5 Helpful Tips for Impromptu Speaking

Many speakers mistakenly think that impromptu speaking means there is no need to prepare or plan ahead for their speech. This is not true! Simply following this list of tips can help you prepare for your impromptu speech and decrease nerves and anxiety.
1. Introduce & Conclude As you learned during your informative and persuasive presentations, introductions and conclusions can make or break your presentation. When impromptu speaking, it is important to gain audience interest and use a thesis to preview main points. Additionally, impromptu speakers should always say In conclusion, summarize the main points of the speech, and provide closure.

2. Support In many impromptu circumstances you will not be able to specifically cite sources for evidence but that DOES NOT mean you should not support your main points. In fact, because of the lack of evidence like statistics and exact quotes, your presentation may be less effective if you do not provide any support at all. In impromptu speaking, use stories/narratives, opinions, descriptions, and explanations, to support your main points.

3. Organize Impromptu speaking is a challenge, but knowing the basic FRAMEWORK for a presentation (Intro/Body/Conclusion) will allow you to organize a topic in a very short time.

4. Assess audience Knowledge A final tip is to assess the level of knowledge your audience may already possess on the topic. You may need to define terms or ask the audience specific questions.

5. Practice impromptu speaking Below is a list of topics similar to those that you will be presented with on the day of your impromptu speech. With a partner (or you can record yourself and watch the video later), select a topic and give yourself five minutes to prepare. Then,

deliver your speech using the attached assessment form as a guide to rate your success.

Here are some sample topics: o o o o What is the single most important skill a student should have? Why? What is one important thing OCU should do to enhance student life on campus? Convince us. Is it okay to date your good friends ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend? Convince us. Which fast food restaurant would you like to see open on campus? Pick your favorite and convince us.

How to Deliver an Impromptu Speech

1. You will be given two prompts. Carefully read both prompts. 2. Choose a prompt! Make your decision fast on which prompt you think you can talk about better. 3. Think about the prompt in terms of your audience. How does it apply to us? 4. Briefly write your main ideas (Your thesis, preview statement and summary should be simple once your main ideas are formulated!) 5. Decide on some reasons to support your main ideas. 6. Make an attention getter. 7. Make a closing statement. 8. Work in brief transitions while you speak (First, Second, Next, etc.) 9. If, while speaking, you think of an extra point or something you want to change go with it. Your notes are there to be a net if you need them. 10. Try to appear confident and conversational. Dont ramble. Dont apologize.

Note-Card Setup (I will provide large, 4 x 6 inch notecards for you.)

Attention Getter: Clear Thesis Statement: Preview Main Points: Main Point 1: Supporting Point Supporting Point Main Point 2: Supporting Point Supporting Point Main Point 3: Supporting Point Supporting Point Restate Thesis/Summarize Main Points: Closing Statement:

Impromptu Presentation Evaluation Form (150 points) Name:__________________________________

Introduction _____/15 ____Presented clear thesis statement ____Previewed main points ____Gained audience interest Body _____/25 ____Organized in a clear and appropriate manner ____Main points clearly differentiated I. ____Main points well-supported with specific illustrations/examples ____Used appropriate language III. ____Effective use of transitions between points Conclusion _____/15 ____Summarized main points ____Restated thesis ____Provided closure Delivery _____/20 ______Used vocal variety, enthusiasm, and energy to communicate conviction ______Used appropriate articulation/pronunciation ______Used minimal vocal disfluencies ______Established eye contact with audience ______Used appropriate gestures and bodily movement Main Points: II.

Time______________

Subtotal:______/75 points x 2 = ________/150 points (TOTAL SCORE)

Instructor Comments: