Section 1. FIRST STEPS IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

Public speaking is a communication process which needs minimum two persons – a speaker and a listener. That is why we call it a two-way process.

The speaker as a source of information sends a message to the listener. This message (channel) may be both verbal (e.g. words, voice) and non-verbal (gestures, mimics etc.). The task of the speaker is to use this channel most distinctly and effectively.

The listener does not say anything, but his/her role in communication is important: to give response to the speaker during the presentation called feedback. This feedback may also be verbal (e.g. saying “yes”, “no”, “oh”) and non-verbal (smiling, nodding, laughing etc.), and it may inspire the message making it better.

There are different methods of presenting your ideas in public (memorized, manuscript, extemporaneous, impromptu) among which the last mentioned is the easiest. The topics for impromptu speeches need no special preparation from speakers because, in most cases, they are connected with their personal life and experience: “Family”, “Home”, “Study”, “Job”, “Hobby”, “Vacation”, “Travelling”, “Friends,” “Pets”.

Impromptu Speaking

The secret of successful impromptu speaking is to speak on specific illustrations, experiences and examples from your past that you are knowledgeable on and that you have a desire to share with other people.

Here are some techniques to help think clearly and effectively.

1. Define the purpose and objectives of your speech (inform, persuade, etc.).

· Stop, stay calm and cool in order to formulate your talk.

· Get your goal clearly in focus by defining your purpose or viewpoint.

· Decide on your starting and finishing points.

· State the reason why you are speaking on the subject.

· Open strongly:

§ “I believe that …… The reason being ……”

§ “My experience shows …… because ……”

· Remember, if you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there!

2. Choose a Specific Illustration, Experience or Example.

· Speaking about personal experiences will give you courage and confidence.

· Helps you to be clear, convincing and believable.

· Just tell about a specific event, example or experience

§ when it happened

§ why it happened

§ where it happened

§ what caused it to happen

§ who was involved

§ how it happened

3. Conclude:

· Summarise by stating or restating

§ your overall speech purpose

§ main point or beliefs.

· Close strongly

4. Other Points

· Don’t try to cover too much

§ Be short, succinct and to the point. The audience will love you!

· Never apologise

The following is a helpful framework which you can also use to think quickly and organise your thoughts.

Think of the “PREP” system:

· P > Point

§ “The point I want to make is ……”

· R > Reason

§ “The reason I say this is ……”

· E > Example

§ “For example ……”

§ “My experience ……”

· P > Point

§ “In summary, my point is ……”

Another system is to use PPF, Past, Present, Future:

· P > Past

§ “In the past we did it this way because ……”

· P > Present

§ “However, we now do it this way because ……”

· F > Future

§ “In the future we envisage that ……”

(www.fisherhouse.com/bsu/impromptu.ht).

Almost everyone gets butterflies when asked a question or has to speak impromptu in front of a group. Using the above suggestions becomes a valuable training experience to help you cope with the “real world” situation. So, keep those butterflies in formation and become adept at answering unexpected questions, so you will never be caught “ummm .. erring” again.