1. Impromptu Speaking By Donald W. Larson AC Bronze, CL March 7, 2007 The Better Speaker Series

2. Feeling Put On The Spot? Click mouse to continue  What’s more challenging than preparing to give a speech?  How about giving a speech… without advance preparation?

3. The Triumphs And Terrors Of Table Topics Click mouse to continue  Immediately after being asked a question, you are expected to give a 45 to 75 second answer that is: -Organized -Coherent -Entertaining

4. Three Approaches To Help Click mouse to continue  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

5. The Challenge Of Table Topics Click mouse to continue  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

6. Is There A Formula? Click mouse to continue  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

7. When Giving An Impromptu Talk Click mouse to continue 1.Listen 2.Pause 3.Confirm 4.Tell 5.End! We’ll cover these points in detail

8. Listen: Responsibilities Click mouse to continue  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

9. Listen: Advantages Click mouse to continue  According respect: -Give respect by listening -Gain respect in return  Ready-made dialog: -Use what you heard in replying -Directly comment on question

10. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End Click mouse to continue  Give your brain a chance to refresh  Adds drama  Acknowledge the question: -Smile -Nod -No filler words (“Ah”, “Um”)

11. Avoid “Filler Word Click-Guilt!” Click mouse to continue

12. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End Click mouse to continue  Repeat question out loud: -Give your mind a chance to absorb concept -Verify the topic, in case you misunderstood the question

13. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End Click mouse to continue  Dazzle audience with your reply!  Stay focused on what you say  Express only the essential points in your reply

14. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End! Click mouse to continue  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!

15. Remember The Secret Formula Click mouse to continue 1.Listen 2.Pause 3.Confirm 4.Tell 5.End!

16. Second Step To Help Click mouse to continue  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

17. Click mouse to continue 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

18. Strategies: Express An Opinion Click mouse to continue  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

19. Strategies: Address Cause And Effect Click mouse to continue  State the situation  Discuss causes  Align with consequences

20. Strategies: Break Topic Into Components Click mouse to continue  Discuss each element individually  Describe elements by their: -Differences -Difficulty -Relative importance

21. Strategies: Discuss The Past, Present, And Future Click mouse to continue  Establish a timeline reference: -Assess the situation over a period of time, consider: -Benchmarks -Milestones -Historical significance

22. Click mouse to continue Selecting A Strategy Summary  Express an Opinion  Address Cause and Effect  Break the Topic into Components  Discuss the Past, Present and Future

23. Third Step To Help Click mouse to continue  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

24. Click mouse to continue Whatever You Do, Don’t…  Apologize -It’s annoying  Ramble -Avoid verbatim repetition  Invent - Be sincere and honest

25. What We Learned Today Click mouse to continue  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

26. Click mouse to continue 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”

27. Click mouse to continue