Impromptu speaking

Tonia S. Robinson, CL, ACBFor completion of ACS

#11

Tonia has been a Toastmaster since 2009. She started out with the Markham SweetTalkers Club in Markham Ontario. She loves competing in speech contests as it gets her closer to her goal of refining her skills as a Motivational Speaker and coach.The objectives of this speech is to share tips on Impromptu speaking.

Feeling put on the spot? Impromptu speeches are meant to

put us on the spot!

You are expected to answer in 2 minutes after being given your topic!

It must have these ingredients

During interviews In the elevator with strangers Media interview In Toastmasters meetings! Phone conversation with our

partners…

Applying Impromptu Speaking Tactics Structuring a response Selecting a strategy- thinking of what

to say

• 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

When Giving An Impromptu Talk:-

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

Listening: 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 belabor 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 FormulaListenPauseConfirmTellEnd!

• Express an Opinion• Address Cause and Effect• Break the Topic into Components• Past, Present and Future

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

• State the situation• Discuss causes• Align with consequences

• 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

• 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 verbatim repetition

• Invent…Be sincere and honest

Impromptu Speaking Tactics - Structuring a responseImpromptu Speaking Strategy- Thinking of what to sayWhatever You Do, Don’t…- Short list of things not to do

• 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”

Telephone: 845-823-9885 Website:

www.motivationelitecoaching.com Email: tonia.s.robinson@gmail.com