Tonia Robinson has been a Toastmaster since 2009 and loves competing in speech contests to refine her skills as a motivational speaker and coach. The document provides tips for impromptu speaking, including listening to the question, pausing before answering, confirming you understood the question correctly, telling your response, and ending concisely. It suggests strategies like expressing an opinion on the topic, discussing causes and effects, or addressing the past, present, and future. The goal is to think on your feet and get comfortable with impromptu speaking through practice.

1. Tonia S. Robinson, CL, ACB
For completion of ACS
#11

2. 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.

3.  Feeling put on the spot?
 Impromptu speeches are meant to put us
on the spot!

4.  You are expected to answer in 2 minutes
after being given your topic!
 It must have these ingredients

5.  During interviews
 In the elevator with strangers
 Media interview
 In Toastmasters meetings!
 Phone conversation with our partners…

6.  Applying Impromptu Speaking Tactics
 Structuring a response
 Selecting a strategy- thinking of what to
say

7. • 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

8. When Giving An Impromptu Talk:-
 Listen
 Pause
 Confirm
 Tell
 End!

9. • 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.  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

11. • 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
Listen
Pause
Confirm
Tell
End!

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

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. • State the situation
• Discuss causes
• Align with consequences

19. • Discuss each element individually
• Describe elements by their:
• Differences
• Difficulty

20.  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

21. • 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.  Impromptu Speaking Tactics
- Structuring a response
Impromptu Speaking Strategy
- Thinking of what to say
WhateverYou Do, Don’t…
- Short list of things not to do

24. • 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”

26.  Telephone: 845-823-9885
 Website:
www.motivationelitecoaching.com
 Email: tonia.s.robinson@gmail.com