How To Organize An Impromptu Speech
by Kevin
While this article is about impromptu speaking, these tips can also help you if you’re looking for a technique on how to answer interview questions.
Impromptu speaking is tough.
If you’ve ever watched the contestants in beauty contest try to answer a tough question, you know what I mean. Even in a job interview, when you’re trying to impress 4 or 5 interviewers, it’s easy to get rattled by the questions. In high-pressure impromptu situations like these, take a few seconds before you respond to gather your thoughts. Don’t be afraid to pause during your response if you need to. If you can pause without a look of panic on your face, you will appear thoughtful and careful, and your audience will respect you for that.
Here are 3 ways to organize your impromptu speech:
The first pattern is called the PREP method. This pattern is your best choice when you only have a few seconds to prepare. Here are the steps:
- Position: State your position on the topic.
- Reason: State your reason for taking the position.
- Example: Provide an example that helps explain your reason.
- Position: Summarize and restate your position.
The second pattern for organizing your impromptu speeches is called the Point-Support-Conclusion method. It goes like this:
- Point: Provide your point of view, key idea, or objective.
- Support: Provide stories or examples that help prove your point.
- Conclusion: End by restating your point of view, key idea, or make your call to action.
The final pattern is called Past-Present-Future:
- Point: State your key point.
- Past: Discuss what happened in the past.
- Present: Discuss what is occurring today.
- Future: Tell your audience about what will or could happen in the future.
- Point: Summarize by restating your key point.
Yes, impromptu can be nerve-racking, but if you stay cool and take a few seconds to organize your thoughts, you’ll look like a pro. Remember that your response does not need to be a masterpiece. Your audience realizes that you are speaking off the cuff. A thoughtful, coherent, and brief response is what is expected.
About the Author: If you’re a student, be sure to visit GradeMySpeech.com [Editor's note: this is no longer a live domain; no forwarding url] and get feedback on your speech from a former speech instructor BEFORE you have to deliver it for real. It’s affordable, and it’s a great way to help improve your speech.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How To Organize An Impromptu Speech
