Public Speaking
Podcast | Intermediate Resource
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Explanation
Most people find the idea of impromptu speaking a bit daunting or even scary. But with the right approach and support it can become much less intimidating, even fun. And the activity helps develop the very valuable skill of thinking on your feet. So, today we’ll look at some effective ways of getting more out of impromptus.
Here are the main points we’ll be looking at:
— How focussing on finding interesting things to talk about is part of getting over nervousness.
— How fresh ideas are far better than important ones.
— How it’s better to talk about a single idea rather than cramming in many.
— How a simple structure using dot points is really important.
— How successful impromptu speaking lies somewhere between totally off the cuff and fully prepared.
— How there’s always plenty of room for a speaker to express their speaking style.
Common mistakes— Polite introductions and thank yous are totally unnecessary in impromptu speaking, and waste time that can be used making your point.
— While sophisticated language use can be powerful in impromptus, the overuse of rhetorical questions and empty fancy phrases should be avoided.
Conclusion— Tuning in to the news for interesting stories is the best preparation you can do.
— Fresh ideas are better than important ones.
— Structure always helps you focus and avoid getting lost in your speech.