Guides
Impromptu speaking guides
Impromptu speaking is answering a question you didn't see coming: in an interview, when a meeting turns to you, or at a Toastmasters club. Nobody can prepare the answer, but you can prepare how you'll answer: a structure to fall back on, a routine for the first few seconds, and enough practice that starting no longer feels like a leap.
These guides cover each of those, with worked examples and topics you can practice with today.
The PREP method, with a worked example
Point, Reason, Example, Point: the simplest structure for answering on the spot, timed for a 2-minute answer, with a rambling answer and a PREP answer side by side.
How to answer Table Topics
For Toastmasters members: the first ten seconds, a structure for each kind of topic, how to use the timing lights, and 15 practice questions.
60 impromptu speech topics
Five levels, from easy warm-ups about your own life to debate topics, each with what it trains and the structure that fits.
How to think on your feet
Six steps for the first few seconds when you're put on the spot: pause, buy time, pick a structure, lead with your point, give one example, and stop.
7 speaking structures for any question
PREP, STAR, What–So What–Now What and four more, with when to use each one, an example answer for every structure, and a cheat sheet.
How to answer a question you don't know
Acknowledge, bridge, next step: what to say instead of guessing in an interview, a meeting or a Q&A, with phrases and before-and-after answers.
How to make your answers more interesting
Four ways to turn a generic answer into one only you could give: a short story, a specific example, a contrast, or a vivid detail.
Ready to try one out loud?
Get the app
A surprise prompt, a 2-minute clock, and one clear next step after every answer. Free on iPhone and Android.
