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In my Impromptu Speakers Community, I came across one student’s monologue that blew me away. 

Charles Edrims recorded this 1-minute video answering my question, “Why did you choose to join my Impromptu Speakers Community?” 

Today, I’m going to break down 3 keys that you can learn from Charles to command the room even if you’re not prepared to speak. 

Watch the video first, and my pointers will all make sense. 

Let’s dive in. 

Tip 1: Follow A Structure

If you don’t, you run the risk of rambling, losing your audience, and losing your confidence.

My favorite framework to answer any question confidently and eloquently on the spot is PREP(S). 

• Point – A one-sentence summary that encapsulates your main answer to the question.
• Reason – A one- to two-line explanation that supports your main answer 
• Example – A data point and/or story that supports your reason
• Point – A recap of your original point and/or broader takeaway
• Segue – A transition (e.g., a question, remark, or next step) 

Notice how Charles’ monologue slots right into the framework.

• Point (:04 - :14): “I joined the Impromptu Speakers Community because I want to get better at my communication skills so that I can connect with more people and be able to create a good first impression.”
• Reason (:15 - :23): “This is very important to me because I grew up as a very shy, very introverted kid and this affected my ability to make friends.” 
• Example (:24 - 1:04): “You see, there was one particular time when… I was actually very intelligent.” 
• Point (1:05 - 1:18): “This is why I want to get better at my communication, grow, increase my influence, connect with more people, make friends, and be an impactful individual.” 
• Segue (1:19 - end): “So I hope I can get that in this community. I look forward to seeing what you bring to us. Thank you so much for the value you’ve been providing because your videos have been really helpful for me.”

Action Item → Bullet out your answer following the PREP(S) framework to this question: “What led you to sign up for Preston Chin’s Impromptu Speakers Newsletter?” 

Tip 2: Emotional Tagging

Do you struggle with a monotone? 

Do you feel stiff and robotic whenever you speak? 

This is a common challenge that I see many of my students experience. It’s overwhelming to keep track of your body language, your vocal inflections, and your hand gestures – all while trying to remember your words. 

And when you get overwhelmed, you can't help but show it. And your audience loses interest.

Your confidence spirals downward as a result. 

But the solution I’ve found, and one that Charles does to perfection, is a technique that I call Emotional Tagging. 

Watch the :16 - :23 mark, when he says: 

“[Improving my communication] is very important to me because I grew up as a very shy, very introverted kid and this affected my ability to make friends.” 

As he’s saying these words, notice what happens. His face scrunches. His voice cracks when he says “shy” and “introverted.” 

Charles has tagged this section of his monologue with PAIN as the emotion. And he does this so effectively because he’s reliving that painful moment for his audience. 

Watch him do it again between 1:19 and 1:28, when he says: 

“So I hope I can get that in this community. I look forward to seeing what you bring to us. Thank you so much for the  value that you’ve been providing because your videos have been very helpful for me.” 

Notice how he smiles as he speaks. He clasps his hands together. He elevates his tone to contrast the solemn nature of his story.

Whether he did this intentionally or not, Charles tags this section with the emotions HOPE and GRATITUDE. 

Action Item → Take the bullets you’ve written under Tip 1. Next to each bullet, write the emotion in CAPITAL LETTERS that you want to convey. Then, record yourself speaking and watch yourself. Do you feel the emotion you intended to convey? 

Tip 3: Take Me To The Scene

What differentiates the OK vs. great speakers? 

Authenticity. 

Charles comes off as authentic in many ways, but my personal favorite is he re-enacts a scene. 

From :24 to 1:00, Charles takes us to a particular moment when he stood up in front of the class and froze. 

He does three things particularly well. 

First, he uses one of my favorite segues into a story by saying,

“There was one particular time when…”

It’s such an effective transition because he literally takes us to a particular moment. It's immersive.

Second, he quickly transitions to the conflict of his story in his opening two lines.

“I wanted to defend my project. And when I stood in front of the class trying to present this project, I froze.” 

He pauses for dramatic effect both before and after he says the conflict words, “I froze.” 

Charles’ strategic pause right around the moment of conflict gives his audience time to wonder, Why did he freeze?

And finally, he replays a quote from his teacher, saying: 

“He pointed at the other professor and said, ‘No. Let’s go to the next person. This boy is a very shy person. He doesn’t answer questions in class.’” 

Action Item → When moving to the Example section of the PREP(S) framework, try to kick off your story with the sentence: “I remember a time when…” And once you get into storytelling mode, try to introduce conflict right away.

If you found this helpful, the Impromptu Speakers Academy is my 3-week bootcamp to help you become a clear and confident speaker at work. Reserve your spot today while they're still available.