Tonight I've got to give an impromptu speech for a grade. The format is this:
"For the impromptu speech assignment we will do something a little different. You will be given a common or simple topic. You will have three minutes to prepare (jot down notes for the introduction, body (main points), and conclusion. You will be required to speak for two to three minutes (without rambling on). This speech may be informative, persuasive, or humorous. You can do anything with the topic you want (any angle)."
I'm sure there are some folks here who have done debate or speech team and have been through this type of thing - I've never done it.
Any tips or suggestions?
Is it better to go right away, or to wait and watch a few others first? In my prepared speeches I usually go as quickly as possible because sitting there watching other people only increases my anxiety. But I'm so uncertain about this one.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I wouldn't change based on this being impromptu. If that's what you're most comfortable with, I'd say go early.
Unless everyone gets their topic at once. Then you could use the time listening to let thoughts gel.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Pre-make an outline, take several copies. That way, in your three minutes making notes, you can also be organizing them at the same time.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
Belle, I had to do this in my speech class as well. We did not have the option of choosing our speaking order, but I was about the fourth and was grateful for that. It gave me a feel for how volatile the topics would be, and it also allowed me to see the prof.'s reaction to others.
My best tip would be to relax. If it's a topic that you know relatively little about, pick 1 pro/con arguement and give reasons to support it. 2-3 minutes is not a long time to cover a lot of material sufficiently. If you have personal experience, use it. My topic was on aides in the classroom. Since my kids' school at the time had recently fired 30 aides, I was able to give first-hand experience about how difficult it was for the teachers to cope, which led to a lessened classroom experience for the children. Good luck; I'm sure you'll do well!
space opera
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I love impromptu -- it was my strength. But I don't really have any advice -- I would just get up and talk, sometimes organizing in my head as I went along.
But I agree go early -- that was you don't over-think it or get nervous
Farmgirl
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Remember, nobody will know you made a mistake unless you tell them.
Keep your notes brief and to the point when you prepare.
With such a short presentation time frame, go for presentation over content - speak clearly, be energetic and make eye contact. (It works for politicians and conmen )
-Trevor
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I used to hate public speaking with the fiery passion of...well, I hated it.
Then I started not to care. I mean, I knew it mattered, but somehow, when you don't care, the anxiety leaves.
I guess it's hard to explain.
Posted by HesterGray (Member # 7384) on :
Just be confident. Fake it if you have to. And don't do a lot of distracting movements, like shifting from side to side or wringing your hands.
I guess those are speech tips in general, not necessarily impromptu.
But good luck!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Thanks guys.
I love public speaking, and I've always been excited about my prepared speeches - it's just that this is uncharted territory for me.
The idea of making outlines ahead of time and bringing several copies is a great one! Thanks Boon!
We have a very laid back instructor, she goes out of her way to make us feel at ease so I'm not too stressed over it. In a way it's a relief not to have to prepare ahead of time - I have so much else going on right now it was one less thing to worry about.
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Mac hit one of my major tips right on the head - it's not about you.
When people stand up, they feel self-conscious and any insecurity they have is magnified because they feel like they're being judged.
Instead of not caring (although I don't, most of the time), I tend to picture myself "hiding" behind the occasion or the event. When I speak, it's not me - instead, I wrap myself in the illusion of "I'm speaking for something else."
Which doesn't make a lot of sense, I know.
-Trevor
Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :
I love impromptu!
For me, when I get a topic, I find a general theme of the topic, then come up with examples that go along with the theme from literature, history, religions, personal experience, just about anything. If you think about it, there's a lot of examples that can fit with a lot of different themes if you twist them right, and we try to come up with about 10 examples outside of the round, that we can toy with and probably make fit with the theme. One of the easiest ways to make a speech if you're going blank is just to come up with 3 or four examples of the theme and talk about them-good backup.
I've been told for attention getters it's helpful to think of something thats easy to apply to almost anything, and that you know a lot about. Erik does superheros, Tom does Lord of the Rings, that sort of thing. It helps some people and doesn't others.
Don't worry, it's LOTS of fun, my favorite sort of speaking, aside from debate
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
Try memorizing a couple of funny or interesting stories that have broad application to many topics. Open with these stories as your intro.
If you draw a blank on a topic (it happens), try remembering a movie or popular tv show that may be related to a topic and discuss that. For example, shows like Ameriacn Idol, Surivor, Trading Spouses, and The Apprentice are fun to talk about and have broad application to many social issues.
quote:Remember, nobody will know you made a mistake unless you tell them.
This is great advice. It is natural to stumble a lot in impromptu speeches. But as long as you keep your tone conversational and not dwell on your mistakes, people will overlook the pauses if you keep plowing ahead.
Edited to add: Or, basically what Toretha said. *darn slow typing*
[ March 10, 2005, 04:55 PM: Message edited by: Beren One Hand ]
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Thanks again everyone - I'll let you know how it goes. Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
God, I miss Impromptu debate. This was my event in high school. It always annoyed me that Indiana didn't have an Impromptu event at the state championship level -- but there is one at the national level, so that's all right.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
*LOL*
I had to testify before a committee a few weeks ago. Of course, I was behind two people that had written and read their entire "speech" - the Committee Chair with a bored yawn and then a scowl looked at me and said, "I do hope you aren't going to read to us, too."
I smiled sweetly, set the paper down and looked him straight in the eye.
"No, sir," I replied, "I'll just tell you what I know."
And gave it to them.
They kept me up there with questions for nearly 10 minutes which is really unheard of for these sorts of legislative testimony hearings.
Kinda fun!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
It went extremely well.
The topic I drew was "The Perfect Job." I had just today, visited the Librarian Avengers site, so I did a humorous takeoff on why I wanted to be a librarian - so I could convince people how brilliant I was and so I could yield power over others and punish those that made me mad.
Instructor loved it - on her comments she wrote "Excellent use of voice, great enthusiasm, wonderful humorous take on topic."
I got 50/50.
Thanks again for the tips guys.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
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