully gives you a good start and you can start to think of some things while you are saying it.  If you think of one thing you have something to go on to and hopefully other thoughts will happen along the way.  If they don’t just say you forgot what they were, very confidently.

The Pros / Cons Method.  Start with “There are 2 sides to this argument…” and continue on, or start with  “I firmly believe that…but on the other hand”.

The 6 Question Method.  Ask yourself:” Who, What, When, Why, Where & How” as you are speaking to jog your memory.

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