An impromptu speech is a speech that a person delivers without predetermination or preparation. The speaker is most commonly provided with their topic in the form of a quotation, but the topic may also be presented as an object, proverb, or one-word prompt. Impromptu speaking is an individual event offered and regulated by both the National Forensics Association and the American Forensics Association, both of whom follow nearly identical formats in proctoring the event. Both organizations provide seven minutes of time to be allocated between speaking and preparation as the speaker sees fit, allow minimal notes (usually a 3"x5" index card) to be used, and provide undisclosed prompts to determine the speechs topic.
In everyday life, impromptu speeches can occur in various settings, such as in class, where a teacher may ask a student to give a short impromptu speech about a topic that was in the assigned readings. Business meetings may also start with everyone talking briefly about what they have done recently on the project. In small informal meetings, the audience will interrupt an impromptu speech and ask questions, which helps guide the speech and the information that is presented.
Impromptu speeches, by their nature, are hard to practice for. However, the more you practice, the better youll be when the impromptu situation arises. To improve impromptu speaking skills, one can practice quick thinking by talking about a series of random slides for 30 seconds each.
Guidelines for preparing an impromptu speech include clearly stating the topic as it was given to the speaker, giving a reasonable interpretation of the topic, and giving the speech a clear, central purpose. The speaker may use notes during the delivery of the impromptu speech, but notes should not distract from the message. The speakers presentation should be two to five minutes in length.
Examples of impromptu speech topics include recognizing a person or team for their hard work on a project, congratulating an employee on a promotion, and discussing a current event.
