What are some common pitfalls to avoid when delivering an impromptu or extemporaneous speech?

1 Pitfall 1: Rambling

One of the most common mistakes speakers make when speaking on the spot is rambling. Rambling can make you lose your audience's attention and interest, and also make you look unprofessional and unprepared. To avoid this, take a moment to pause and breathe before you start speaking. This will help you calm your nerves and collect your thoughts. Then, clearly state your main point and use a simple structure, such as the PREP method, to organize your speech. This will help you support your main point with relevant and specific details, and also help you avoid going off on tangents. Finally, summarize your main point and end with a call to action or a question. This will help you wrap up your speech and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

2 Pitfall 2: Filler words

Another common mistake that speakers make when they have to speak on the spot is using filler words. Filler words, such as "um", "uh", "like", and "you know", can make you sound hesitant, unsure, or unconfident, and also distract your audience from your message. To avoid filler words, you should practice speaking without them, replace them with pauses or transitions, and relax and be confident. Practicing without filler words can help you count how many you use, and asking a friend or colleague for feedback can help you identify them. Pauses and transitions can create a natural flow and rhythm, and help you emphasize your points, gather your thoughts, and engage your audience. To overcome nervousness or anxiety, you should relax your body and mind, and be confident in your knowledge and abilities. Positive affirmations, visualization, or breathing exercises can also help you calm yourself before and during your speech.

3 Pitfall 3: Lack of eye contact

A third common mistake that speakers make when they have to speak on the spot is lack of eye contact. Establishing eye contact is an essential part of nonverbal communication, as it can help build rapport, credibility, and trust with your audience. Without eye contact, you may appear bored, distracted, or dishonest, and your audience may feel ignored or disrespected. To avoid this, you should scan the room and look at different people or sections of the audience. This will help create a sense of connection and involvement, as well as gauge their reactions and feedback. Additionally, maintain eye contact for about 3 to 5 seconds with each person or section to show interest and respect. Avoid looking at your notes, the floor, the ceiling, or the walls, as this will help you avoid losing your audience's attention and confidence, and also help you avoid missing important cues or signals from your audience.

4 Pitfall 4: Poor body language

A fourth common mistake that speakers make when they have to speak on the spot is poor body language. Body language is an essential part of nonverbal communication that can help you convey your message, emotions, and personality to your audience. Poor body language can make you appear nervous, uncomfortable, or unprofessional, and also make your audience feel uneasy or confused. To avoid poor body language, you should stand tall and straight, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed. This will help you look confident, balanced, and stable, as well as help you breathe better and project your voice louder. Additionally, use gestures to emphasize your points, express your emotions, or illustrate your ideas. This will help you look dynamic, engaging, and passionate, and also help you reinforce your message and create visual interest. Lastly, avoid crossing your arms, putting your hands in your pockets, fidgeting, or touching your face or hair. This will help you avoid looking defensive, insecure, or distracted, and also help you avoid sending mixed or negative signals to your audience.