Impromptu Page

How do you do an impromptu? Doing an impromptu is just like doing any other speech. Follow the 6 step process of invention.

1. CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC:

You are given two or three possible speech topics. Choose one of the topics. Be sure to pick your topic quickly--choose the topic you feel most confident about within 15-20 seconds.

2. MAKE IT INTO A THESIS STATEMENT:

Take the topic you chose and come up with a thesis; your thesis needs to make a point. If the topic you chose is: "Registering for classes," make a thesis that says: "Registering for class can be a real pain." Write the thesis down on a sheet of paper or keep it in mind.

Is your topic a quotation? Write down a one sentence explanation of what you think that quotation means.

3. CHOOSE POINTS THAT SUPPORT YOUR THESIS:

Take a minute and think up what points would support the thesis. I suggest that at most you make two points--you only have a few minutes to speak and prepare. Write the points down on a sheet of paper, leaving room after each one so that you can add supports after each of them. If need be, change your thesis or points so that the points support your thesis.

4. DEVELOP SUPPORTS

Now, think up good stories, personal examples, analogies, examples, humor and more to help support the points. If you remember a web page, a news show, a book talking about that point--add in the facts, stats, and quotations. Have two supports for each point if you possibly can. Write down the main idea of the supports. REMEMBER--write down IDEAS, NOT THE EXACT WORDS YOU WILL SAY (that way, you’ll look at your audience, not your notes). If need be, change your points or thesis so that that your supports prove your points.

5. PREPARE YOUR INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION.

Write down ideas for an introduction. Give a quick attention getter, state the thesis, tell why it is important to you and your audience. Write down a conclusion. Tie the speech together, show the importance of what you’ve said, and give the speech a sense of conclusion.

6. STAND UP AND SPEAK!

Keep in mind that this is a short speech. So, you need to keep each section of your speech short. Avoid long winded stories and drawn out introductions. Remember, you are just presenting information on a topic to other people who want to hear you--just as much as you want them to do well when they speak.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR DOING WELL IN IMPROMPTU

1. Practice! There is no substitute for it. Work to cut back on the amount of prep time you use; to make your speech flow more smoothly; to organize your points more clearly.

2. Use summaries at the end of each of your main points that connect back to your topic. To do this, at the end of each of your points, provide a short summary of what you have said and explain how that is relevant to your thesis.

3. Make sure your analysis and points are directly connected to your thesis and your topic.

4. Doing impromptus with quotations? Practice interpreting quotations. This is not an easy task. Work with your coach and other teachers to figure out clear, simple explanations for quotations you might need to speak on.