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Banish impromptu speaking blues

By: Susan Dugdale | Last modified: 02-27-2022

 Strategies & templates to succeed at impromptu speaking

Impromptu speaking can be enough to frighten even the bravest of souls. If that's you, take heart.

Being asked to speak in public is a HUGE challenge for many.

And being asked to speak at a moment's notice as well as publicly can catapult the task straight into the very-difficult, to-be-avoided-at-all-times-I'd-rather-die category.

And now having acknowledged your fear let's KISS* it better!

* Keep it short and sweet.

What you'll find on this page:


Image: Fall in love with impromptu speaking with KISS - Keep it short and sweet, keep it succinct and simple.

Fall in love with impromptu speaking with KISS 

The KISS principle (Keep It Short & Sweet) gives you a formula you can apply to all occasions where you are likely to be called on to "say a few words".

Asked to wrap up and conclude a business meeting?
No problem.

Have to make a presentation on the spur of the moment?
Easy.

You're asked for a quick summary of your company's latest developments.
Simple.

Whatever situation where you're being asked to speak with very little preparation time, KISS will serve you well.

You may even grow to love making off-the-cuff speeches.


The art of KISS in action

Use the time you have between being asked to speak and actually getting to your feet to plan even if it's only a few minutes.

If you're in the middle of a social event or busy meeting find a quieter corner to concentrate.

Brainstorm

Jot your notes on whatever is handy - a paper table napkin, the back of envelope..., putting down as many ideas as you can.

Select ONE message (the best or strongest) from your notes to focus on. Write that down and any opening/closing ideas.

Just like any other form of speech you require structure.

You will need an opening, a body and a conclusion.

Focus on the body of the speech first

Sort the body of your speech first using which ever of the impromptu speaking templates below best suits your topic.

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7 impromptu speaking templates

Take your focus or main point and expand it using one of these organizers. This will form the body of your speech.

Are you here looking for information about impromptu speaking competitions rather than completely spontaneous, off-the-cuff, or unprepared speeches?
You'll find a good start here on this Wikipedia page.

For an excellent collection of competition 'how-to's' ranging from organization of material to delivery and an example impromptu speech script click here.
(Please don't be put off by the site looking old and tired. The information is gold!)



1. PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point)

  • Point: Impromptu speaking is an extremely valuable skill to have.
  • Reason: Being able to speak easily in public is empowering.
  • Example: I can remember the struggle to overcome the fear of standing to speak in front of others. I was the original Mrs Blush-and-Blurt!

    However that has changed. I can now speak up for myself, on behalf of others and do so regularly.

  • Point:The skills to talk competently and confidently in public have opened up opportunities I had never dreamed of previously.

(Click the link to read three 1 minute speeches examples using the PREP format.) 

2. Past, Present, Future

  • In the past the answer to the problem we face was...
  • As of now, we have XXXXX answers to the problem...
  • In the future we predict we will have XXXXX answers to the problem...

3. Cause, Effect, Remedy

  • The cause of the problem facing us today is XXXX.
  • The effect of the problem is XXXX.
  • The remedy for the problem is XXXX.

4. Before, The Event, The Result

Image: National Tobacco Company building, 1931, Napier, New Zealand
  • Before  Napier (New Zealand) was a typical small provincial town filled with ordinary people leading ordinary lives.
  • Then in 1931 the earthquake (The Event) struck.
  • The Result was devastation. The town was destroyed and 256 people were killed. Out of the ruins rose one of world's finest Art Deco centers.

    The building in the photograph above is one of the city's most photographed.

    (Digression alert: It's also a building I know well.  I was employed there as a high school student trying to make enough money to go to university. The year was 1971, pre equal pay, and I was paid 66 cents an hour. Some boys from my class were also working there. Their starting rate was $1.32. Double. I was not impressed.)  

3 more useful impromptu speaking organizers are:

  1. Local, State, Federal

  2. Local, National, International

  3. the 'once upon a time' speech format

See completed impromptu speech outlines

Click the link to see examples of seven impromptu speech outline patterns :PREP, Problem-Solution, Past-Present-Future, Pros-Cons, Before-The Event-The Result, Cause-Effect-Remedy, Local-National-International, and get printable outlines of each of them.  

Banner: 7 impromptu speech outline patterns, completed examples plus printable outlines.

Prepare the opening and the conclusion

Having planned the body of your speech, now focus on your opening and conclusion.

Take your lead from the impromptu speaking template you've chosen. If, for example, you've chosen Past, Present, Future you might open with a comment based on time.

For instance:

"Thank-you for invitation to speak to you about XXXX. To place this in context I'm going to take you on a journey. Are you ready? Firstly we'll go back in time, then we'll focus on what's happening now and lastly, we'll go forward ..."

To close, summarize your points briefly and if possible, make your final remark the clincher.

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8 impromptu speaking delivery tips

  • 1. Go slowly!


    Hurrying will increase any feelings of unease you have. Take your time. Breathe deeply. Get up from your chair slowly. Walk to the front calmly.

  • 2. Take your time to begin.


    Look around, smile. Make eye contact with one or two people in the room.

  • 3. Stand tall.


    Make sure you are standing on both feet about a shoulder width apart. Resist the urge to slump or fiddle or put your hands in your pockets. And remember to breathe!
    (If you're a person who holds your breath under stress click the link for easy-to-use breathing exercises to rid yourself of anxiety.)

  • 4. Use your notes as reminders only.


    Do not try to remember a whole speech. If you forget you'll get anxious. Instead move through the points you noted making clear transitions between each.

  • 5. Talk conversationally.


    Assume your impromptu speech is a conversation with a friend. This will keep your language natural and flowing.

  • 6. Watch the words


    Avoid using vocabulary or jargon unfamiliar to your audience.

  • 7. Personalize your speech.


    Use examples/stories from your own experience. This works on two levels. Firstly, it lets the audience see you as a real person and secondly, it gives you authority or a right to speak on the subject. You become credible. More on storytelling in speeches.

  • 8. Keep it short and to the point.


    An audience is far more likely to listen if you stay on target and are succinct. In fact they'll love you for it!

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Six ways to effectively deal with nervousness

Image: black & white drawing of nurse circa 1900s WW1 saluting.

First Aid (solutions) for problems arising from anxiety: 

What do I do if my mind goes blank?

  • 1. Firstly, never apologize

    .
    If you do, you transmit your anxiety to your audience. Without your alerting them they may never have noticed. Now you've drawn their attention to how you're feeling, at least some of them will stop thinking about you'd been talking about, and will start to focus on you personally. Will she continue? Oh my goodness, is she going to cry?

  • 2. Remember the power of the pause.


    Take the time you need to marshal your thoughts together. Remember time appears slower to you. You may think you've stopped for an eternity but it's seldom perceived that way by the audience. They will think you are pondering your next statement or giving them time to consider your previous point.

  • 3. Ask for a drink of water.


    Explain your throat is dry. Take the time between someone fetching it and you taking a sip to gather your ideas.

  • 4. Paraphrase what you've already said.


    It will jog your memory into providing the next point you want to make.

  • 5. Ask for questions.


    Get the audience involved and then answer their questions.

  • 6. Practice


    And lastly, remember impromptu speaking is a skill, and like all others, it improves with practice.

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Impromptu speaking topic starters

To help you become what you want to be;  an accomplished impromptu speaker, I've several pages of speech topic starters.

There's enough there for many hours of happy practice!

Sticking to your goal

Toastmasters' Table Topics District 72 Area E7 Award Trophy

Be kind but disciplined with yourself. If you really want to become comfortable speaking off-the-cuff, you will.  However it does mean finding the courage to get through the initial discomfort of trial and possibly, error.

There is no other way to learn than by doing it.

Keeping it succinct & simple (KISS) will make a positive difference. Try it and see for yourself. I promise, it is doable! 

Commit a few of the speech organizers to memory so they're there for you to choose from when you need them.

Do give this a go. It's an invaluable skill to have in either your work or personal life.

The photo is of my award for winning the impromptu speaking (table topics) competition between all the Toastmaster clubs in my area, E7, of District 72, New Zealand.  It's there as proof that it's manageable.☺

Do you teach or lead a public speaking group?

Check this out - One Minute Speeches! They're perfect for practicing impromptu speaking skills in a safe, non-confrontational way, and loads of fun.

This is an instantly available package of printable topics + activity instructions. Have a look!

write-out-loud.com - one minute speeches

Famous last words

Mark Twain quote:

The very last words on the topic come from Mark Twain who was obviously no stranger to the concept of "pre-planned spontaneity". His famous tongue-in-cheek quote on impromptu speaking is above.

Need more help?

You'll find links to pages on how to deliver speeches, essential tips for overcoming anxiety, how to slow your speaking rate, how to develop vocal variety and more on the write-out- loud.com site map .

Top 10 Public Speaking Exercises

Easy to learn, easy to practice, and very effective.