Speaking: Public Speaking & Presentations C1 - Lesson 4: Effective Impromptu Speaking
Welcome back! Perhaps the most challenging public speaking task is the impromptu1 speech—being asked to speak on a topic "off the cuff" with little to no preparation. The goal is not to be perfect, but to deliver a clear, coherent2, and concise3 message under pressure. This lesson will equip you with mental frameworks to structure your thoughts instantly.
The Golden Rule: Buy Yourself Time to Think
Before you can structure your thoughts, you need a few seconds to form them. Never be afraid to take a moment. Use these techniques to buy time gracefully.
- Acknowledge and Repeat the Question: This confirms you've understood and gives your brain a 5-10 second head start.
"That's an excellent question. So, what do I think is the most important quality for a leader?... Well..." - Use a "Thinking Time" Phrase:
"That's a very interesting topic, let me think about that for a moment..."
Frameworks for Instant Structure
Once you have your breath, choose a simple mental framework4 to structure your answer. Here are three powerful options.
- 1. The PREP Method (Point - Reason - Example - Point)
- Best for: Opinion-based questions.
- Point: State your main point clearly.
Reason: Give your primary reason.
Example: Provide a specific example.
Point: Restate your main point to conclude. - 2. The Past - Present - Future Method
- Best for: Questions about trends or changes over time.
- Past: Describe how things used to be.
Present: Describe the current situation.
Future: Offer a prediction or suggestion for the future. - 3. The Problem - Solution - Benefit Method
- Best for: Persuasive or problem-solving questions.
- Problem: State the challenge or problem clearly.
Solution: Propose your solution.
Benefit: Explain the positive outcome of your solution.
Scenario: Answering an Impromptu Question at a Conference
Imagine a speaker, Mr. Dara, is asked an unexpected question from the audience after his presentation.
Audience Member: "Thank you for your talk. My question is, what do you think is the future of the workplace?"
Mr. Dara: "(Pauses, takes a breath) **Thank you, that's a very big and important question.** The future of the workplace... (Buys time) I think the best way to answer is to look at the **past, present, and future.** (Chooses a framework)
(Past) "In the **past**, the workplace was a physical office. We commuted every day, and work was defined by a specific location."
(Present) "**Presently**, we are in a hybrid model. The pandemic accelerated the trend of remote work, and companies are now much more flexible."
(Future) "**Looking to the future,** I predict that the focus will shift from 'where' we work to 'how' we work. I think we will see more project-based teams, greater autonomy for employees, and an even stronger reliance on collaborative technology. The 'office' will become a concept more than a physical place."
Delivery Under Pressure: Less is More
When speaking impromptu, clarity is more important than complexity.
- Slow Down: Nervousness makes us speak faster. Consciously slow down your pace. It makes you sound more thoughtful and gives your brain time to keep up.
- Use Simple Language: Don't try to use complex vocabulary or grammar. Stick to words and structures you know well and can use confidently.
- Make One Point Well: It is better to make one single point with a clear reason and example than to try and say five things in a confusing way. A short, clear, structured answer is more impressive than a long, rambling one.
Practice Quiz: Which Framework Fits?
Read the impromptu question and choose the best mental framework to structure the answer.
1. Question: "Our company's staff turnover is very high. What should we do about it?"
A) Past, Present, Future
B) Problem-Solution-Benefit
C) PREP
→ Answer: B. The question explicitly states a problem ("high staff turnover"). The Problem-Solution-Benefit framework is perfectly designed to propose a course of action and explain its positive outcome.
2. Question: "Do you believe that artificial intelligence is a threat to humanity?"
A) Past, Present, Future
B) Problem-Solution-Benefit
C) PREP
→ Answer: C. This is a classic opinion question. The PREP method allows you to state your opinion clearly, give a reason and example, and then conclude, creating a perfectly structured and concise argument.
Your Mission: The "Impromptu Speaker" Challenge
The only way to get better at impromptu speaking is to practice it. This exercise simulates a real-world scenario.
- Find a list of impromptu speaking topics online (searching "impromptu speaking topics" will yield many results).
- Choose a topic at random. Do not think about it beforehand.
- Start a recorder immediately. Your first words should be a "thinking time" phrase.
- Your Goal: As you are speaking your opening phrase, mentally choose a framework (PREP is often the easiest). Then, speak for 60-90 seconds, trying your best to follow the structure you chose.
- Do this regularly. It will be difficult at first, but you will quickly build the mental agility and confidence to structure your thoughts on any topic, at any time.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Impromptu: (Adjective) - ដែលមិនបានត្រៀមទុក - Done or said without any previous preparation or thought. ↩
- Coherent: (Adjective) - ដែលស៊ីសង្វាក់គ្នា - Logical and well-organized; easy to understand. ↩
- Concise: (Adjective) - សង្ខេប - Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words. ↩
- Framework: (Noun) - ក្របខ័ណ្ឌ - A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or speech. ↩
- Off the cuff: (Idiom) - និយាយដោយមិនបានត្រៀមទុក - To speak without preparation. ↩