Impromptu Speech Assignment
(25 points)
1. Topics for the speeches will be quotations or proverbs. When your turn to speak comes, you
will draw two of them. Choose ONE to speak on and return the other.
2. We'll use a random draw for creating an order for these speeches. Volunteers will be taken!
3. After you have drawn your topic, you may go in the hallway for 3 -5 minutes and prepare
your speech. Use this time to jot down your thoughts on a notecard in an outline form to help
you during your speech. You should have an introduction with two main points and a conclusion.
Your main points should support your thesis.
4. After 3-5 minutes (approximately) has passed, you will come into the room and deliver your
speech. Remember organization, supporting material, transitions, common ground, etc. are
important with this assignment, so use your limited notes. While you are speaking, another
person will be preparing for his/her speech in the hallway. In this way, we should be able to get
everyone in.
5. The time window is from 3 to 5 minutes. If you speak longer that 5 minutes, you will be
asked to stop. We have to do this in order to get everyone in and to ensure that everyone gets
roughly the same amount of time to prepare.
6. Peer Evaluations: You will NOT be required to do peer evaluations on this speech.
7. Final Note: These are impromptu speeches, so expectations for a polished delivery and
organization are low. Feel free to have fun with your topics. The main thing every speech
should have, however, is a basic message that is supported with your examples and analysis.
Impromptu Speaking Guidelines
We do a great deal of impromptu speaking each day but it is still the type of speech situation that
many of us fear the most. The following guidelines can help you to gain some control over
impromptu speaking situations.
1. Try to anticipate the unexpected times you might be called upon to speak.
2. Listen carefully to the previous speaker(s) and incorporate their remarks in your own.
3. Don't panic when called upon; use the time you have to organized your thoughts. Jot
some brief notes to serve as a guide when giving the speech.
4. Remember all the components/parts of a prepared speech apply in an impromptu speech.
5. Formulate a central idea/message (thesis) around which you can build your comments.
6. Select only a few main points to elaborate on and select an appropriate organizational
pattern.
7. Talk about your experiences--YOU are your greatest resource for impromptu speaking.
8. Keep the conclusion brief.
9. Don't ramble on and on and don't get off the subject.
10. Don't apologize at any point in the presentation! Your listeners don't expect an elaborate
oration so, relax, be yourself, and enjoy the opportunity to share some of your thoughts with
others.
Organizing the Impromptu Speech
Take a few moments after you are called upon to speak and organize your thoughts. Jot down
your central point (thesis) and your main points if you have the opportunity and follow this
outline format:
INTRODUCTION:
I. Attention getter (personal example, question, story, etc.)
II. Link topic to audience (commonground)
III. Thesis statement (central point/message) - Quotation/Proverb and your interpretation
IV. Preview main points
BODY: (limit yourself to 2 to 3 main points)
I. First main point (a statement that supports the thesis)
A. Supporting material (example, etc.) to develop the first main point
B. Supporting material (example, etc.) to develop the first main point
II. Second main point (another statement that supports the thesis)
A. Supporting material (example, etc.) to develop the second main point
B. Supporting material (example, etc.) to develop the second main point
CONCLUSION:
I. Summarize your 2 main points
II. Restate thesis statement and quotation/proverb
III. Closing statement/Tie back to your attention getter
