by Sipen Mines

Impromptu speaking is one of the most challenging activities that any public speaker could perform. Fortunately for Toastmasters, the Table Topics portion of every Club meeting provides them the chance to hone their skills in speaking extemporaneously on any subject thrown at them. At the same time, speech contests test the impromptu speaking skills of Toasmasters, and honor the best.

For members of Metro Manila Toastmasters Club (MMTMC), its November 24, 2008 meeting became a delightful lesson on impromptu speaking and handling Table Topics with aplomb. Advanced Communicator - Gold (ACG) Edith Garde - a professional speechwriter, author on public speaking, and a Toastmasters’ speech contest champion - was the educational speaker in the said meeting, wherein she shared her insights on effective communication, as well as on impromptu speaking.

“Communication is meant to express, not to impress,” ACG Edith said. “For a Toastmaster to become a compelling communicator, he must go to great lengths to communicate effectively. One of the greatest roles a Toastmaster can play is to inspire others,” she added.

Nervousness is normal when being called upon to speak before a crowd, ACG Edith related, more so when it is a spur of the moment task that requires the speaker to think on his feet and speak extemporaneously.

“We don’t ever overcome our fears (of impromptu speaking), instead we should manage them. As much as we can, we should learn to use the external pressure and our internal nervous energy to be more creative,” she noted. “It’s OK to have butterflies in your stomach, just make them fly in formation.”

The main strategy in impromptu speaking is to use one’s stock knowledge. Due to the minimal time for preparation, especially during speech contests, one really has to rely on the things that he already knows. (more…)