Impromptu speech

• Impromptu Speeches


  • You may not know exactly what topic you will be asked to speak on, but you can prepare in several ways
  • Every time you answer a question in class, you give a brief impromptu speech
  • Even in a job interview, you would have given some sort of impromptu speech
• Preparation for Impromptu Speeches

  1. Know your content - If you are in class and your teacher calls on you, you should have done whatever reading or assignment so that you can speak

  2. If you’re on the job and your employer calls on you to do a presentation, you should have already known enough about your job to speak

  3. Anticipate - There are usually indicators at school or at work that you’ll be called upon to speak

  4. Organise - How can you organize when you do not know the exact topic that you’ll be called upon to speak? Just as you would prepare for a test, you can use similar strategies to prepare for impromptu speaking

  5. Formulate a main idea
• Preparation Cont’d for Impromptu Speeches

  1. Make Notes - Just as you outline your text material or class notes for a final exam, you can also jot down ideas on your potential speech

  2. Use a Standard Format - Use the standard outline format to guide you
• Pitfalls of Impromptu Speaking

  • Rule number 1: Be brief; do not babble
  • Rule number 2: Do not be repetitive. By mentally organizing the points you wish to make, you will help to avoid repeating yourself
  • Rule number 3: Stay on topic
• Advantages of Impromptu Speaking

  • Your audience does not expect a long nor a highly polished speech. If you therefore give them a concise, well-structured presentation with no apparent preparation, they will be dazzled
  • Being a good impromptu speaker also positions you to be heard on the job
• Disadvantages of Impromptu Speaking

  • You simply cannot give the speech topic the research and preparation the topic may deserve
  • There is a risk of leaving out key information
  • You risk not being prepared (but this should be mitigated if you did your homework)
  • What if you prepared diligently and are still asked to speak on a topic that you know absolutely nothing about, simply explain that you know nothing about it