This document provides techniques and tips for effective impromptu speaking. It recommends listening carefully to the question, taking time to think before speaking, and telling your story in a structured manner with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Specific tips include pausing to formulate thoughts, asking for clarification, focusing on one or two main points, using examples, and ending strongly by restating the main ideas. Structuring the response by addressing causes and effects, breaking the topic into components, or discussing the past, present and future can also help deliver the message in a clear and impactful way. Regular practice of these impromptu speaking skills is emphasized.

1. Leadership Communication IMPROMPTU SPEAKING

2. Objectives Participants will be able to: Respond to questions at a moment’s notice Think quickly on their feet Deliver in a structured manner Finish with impact

3. Techniques to master Listen carefully Think before speaking Confirm or Clarify Tell your story End with impact

4. Listening actively Builds respect – build rapport and willingness to listen to you. Provides information for your response - incorporate parts of other’s speeches if appropriate Improves on target responses – allows clarification & understanding

5. The pause that refreshes Allow time to formulate your thoughts Can be used to add drama Allows elimination of verbal props – “well” “ah” “um” and “y’know”

6. Measure twice – Cut once Allows more time to think Clarifies what is being sought Can be used to rephrase the question

7. Tell your story Stay focused Stick to key points – 1 or 2 at a time If you disagree – compliment then tactfully amend or correct Involve others

8. End with impact Save some for later Restate / emphasize main points Transition with grace

9. Sources of data The three R’s Reading Radio Research

10. Adding structure Express an opinion Address cause and effect Break the topic into components Discuss the past, present and future

11. Express an opinion State your opinion Justify / support your point Gives reasons why you agree and/or disagree

12. Address cause and effect State the situation Discuss causes Give consequences

13. Break up into components Legal angle Social consequences Educational requirements

14. The past, present and future What existed What is being experienced What would we like

15. Do’s Do show confidence Do make eye contact with the audience Do use vocal variation

16. Don’ts Don’t apologize Don’t ramble Don’t invent Don’t speak quickly

17. Practice Practice – at home Practice - at work Practice - Toastmasters