Models for Impromptu Speaking

I came across a video on Bilibili this week where the creator introduced several speaking frameworks. Here’s my summary.

  • Yes And Principle
  • Pyramid Principle
  • FFC Compliment Method
  • FFA Reporting Method
  • NVC Technique

Yes And Principle

When to use it: When you need to express a differing opinion.

Core idea: Don’t negate — affirm instead.

The “Yes! And…” technique comes from Italian improvisational comedy. “Yes” means accepting what the other person has said; “And” means building on it to add your own perspective. Because improv has no script, you need to accept what your partner gives you and add to it — that’s how the scene flows. If both performers keep shooting each other down, the momentum breaks and the narrative collapses.

Applied to everyday life: even when someone says something you disagree with, don’t rush to say “But.” Start from a “Yes” — find what you can genuinely agree with, express acceptance and openness — and then use “And” to introduce your own take.

A: I think this approach should XXXXX — what do you think? B: Yeah, that sounds pretty solid (YES), and (AND) I also have another angle — want to hear it?

“And” and “But” can both introduce your point, but negation tends to put people on the defensive. Finding common ground first creates a climate where consensus becomes easier and new ideas emerge more freely.

Pyramid Principle

When to use it: Whenever you need to hold an audience’s attention or communicate efficiently — presentations, reports, writing, etc.

Core idea: The pyramid principle.

  • Top-down delivery: conclusion first.
  • Bottom-up thinking: build from evidence up to summary.
  • Vertical: summarize and consolidate.
  • Horizontal: group arguments into parallel categories.

Why it works:

  • Grabs attention from the start.
  • Helps the audience process information efficiently, without wasting time.

FFC Compliment Method

When to use it: Giving someone a compliment.

The FFC method breaks a compliment into three parts: first express your Feeling in vivid language, then back it up with specific Facts that show your feeling isn’t baseless, and finally make a Comparison that conveys deep recognition of the person.

I think that dress you’re wearing today looks so elegant and stylish! (Feeling) The cut really suits your energy, and the colors work beautifully with your complexion and figure (Facts). Honestly, it’s the nicest summer dress I’ve seen all year. (Compare)

Things to watch out for:

  • Don’t compliment qualities that aren’t actually there — it reads as insincere.
  • Don’t compare directly to people present in the conversation; broaden the frame.

FFA Reporting Method

When to use it: Reporting to management or in professional settings.

Core idea:

  • Facts — present objective information.
  • Feelings — share your own read on the situation.
  • Action — propose what you plan to do.

Director, sales this month were down 30% (Facts). I think it’s possible the new hires are still developing their client development skills (Feelings). I’m going to organize a training session next week to address this (Actions).

NVC Technique

When to use it: Close relationships and intimate communication.

Nonviolent Communication, detailed in the “four components of loving speech” from Nonviolent Communication — I covered this in a previous issue, so I won’t repeat it here.

Core idea: The four components of loving speech.

  • Observation — describe what you observe.
  • Feelings — express how you feel.
  • Needs — help the other person understand what you need.
  • Requests — make a specific request.

Weekly Picks

Manga / Anime: Summer Time Rendering

Compared to the infamously punishing 486-loop time travel in Re:Zero, the protagonist here is on literal hell difficulty — fighting supernatural beings with nothing but his bare human body.

Unlike The Loop, where dying moves the restart point earlier each time, here it moves later — meaning certain things that happen are already locked in and can’t be changed. The antagonists also possess [spoiler] abilities that let them use information asymmetry to dominate the protagonist’s team. There are moments of genuine despair where it feels like they’ve been cornered at their own respawn point.

Both sides — protagonist and antagonist — are playing smart. The plot is tightly woven, the rules are internally consistent, and every foreshadowing pays off. Easily one of the best anime of the year.

Programming: Modern JavaScript Tutorial

Stumbled across this one by accident — a free, beautifully designed website for learning front-end development. The content has both depth and breadth, making it worthwhile for beginners and a solid refresher for veterans.

This Week’s Log

Recent Viewings

  • Reading: Letters | The Letter with Your Handwriting
  • Reading: Philosophy | At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails
  • Watching: Anime | Summer Time Rendering
  • Watching: Anime | Spy × Family
  • Finished: Manga | Summer Time Rendering (3rd read)
  • Rewatched: Film | Green Book
  • Played: Game | 20 Minutes Till Dawn

20 Minutes Till Dawn is a compact, well-paced roguelite. Just ¥15 on Steam, a single run takes 10–20 minutes, and the main fun is finding a combat style that clicks for you.

PS: For anyone who wants to watch it played rather than play themselves, check out this video → Wang Laoju shooting in the dark on Bilibili

Recent Code

TypeScript React  32 hrs 23 mins █████████████░░░░░░░░  61.9%
TypeScript        18 hrs 50 mins ███████▌░░░░░░░░░░░░░  36.0%
JSON              32 mins        ▏░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░   1.0%
JavaScript        10 mins        ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░   0.3%
Markdown          6 mins         ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░   0.2%