IMPROMPTU

SPEAKING
IMPROMPTU: SPEAKING OFF THE
CUFF
Impromptu speaking is generally defined
as limited preparation, time restricted
speaking. You are given a short general
interest topic and expected to present a
logical, complete speech within a short
period of time. The preparation time for
the speech is usually 0-3 minutes and the
speaking time 4-6 minutes.
A. Topics that are generally used in impromptu
include:
General quotations
Proverbs (a penny saved is a penny earned)
One worder (such as respect, elderly,
reputation, etc)
Proper Names (Madonna, Lady Diana, etc.)
Song lyric (I can't get no satisfaction.)
Rhetorical situations

I. Intro, Statement of
Quotation, Thesis
II. First contention
III. Second contention
IV. Third contention (optional
and time permitting)
V. Conclusion
A. Introduction including: 1) attention getter
that is relevant to the topic, 2) statement of
topic drawn, 3) statement of position you are
taking, and 4) preview of coverage.
B. Body: Chose your 2-4 points of coverage
C. Conclusion : 1) Reminder of position and
topic (how they relate), 2) review of coverage
and 3) closing (similar to attention getter).
The notecard should not contain ideas of what
to say but only reminders of how it should be
said. Leave plenty of room to write your
ideas.
TIPS
1. Clear your mind before going into the
room. Start thinking about
proper structure and fresh ideas.
2. Draw your topic.
3. Think about what the quote or word
means to you. What does it say and
what, in general, do you want to say
about it.
4. Jot down your thesis. It should come from
your stand and be clearly related to the topic
drawn. You do not have to give your speech
directly on the topic. It only has to relate and
be clearly drawn from the topic. Be sure
the judge will realize how it relates. You
may also agree or disagree with the topic.
5. Determine 2-4 reasons why you believe in
your stand, This is a "reasons why"
approach. Jot down the reasons - they
will become your points of coverage. They
are your structure.
6. Very quickly think of an example or two
under each reason. Don't get bogged
down with this since you may think of
examples as you are up speaking.
7. Think of an appropriate opening. Use an
example of the point you are going
to make. Think of an appropriate, yet
short way of bringing it out. Again, jot it
down and don't bog yourself down. Move
quickly.
8. Get up to speak.
Hopefully this process should not have
taken more than 2-3 minutes. Over three
minutes, and you've given yourself hardly
any time to talk. The best people in
impromptu can actually accomplish this
process in 15 seconds or less.
9. As you speak, remember the
rules of good public speaking:
Take your time
Follow your structure
Explain yourself
Be conversational
Allocate your coverage and time

10. Be confident. Be assured. It
really isn't a hard event once
you get the process in your
head. Once it is automatic, you
will be able to give coherent,
logical presentations at the drop
of a hat.
Judging Criteria
Comprehension -- The judge should evaluate
whether the contestant understood and was
able to explain the meaning of the given
quotation.
Content-- The judge should evaluate the
contestant on his/her use of logic, reasoning and
examples in support of his/her analysis of the
quotation.
Language-- The judge should evaluate the
contestants use of language in developing our
understanding of the quotation.
Creativity-- The judge should evaluate the
contestants' creativity and originality as they
explore the given quotation.

Final Notes
Contestants -- Please make all attempts to keep
our schedule on time. This will be the only
event with double entries so make certain that
you know where and when you are supposed to
be for competition.
Judges -- Please bear in mind that many of the
students competing in Impromptu will be doing
this event for the first time. Also, remember
that many of the students will be double
entered, so please wait for all the contestants to
arrive and compete before you leave the room.