Gimme an instant eloquence kit, please

3 vital impromptu speech formats for structure and confidence

Let's set a scene.

You're in a meeting discussing the latest project. It might be the development of the green whosit, with an optional yellow interface, when suddenly your manager focuses in on you.

'{Insert your name: Harold, Martha, Sandi…}', he says, 'could you explain the thinking behind the marketing plan?'

What you want to say is: 'I'd love to! Thank you for the opportunity.'

But alas, you don't.

Instead, you say, almost apologetically; 'Um, well, ah...'

What's wanted in a situation like this is an instant eloquence kit - something familiar and reassuring allowing you to confidently and easily express your ideas without struggling for structure.

Fortunately, they already exist. They are set speech formats, templates or structures you can memorize and learn to use. Ultimately, with practice, they’ll become so familiar that you do not have to stop and think about them. They are simply there, ready and waiting for whenever you might need them.

Choose the one most appropriate for the situation, insert your material, open your mouth and speak.

3 structural templates for impromptu speaking

Here’s three of the most frequently used structural templates for impromptu speaking. Commit them memory, practice following their patterns, and the next time you're called on without warning you'll be ready.

I’ve used the rather silly green whosit marketing example from the introduction in each of them to illustrate how they work.

1. PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point...)

Point:

“The principal, and vital, point in our marketing plan for the green whosit is its timing.”

Reason:

“There's a very strong seasonal upswing in demand predicted.”

Example:

“We aim to replicate, and capitalize on, the success we had with the spring release of the blue widget last year through targeting all those customers who etc. etc.”

Point:

An important secondary point underpinning our proposed campaign is...”

2. Past, Present, Future

Past:

“In the past our marketing plans have been broad based.”

Present:

“Today, we realize that the market has shifted. Our traditional methods of reaching new customers are no longer that effective. In planning for the release of the green whosit we've focused more of our acquisition efforts on the web with an assertive campaign targeting...”

Future:

“In the future we predict niche web-based advertising will dominate.”

3. Cause, Effect, Remedy

Cause:

“The principal challenge to creating a successful marketing plan for our green whosits was caused by two events. The first was our competition's release of their brown whatsit and the second is the current economic downturn.”

Effect:

“The effect of this challenge is far reaching. Firstly, our customers now have a choice and secondly, they are increasingly reluctant to spend.”

Remedy:

“The remedy lies in how we position and price the green whosit. Let me explain more fully...”

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For more about these three structural patterns, and another four, go to: impromptu speech outlines. You’ll find example outlines and a printable of each pattern, as well as suggestions for use.

Until next week, go well,
Susan

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