Impromptu Speaking

by Craig Strachan

Impromptu Speaking, also known as table topics or speaking off the cuff is one of the most important aspects of communicating. ‘Why is this?’ you may ask. The answer is simple, ‘because we do it all the time’. A few situations in which we present table topics are:

• Speaking in a meeting at work
• Speaking on the telephone
• Speaking to a new acquaintance
• Being asked for your opinion on a topic
• Unexpectedly being asked to ‘say a few words’ at a dinner

There are a few simple strategies that can be used to help you to speak off the cuff in an intelligent and informative manner.

Past, present and future

In past, present and future, you tell it how it was, how it is now, and how it will be in the future.Eg: When speaking at a wedding:

            ‘I first met John and Sue about 10 years ago…..’ (the past)

            ‘Today, they look great together….’ (the present)

            ‘I am sure they are going to have many good years ahead…’ (the future)

Express an opinion

State an opinion and then justify with supporting facts.Eg:

            ‘I believe this…and this is why.’

Address cause and effect

State the situation; discuss the causes and the eventual consequences. Eg:

            ‘The lack of jobs is a cause of crime…’

Break the Topic into components

Break the topic into a few simple components and discuss them individually.

A few tips when confronted with an impromptu session:

• Listen to what you have been asked.
• Pause before answering. This gives your time to formulate your answer.
• Say what you want to say, and nothing else.
• Stop talking when you are finished. You don’t need to ramble on and on.

During the table topics session at a Toastmasters meeting, members of the club are called to the lectern by the ‘topics master’, and are asked to speak for between 1-2 minutes on an unprepared topic. This is a wonderful opportunity to practice impromptu meetings, and to listen to how others do it.

  back to articles