Whilst it may sound like an oxymoron, we can all learn to prepare impromptu speeches.
You've heard it said before that 'an impromptu speech is a mini-speech with a beginning, middle and end'. That's true, but it doesn't go far enough. I prefer to think of an impromptu speech as a flight with a take-off, flight and landing. During the flight, the plane does not fly in a straight line. The captain has carefully plotted the course and follows it as far as possible. At the same time, the crew must be flexible and cope with unexpected weather conditions and the like.
The part that the simple 'beginning, middle and end' advice leaves out is the course of the flight, which is planned. This equates to your speech structure.
We've all heard (and given?) speeches without any obvious structure. They wander all around the houses without ever really arriving at a point. They lack structure.
The trick is to know a number of structures so well that you'll easily be able to recall the most appropriate structure to fit the topic.
If you'd rather not be giving such speeches in the future, check back next week when I'll share three such structures.
Donald Yee has done it again!
18 May, Shatin, Hong Kong: Donald Yee triumphed in both the International Speech Contest and the Table Topics contest. Beating contestants from Singapore, Thailand and Macau, Donald will go on to represent District 80 at the Inter-Disctrict Contest in Conneticut in August.
Also, thrilled that Brian Hodgson of Victoria Toastmasters took first runner-up!
Donald's speech delivered the message 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger'. I heard Donald do the same speech at Area level, I missed division but it was greatly improved by the time District came around.
Donald needs to deliver an entirely new speech for the Inter-district Contest. If he makes it through to the finals, he'll need another entirely new speech. Go Donald!!
Posted on 1:43 PM
Arthur Ting took First Place in the District 80 International Speech Contest in Singapore on Sunday.
Arthur's speech entitled "Three words, Four Syllables" delivered a very simple yet powerful message: that we should practise saying "I'm sorry".
Arthur beat seven other finalists from Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand to be crowned District Champion 2008. Judges included Past World Champion of 2006, Ed Hearn and Anne Barab, DTM and Accredited Speaker from the USA.
Arthur will go on to compete in the Inter-District contest in Calgary, Canada on 12 August 2008. The winner of that contest will compete in the World Championship.
This is the second consecutive year that a Hong Kong Toastmaster has walked away with this coveted prize. Last year, Eddie Lee, went to Phoenix and took second place in the Inter-District.
We are all very proud of Arthur and support him all the way to the World Championships.
Posted on 5:47 PM
I am sorry to hear of the passing of one of the best of us, Christine Lau, who passed away peacefully yesterday, after a brave fight with cancer.
Christine was as passionate about Toastmasters as it gets. She was a regular contestant and champion.
Our condolences to her friends, her immediate family and her extended family including her students and Toastmasters friends.
Christine, we'll miss you. Rest in peace.
Posted on 10:35 AM
Roughly a hundred intrepid Honky Toasties ventured into Admiralty yesterday to hear the 1990 World Champion of Public Speaking, David Brooks.
How was it? Allow me to quote a fellow member. Her email sums it up nicely:
"The talk was GREAT. It was enriching and inspiring and practical... Most of all, it made me realize that public speaking is not just about techniques and skills and delivery. There's a lot of science, psychology, life experience, and above all, it's a great avenue for personal development."
I've seen David Brooks before. He's one of about five world champions that I've seen present and they are all exemplary. We have so much to learn from them.
David's website has a lot of great resources. He studied journalism and also teaches writing skills. Since I do that too, I read his blog on the written word with interest. Most of what he says is spot on. Some is just for Americans. That
stuff on further/farther is not correct, in my book.
If you'd like to know more about writing well,
get in touch!
Congratulations to all contestants and champions of the Division contests 2008!!
Results:
Division K
Int'l Speech
1st: SK Lau
2nd: Eddie Lee
3rd: Louis Lam
Table Topics
1st: Edward Lo
2nd: Jacky Lai
3rd: SK Lau
Division H
Int'l Speech
1st: Arthur Ting
2nd: Matchy Ma
3rd: Melanie Hoi
Table Topics
1st: Gordon Kerr
2nd: Asta Lee
3rd: Irene Chen
The standard of the speakers has improved so much since I started attending (and sometimes participating in) these contests five or so years ago.
Yet, we always say it, the results are often a surprise. Here are some of my thoughts on this year’s results:
Division K
Well, we all thought Eddie was the strong favourite and, after all the performances, I was convinced that – overall – Eddie’s speech was a winner. SK Lau’s speech was, to be honest, forgettable. When it was announced that he was the champion, I had to ask my neighbour to remind me what he'd spoken about. The title was, I was reminded, ‘Daddy’s always right’. I do remember some touching moments as he urged the audience to connect with their fathers before it was too late. In my case, it already is too late, and I could relate to the message. Yet, in terms of overall delivery – structure of the message, verbal and vocal ability as well as body language - it was far short of Eddie’s performance.
In TT, my favourite, Jacky Lai, lost out to Edward this time. The topic ‘I wish, I wish, I wish’ was generic enough and whereas most of the contestants anwsered this topic literally, Edward was able to divert it slightly by saying that the wishes he had were irrelevant; it was his method of achieving them that was the issue. He ambled around a little, but this simple trick seemed to win over the judges.
Division H
I am so thrilled that Arthur took home the 1st place trophy this year! His speech (I forget the title) carried the message that we should all say ‘Sorry’ when necessary to preserve relationships. Despite a rocky start with a tongue twister that sounded a bit twisted (!), his brave decision to use the prop of Jenga visually supported his idea that relationships are fragile.
Again, I think the audience was surprised when it was announced that Matchy was to take home the second prize, but I was delighted. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; I believe the sincerity of the speaker shines through. What Arthur lacked in polish, he made up for with genuine authenticity (Do I sound like Paula Abdul?). I loved the speech and I’m sure Arthur can work it up to be a winning speech in Singapore in a few weeks.
Table Topics was well represented by the fairer sex, unlike the other contests. Yet, a guy took the crown: a speaker I’ve not seen before by the name of Gordon Kerr. He won hands down. By far the best table topic speaker I’ve seen in a long time. And a speech which was truly spontaneous, unlike some of the others.
Well, another Division contest bites the dust and Hong Kong celebrates FOUR new champions who’ll go on to represent our fine SAR in Singapore at the end of May. See you there!
