Many people are frightened by the idea of public speaking, and having little time to prepare increases the tension. If you have been invited to give a speech at a wedding, funeral or similar situation, you can draw inspiration from personal anecdotes and quotes, and avoid going too far. If you have to speak in a business context, follow a proven method that allows you to quickly organize your thoughts so you don't go off topic. Take a breath, have confidence in yourself, and improvise a good and effective speech.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using an Anecdote
Step 1. Tell a story you know well
Speeches don't have to be invented from scratch. A personal anecdote is a great way to improvise a speech: you already know what happened, so you know what to say. Eg:
- During a wedding, you could report a funny episode about the childhood of the bride or groom;
- During a funeral, you could tell a story that highlights the kindness or generosity of the deceased, or how his presence has affected your life.
Step 2. Start with a quote
It is another trick that allows you to resort to a thought already known, rather than invent something on the spot. Think of a cheering phrase, song lyrics, or famous saying that fits the situation. Start this way and gradually start your speech.
For example, imagine you are making a toast to a friend's 70th birthday. You might say, "They say it's not possible to teach an old dog new tricks. Franco is proving us otherwise. Who would dare to start running marathons once he retires?"
Step 3. Be concise and gentle
If you delay, the risk of something going wrong will be much higher. So, you better not talk too much. Keep it short, focus on two or five anecdotes or main points.
- For example, if you talk to the bridegroom during a wedding, stick to a couple of episodes about your friendship.
- If you see some people in the audience turning around, talking to each other, checking their phone, looking at the time, or fidgeting in their chairs, you are probably wasting their time and attention.
- In this case, just wrap up the conversation by going straight to the point and giving thanks.
Step 4. Express yourself calmly and clearly
Even the most experienced speakers can get nervous when asked to improvise a speech. Check your nerves by taking a deep breath before you begin and give yourself a few short breaks as you speak. Focus on pronouncing your words clearly, without rushing.
Step 5. Improve your self-confidence
Many people feel tense when they have to deliver a speech, especially if they haven't taken the time to prepare it. However, if you show confidence, you will receive a lot of applause. Plus, everyone else will be so happy they don't have to talk that they probably won't back down to help you!
- To find the confidence you need in these situations, before starting, try taking deep, slow breaths or closing your eyes and imagining that you are in a happy place;
- You can also observe the audience for the encouraging gaze of a friend and focus on him;
- If you're nervous, try the old trick of imagining all bystanders naked;
- Above all, remember that most people appreciate the courage of someone who is confident enough to stand up and speak in front of an audience.
Part 2 of 3: Structuring a Sudden Speech
Step 1. Prepare a short description if you have time
Any kind of preparation is better than nothing. If you can find a few minutes before speaking, make a few notes on what you want to say. For example, you can make a list of the main points to remember so you don't get off topic.
If you don't have time to write anything, mentally outline your speech by thinking for example: "First of all, I'll tell you how generous Luca is. I'll tell the story of when he replaced the flat tire of my car in the middle of the night and when I she baked a birthday cake while I was in bed with the flu."
Step 2. Focus on the introduction and conclusion
People are more likely to remember what you say at the beginning and end of the speech than the middle passages. Take advantage of this opportunity and insert the most incisive content at the start and at the end. For example, you can start and / or end with:
- A moving anecdote;
- A compelling fact or statistic;
- An encouraging quote.
Step 3. Organize the ideas into pros and cons
It is another way that will help you structure your thoughts without getting lost. Start with the positives of an issue, continue with the drawbacks, and finally highlight your position. For example, suppose you are asked to talk about the benefits of "causal Friday":
- Start by saying that it builds employee morale, improves productivity, and will ensure that the company keeps up with the times.
- He goes on to acknowledge that towards the weekend, employees will be able to shake off that serious, professional look and exchange tips on more acceptable casual attire.
- Conclude by saying that since almost all customer meetings are held at the beginning of the week, "casual Friday" will be overall good for the company and not a big deal.
Step 4. Turn the speech into an opportunity to ask questions and get answers
If you're in trouble and can't think of anything, or just feel too nervous to speak, consider yourself the moderator of a discussion rather than as a speaker. Give the public the opportunity to intervene by giving space to their questions.
- You could start by saying, "I know we have all reflected on casual Friday and there are various opinions on it. Let's carry on the discussion by giving voice to some of them. Anyone have any questions or would like to share their point of view?".
- If you want to call someone or need their help, don't hesitate: "Franco, you've been working in this company for a long time. Why don't you start?".
Part 3 of 3: Using the PREP Method
Step 1. Introduce the main topic
PREP is an acronym that stands for "Point, Reason, Example, Point" and sums up a strategy with which you can organize your thoughts. Start from the heart of the matter. For example, imagine once again that you are asked to improvise a speech in favor of "casual Friday":
Start by saying that you consider "causal Friday" a great opportunity because it keeps employees' morale high
Step 2. Continue by outlining why your reasoning is important
Keep in mind that your goal is to convince the listener. For example, you might remember that employee mood is an important factor in increasing productivity and revenue.
Step 3. Give an example to support your reasoning
To sound believable, you'll need to present a demonstration or come up with an explanation. An example is very useful. In fact, by reporting another case, you will be able to clarify how a competing company was more successful after establishing "casual Friday".
Step 4. Return to the main reasoning
By telling people who are listening to you what you have essentially already said, you will make sure that they remember it. If you finish by rephrasing the main thought, it will stay etched in their mind. For example, just close the discussion by reiterating that "casual Friday" would be a benefit for the whole company.
