Smart Talking KALMARTESIO September 26, 2014

Public Speaking 2 Messages in a Speech: –Message delivered by speaker –Message received by listener How message is received by audience: –Depends on Verbal Message (what speaker says) –Depends on Non-Verbal Message (how it is said) Goal of Speaker--intended message is clearly communicated

“It takes three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” -Mark Twain Impromptu Speech

An impromptu speech will unnerve even the best public speaker. One of the most daunting experiences a person can face is the request to deliver a speech without notice.  Impromptu speech for a school or college assignment  Impromptu speech for an unexpected occasion

What are the benefits of giving impromptu speeches?  Improve your oral expression of thought  Develop your communication skills  Develop confidence in public speaking  Learn to “Think on Your Feet”

What to do when asked to give an impromptu speech 1.Listen 2.Prepare 3.Relax 4.Act Confidently 5.Speak slowly and smoothly 6.Focus

1. Listen a.Listen carefully to the question / speech topic. b.Make sure you understand the topic. c. Ask for the question to be repeated.  This ensures that you understand it.  It also gives you a little more time to prepare.

2. Prepare! What? Impromptu = No Preparation, right? You may be given a short time to collect your thoughts. If not, as you are walking from your seat to the front, use this time to prepare as much as possible. Whatever time you have, use it to prepare an outline.

Speech Topic INTRODUCTION Specific Purpose Statement: ______________ BODY –Point 1: _______________________________ Support 1: ____________________________ Support 2: ____________________________ Support 3: ____________________________ Short Summary of point 1: –Point 2: _______________________________ Support 1: ____________________________ Support 2: ____________________________ Support 3: ____________________________ Short Summary of point 2: –Point 3: _______________________________ Support 1: ____________________________ Support 2: ____________________________ Support 3: ____________________________ Short Summary of point 3: CONCLUSION Summarize why your answer is the best: __________

a. PREPARE an opening sentence. Consider repeating the question / topic. You may want to reword it slightly. This shows that you understand the question. It also shows some originality on your part.

Topic: Should the government regulate cigarette smoking? A possible introduction: “This afternoon, I would like to tell you why I believe the government should regulate cigarette smoking.”

b. PREPARE the main points. Depending on:  the topic,  how much time you are given to speak,  and your knowledge of the subject, come up with 2 or 3 main points. Don’t try to think of more than 3 main points. You will probably just overwhelm yourself!

c. PREPARE the conclusion. You can briefly restate your main points, and how they support your position on the topic. Should the government regulate cigarette smoking? “So, I believe that due to the negative health effects on individuals – as well as the cost to society – our government should regulate cigarette smoking.”

For example, have a “pre-formulated” conclusion. “So, I believe that due to “fill in main point #1 here” – as well as “fill in main point #2 here” – “fill in restated topic here”. “So, I believe that due to the negative health effects on individuals – as well as the cost to society – our government should regulate cigarette smoking.”

Remember, an impromptu speech is almost always a persuasive speech.  Consequently, the reasons you give in support of your conclusion must be logical and make good sense.  It may be difficult to come up with statistics and quotations. But if you can recall some facts or a good analogy, make sure to use them!

3. Relax  Take 1 or 2 deep breaths before starting to speak.  Pause briefly before speaking.  Tell yourself that you can be successful.

4. Act Confidently  Look at the audience and smile.  Stand with good posture.  Don’t fidget.  Don’t grab onto the lectern.  Don’t put your hands in your pockets.

5. Speak Slowly and Smoothly  This gives you time to think as you speak.  Your audience will be able to listen to you better.  This helps you reduce fillers (umms and aahs)

6. Focus  Focus on your subject.  Be brief.  Use the speech techniques you have learned, especially maintaining good eye contact.

Impromptu Speaking Tips Giving a Speech with Little Preparation

Organize the Message Identify Purpose and Goal –Why a speech? –What do you hope to accomplish? –Inform? Persuade? Instruct? Identify Central Idea –Must be relevant to audience: Why should they listen? –Not overly broad

Select Purpose & Central Idea Choose 2-3 Points –Reinforce your Central Idea –Highlight Central Idea through Examples **IMPORTANT** Plan Intro & Conclusion –Intro audience to topic –Reiterate Central Idea at end –EASY TO OVERLOOK CONCLUSION

Step 1 Write down what first comes up in your mind.  A rhetorical question  A value  A quotation  A practical example  A solution for a problem  A challenge for your class mates  That first idea leads you to a specific speech statement - your thesis - to the point you want to make.

Step 2 Provide two or three points that support your statement or thesis.  Reasons  Facts  Statistics  Ways how-to-do-it  Personal experiences or solutions

Step 3  Provide couple of supports for each point. Two is okay. Three is best  Bottom-line: The supports have to prove the points, and the points have to prove the statement of your impromptu speech topics.

Select Purpose & Central Idea Example Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that online voting should not be approved. Central Idea: We should not approve online voting because it will increase voter fraud and disfranchise voters without Internet access.

Scripting Body of Speech Choose 2-3 Main Points Balance Main Points Distinguish Sub-points Use Stories & Examples

Scripting Body of Speech Organize Main Points Chronological Narrate a sequence of events, explain a process Spatial Follow a directional pattern--top to bottom, left to right Causal or Problem-Solution Shows a cause-effect relationship or issue-resolution Topical Divides into sub-topics

Organization patterns  Past-Present-Future.  Time.  Problem-Solving.  Location.  Cause-Effect.  Effect-Cause.  Related Subtopics.  Advantage-Disadvantage.

Transitions  First, second, third…  Now that you understand the problem, I want to tell you about a solution…  In contrast to…;  Similar to the first point…  Maybe you are wondering…. Show relationship between language, cue audience and enhance flow of speech

Introduction –Get Attention! –State your purpose –Relate to your audience –Establish credibility –Preview your main points Conclusion –Cue the end –Review your main points or central idea –Vivid ending Plan Introduction & Conclusion

Final Tips on Delivery Don’t rush your introduction Make eye contact with your audience before you begin to speak Smile, look happy to be here Pause at transitions Sell this topic as exciting

Tips to Avoid Panic and Embarrassment Grab a pen and a piece of paper. Jot down interesting or significant points. Feel free to acknowledge that you have not prepared for a speech. Hijack the topic. Begin with your introductory sentence, elaborate, then start working your way to your ending sentence. As you deliver your speech, concentrate on pronunciation and tone.  intelligibility

What If You Draw a Blank? Pretend like you're pausing on purpose. –Walk back and forth slowly, as if you're letting your last point sink in. There is always a joker or popular person who will stand out in the crowd. Stare at someone and try to draw a response from him or her while you think.