Magic of Impromptu Speaking: Create a Speech That Will Be Remembered for Years in Under 30 Seconds (Magic of Public Speaking)

by Andrii Sedniev

Opening The main purpose of the opening is to get the attention of the audience and to give a flavor of what to expect. There are numerous ways to begin an impromptu speech; however, below you can find 3 methods that have proven to be most effective. Begin with a statement You can begin a speech with a statement on your position or a startling statement. For example, “At the age of 9, I wanted to become a dancer. At the age of 19, I became a networking engineer. At the age of 26, I will become a dancer.” The unusual statement draws the attention of the audience and gives a hint about the direction of your speech. Start with a call back A very powerful way to begin an impromptu speech is to call back to the common experience of the entire audience. Mention what a previous speaker said, an event that recently happened in the audience, or refer to a person who everyone in the audience knows. Call backs make your speech very personal and special for the audience. People feel that your impromptu speech is just for them. Every time you use a call back, you may notice the reaction of the audience. It is so powerful that the audience almost always reacts. Start with a story Everyone loves hearing stories in movies, in reality shows or in speeches. When you hear a story, you can relive an episode from the life of its characters. When you begin a speech with a story, such an opening captures the audience members’ attention and introduces them not only to your speech but also to the ...