This document provides guidance on improving impromptu speaking abilities. It outlines a five-step formula of listen, pause, confirm, tell, and end for structuring an impromptu response. Several strategies are also suggested, such as expressing an opinion, addressing cause and effect, breaking the topic into components, or discussing the past, present and future. The document cautions against apologizing, rambling, or inventing responses. Regular practice of these concepts can help one develop confidence in impromptu speaking situations.

1. Impromptu Speaking
The Better Speaker Series
By Olena Rodina

2. Feeling Put On The Spot?
 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
 Immediately after being asked
a question, you are expected to
give a 2 minute answer that is:
- Organized
- Coherent
- Entertaining

4. Every day off-the-cuff speaking
opportunities

5. Three Approaches To Help
 Applying Impromptu Speaking Tactics
- Structuring a response
 Selecting A Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
 Whatever You Do, Don’t…
- Short list of things not to do

6. Impromptu Speaking Tactics -
Is There A Formula?
 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. There is A Formula !

8. When Giving An Impromptu Talk
1. Listen
2.Pause
3.Confirm
4.Tell
5.End!

9. 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

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

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

12. 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

13. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End
 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!
 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
1.Listen
2.Pause
3.Confirm
4.Tell
5.End!

16. Selecting A Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
 Express an Opinion
 Address Cause and Effect
 Break the Topic into Components
 Past, Present and Future
Just 3 or 4 points to make
during your speech

17. 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

18. Strategies: Address Cause And
Effect
 State the situation
 Discuss causes
 Align with consequences
LOGICAL FLOW

19. Strategies: Break Topic Into
Components
 Discuss each element
individually
 Describe elements by their:
- Differences
- Difficulty
- Relative importance

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

21. Selecting A Strategy Summary
 Express an Opinion
 Address Cause and Effect
 Break the Topic into Components
 Discuss the Past, Present and
Future

22. 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

23. What We Learned Today
Impromptu Speaking Tactics
- Structuring a response
Impromptu Speaking Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
Whatever You Do, Don’t…
- Short list of things not to do

24. 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”