Impromptu Speech Tips: How to Prepare and Deliver Effectively

What to do when asked to give an impromptu speech 1. Listen Listen carefully to the question / speech topic. Make sure you understand the topic. Ask for the question to be repeated. This ensures that you understand it. It also gives you a little more time to prepare.

What to do when asked to give an impromptu speech 2. Prepare! What? Impromptu = No Preparation, right? You may be given a short time to collect your thoughts. If not, as you are walking from your seat to the front, use this time to prepare as much as possible. Whatever time you have, use it to prepare an outline.

2. Prepare an opening sentence. Consider repeating the question / topic. You may want to reword it slightly. This shows that you understand the question. It also shows some originality on your part.

2. Prepare an opening sentence. Topic: Should the government regulate cigarette smoking? A possible introduction: This morning, I would like to tell you why I believe the government should regulate cigarette smoking.

2. Prepare the main points. Depending on: the topic, how much time you are given to speak, and your knowledge of the subject, come up with 1 or 2 main points (3 at the most!). Don t try to think of more than 3 main points. You will probably just overwhelm yourself!

2. Prepare the conclusion. You can briefly restate your main points, and how they support your position on the topic. Topic: Should the government regulate cigarette smoking? So, I believe that due to the negative health effects on individuals as well as the cost to society our government should regulate cigarette smoking.

2. Prepare All of the ideas I have listed under Prepare may be more than you can do before or during the speech. So prepare ahead of time, to the extent possible. How?

2. Prepare For example, have a pre-formulated conclusion. So, I believe that due to fill in main point #1 here as well as fill in main point #2 here fill in restated topic here . So, I believe that due to the negative health effects on individuals as well as the cost to society our government should regulate cigarette smoking.

2. Prepare In conclusion, I think you can see how first, point #1 , second, point #2 , and finally, point #3 all support my position that restated topic here .

3. Relax : Speak calmly and not to be too excited

4. Act Confidently Look at the audience and smile. Stand with good posture. Don t fidget. Don t grab onto the lectern. Don t put your hands in your pockets.

5. Speak Slowly and Smoothly This gives you time to think as you speak. Your audience will be able to listen to you better. This helps you reduce fillers (umms and aahs)

6. Focus Focus on your subject. Be brief. Use the speech techniques you have learned, especially maintaining good eye contact.

Remember, an impromtu speech is almost always a persuasive speech. Consequently, the reasons you give in support of your conclusion must be logical and make good sense. It may be difficult to come up with statistics and quotations. But if you can recall some facts or a good analogy, make sure to use them!

What to do when asked to give an impromptu speech 1. Listen 2. Prepare 3. Relax 4. Act Confidently 5. Speak Slowly and Smoothly 6. Focus

SPEECH OUTLINE INTRODUCTION THANK CHAIRPERSON/ M.C. GREET AUDIENCE ANNOUNCE TOPIC SIGNPOST MAIN POINTS BODY ANNOUNCE POINT NUMBER ELABORATE POINT CONCLUSION RESTATE TOPIC AND MAIN POINTS THANK AUDIENCE

Purpose of Introductions Get the Audience Attention Introduce the Subject Give the Audience a Reason to Listen Establish Your Credibility Preview Main Ideas

Effective Introductions Anecdotes Startling Facts Quotations Reference to Events

Body Ideas clearly explained and justified Appropriate grammar and vocabulary Discourse Markers Firstly Secondly Most important of all Finally

Effective Conclusions Summarize the speech Reemphasize the central idea End with impact (similar to introduction) Provide closure

Start or end with impact. Having an introduction that immediately catches the audience s attention or having a conclusion that wraps up the speech with a bang automatically gives the speaker better recall to the audience and especially to the judges.

List of Impromptu Speech Topics To Practice in Class With Your Partner. In 3 sentences, react to the statements below: You are a famous rock star. Explain what the lyrics of your latest hit song mean. If you were an animal, what would you be? Tell us about a nickname you have and how you got it. Explain three uses for a pencil besides for writing. Convince us that homework is harmful to your health. You are a salesperson trying to sell us the shirt you have on. Explain how a smart person might not be wise. If you were the teacher, how would our class be different? Tell us about the hardest thing you have ever done. You are a mad scientist. Tell us about your latest invention. You are a famous sports player. Describe your best moment of a game.

Tell us how to become a millionaire. Tell us about the best dream you've ever had. Tell us how to make a new friend. Tell us about the most fun recess activity. Tell us how to make your favorite meal. Explain which came first: the chicken or the egg. Explain the rules to your favorite game. You are a piece of paper. Describe how we should use you before you get recycled. Explain how to make a pizza. Describe how you would modify a snail so it can go faster.