Impromptu Speeches
Talking about preparing for an impromptu speech sounds like an oxymoron. And, technically speaking, it probably is. An impromptu speech is when you get up to speak without formal preparation beforehand.
On the other hand, you can probably anticipate when you might have the occasion to say something (even if you’re not scheduled to) and you should at least think about what you might want to say if given that opportunity. This “preparation” may be nothing more than simply paying attention and listening to what others are saying, jotting down a few points you want to make and some supporting data, evidence, examples, or stories to back them up.
For example, if you’re attending a hearing or public meeting on a subject that’s important to you, you may get the opportunity to make a comment. Anticipate that opportunity and come in with some notes that will allow you to say something succinct and meaningful. Or, if you’re going to a work-related meeting, get the agenda ahead of time and anticipate what subjects you might want to comment on, and put down some thoughts on them. These aren’t prepared remarks per se, but rather more thoughtful utterances than you would have made if you just appeared and sounded off without some reflection beforehand. Or, in a classroom setting: what are the likely questions that could be raised on the readings or lecture topic? How would you answer them?
In short, don’t go into a meeting, a hearing, a classroom, or a courtroom, for that matter, without anticipating what might be discussed or asked and thinking about how you might respond.
In other instances, you may have no intention of speaking and yet something that someone says at the time must be responded to. Or you may be singled out and asked for your reaction. (Bosses often do this.) Here are some tips that might help.
Be present in the room. Listen attentively to what people are saying. Take notes if it’s something that you feel needs to be addressed. You see this all the time in the American presidential debates. While one person is speaking, the other is writing down what he or she agrees with or disagrees with and uses those notes to frame his or her response.
Take a moment to collect and organize your thoughts before you start to speak.
State your position. When you do speak, start with the point you want to comment on; succinctly support your position with data, evidence, examples, or expert testimony; then summarize your position.
And there may indeed be those times when you do have to literally “think on your feet”, times when you aren’t expecting to be called upon or the statement that is made or the question that is asked is so unexpected that you’ve given no thought ahead of time. When that happens pause, absorb what has been said or asked, try to put it in the context of what you’ve been hearing all along (in the meeting or in other questions) and, if you can, simply answer what’s been asked. But then try to segue into your take on the meeting or the issue—ground you feel more comfortable on. If the question is confusing or the questioner’s intent isn’t clear, ask for it to be repeated. And while it is, listen very carefully to what’s being asked and observe the questioner’s body language to try to determine where the person is coming from—what the feelings are that might be underlying the question. And then respond accordingly.
The key to an effective impromptu speech is…speaking about things that you have some experience in and concern about and sharing those experiences and concerns with others.
While there may indeed be cases where you’ll really have to speak impromptu—without any thought beforehand, there are other times when you can probably anticipate what might come up. Take advantage of those opportunities by planning ahead. Before the event, anticipate what’s going to be talked about and think about how you might respond, maybe even going so far as to put some points down on paper. At the meeting or during the talk, listen carefully when others are speaking, take notes on what they’re saying, and put down points that you might make in response. Also, notice how others are reacting to what’s being said. Finally, try to organize your thoughts and support your position with facts or data, or examples—especially, personal examples. The key to an effective impromptu speech is taking it to the ground that you feel most comfortable on—speaking about things that you have some experience in and concern about and sharing those experiences and concerns with others. In short, speaking your truth.
Two very effective impromptu speeches were:
Buck Benedict 