Chapter 55 Here and now, start now

When someone taps you on the shoulder and says, "Would you like to say a few words?" There's no sign of that—you might be enjoying a show host talking, and all of a sudden, you realize he's talking about you.All eyes are thrown in your direction, and before you know what's going on, you've been chosen to be the next impromptu speaker. In this situation, you are likely to be at a loss as to where to start.Like Steven Leaker's bewildered knight, as soon as he mounts, he "crawls about."Now, this is a time when composure is desperately needed.Take a deep breath first, and pay attention to the nature and characteristics of the meeting to decide what you are going to say.Usually, the audience is most interested in themselves.So, there are at least three directions in which your conversation can come from:

The first is the audience itself.Remember, this is the easiest way.Tell something about your audience—who they are, what they do, what they contribute to the community or humanity, etc.Use specific examples to illustrate. The second is occasion.Of course you know why this party is held?Is it a commemoration?Awards ceremony?Annual party?Or a political party? Finally, if you have paid attention to the lecture before this, mentioning or praising other speakers is also good material.The most successful impromptu speakers, what they say is really off-the-cuff and related to the situation in the scene.Such as the audience, the occasion, or other speakers' statements, etc., are as appropriate as hands and gloves.Their stuff is specialty, made for the occasion, so success is to be expected.