How to Give An Extemporaneous Speech

Summary

This script introduces extemporaneous speaking as the optimal public speaking method for professional settings, emphasizing its flexibility and listener preference. It contrasts this with manuscript and memorized speeches, which often come across as robotic and mechanical. The speaker outlines a detailed process for preparing and refining speaking notes, advocating for a gradual reduction from a full outline to concise keywords. The goal is to achieve a conversational tone while maintaining control over the content, allowing for adaptability during presentations.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Extemporaneous speaking is a public speaking method that combines preparation with the ability to speak conversationally, making it versatile and preferred by most audiences.
• 📜 Manuscript speaking, where speakers read word-for-word from a prepared text, is often perceived as dry and robotic, lacking the natural flow of a conversation.
• 🎭 Memorized speeches can come across as mechanical and calculated, similar to reading from a manuscript, and are more suitable for performances rather than professional presentations.
• 📝 Extemporaneous speaking starts with a detailed outline and involves practicing the presentation multiple times, eventually reducing the outline to key phrases or words.
• 👀 The method allows for eye contact and movement, engaging the audience more effectively than manuscript or memorized speaking styles.
• ✂️ Through the preparation process, speakers should make significant cuts to their initial outline, refining it to speaking notes that are concise and focused.
• 🔍 Extemporaneous speaking provides the flexibility to adapt the message to the audience, allowing for expansion or compression of content as needed.
• 📉 The reduction of detailed outlines to speaking notes involves a gradual process of cutting and refining, making the content more manageable and conversational.
• 💡 Notes in extemporaneous speaking serve as a safety net, helping speakers stay on track without relying on them excessively, promoting a more natural delivery.
• 📅 The script outlines a three-day practice process, emphasizing the importance of repeated practice and refinement to achieve a confident and conversational speaking style.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to teach the method of extemporaneous speaking, which is a public speaking style that provides a comfortable, conversational sound and is preferred by most listeners.

Why is manuscript speaking generally not well-received by audiences?

Manuscript speaking is not well-received because it often sounds dry and robotic, with the speaker barely making eye contact and standing motionless while reading, which can be off-putting to listeners.

What is the difference between manuscript speaking and using a teleprompter?

While manuscript speaking involves reading word-for-word from a written text, using a teleprompter can still allow a speaker to sound natural and conversational, although it requires talent and practice to pull off effectively.

How does memorization as a speaking style compare to extemporaneous speaking?

Memorization can make a speech sound mechanical and calculated, similar to reading from a manuscript, whereas extemporaneous speaking allows for more flexibility and a more conversational tone.

What are the key components of extemporaneous speaking?

Extemporaneous speaking involves starting with a detailed outline, practicing the presentation multiple times, and eventually reducing the outline to speaking notes with keywords or phrases.

What is the advantage of using speaking notes during an extemporaneous speech?

Speaking notes serve as a safety net to keep the speaker on track, allowing for flexibility and adaptation to the audience without relying heavily on the notes.

How does extemporaneous speaking differ from impromptu speaking?

Extemporaneous speaking involves significant preparation and practice, while impromptu speaking is done with little or no preparation and often with no notes, relying on the speaker to think and speak simultaneously.

What is the recommended process for preparing an extemporaneous speech according to the script?

The recommended process includes creating a detailed outline, practicing and revising the outline into speaking notes, and making successive cuts to the content until only key words or phrases remain, all while practicing to internalize the material.

Why is it important to practice looking up from notes during an extemporaneous speech?

Practicing to look up from notes helps the speaker appear more natural and maintain eye contact with the audience, which is crucial for a conversational and engaging delivery.

What is the significance of making final cuts to speaking notes on the day of the presentation?

Making final cuts ensures that the notes are concise and clear, allowing the speaker to quickly glance at them for reference without getting bogged down in excessive detail.

How does the process described in the script help a speaker achieve a confident and conversational tone?

The process of detailed preparation, practice, and successive reduction of speaking notes helps a speaker internalize the material, which in turn allows them to speak with confidence and a natural, conversational tone.