Page 79 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

46 Part 1 Foundations

For beginning speakers, impromptu speeches should be approached as a
learning tool to enhance the principles that apply to other speeches. To rely on
impromptu speeches for all of your assignments is not wise.
Impromptu speaking is discussed in more detail in Chapter 11, but here are a
few pointers to keep in mind if you are called on to give an impromptu presenta-
tion early in the semester.

Tips and Tactics
Making an Impromptu Presentation
• Think about what basic point you want to make about the topic. Are you for
or against it? If you don’t know, you might list the pros and cons of the issue
and let the audience reach its own conclusion. If you are not informed on the
topic, try linking it to something on which you do have information.
• Think of one or more points that support your position.
• If you have time, think of an attention-getter as an introduction.
• State your topic in the introduction: It buys you time and then you are sure
the audience knows what you are saying.
• As a conclusion, summarize what you’ve said.

If you do not have time to organize your thoughts, at least take a moment to
think of your thesis and two or three main points. Believe it or not, in a few seconds
you can organize a fairly decent impromptu speech. We engage in spontaneous
conversations all the time. Thinking and speaking are not mutually exclusive.

Extemporaneous Delivery
The best mode of presentation for most beginning speakers is extemporane-
extemporaneous ous delivery, which combines careful preparation with spontaneous speaking.
delivery The speaker generally uses brief notes rather than a manuscript or an outline.
A mode of presentation Some instructors require students to fi rst outline their speech in a formal way,
that combines careful in which case the outline should serve as a preparatory tool, not an abbreviated
preparation with spon- speech manuscript. Other instructors require only that students prepare note
taneous speaking. The cards to help them recall their main and supporting points. (For an example of
speaker generally uses a speaker’s note cards, see Exhibit 2.3.) Practicing the speech in advance allows
brief notes rather than
you to fi x the ideas in your head without memorizing the exact wording.
a full manuscript or
The extemporaneous method allows you to be prepared yet fl exible. If you
an outline.
see from the audience feedback that people are disagreeing with you, you can
re-explain a point or add another example. If the audience seems bored, you
might skip ahead to your most interesting example. Most teachers employ an
extemporaneous method when lecturing to their classes. Students are invited
to interact with their instructor, ask questions, and perhaps challenge a point.
An extemporaneous speech should be a true transaction between speaker and
listener.