I know very few people who enjoy being put on the spot. Especially when it comes to public speaking. And yet most of us deliver impromptu speeches every day. For example, someone asks, “How’s it going?” So we respond with an impromptu message. Or our boss asks for an update on the project we are working on, so we have to give a brief off-the-cuff presentation.
When those situations, or ones like them, come up, it helps to have a few tips for handling them. So today I’ll share how sticking to a structure, highlighting details, and avoiding repetition can help you organize your thoughts and sound like a pro even when you have to improvise.
Stick to a Structure
I think the biggest reason we dislike impromptu speaking is that we are afraid we’ll end up delivering a rambling mess. Which is why we need a structure. I like to use the rule of three to help me. Basically, it means I divide my response into three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Organizing a message in this way is one of the most common and important foundations in all of public speaking. Professor of Rhetoric and Public Address, Dr. Keri Owens says, “No matter how entertaining or interesting your speech is, you must have organized material for your audience to truly understand it.”
So the first part of this simple organization is the introduction. It’s brief. It can be something as simple as “thanks for asking.” It’s just a sentence or two that helps you transition into what you want to share. The second part is the body of your response. This is where you get to the main part of your message. Think about making one main claim and then backing it up with supporting stories or details. The third part is the conclusion. Briefly wrap up what you said and then use a transition to keep the conversation going or to throw it back to someone else with a question.
Here’s what it looks like in action. If someone asks how your day has been, you can use the rule of three like this:
INTRO: Thanks for asking.
BODY: It’s been good (main claim). I got a new sales lead at work and found a $20 dollar bill in the parking lot (details/proof).
CONCLUSION: So all-in-all, I can’t complain. What about you?
That brief and simple structure works well in almost all impromptu situations.
Highlight Details
One of the main mistakes people make when speaking off-the-cuff is rambling about generalities. Just telling your boss that your project is going well probably isn’t going to give her any reassurances. Instead, you should share a few specific facts, examples, or stories. English and Rhetoric Professor Richard Nordquist says that details make an “oral report more precise, vivid, convincing, and interesting.” Plus, you’ll find that it’s easier to relay details than it is to talk about generalities.
Avoid Repetition
The other main mistake people make during impromptu responses is repeating themselves. When you don’t know what to say, it’s pretty common just to keep saying the same thing over and over. So be aware of this natural tendency and try to avoid it. If you notice you are doing it, stop yourself. It’s probably better just to cut your message short than to bore your audience with empty repetition.
By sticking to a structure, highlighting details, and avoiding repetition, you can crush almost any impromptu speaking scenario. Still afraid of impromptu speaking? Put these three tips to practice in your everyday life. Make it a game to train your brain to use them even in casual conversation. Once you make it a habit, your brain will change in response to help you accomplish it more easily each time. Then, you’ll be ready to tackle the tougher, more pressure-filled impromptu scenarios.
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