How to Practice Ad-libbing

Ad-libbing is useful in all sorts of situations: Meeting people for the first time, family functions, business events and more. However, a lot of people freeze up and don't know what to say or they stumble over their words and end up looking ridiculous. Like anything else, ad-libbing should be practiced. Here's how.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Friend
• Television
• Papers and hat

Instructions

Practice

1. Tear up a piece of paper into several small pieces. Write a topic or category on each. Crumple the papers up and place them in a hat. Draw a paper from the hat and read the topic.

2. Stand in front of a mirror and improvise on the topic for one minute. Select another topic and repeat. Do this daily so it starts to become more natural.

3. Prompt: Have a friend sit with you and prompt you with questions. Answer the questions the best you can. Have your friend cut you off and redirect the conversation or question. Try to keep up with the speed of his speech and respond. Do this as often as possible because it will teach you to become quick on your feet mentally.

4. Watch television. While watching a show, start talking like one of the characters. Mute the television and fill in the character's speech. Every time you see the character speak on screen make something up and speak at the same time as if you were dubbing for the character. Listen to yourself to make sure what you're saying makes sense.

5. Strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger while waiting for an appointment, pumping gas, standing in line at the grocery store and so forth. Rate yourself afterwards and think about the things you could have done better. Next time you strike up a conversation with a stranger, try to remember these things and correct them.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to yourself in the mirror and continue on conversation style until you are comfortable

• Don't rush yourself and begin to stumble over your words, mumble or stutter