The fundamentals of impromptu speech
I have got my best public speaking learning from preparing for speaking contests, one of which was the impromptu speaking contest called Table Topics Contest at Toastmasters International. I was the 2019 winner at the Area E Level contest of District 42.
Contrary to what many believe, it is totally possible to prepare for an impromptu speech. Here, I am jotting down all the fundamentals that I know or have learned about giving impromptu speeches.
The first thing I want to share is that it is unnerving to give a speech on a topic that you have just heard, but I still absolutely love impromptu speaking. The first few seconds are scary and very uncomfortable, like I am climbing a mountain without shoes. At times, I also feel there is a demon hiding behind a tree, ready to jump at me. But when I find the hook of my speech, it is like skiing down a mountain covered with snow. It is smooth and full of thrill.
I feel adventurous because most times I didn’t even know what to say next, but every time I ended up creating something out of thin air, that is extremely thrilling. My content for impromptu speech is like this quote by Stephen King,
“Stories are found things, like fossils in the ground… Stories are relics, part of an undiscovered, pre-existing world.”
I feel I am on an excavation looking for the story and ideas for the impromptu speech. When I stumble upon that fossil of ideas and stories, I become more confident in my brain’s ability to churn out ideas.
When I get a topic, I get more curious about it and approach it from new angles and understand perspectives that I wasn’t aware of before. I can spin out my own story or be as wacky as I want to be. No matter how good or bad I am, the audience has to listen to me (Isn’t it something we all want?). But, if they enjoy what I say, I win twice — once for addressing an audience and second time for adding some value to them and their time.
I hope that with these concepts and ideas shared below, you will also win twice!
One very important thing — an impromptu speech must not be like a circle
A circle is pointless. Your impromptu speech shouldn’t be that. There must always be a point, a message, a takeaway; otherwise it wouldn’t be a speech, it would be just an anecdote or facts or narration.
We can think of an impromptu speech as a triangle, with one main point resting on two or more supporting points forming the base line of the triangle.
The necessary elements of an impromptu speech
A message on a given topic + 1 or more supporting evidence, all presented within the given time (usually not more than 5 minutes).
What is a message?
Message is your stand on the topic that you share with the audience. In other words, the takeaway.
A few examples —
If the topic is “My definition of best birthdays”, then the message could be — “Celebrating my birthday with my family and friends is the definition of best birthdays” or “If I am not celebrating my birthdays, then they are the best” (you can go against the topic itself; it is your ‘one’ viewpoint regarding the topic).
If the topic is — “Sell this item”, then the message could be why this item is the best and people should buy it.
You could have a neutral stand on a topic. For example, if the topic is “Social media”, your message could be — “Social media is neither good nor bad, but it has both pros and cons”.
To give an effective impromptu speech, you must try to have a definite take on the topic and share your own unique perspectives. But we might not have something new to say every time. So even a neutral take or a not a very original perspective is also fine, as long as you communicate the message clearly.
The essential elements that make your impromptu speech good or even great
Ability to convince
A speech is often given to convince the audience and make them take an action. Thinking is the first-level and most impactful action that an audience can take after your speech. But for that, they need some ideas and supporting evidence. Without proper supporting arguments and evidence your point will be dangling on air just waiting for one mild wind to blow it away. Your message needs to rest on a triangle’s base built with evidences.
Evidences are why you believe in your message. When you share evidence, you are sharing your ‘why’ with the audience. That creates a connection and ensures the message sticks.
Evidence need not be just facts, but can be an anecdote, points of view, and stories that reinforce the truth of your message.
Confidence
If you aren’t confident about what you say, why will others be? Even if you don’t know what the next line will be, still behave as if you know. It comes with accepting who you are and your voice and trusting your mind to give ideas; don’t block it with fear. Try not to be others during the speech. In those 2–5 minutes of an impromptu speech, only you and your thoughts must exist.
You might not have the best idea, but you still have an idea. I believe any of us can talk on any idea for a few minutes at least; it may not be coherent or the best speech ever, but it will surely be something. Starting to talk is how you start to refine it and consequently gain confidence.
Nerves and anxiety are indispensable. Stand-up comedian and motivational speaker, Ian Tyson said,
The body’s reaction to fear and excitement is the same…so it becomes a mental decision : am I afraid or am I excited?
Make that decision and if your decision is “I am excited”, cling to it.
Confidence isn’t a one time deal, it is the essential purchase you need to make every month of your life. It is a mixture of practice, accepting your ideas, and putting yourself in unnerving situations again and again.
Some tips
Declutter
We are awed by the speakers who can quote personalities and share statistics in their impromptu speeches.
Great, good for them!
If quotes and statistics don’t come to you naturally when you hear your impromptu topic, then that is a perfect opportunity to quote yourself.
Cluttering your brain capacities with the expectations of adding quotes and statistics and remarkable stories to your speech will just make it tougher for novel ideas to come to you.
Find what you do well and try to do more of it. Find what you aren’t good at, practice to improve it. Yes, keep improving. But, while actually giving the speech, don’t pressurize yourself to do things that you aren’t yet good with.
Do what is most fluid for you during the duration of the impromptu speech.
Narrow down, define a takeaway
There is usually 5–10 seconds to think after the topic is given. In that time, narrow down your thoughts to just one message and 2–3 supporting statements/ideas.
I strongly believe that the first idea that comes to your mind has good enough material for you to talk for 2–3 minutes. It is the first thing your brain threw at you, there is definitely something in it. So, I prefer to stick with that first idea, think of it from multiple angles, and finalize the 2–3 supporting points and run with it — all within those 5–10 seconds.
Message is the king, queen, and the whole of the royal family
There is a common belief that a good speech is what we deliver with a lot of theatrics. Theatrics definitely awe the audience and engages them. But if the audience is engaged to the theatrics but not the speech’s message, then the speech failed.
Theatrics should aid the message, not overshadow it. Without a clear message, impromptu speech isn’t a speech.
Organize
“But there is hardly time to think, how will I talk?”
The common question related to impromptu speech. Yes correct, the 5–10 seconds is not enough to write down every line you will talk, but it is more than enough to decide the key points. When you will know the key points, you can organize them and add more content during the speech itself.
There are many organizational structures that come to help here.
- What, why, when, where, who
- 3 Ts
- Tell them what you will tell them
- Tell them
- Tell them what you told them
3. Problem and solution
4. Chronological
Try not to remember more than 2–3 structures because the more information you will stack in your brain, there will be less space for your brain to organize your ideas. You shouldn’t be wasting time in deciding the best structure during those precious 5–10 seconds. Instead, you should use that time to think of ideas and then choose the best structure to present it. Remember the Jar of Life example. If you put the sand first, then there will be less space for the pebbles and stones (your message and evidence).
Organizing thoughts comes with practice. There is no other way around. At least I don’t know any yet. Please share if you know any other way around?
Also, a few more things
- Try to avoid repetition of ideas. When you can’t think of anything new, take a pause to add a dramatic effect. The audience won’t know what is happening in your brain unless you tell them.
- What if you get a better idea while talking?
Ideally don’t change your path. You might find yourself in a muddle where connecting all the ideas will be very difficult.
But do you know what is the beauty of impromptu speech? You can literally say anything as long as it has a message and is civil.
Try changing the course. If it doesn’t go well, you will think of better ways to connect ideas when you will evaluate your performance. Also you will prime your brain for such ninja thinking. If you do it well, you will be more confident.
Impromptu speech is tough but it can be practiced and doing that means becoming more confident, more persuasive, and becoming more interested in new topics.
I absolutely see no reason why you shouldn’t put yourself through this grueling form of speaking.
Coming up next: How I prepared for Table Topics Contest in Toastmasters.
