How to Deliver an Extemporaneous Presentation or Speech

Tips for how to deliver an extemporaneous presentation or speech. Great public speaking has that smooth conversational delivery style that we all admire. This video shows you how to do it.
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It's called extemporaneous speaking or extemporaneous delivery, where (a) the speaker knows the material (b) speaks in a conversational style, (c) from limited notes (d) in a structured way.
In other words, it's not memorized but you're not reading either. It may sound and look comfortable and easy when great speakers do it, but it takes work to get there.
Follow this advice for that smooth conversational delivery:
1. Commit to a structure. The backbone provided by a clear structure will help you stay on track and give you the confidence to express yourself. It gives you a roadmap to follow but provides flexibility. When learning how to delvery an extemporaneous speech, you simply must follow a clear structure.
2. Practice 10x or more. That sounds like a lot and it is but with practice comes comfort. Most speakers I know who sound conversational, practice many times beforehand. Most speakers who sound stiff or look at their notes a lot don't practice this many times.
3. Limit your notes to key words only. Each 2 to 3 times you practice, pare down your notes so you are eventually speaking from an outline with just single words or brief phrases for point and sub-point. Even a single word or phrase on your notes should be enough to keep you talking for about 30 seconds or so.
The fewer notes you use, the easier it will be to connect to your listeners comfortably. When done right, extemporaneous public speaking sounds like the presenter is "just talking" from the heart about the subject. It sounds personal in ways that you just won't get when using lots of notes or by memorizing very specific wording.
4. Use a variety of words to express yourself each time you practice. In other words, don't try to say it the same way each time you practice. That will lead to a memorized and stiff sounding presentation. Each time you practice, express your ideas in slightly different words and phrases. When it's time to present, you have that fresh conversational delivery you admire in high-level speakers.
5. Keep your practice realistic. You might consider practicing the last few times with the TV or music on. Practice in front of a roommate or even your dog! The more realistic your practice conditions, the more prepared and comfortable you will be.
Extemporaneous public speaking or presenting is a skill that you can build on and will help you excel for years to come in virtually any context or industry.
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[@alexanderlyon]

FREE 7 Instant Tips for Confident & Composed Public Speaking: www.alexanderlyon.com/free-resources

[@stevenmacabuhay6687]

We have extemporaneous speech to Tomorrow for english

[@happysistersmnmvideos2661]

Same here

[@nextweek45]

I'm watching this because tommorow I will have an extemporaneous speech. Im so nervous because I have a stage fright. What if because of so much nervousness I'll get mental-block? I hope it won't happen. 😯😔

[@alexanderlyon]

Hi, Frando. Good luck on your presentation. Here's a video on dealing with nervousness. I hope it helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHa2pYyMhLOsY5I

[@prachibestgirl3446]

Same here ....😊😅... I also have to attend this tomorrow

[@questionable7537]

same here grade six sucks 😑😑😑😑😑

[@karmotlephrog3791]

Same here but harder topics 😐

[@laladywarriors820]

Same here for me

[@jimvanallan7376]

Public speaking teacher here...definitely sharing this video with my students...thank you

[@alexanderlyon]

Hi, Jim. Pleased to meet you. I hope they like it. Thanks for the encouragement. :-)

[@prateekgupta7326]

Jim Van Allan hi friend

[@chrisslotten209]

Masters always make it sound easy. I'm greatful that it is learnable. 3,600 words to end up with 600. Printed 4 times because of little changes. Practiced 30 times. Almost there. For me, mastering the process has been more important than making videos. It's like mastering the ground strokes in tennis before playing a game. Thank you coach.

[@DrJonTam]

Timestamps: 1:21 Extemporaneous Delivery 1:47 Commit to a structure 2:28 Practice up to 10x 3:30 Limit your notes 4:54 As you practice, say it in a variety of ways 5:47 Practice Realistically

[@CarlKwan]

Such great information in this one, Alex!

[@alexanderlyon]

Thank you, Carl. I appreciate the encouragement.

[@johnanselalcantara7518]

I'm looking for some tips for my extempo tomorrow and found this, thanks coach alex, i'm hoping to be more confident on delivering my speech.

[@alexanderlyon]

Great, John. Let us know how it goes.

[@meatsuu]

you are a bloody legend, i needed this for my speech class because my professor didn't teach us what extemporaneous style of speech is. thank you :D

[@alexanderlyon]

Happy to help!

[@sapphire_siren6]

my professor recommended this video for a high-percentage speech we have due in a couple weeks, and although I don't consider myself especially bad at presenting, this video has the most amazing tips I have ever seen for public speaking! I, more often than not, have a harder time actually starting a speech rather than presenting or even fully writing one, so that speech layout at the beginning is going to come in handy. Thank you so much!

[@alexanderlyon]

I'm glad it was helpful! :-)

[@sassysassy9950]

I'm a senior high school student and I'll be representing my strand in the extemporaneous speech and I'm seriously NERVOUSSSSSSSS!.

[@scarla3695]

Yea me also...Im so scared af. It's a contest and I'm speaking in front of hundreds of people😥😖

[@scarla3695]

@@mozart8050 But, ive got zero experience on this and im just starting to learn the basics and stuff, but hopefully I can learn it and speak with confidence 😥😄

[@sassysassy9950]

@@mozart8050 wowwwww. Congrats. Any tips? I'm seriously confuse right now if what will be the flow or structure I'll be using.

[@sassysassy9950]

@@scarla3695 huhuhuhu same. I don't really have any experience with this. Especially, I'll be joining in a bigger contest. Thinking about it made me want to cry.

[@sassysassy9950]

@@mozart8050 helppppp pleaseeeeee

[@animediplomat7010]

thank you so much for this, in my public speaking class, I have to do a speech like this, and this video really helped me prepare

[@vinyladdict9987]

Thank you... you seem so relaxed speaking to the camera. I'm so glad I found your channel to help me with speaking to the camera on my videos.

[@casiplexynna9652]

I'm going to have an extemporaneous speech today and I'm really fcking nervous 😭

[@alexanderlyon]

Just do your best to have a conversational tone. Make really direct eye contact. Stay on track with your structure. You'll be great.

[@mrwright9996]

Sameeee 😭😭

[@seeker444]

SAME!! TODAY 😭

[@shimeirosemasibag156]

same and we don't even know what is all gonna be. 😭🙈

[@carlitatiamzon1973]

Me to!

[@gwenalhambra6811]

I was lowkey expecting to use different accents when he said "say it in a variety of ways" 😂

[@mr.shalder]

Thank you for sharing your experience it will help millions of people who have been suffering from fear of public speaking infront of large audience like me .

[@kyrstenmarie]

Thank you so much Mr. Lyon!!!

[@daomen3511]

Again, it's very impressive and helpful to me. The more videos I watch I will definitely be impressive to my audience.

[@ylac0905]

Great tips! this will help a lot❣

[@louisemarielleindac4863]

my teacher recomemded me this video. i have an extemporaneous speech later. im nervous because i am not confident with myself, like idk if i could make it. but i hope i could remember everything you have said, for me to have a much beautiful answer.

[@openclassusa3534]

Great video again,Alex!!!

[@remwilsevilleta6771]

Thanks for this because we have extemporaneous speech in stage

[@Glaikitz]

Im a contestant for a Extemporaneous Speech at my school and this helped me so much! :3

[@alexanderlyon]

Good to hear it, Basic Waffle. I hope you do well in the competition.

[@luisasevillapancho4173]

Thank you for this. Really helpful

[@JM-vj2sx]

Very helpful thank you! The visuals were especially helpful.

[@srlkngl]

Liking your channel a lot, coach Alex Lyon Thank you.

[@JoshKaufmanstuff]

Great points Alex! It would be very instructional if you included your actual presentation notes to view, can you do that please? The full outline is listed in the description, but what did you have as notes during this presentation?

[@iceaisbaby]

i have an extemporaneous speaking contest today and it's safe to say that i am nervous as hell

[@alexanderlyon]

Hi, Ains. well, I hope it goes well. Let us know.

[@Solaira4180]

It's very helpful, thank you!

[@rollymackable]

I love this! You are doing a great job.

[@alexanderlyon]

Thanks, rollymackable.

[@preetiparomita1259]

I have my extempo tomorrow and I have a terrible stage fright. Pray for me 😵

[@sarahlange846]

Jungkook's illigirl you will be okay!! I did an extemp with no practice last year in sixth grade in a sixth through eight grade contest and won!! I thought I did terrible!! No one will remember everything you say!!

[@kirthivanbucog8222]

What happened?😭

[@preetiparomita1259]

@@kirthivanbucog8222 got 2nd

[@mr.burgess2575]

Great job Alex.

[@nikolalukic934]

There are many components to writing a great speech such as making it funny not boring and not too short One plan I found which succeeds in merging these is the Turbo template tactic (google it if you're interested) definately the most incredible course that I've seen. look at this amazing resource.

[@heatherburton1629]

I stumbled across this video preparing for my junior high English class unit on public speaking. So glad I did! Which one of your courses would help us walk through the more detailed structure diagram you show on the "Introduction-Body-Conclusion" slide?

[@alexanderlyon]

Hi Heather. I have templates in my paid classes, especially Present Like a Pro. But I'm not recommending you start by paying for a class. That's an expensive class. I always have 1 or more free classes on my site that you could start with. The links to those are in the description of most of my new videos.

[@MyAvisek]

This is very important for me TO TELL VERY NICELY 😊😊❤

[@janessasena835]

Thank you so much for this, i have a contest in 3 DAYS and it's my FIRST TIME to join, so i don't know what to expect. I badly needed some tips i really do hope i won't get mental blocked. It's via online so that's something to thank for lol😊

[@user-qz2zb4jo8s]

I know I'm late, but how'd it go?? :)

[@JustinTheVlogger]

Thank you and God Bless you too. :)

[@TAIMUIHONGAZ]

excellent Coach!

[@hala2963]

What I like to do before presenting is prep talking myself then if I can ,I’ll do a few jumping jacks. It makes me feel powerful to speak confidently 😂😂. Also throughout the presentation I’ll focus on breathing and pick people from the audience in my head to look at and I’ll keep switching up. This is to have more control over my eye contact so that I appear more calm and composed.

[@alexanderlyon]

Interesting examples. Thanks for sharing, Hala.

[@jeasvlog9083]

Im here beacause of may daughter..this is helpul!thank you

[@stefbobier2983]

I'll be having an extemporaneous speaking on Monday, it's a competition my teachers signed me up when I'm not even good at it. I'm really nervous! This helps a lot thanks!

[@yannuhlodronio2973]

lmfao sameeee when they said that im in, i was like "what the hell is that??"

[@MyAvisek]

Thank you soo much sir 🙏🙏

[@alexanderlyon]

Question of the Day: What are your tips for that nice conversational delivery style?

[@prateekgupta7326]

Communication Skills Coach Alex Lyon good skill

[@kathconstance4684]

Make 'em laugh. and request a lectern to hold on to!

[@JessicaFayToday]

Thank You!

[@kz.hia20]

We're gonna have a extempo speech on Wednesday and I knew on my self that I would be mental block when it's my time

[@aimhigh7312]

Thank you teacher..

[@skie1433]

I have extemporaneous speech tomorrow and I know I'm not good at public speaking. Thank you for this video btw. :)

[@alexanderlyon]

Good luck. I hope it goes well for you.

[@janemarinellidavila985]

currently watching this to try to be prepared for a competition next week

[@princesweetheartdescaya7598]

Thank u it's a big help

[@alexanderlyon]

Awesome. I'm happy the video helped.

[@user-de5iq7uy8d]

Thank you so much

[@intaction]

Your video quality is amazing.

[@alexanderlyon]

Thank you, Intaction. It's an older video but I think some of my new ones look and sound better from a quality standpoint. Take a look at some recent ones.

[@oneu7761]

Im a bit nervous because i will have my first extemporaneous speech... But because of this video im ready. Thanks for the tips.

[@sabrinafrio1424]

Update??

[@mja0182]

I have to perform a speech like this for an interpersonal communications final. Luckily we are just recording ourselves and submitting it, but still always feel goofy doing these.

[@yanyanocampo8074]

Thank you

[@tristan3814]

I'm here because I have a competition to participate tomorrow, wish me luck !

[@egoman3519]

Great video, gotta help me test out of a class

[@titseryash]

l learned a lot

[@queeniemarie5942]

Thank you for this

[@alexanderlyon]

Glad it was helpful.

[@julynafuentes9485]

thanks for this video. This really hepls me😇❣️

[@alexanderlyon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stevenmacabuhay6687]

Thanks

[@edwardgraham6025]

Very impressed with this material. It's evident that you live by your own book. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@alexanderlyon]

Thank you, Edward. I appreciate the support. That is very kind.

[@juhihaider5926]

I'm here as tomorrow is my online audition of extemporaneous speech ( Happy New year ) in advance Welcome dear 2022 🙂🥂

[@emiliemontagnet]

Great video!

[@alexanderlyon]

Glad it was helpful, Emilie.

[@enola_junila]

I'm going to present an extemporaneous speech tomorrow. This video is very helpful Alex😊

[@alexanderlyon]

Hi, Junila. Good luck. I hope it goes well. Let us know how it turns out.

[@enola_junila]

I made it Uncle Alex😍❤It was very successful. Thank you for the help😊

[@adeptmage2293]

Is there truly a universal aversion to being read something that was prepared ahead of time? I suppose I have limited personal experience to work with here but I don't know if I can say I would mind if something was read to me.

[@BhagwanSingh-pg5qn]

Next month will be my first extemporaneous speech contest and i dont know how to organized my ideas yet i used to say a lot that i go beyond the topic any tips sir?

[@alexanderlyon]

The classic Intro, body, conclusion (with 3 points in the body) is a good starting place to organize your ideas. I have a video on that. It's long but it may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apPadaVtjLt1rdE

[@makiaki4129]

oh thank you very helpful tomorrow is my extempo.I will speak to all of my schoolmates I'm very nervous

[@alexanderlyon]

I hope it goes well. Let us know!

[@realityoflife484]

great work

[@alexanderlyon]

Thank you!

[@skzworlddomination7735]

I have extempo on monday and i don't know what to do im so scared

[@rayjaxellepark4271]

I’m watching this because i badly need this.

[@alexanderlyon]

Glad you found the channel, Ray. I hope the videos help.

[@mattsolania]

I will have an extemporaneous tomorrow and our teacher told us to don't bring some notes (any kind of cards). What should I do about this?

[@alexanderlyon]

I'm not sure what to do. An extemporaneous speech usually means you can use some limited notes. I would ask your teacher for clarification. If you are truly allowed no notes, then I would have my topic sentence of each main point memorized but I would not attempt to memorize everything within each point word for word. As long as you have your basic outline memorized, you'll be able to rely on that if you get stuck. Good luck.

[@willendelman1954]

I start extemp for high school Nationals today, any last minute notes?

[@alexanderlyon]

Show em what you got!!!

[@justinnemikaelataburnal8503]

thankyoui from ph

[@russellchampagne522]

I'm a Communications studies major at city College of San Francisco, and our teacher assigned this video to teach extemporaneous speaking. The info is great, but I noticed one small thing, you "pare down" notes, not "pair down".

[@alexanderlyon]

Hi, Russell. You are correct. It's correct on the subtitles but I can't go back and change the video itself anymore since it is posted.

[@russellchampagne522]

Thanks, It's reassuring to know as a beginning communications student that even experienced speakers make mistakes, and the world doesn't end.

[@alexanderlyon]

You got it. Life is not a tight wire, not about perfection. Just progress. If I waited until I really had everything perfect, I'd have never posted a single video. Now I have over 100 videos on the channel and I'm having so much fun with it. I didn't even own a camera two years ago. I'm learning the video side of things as I go. Plus, it's hard to catch my own silly mistakes like typos. I see other people's typos but I have a hard time catching my own. I have heard a lot of people struggle with that. I just do my best, take the feedback, and try to improve the next time around. Side note, I've been to San Francisco about 12 times over the past 5 years to do workshops and consulting and you all have some of the best restaurants I've ever experienced. Some of those places are next-level delicious.

[@happycrazygirl6572]

How do we reference this vid apa style

[@Yorichie430]

I need to watch this because I will have extemporaneous speech on Tuesday 😭

[@alleiahdannacalbayar1852]

omg gonna do this by monday. fck performance task hahaha

[@revhounder8425]

i came here since we need to make a video and sending it to our teacher

[@sarmilaacharya318]

I am in grade 7 and my extempore is today . Thanks

[@alexanderlyon]

I hope it went well for you!

[@pwatchmh]

I'm watching this because we will be having an extemporaneous speech tomorrow. I'm nervous as hell. Wish me luck! :D

[@Oii0gcoyfyf9]

My first ever extemp competition is coming up in a week and I'm already nervous

[@mind7938]

our extemporaneous speech tomorrow only has a 2 min preparation tho 💀

[@raphaeljacob8061]

Ah thanks for the vid i'm an introvert and i was freakin chosen for an extem speech competition at my school and gosh dang i'm nervous af

[@alexanderlyon]

You'll be alright. Just practice until its conversational. Let us know how you do.

[@raphaeljacob8061]

@@alexanderlyon it was good didn't win but i got 3rd place hahaha this vid really helped me

[@alexanderlyon]

@@raphaeljacob8061 Still pretty good! Keep at it.

[@noelsyguia3146]

10 times to practice huh? ..... I just saw this video and my extemporaneous speech contest in tomorrow. Help me :(

[@alexanderlyon]

Yes, 10x practice. That's always what I recommend if you want that comfortable, smooth sound. I hope your presentation went well. :-)

[@winwinsmissinglines]

i'll be having extemporaneous speech on monday and im so gonna wanna cry, im nervous

[@alexanderlyon]

Hi, winwin. I hope it goes well. I did a video on anxiety that might help. Let me know how the presentation goes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHa2pYyMhLOsY5I

[@nutella7793]

How could I practice if I were given a huge topic such as "social issue "?...any tips ? ... Thank you in advance your response is such a great help...

[@alexanderlyon]

I always try to narrow my topic as much as possible. A topic like "social issues" is simply to wide. If you were assigned that topic, I'd ask your teacher to help you narrow it down to maybe one specific social issue you can tackle. Even then, it might be too broad for a short speech. Good luck.

[@nutella7793]

@@alexanderlyon Thank you very much for your advice :)

[@user-jv7ne3zz8e]

What if theres 10 questions how do i do that

[@cowsgomoo4514]

Are we allowed to have notes while speaking? Like do we hold it if we can?

[@alexanderlyon]

Yes, using notes is fine. You can hold them or put them on a podium.

[@paboritongchannel9355]

I'll be having extemporaneous speaking contest next day.Omyghhhuyddd i'm so nervous

[@taxurieofficial1745]

We're passing our extemporaneous speech today and I haven't made one yet.

[@enspadilla5572]

i have my extemporaneous speaking tomorrow and am really nervous right now bcoz it's actually my 1st time doing this thing.

[@alexanderlyon]

You've got this. Practice like crazy and keep it conversational.

[@annikajin2106]

Imma bout to do this in front of everyone in my school tom pray for me :))

[@staanareignjanelleb.6822]

Me too

[@Yassi_gorl]

I have zero experience in speaking speech But I wanted to try to join in this contest in this kind of speech Hope it go well

[@alexanderlyon]

Speech contests can be challenging and fun.

[@johnlouiemanalohernandez8431]

I'm gonna give out an extemporaneous speech tomorrow

[@alexanderlyon]

Great. Let us know how it goes.

[@darleenbellevillanueva3763]

I am having an extemporaneous speech today and i am soooo nervoussss🙇

[@everythingfangirl548]

I'm quite nervous, but at least it's only an online kind of competition- still tho- wish us all luck edit: lmao perks of talking to yourself? that in of itself is already practice for me lmao- like I randomly have a topic and I just talk about that to myself especially if I'm bored- still nervous tho :"D edit: tysm for the tips! I'll try to keep these in mind

[@davidhedin6546]

You're assuming that the slides are superfluous upport for the speech, but in business settings, charts and visualisations may be important and complicated enough that they require explanation (East in dark blue and west in orange etc., see Hans Rosling for example of this). Having this kind of slides requires to turn to the slide together with the audience and the notes may need more structure to get talking about the charts at the right time. What is conversational presentation in the context of detailed slides?

[@alexanderlyon]

I've been doing workshops in corporate settings for 20 years and most presenters use more slides than necessary and their slides are usually more cluttered than necessary. Using lots of slides in the norm in many settings but the best and most experienced presenters use fewer slides and more simplified slides. Some presentations are highly technical, true. Some presentations call for more slides than others. But, in general, speakers over-rely on slides and their presentations (and their presentation skills) do not develop as quickly as they should. To improve, you can use phrases and bullets instead of full sentences to simplify them. Include only the necessary data (rather than data that does not directly support the point). There are lots of ways to hone in on the key message on the slides. Then, take a conversational approach rather than merely reproducing almost word-for-word what's on the slide. Think of the slides as a visual aid, not a deck of the whole message.

[@davidhedin6546]

@@alexanderlyon thank you for the answer! I'll keep it in mind for my next one

[@juliannapacheco5199]

Im very pressured since im the only learner who passed the top 6 for extempo in my section and yet in every practice, i seem to get worse

[@alexanderlyon]

Just keep working at it. Public speaking is a life-long skill that will benefit you for life. Some presentations will go well, others will not. But, if you keep looking for opportunities to speak, you'll get better over time.

[@juliannapacheco5199]

Communication Coach Alex Lyon Thank You so much for this advice! The competition was yesterday and unfortunately, I didnt win... in the 1st elimination, I was top 1, same thing went for the 2nd one but for the finals (3rd), I wasnt even a medalist which was a bummer and embarassing. Esp since ive been part of the speech fest since my past 2 highschool years (im in 8th grade) but for next year,itll be about debate and even tho its not extempo, i still get to try and be in the finals, speak and voice out my opinions and im aiming for a wimming medal this time and I SWEAR im gonna do my best to win and i wont let nervousness and pressure take over me❤️❤️🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@alexanderlyon]

@@juliannapacheco5199 Nice work. Winning is nice but the skills you are learning are even more important. Thanks for letting us know how it went.

[@kaijacelestin8999]

Army! I have my first competition on Saturday after the comeback. I hope I'll gain some confidence

[@alexanderlyon]

I hope it goes well.

[@piang8244]

I have an extemporaneous speech tomorrow, wish me luck.

[@alexanderlyon]

I hope it goes well, Lisa. Let us know how it goes.

[@pq3250]

HOW CAN I START/BEGIN MY SPEECH

[@alexanderlyon]

Oh, I have a whole long video about that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnrFg2uPZZ6XrpY

[@weeeams831]

im going to have an extempo in the next 3 days and im so nervous 😭 i am the representative of our grade level and i fear that i might disapoint them 😭

[@alexanderlyon]

You'll do great. Just prep, practice, and do your best. 95% of how it goes will be worked out when you practice.