The document discusses impromptu speaking and provides strategies for being an effective impromptu speaker. It recommends listening to the question, pausing before responding, confirming you understood the question, telling your response, and ending your response. Some strategies for structuring a response include expressing an opinion on the topic, addressing the cause and effect, breaking the topic into components, or discussing the past, present, and future of the topic. The document also provides a short list of things speakers should avoid doing, such as apologizing or rambling. Overall, the document encourages practicing impromptu speaking techniques to feel more prepared and confident responding without advance preparation.

1. The Better Speaker SeriesImpromptu SpeakingBy OlenaRodina

2. Feeling Put On The Spot?What’s more challenging than preparing to give a speech?

3. How about giving a speech… without advance preparation?

4. The Triumphs And Terrors Of Table TopicsImmediately after being asked a question, you are expected to give a 2 minute answer that is:

5. Organized

6. Coherent

7. EntertainingEvery day off-the-cuff speaking opportunities

8. Three Approaches To HelpApplying Impromptu Speaking Tactics

9. Structuring a response

10. Selecting A Strategy - Thinking of what to sayWhatever You Do, Don’t… - Short list of things not to do

11. Impromptu Speaking Tactics - Is There A Formula?We can’t always anticipate a question’s content…

12. Or predict when we will be asked “to give a few words”

13. It is possible to become better prepared and confident to answerThere is A Formula !

14. When Giving An Impromptu TalkListenPauseConfirmTellEnd!

15. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-EndDon’t just hear, be attentive

16. Use what you listened to as part of your response: - Resist speaking until ready - Focus on what was said - Agree/disagree with question

17. Listen:AdvantagesAccording respect: - Give respect by listening - Gain respect in returnReady-made dialog: - Use what you heard in replying - Directly comment on question

18. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-EndGive your brain a chance to refresh

19. Adds drama

20. Acknowledge the question: - Smile - Nod - No filler words (“Ah”, “Um”)

21. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-EndRepeat question out loud:- Give your mind a chance to absorb concept- Verify the topic, in case you misunderstood the question

22. Listen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-EndDazzle audience with your reply!

23. Stay focused on what you say

24. Express only the essential points in your replyListen-Pause-Confirm-Tell-End!Don’t belabor your response

25. Bring your comments to a close: - Summarize your main point - Smile at the conclusion - Make final eye contact - Sit down!

26. Remember The Secret FormulaListenPauseConfirmTellEnd!

27. Selecting A Strategy - Thinking of what to sayExpress an Opinion

28. Address Cause and Effect

29. Break the Topic into Components

30. Past, Present and FutureJust 3 or 4 points to make during your speech

31. Strategies: Express An OpinionState your opinion

32. Pro/Con, justify your position:

33. One item of support to answer a question

34. Two or three items of support if responding to a speechStrategies: Address Cause And EffectState the situation

35. Discuss causes

36. Align with consequences LOGICAL FLOW

37. Strategies: Break Topic Into ComponentsDiscuss each element individually

38. Describe elements by their:

39. Differences

40. Difficulty- Relative importance

41. Strategies: Discuss The Past, Present, And FutureEstablish a timeline reference:

42. Assess the situation over a period of time, consider:

43. Benchmarks

44. Milestones

45. Historical significanceSelecting A Strategy SummaryExpress an Opinion

46. Address Cause and Effect

47. Break the Topic into Components

48. Discuss the Past, Present and FutureWhatever You Do, Don’t… Short list of things not to doApologize- It’s annoyingRamble- Avoid verbatim repetitionInvent- Be sincere and honest

49. What We Learned TodayImpromptu Speaking Tactics - Structuring a responseImpromptu SpeakingStrategy - Thinking of what to sayWhatever You Do, Don’t… - Short list of things not to do

50. Wrap-upTo think on your feet is a good habit to cultivate

51. It takes time and effort to establish these habits

52. Practice these basic concepts to accept the challenge of “Impromptu Speaking”Good Luck on Table Topics!