300 Words 01/16/2024 | The 2 X 2 Framework

A simple speaking framework to help you collect your thoughts.

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Authors Note: The idea for this story was written on 01/16/2024, but this Medium story is being written and published on 01/17/2024. It is an edited version of this post on X.

Here is my response to the problem: “Personally, I have a problem drifting off in thought or just overall have a hard time staying on topic.”

“If you struggle with staying on topic there are a lot of great techniques that you can use to practice staying on topic. From my experience, practice and sticking to a repeatable framework are the two most effective solutions I have found.

I’m incredibly passionate about a form of public speaking called Impromptu for this exact reason. It is a great speaking tool that can help you practice outlining a speech on the fly. (Here is a link to an article I wrote about giving an Impromptu Speech.)

To give you an actionable tip. You can try what I like to call the 2 X 2 speaking framework.

Here is an outline of the framework that you can use.

Topic: What you are speaking about.

Introduction: Your hook to draw the listener in.

[Transition Statement: A sentence that leads the audience from your introduction into your first point]

Point 1: This is the first point or example you want to talk about the topic.

Example 1: A resource, example, or analogy that ties into point 1.

Example 2: A second resource, example, or analogy that ties into point 1.

[Transition Statement: A sentence that leads the audience from your first point into your second point.]

Point 2: The second point or example you want to discuss.

Example 1: A resource, example, or analogy that ties into point 2.

Example 2: A second resource, example, or analogy that ties into point 2.

[Transition Statement: A sentence that leads the audience from your second point into your conclusion]

Conclusion: A summary of the points you made that ends with either a call to action or a strong final point that relates back to the introduction.

What this looks like in a mock speech.

“Today I am going to talk about Impromptu. First, I am going to go over what Impromptu is. Second, I am going to dive into why it is important and how you can use it to improve your confidence with public speaking.

Now that we have introduced the topic lets talk about what impromptu is. [This is the transition sentence]

You may be familiar with the term impromptu which means “done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed.” That is the essence of an impromptu speech, but there is more to it than that. Today I am going to talk about the form of public speaking called Impromptu and highlight the various rules and structure for giving an Impromptu speech….”

I hope this gives you a bit of a pre-answer before the space. Thank you for the great question, and if you have any more my DMs or the comments are open.

(P.S. I will also be giving a dedicated space with Christel next week [01/24/2024] to help people practice Impromptu.)”

This was my slightly edited excerpt from the previously mentioned post. I hope this excerpt gives you a clear example of one way that you can structure your speech or even a piece of writing. Also, this only covered one aspect of drifting off topic. We can also cover how to direct your mind back to the topic at hand when you drift off, but that is subject for another day.

If you want to learn more you can join me live in this space, or catch the recording if you are reading this after 01/17/2024.

Regards,

Jeff

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