what is unprepared speech

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How to Give a Great Impromptu Speech

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 411,377 times.

Most speeches are the result of careful planning, revision and practice. There may be times, however, when a situation demands that you give an impromptu speech with little or no time to prepare. When you find yourself in an unexpected public speaking scenario, you’ll be improvising what you say, which means you’ll have to be able to think on your feet. Following a basic structure, pacing yourself and staying composed will help you deliver an oration you can be proud of, or at least survive with minimal embarrassment.

Setting Up an Unexpected Speech

• Most of the time when you’re giving an impromptu speech, you’ll be singled out to say a few words on the spot. Since you’ll only have a few moments, preparing yourself is more about getting yourself in the right state of mind than it is knowing exactly what you’re going to say.
• If you really need to milk it, you can buy yourself some extra time by shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries or adjusting the microphone stand before speaking.

• Assume that everyone around you wants to see you succeed. This will help put you at ease. Expecting yourself to fail will only destroy your composure and make you more fearful of your audience.
• Confront the reality of your situation to avoid being blindsided by panic. Accept that you have to give a speech and then focus all your resources on giving a good one.

• Oftentimes, the more confident you make yourself appear, the more confident you’ll feel.
• Relax! Speaking in front of a crowd is not that big a deal. Even if you make a mistake, it’s not the end of the world.

• Don’t just jump right into the main idea of your speech. Test the waters by getting used to speaking and sharing a little about yourself first.

Delivering an Effective Speech

• Use simple sentences that follow a logical progression and enunciate your words carefully to keep yourself from getting tongue-tied.
• Slowing yourself down a little will give your mind time to catch up and formulate new ideas.

• Two minutes will fly by once you start speaking. Despite your reservations about being put on the spot, you may actually find it harder to give a short speech than a long one.

• A good way to give your speech a solid beginning, middle and end is to present details chronologically. For example start with “when I first became friends with John, he…”, follow that up with “now that we’re coworkers, we have more fun than ever…” and conclude with “I have no doubt that the future of our friendship will be just as entertaining.”
• When describing personal experiences, avoid sharing opinions on irrelevant controversial subjects.

• Humor is a great icebreaker and also makes it easier to hold your audience’s attention.
• Be sure any jokes you make are suitable for the age and demographic of your audience, as well as the occasion itself.

Ending on a High Note

• As with the rest of your speech, keep your conclusion brief. It’s alright to sign off with a simple “thank you for your time” or “let’s hear it for the newlyweds.”

• If you’re planning on making a specific request or appeal, as for a business conference, the end of your speech is the proper time to do it.
• The conclusion is the perfect occasion to come out with something especially heartfelt. Emotions will run high and the crowd will be moved by your sentiments.

• You don’t have to thank every important figure at the event individually. A general expression of gratitude is all that’s needed.
• Be clear who you’re supposed to hand the microphone or floor off to so that you don’t end your speech by looking around in confusion. [11] X Research source

• Impromptu speeches are mostly appraised by the willingness of the speaker to rise to the occasion. There’s no sense in being too critical of your performance since you’ll have had no time to work on it beforehand.

Expert Q&A

• Practice for unexpected speaking scenarios by volunteering to give impromptu speeches at casual events. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 2
• If you're using a microphone, stay within optimal range for your voice to be amplified. Don't move the microphone too close or too far away from your mouth. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 2
• While brainstorming, quickly come up with three or four main points to cover. Thanks Helpful 19 Not Helpful 4

Tips from our Readers

• Speak clearly and be confident. This will make you seem more credible even if some parts of your speech aren't as strong as others.
• Don't waste your time by writing full sentences, write bullet points and then expand on them when you give the speech.
• Make sure not to be too cocky or sound sarcastic, or you might not win over the audience.
• Use your own stories. Relate the topic to some of the moments in your life.

• Steer clear of subjects you don't know much about. Thanks Helpful 14 Not Helpful 2
• Be careful not to offend your audience. Not only is it bad form and will make your speech be perceived as a failure, it could actually harm your standing among your acquaintances. Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 3
• Take a moment to get your appearance in order before presenting yourself. Steal a quick glance in the mirror or have a trusted friend tell you if your hair is a mess, your shirt is untucked, you have food stuck in your teeth, etc. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 3
• Don't use generic, pre-written speeches pulled from the internet or oration guidebooks. These can easily come off as stilted and inorganic. Your audience will be able to tell if you're simply going through the motions. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 4

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
• ↑ http://wittcom.com/how-to-develop-confidence-speaking/
• ↑ http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/how-to-impromptu-speech/
• ↑ http://www.askmen.com/money/body_and_mind_150/192b_better_living.html
• ↑ http://www.write-out-loud.com/how-to-use-humor-effectively.html
• ↑ https://speakingwithoutnet.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/ending-on-a-high-note-the-last-sentence/
• ↑ https://www.workingvoices.com/insights/presenting-how-to-react-when-you-make-a-mistake/

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How to Master the Art of the Impromptu Speech: 13 Practical Tips

• The Speaker Lab
• August 14, 2024

Table of Contents

Impromptu speeches can strike fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned speakers. The thought of standing up in front of a crowd with little to no preparation is enough to make your palms sweat and your heart race. But here’s the thing: with the right mindset and a few key strategies, you can absolutely crush your next impromptu speech.

Whether you’re speaking at a meeting, a wedding, or any other unexpected occasion, our pro tips will help you organize your thoughts, engage your audience, and speak with confidence. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can become an impromptu speaking rockstar!

What Is an Impromptu Speech?

If you’ve ever been asked to speak at an event without much notice, you know the feeling of panic that can set in. Suddenly, you’re expected to come up with something insightful and engaging to say in front of a crowd—with little to no time to prepare. This, my friend, is the dreaded impromptu speech.

But here’s the thing: impromptu speeches are a part of life. Whether it’s a toast at a wedding , a few words at a company meeting, or a class assignment, there will be times when you need to speak off-the-cuff. And while it can be nerve-wracking, mastering the art of impromptu speaking is a valuable skill that can serve you well in both your personal and professional life.

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Impromptu Speech Definition

So, what exactly is an impromptu speech? Simply put, it’s a speech that you have to make without much or any time to prepare. You might be given a topic on the spot, or you might have to come up with one yourself. Either way, you don’t have the luxury of crafting a carefully-written script or rehearsing your delivery.

Examples of an Impromptu Speech

Impromptu speeches can take many forms, from lighthearted toasts to serious discussions. In school, teachers might use impromptu speeches as homework assignments to help students develop communication skills and prepare for real-life situations. These speeches can be based on a wide range of prompts, from current events to celebrities to sports.

In the world of competitive public speaking, impromptu is a popular event. Participants have just a few minutes to select a topic, brainstorm ideas, outline their speech, and deliver it—all without the aid of notes. These speeches often follow a standard structure, with an introduction, body, and conclusion, and can be either serious or humorous in tone.

However, impromptu speeches aren’t just for students and competitors. In our daily lives, we might be called upon to say a few words at a birthday party, give a quick update at a meeting, or even deliver a eulogy at a funeral. The key is to be prepared for these moments, so you can speak with clarity and purpose—even when you don’t have time to prepare.

Tips for Delivering an Effective Impromptu Speech

So, you need to give an impromptu speech. Maybe it’s at a wedding, or a company meeting, or even a class assignment. Whatever the occasion, the prospect of standing up and speaking off-the-cuff can be intimidating. But fear not. With a few key strategies, you can learn to deliver effective impromptu speeches with confidence and ease.

Focus on What You Already Know

When you’re given an impromptu speech topic, it’s tempting to try to come up with something entirely new and original. But the trick is to not overthink it; you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Instead, focus on what you already know. Draw on your own experiences, knowledge, and opinions to craft a speech that feels authentic and genuine.

For example, if you’re asked to speak about a current event, think about how it relates to your own life or work. If you’re dealing with a more abstract topic, like “happiness” or “success,” consider what those concepts mean to you personally. By grounding your speech in your own perspective, you’ll be able to speak with authority and conviction.

Pretend You’re Having a Conversation

One of the biggest challenges of impromptu speaking is the pressure to perform. When you’re standing in front of a crowd, it’s easy to feel like you need to be polished and perfect. But here’s the thing: your audience doesn’t expect perfection. They just want to hear what you have to say.

So, instead of trying to deliver a flawless speech, pretend you’re having a conversation. Imagine you’re talking to a friend or colleague, and speak in a natural, conversational tone. Use simple language and short sentences, and don’t be afraid to pause or take a breath when you need to. By speaking like a human, rather than a robot, you’ll be able to connect with your audience on a more personal level.

Finish Early

When you’re giving an impromptu speech, it can be tempting to try to fill up all the allotted time. After all, you don’t want to seem unprepared or like you don’t have enough to say. But here’s a counterintuitive tip: it’s okay to finish early. In fact, finishing early can be a sign of confidence and clarity. If you’ve made your point and don’t have anything else to add, there’s no need to ramble on just for the sake of filling time. Instead, wrap up your speech with a strong conclusion and a clear call-to-action. Your audience will appreciate your brevity and your ability to get to the point.

Don’t Panic

Finally, the most important tip for delivering an effective impromptu speech is simply this: don’t panic. It’s normal to feel nervous or anxious when you’re asked to speak without preparation. But remember, your audience is on your side. They want you to succeed, and they’re not expecting perfection.

So take a deep breath, smile, and remind yourself that you’ve got this. Focus on your message, speak from the heart, and trust that your words will resonate with your listeners. With a little practice and a lot of self-confidence, you’ll be delivering killer impromptu speeches in no time.

Impromptu Speech Frameworks and Techniques

If you’re about to give an impromptu speech and have just a few minutes to prepare, don’t panic. There are some simple frameworks and techniques you can use to structure your thoughts quickly and deliver a coherent, engaging speech. Namely, there’s the diplomatic approach, the storytelling approach, and the 5 W’s framwork.

The Diplomatic Approach

One useful framework for impromptu speeches is the diplomatic approach. Start by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the topic, then wrap up with a conclusion. This allows you to present a balanced perspective and speak for a longer time than some other frameworks. Just remember, it’s okay to pause and collect your thoughts if needed.

The Storytelling Approach

Another effective technique, especially for more informal events, is storytelling. Begin with a personal anecdote related to the topic (the small), expand to a broader group or national perspective (the medium), and conclude with the big picture implications (the large). This creates a natural flow and helps you connect with your audience.

The 5 W’s Framework

If you’re speaking about a specific event or person, try the 5 W’s framework:

• Who is involved
• What is the event or goal
• Where is it taking place
• When is it happening
• Why is it important

Following this structure provides instant organization to your impromptu speech. You can start with the context of who and end on the most impactful note of why it matters.

No matter what approach you use, the key with any impromptu speech is to avoid rambling or getting off track. Focus on one or two main points and support them with examples, anecdotes, or facts. And if you’re really in a bind, don’t be afraid to embrace the power of brevity. A shorter speech delivered with confidence is better than a long, meandering one.

Remember, the ability to speak informally with limited preparation time is an invaluable skill. Whether it’s a class assignment, a business meeting, or a social event, being able to think on your feet and communicate effectively will serve you well. With practice and these frameworks in mind, you’ll be ready to tackle any impromptu speaking occasion that comes your way.

Mastering the Art of Topic Selection

One of the most daunting aspects of an impromptu speech can be selecting a topic to speak about with little or no advance notice. But with a few strategies up your sleeve, you can confidently rise to the challenge and even have fun with it.

Consider Your Audience

First, consider your audience and the event itself. What subjects would be appropriate and engaging for that particular crowd and occasion? If you’re at a business conference, topics related to your industry, current market trends, or professional development would be suitable. At a wedding, you might speak about relationships, love, or personal growth.

Work with What You Already Know

Next, think about your own experiences, knowledge, and passions. You’ll always speak more naturally and engagingly about a topic you genuinely care about or have firsthand insights on. Perhaps you have a unique perspective on a current event, a lesson you learned from a challenge you overcame, or an area of expertise from your studies or career. Don’t be afraid to draw from your own life and share your story.

If you’re really stumped, try a brainstorming technique like mind mapping. Jot down the first word or phrase that comes to mind, then branch out with related ideas and see where it takes you.

Make Your Impromptu Speech Unique

Another tip: embrace the element of surprise. An unexpected or even quirky topic can be memorable and help you stand out. Just be sure to keep it appropriate for the audience and event. For example, you could speak about what we can learn from children’s books or how your favorite hobby relates to success in life.

Ultimately, the best impromptu speech topic is one that you can speak about sincerely, passionately, and from a place of knowledge or experience. Trust your instincts, don’t overthink it, and remember—the speech itself is what matters most. With practice and an open mind, you’ll soon be a pro at thinking on your feet and crafting a compelling speech on the fly.

Impromptu Speaking in Various Everyday Settings

Impromptu speeches can pop up when you least expect them. Whether you’re in a business meeting, at a speaking event, or even back in graduate school, being able to think on your feet and speak off-the-cuff is a valuable skill.

In the business world, impromptu speaking often comes into play during meetings. You might be called upon to give an update on a project or weigh in on a decision. In this case, the ability to organize your thoughts quickly and articulate them clearly can make a big impression on your colleagues and superiors.

At speaking events, you may find yourself fielding questions from the audience or even being asked to fill in for a speaker who couldn’t make it. Being prepared for these impromptu moments can help you seize opportunities to showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients.

Even in academic settings like graduate school or business school, impromptu speaking skills come in handy. You might be asked to lead a discussion or debate a point in class. The more comfortable you are thinking and speaking on the spot, the more you’ll be able to contribute and make the most of your education.

The key in all these situations is to stay calm, focus on what you know, and structure your thoughts in a clear, logical way. With practice, you’ll be able to handle any impromptu speaking scenario with confidence and poise.

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Developing Your Impromptu Speaking Skills

So how do you get better at impromptu speaking? The short answer is practice. In addition, there are several specific things you can do to hone your skills.

Practice Communication and Quick Thinking

First, work on your general communication skills. The better you are at expressing yourself clearly and concisely, the easier it will be to do so on the spot. Consider joining a group like Toastmasters to get regular practice speaking in front of others.

Next, make a habit of practicing quick thinking. This could mean participating in improv classes or even just challenging yourself to come up with a short speech on a random topic in a limited amount of time. The more you practice thinking on your feet, the more natural it will become.

Stay Informed

Another helpful exercise is to stay informed on a wide range of topics. The more knowledge you have to draw upon, the easier it will be to formulate thoughts and opinions on the fly. Make a point to read widely, watch the news, and engage in discussions on various subjects.

Seek Opportunities to Improve

Finally, don’t be afraid to embrace the discomfort of impromptu speaking. It’s normal to feel nervous or put on the spot. But the more you put yourself in those situations, the more comfortable you’ll become. Over time, you’ll start to see impromptu speaking not as a source of anxiety, but as an opportunity to share your ideas and make an impact.

With dedication and practice, you can turn impromptu speaking into a strength—a skill that will serve you well in all areas of life. It may not happen overnight, but if you commit to developing this ability, you’ll be amazed at how far it can take you. From the boardroom to the stage, the power to speak with confidence at a moment’s notice is one that will open doors and create opportunities you never imagined.

FAQs in Relation to Impromptu Speech

What are the 3 parts of impromptu speech.

An intro that grabs attention, a body with your main points, and a crisp conclusion that ties everything together.

What is an example of an impromptu?

Giving a sudden thank-you speech at work when awarded unexpectedly counts as an impromptu.

How do you prepare for impromptu speaking?

Brush up on current topics. Practice thinking on your feet. Stay calm and collected no matter what comes up.

How to do a 2 minute impromptu speech?

Pick one idea. Support it with two strong points. Wrap it up clearly. Keep eye contact and breathe.

Impromptu speeches don’t have to be a source of anxiety. By focusing on what you already know, pretending you’re having a conversation, and using simple frameworks, you can deliver an engaging and effective speech on the fly. Remember, the key is to stay calm, be yourself, and let your passion for the topic shine through. With practice and experience, you’ll become more and more comfortable with impromptu speaking until it feels like second nature. So, the next time you’re called upon to give an impromptu speech, take a deep breath, smile, and know that you’ve got this. You have the skills and the confidence to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression.

• Last Updated: August 6, 2024

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45 Impromptu Speech Topics and Ideas

October 29, 2017 - Dom Barnard

Impromptu speeches are a great way to practice quick thinking and concise speaking – you usually have only a couple of minutes to  prepare a speech  lasting around five minutes. Even in this shorter form of speech, you still need to have a structure to what you are saying to ensure your message is understood by everyone.

If you struggle with lack of confidence, practicing with these impromptu speech topics can be a great way to build confidence for all types of speeches and conversations, whether you’re talking to someone at a business networking event or speaking at a wedding.

What is an impromptu speech?

For an impromptu speech, you’ll generally have 1-3 minutes of preparation for a speech lasting 5-8 minutes. Tougher speech events can reduce this preparation time down to 30 seconds and require you to plan your speech mentally, without any paper to write notes on.

Impromptu speeches are often given as part of university and college debates.  Oxford Union event  shown above.

These types of speeches are usually found in public speaking courses, speaking organisations such as Toastmasters and  debating competitions  (both professional and student based).

They are a great way of testing a range of communication skills, from organisation to clarity to creativity, and are becoming a popular way to practice general public speaking skills.

Practice Impromptu Speaking

Practice your impromptu speaking skills by talking about a series of random slides for 30 seconds each. Receive feedback on your performance. Learn More

Tips for picking an impromptu speech topic

Here are some quick tips and considerations for picking an impromptu speech.

• Pick a topic you are familiar with, have knowledge of and want to talk about. Personal experience on that topic is a bonus as you’ll be able to speak more naturally about it.
• Your organisational skills will be tested to come up with a powerful introduction and conclusion in your preparation to back up your argument.
• Pick a topic where the scope is limited (or you can easily limit it) as you’ll only have 5 minutes to discuss it.
• Your goal is to either inform or  persuade your audience  so choose a topic that suits these criteria

Impromptu speech topics

There are a huge amount of topic to choose from so we’ve compiled a short list of interesting topics below, some of which will hopefully inspire you or give you talking points you hadn’t previously considered.

• A non-biased news site is impossible
• The Romain Empire was the most important empire to have existed
• Keyboards will be replaced by speech-to-text technology in 10 years
• Performance enhancing drugs should be allowed in sport
• Colour affects the way people feel
• Poor health begins in the mind
• Team sports build strong individuals
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
• Poverty is a state of mind
• What characteristics make an ideal villain?
• How would you describe an average person?
• In what situation is lying a good idea?
• Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
• Pets are for people who don’t have children
• Real learning doesn’t occur in a classroom
• It is better to be influential than rich
• Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?
• School uniforms removes individuality
• Children should not watch television
• Art is not important to the future of the human race
• Future conflicts will be confined to online hacking
• Social customs are a waste of time
• My biggest concern for the future is…
• Climate change is a natural occurrence
• What is the most important skill for starting a business
• Space exploration advances the human race
• Parents are the most influential factors in our lives
• Sports people salaries are justified by viewing figures
• Reading fiction is a waste of time
• Going to university / college is not necessary anymore
• Facebook makes society less happy
• Anyone can be a millionaire if they work hard enough
• No extra-terrestrial species have found us because…
• Translation technology will replace the need to learn a language
• Colonizing Mars is necessary to ensure human survival
• Presidential / Prime Ministers time in office should be lengthened
• Social circles and friends are the most important factors for happiness
• Real wealth is not measured in money or possessions
• The minimum wage should be doubled
• Should adults have the right to carry a concealed handgun?
• Is sexual orientation determined at birth?
• Junk food’s popularity relies on marketing
• Both snooker and darts are sports
• Being a vegetarian is healthier than eating meat
• Renting a house is better than buying

Use any of these topics for your next impromptu speech or just as personal practice to improve your communication skills.

Impromptu Speech: Meaning, Tips And Skills

Whether it’s tackling unexpected job interview questions or bidding farewell to a colleague, we have all been in situations where…

Whether it’s tackling unexpected job interview questions or bidding farewell to a colleague, we have all been in situations where we were asked to talk about a subject on the spot. These are some examples of impromptu speech, which means exactly how it sounds.

Even though it’s often unexpected, you can always practice impromptu speaking. It not only helps you be confident in your delivery but also makes meaningful speeches that leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Meaning Of Impromptu Speech

The good and bad of impromptu speaking, how to give an impromptu speech.

When you deliver a speech without any prior preparation, it’s known as an impromptu speech. The word impromptu means without preparation or organization. While impromptu speaking may seem intimidating and not as glamorous as a well-prepared speech, it’s an essential skill to master. You may find yourself in various scenarios where you’re asked to share a few words. Here are some common instances that often encourage an impromptu speech:

Small talk at networking events or parties

Exchanging opinions in business meetings

Weddings and other celebrations

Sharing your experience when you’re leaving an organization

A speaker goes missing and you need to fill in at the last minute

As you can see, an impromptu speech can be as professional as sharing opinions in a meeting or as informal as a toast at a party. Either way, you’re expected to say something smart and meaningful.

The Good And Bad Of Impromptu Speaking

In an impromptu speech, you’re in an advantageous position as you get to choose the topics you want to talk about. You can enhance the quality of your speech by using personal anecdotes and real-life examples. As you aren’t prepared, you’re likely to deliver your speech as if you were in a conversation with another person. Speaking with conviction makes you sound confident and impresses your audience.

At the same time, impromptu speaking means not being well-prepared. Collecting your thoughts may be time-consuming if you don’t have much knowledge about the topic. Even if you’re familiar with a topic, your speech may lack relevant details. Moreover, if the audience doesn’t engage or ask questions, you may miss out on significant content.

However, speaking without prior preparation shouldn’t be so difficult. There are several strategies that can help you brush up on impromptu speaking skills and deal with any situation confidently.

Communication is an integral part of our lives and speech is one of its fundamental components. Language wouldn’t have evolved like it has without the help of speech. Impromptu speech, in particular, gives you the liberty to explore ideas, opinions and perspectives while sharing them with an audience. Here are some impromptu speech tips that’ll help you deliver your content confidently while captivating and convincing your audience of your thoughts:

Organize Your Thoughts

If you’re speaking in front of an audience unprepared, the first thing you should do is collect and organize your thoughts. When you start making points in your head, you gain clarity and direction regarding your topic. This further helps you prioritize and filter out unnecessary elements from your speech.

Go With The Flow

While formal situations such as business meetings and conferences may require you to be mindful of the information you share; informal situations like parties and gatherings can be candid and light-hearted. It’s best to be as candid as possible and not force yourself to behave in a certain way. This further helps you feel relaxed and use a conversational tone with your audience.

Share From Personal Experience

It’s best to focus on yourself and your surroundings. When you speak from personal experience, you’re not only familiar with the topic, you don’t require much preparation time. Storytelling is a great way to increase audience engagement. Personal anecdotes and examples can make a huge difference.

Start A Q&A Session

If you’re caught off-guard and you’re unsure about what to say or present, you can start your speech by engaging in a question-and-answer session. An interactive start will not only involve the audience but will also keep them captivated till the end. This is particularly helpful in situations where a speaker is absent and you’re filling in for them.

Use A Written Paragraph Approach

Speaking successfully involves the same outline as a written paragraph. There is an introduction, main idea discussion, supporting examples and conclusion. This structure is generally followed by people who prepare their speeches in advance. Following such an outline can help you organize your thoughts and improve the flow of the speech.

Working on your speaking skills should be a part of your career-development strategy. Harappa’s  Speaking Effectively course will teach you how to strengthen your communication skills and create ever-lasting impressions on people. The PAM Framework will help you understand your Purpose, Audience and Message better, while the Non-Verbal Cues framework will help you exhibit confidence. Be the speaker that everyone takes notice of. Start your learning journey today!

Explore topics such as Art of  Public Speaking , What is  Business Communication , Importance Of  Speaking Skills ,  Presentation Techniques  and  Audience Analysis  from Harappa Diaries to build a personal brand that inspires, motivates and guides others.

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15 Best Impromptu Speech Tips (With Examples)

An impromptu speech is often the scariest type of speech you can make because you don’t get to prepare or predetermine what you’re going to say.

The speaker only gets a topic given in the form of a quotation, object, or proverb, and they have to do their best to deliver long-awaited answers.

Impromptu speech doesn’t have to be a full speech on its own. It can be a combination of answers to short quotations or terms provided during interviews or live discussions broadcast on the television.

While you can’t prepare yourself for the impromptu speech since you might not have any idea what you’ll be asked, you can still work on improving your speech and dialog with the help of the tips below!

I have also listed some great examples of impromptu speeches to give you an idea of what I am talking about.

Also Read : Common Weaknesses List & Examples

15 Best Impromptu Speech Tips

These 15 tips will let you know exactly how to behave during an impromptu speech, how to know what and when to say, and how to guide your speech without having too many pauses or breaks in between.

1. Hold it Together (Be Confident)

Impromptu speeches might happen suddenly for many reasons, and often, you might find yourself in front of the audience without even agreeing to it.

No matter what happens during the speech, you have to assure yourself that you’ll be alright. This means you should look up, never avoid eye contact, and breathe deeply. Thinking about something positive is a confidence boost you might need to get through the speech.

2. Focus on Your Audience

When you’re starting your impromptu speech, keep in mind that you’re not going against the audience, yet the audience will be on your side.

Therefore, you should work with the audience and focus your speech around something positive and helpful to the audience.

The goal is to have the audience listen and understand what you’re saying in your impromptu speech but also respond to the things you’re saying. Being confident in front of the audience is one thing you should do, while the other is to focus on the audience and plan a structure you’ll learn in the next tip.

3. Plan a Structure

Even though you might not be prepared for a speech, you will still be able to quickly develop a speech structure in your head as soon as you hear the topic, question, or object you’re given to talk about.

Every speech structure should include three steps and the speech can be structured around almost anything. The most popular structures are:

• Past/present/future
• Cause/effect/remedy
• Before/the event/the result

Think of the structure as a guideline of your speech that will help you get from start to finish as smoothly as possible. Another thing to keep in mind is that you can tell your structure/plan to your audience so they can easily keep up with your speech and know what to expect from it.

Check Out : Professional Development Goal Examples

4. Don’t Ramble

When you come up with a quick structure for your impromptu speech, you’re left to deliver the speech, but one thing you should keep in mind is not to ramble.

Rambling won’t get you anywhere; you’ll feel unease, and your audience won’t follow your speech easily.

Instead, it would help if you stuck to the “less is more” saying, stick to the target, and keep things short and to the point.

With a proper structure plan, you’ll have three key points (no matter what they are), so by splitting your speech into three sections, you’ll be able to judge how much time you should spend talking about each section.

5. Stand Out

Many try to stand out by actions, gestures, and confidence during their impromptu speech. While this is also important, there’s something even more important.

The first and the last sentence are the most memorable. It’s all about the primacy and recency, and most of the audience will most likely remember the first and the last thing you say.

Therefore, starting and finishing with powerful sentences that go well with your given topic and are linked to the message you deliver in the speech is super important as it will have the biggest impact if properly executed.

6. Talk as if You Were Talking to a Friend

Talking in front of the audience can be scary, but without preparation, talking in front of the audience can be even scarier.

Instead of feeling the pressure, feeling uncomfortable, or sweating buckets, you should go on with your impromptu speech as if you were talking to a group of friends.

You don’t have to fake anything, as the audience will see right through it. Instead, be yourself and try to do your best as this will always provide a better result.

Also Read : Best Executive Summary Examples

7. Tell a Relevant Story to Personalize Your Speech

The great thing about impromptu speeches is that they can go in your favor. If you don’t know what to talk about or what to include in your speech, here’s one tip that can help change the way you do your speech.

Try to think of a personal story that will be relevant to the subject of your impromptu speech. This will give you a topic to talk about, you won’t have to do any research or try to come up with facts that you will have to somehow back up, and your audience will love a personal story.

Personal stories are always easier to follow, and they’ll always go down well with any audience. Another piece of advice is to include a personal story in the middle section of your speech, but you can place it somewhere near the beginning of the speech.

8. Pay Attention to Your Voice Tone

When you take care of everything else before the speech and during the speech itself, many speakers forget to think of the voice tone.

There’s not much to overthink and you should speak slowly. Rushing might get you near the end sooner, but your speech won’t be a smooth ride.

Instead, take your time, focus on your breathing, rely on pauses, and have an impact while you deliver the key parts of the speech.

9. Make Sure to Follow Your Speech with Confident Actions

Confident actions are the most powerful body language actions that are not hard to get right, yet you might have to remind yourself to be “presentable”.

Standing tall on both your feet, not slouching over, keeping eye contact, using hand gestures, and avoiding fiddling are some of the things that will make you look confident.

Such confident actions will go well with your speech structure, confident voice tone, and relaxed, personalized speech.

Learning a couple of hand gestures will also put you at ease as you won’t have to wonder what to do with your hands during the speech.

10. Don’t Aim for Perfection

Every speaker wishes for their speech to be perfect, but an impromptu speech is the worst time to expect a perfect speech from yourself.

Therefore, it’s okay to lower the bar and focus on the execution and let the main goal be the smooth flow.

Setting the bar too high will only put you under pressure. In reality, most impromptu speeches happen due to unpredicted reasons, so if you’re put under the spotlight unwillingly and unprepared, the audience will notice, and they’ll understand, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Explore : Goal vs Objective – Difference & Examples

11. Practice Beforehand

You might not ever be prepared for a specific impromptu speech, but if you’ve been put into the spotlight once, you can be put under the spotlight again.

What you can do is practice quickly coming up with a speech structure on any given topic. Even if you have only a couple of minutes, you can develop a quick and concise structure and rehearse it in your head or in front of a mirror before you go in front of the audience.

And if you have a couple of hours, you can do a lot of practicing and even go through all these tips and be fully ready, no matter what the audience throws at you.

12. Use Humor to Break the Ice

No matter what the speech is about, you can always add a bit of humor to it. Don’t overdo it, but even a tiny bit of humor can help you make a better connection with your audience, ensure they pay attention to what you’re saying, and that they’re intrigued to hear what’s next.

Followed with a personalized story, you’ll have the audience hooked up until the end of the speech.

Of course, humor should come naturally, and you shouldn’t do it if you feel like you have to force it. But keep in mind that humor can be a great ice breaker, so it’s never a bad idea to keep it as a “secret weapon”.

13. The Meaningful Pause

Unfortunately, you’ll likely feel stuck or not know what to say next during your impromptu speech.

Just the thought of this can paralyze many speakers who are put under the spotlight. However, there’s a quick tip you can use to turn the block in your head into an advantage.

Instead of worrying if your audience noticed, try to “fake” a meaningful pause whenever you’re feeling stuck. During this pause, you can relax, and sooner than you know it, you will think of something.

The best thing is, your audience will never notice that “something’s wrong”, and yet this will also give them a breather and help them continue following your speech.

14. Keep Things Short

Less is more, and during impromptu speeches that can go extremely wrong, it’s better to cut your speech short and yet deliver everything you believe is valuable to the audience.

In other words, it’s better to regret not saying something than to say too much and then be on the spot from where you can’t turn back.

Also, keeping things short will help you stay in control of your impromptu speech and even look a lot more confident during your performance!

15. Try Turning the Impromptu Speech into Q&A Session

Since most impromptu speeches happen unexpectedly, not only will you have to come up with something from nothing, but you’ll also have to give the audience something you’re looking for.

Therefore, depending on the setting of your speech, you might try and turn your impromptu speech into a Q&A session, just like the journalistic interview type.

This will help you think less about what your whole speech will look like and focus on things the audience asks you in pieces.

You’ll still have full control over the answer, so turning a speech into a Q&A session is never a bad idea.

Check Out : Motivational, Funny, & Uplifting Sales Quotes

Best Impromptu Speech Examples

We’ll now take a look at some of the best examples of impromptu speeches to draw inspiration from.

University of Kentucky – Speech and Debate Team

In this impromptu speech example, the speaker only took two minutes for a quick structure plan from where she was put under the spotlight straight away.

A great start with a personalized story that leads straight into the argument. During the argument, clear signs of uncertainty are visible, but the speaker did well by slowing the speech down and taking a couple of very short meaningful pauses.

Prepared with examples which is a bonus, the speaker went through her speech structure with ease. There were moments where the speaker was nervous, but she kept it well together and even seemed confident in her speech at times.

Use gestures, confident actions, eye contact with the audience, and all other positive things you can learn from the tips above.

Closing the speech without any rumbling and getting the point straight across to the audience is a memorable way to end the speech, which is why this is one of many perfect examples of an impromptu speech.

Interesting Post : Popular Digital Marketing Quotes

Chris Gurrie Impromptu Speech Example

This is a short yet educative impromptu speech example where the speaker, Chris Gurrie, gets assigned a random topic by the audience and then guides the viewers of this video on how to plan a perfect impromptu speech structure.

While you would usually have around two minutes for the planning and practice process, Chris does it in about 30 seconds.

Chris starts his impromptu speech with many questions that come from a personalized story that then leads into the main topic of the speech.

What Chris also does is focuses on his audience and he shares his planned structure.

Chris’s impromptu speech is full of valuable information the audience might not have been aware of, which then ties to things on a larger scale. Even though Chris only took 30 seconds to work on the speech plan, he looks very relaxed, confident, with a strong game right until the end of the speech.

What’s interesting enough is that if you didn’t know this was an impromptu speech, you might not even know. Therefore, this is a perfect example of how good you can get at impromptu speeches without knowing the subject beforehand.

Toastmaster International – Impromptu Speaking

If you prefer learning from a video example, this four-minute video is everything you’ll need to gain the confidence to do an impromptu speech.

In this example, you’ll learn opportunities where impromptu speaking might be required. Of course, all of the opportunities are the ones where you don’t have much time to prepare.

However, with the techniques covered in this example video, you’ll learn how to manage last-minute speeches.

Lastly, the video will teach you all the benefits of holding impromptu speeches.

Even though this is an educational-type video, if you have a better look, you would notice that this whole video is less than five minutes long, and it’s scripted in a way to serve as yet another impromptu speech example.

Therefore, as you learn how to perform an impromptu speech, you’re watching an impromptu speech which is a brilliant idea.

Preparing yourself for an impromptu speech is only half the job, so in this video, you also learn how to deliver your impromptu speech with more useful tips.

Impromptu Speech Example: Thesis-Point-Story Format

Planning a structure for your impromptu speech is super important. The thing about the structure is that you can develop any three- or four-step process that will get you through the speech.

This video is a perfect example of a thesis-point-story format where Chris, the speaker, gets assigned a random topic from where he creates the thesis-point structure, shares it with the students, and gets down to the speech itself.

With word play, Chris slowly introduces the topic to the audience, and while he speaks to his students as his friends, he is getting down to the story’s main point.

As Chris goes through his impromptu speech, you can also notice that he asks the audience plenty of questions, and by answering his questions, he is slowly revealing the whole story behind the point of his impromptu speech.

Even though this example might be a bit complicated to understand, you can also learn from Chris’s body language, how he speaks, and how he controls his speech as he’s a highly skilled impromptu speaker.

Angel Anderson – Impromptu Speech Example

In this four-minute impromptu speech example video, Angel Anderson teaches you exactly what impromptu speaking is, how to practice it, and even shows an example full of important tips that can help you develop the same skills.

Angel uses a question-style topic, after which he sets the timer for two minutes for his impromptu speech.

With this type of question, Angel starts his impromptu speech with a personal story that gets interesting, which ensures that the audience follows him.

Not only did Angel answer a question, but he also shared an anecdotal story, and even then, he shared some more information connected to this story.

By far, Angel’s video is not the perfect impromptu speech, but it’s a real example of how easily you can work on your impromptu speech, practice, and learn as you progress.

Of course, this example is ideal for all interview-type impromptu speeches, which can be as hard as the topic-type speeches.

Impromptu speech can seem scary at first, but with plenty of preparation and practice, you will be able to speak on any topic without much preparation.

These 15 tips are everything you’ll need to start, develop, and finish your impromptu speech while being confident both verbally and nonverbally.

On top of that, these five examples show you how impromptu speech is done first-hand. Remember that you shouldn’t aim for perfection, but even tiny improvements are a good step forward to achieving a decent impromptu speech.

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.

Examples of How to Give an Impromptu Speech

Did you know that the most memorable part of one of the most famous speeches in history was not part of the script?

An impromptu speech can feel intimidating. After all, you’ve probably heard that you need to prepare well in advance to give an effective speech. But in truth,  a short speech that you give directly from your heart can reach your audience and stir them to action .

How to Give an Impromptu Speech

An impromptu speech is a public address that the speaker hasn’t planned on giving beforehand. As such, it can be an intimidating prospect, especially for those who feel they lack public speaking and communication skills. Impromptu speaking means you didn’t prepare for the moment, meaning you have to do everything on the fly. Even with experience, you’re not always guaranteed a successful speech. It truly is one of the most difficult public speaking skills to master.

Impromptu Speech Topics

An impromptu speech example.

First, understand that the stakes are fairly low in this type of setting. You don’t need to stress over what to say, but that’s not an excuse to ramble on about whatever comes to mind. That would be an impromptu speaking failure.

The Advantages of an Impromptu Speech

Even if you’re still nervous about giving an impromptu speech on a specific topic, there are several advantages you should know about. As mentioned above, people are generally forgiving when it comes to spur-of-the-moment speeches derived from personal experience. You don’t have to worry about being overly eloquent or super organized. As long as you practice  charismatic leadership , you’ll have their attention all the same.

Your story should indicate what drives you and motivates your  decision-making . Over time, you can refine that story until you’re ready to share it at a moment’s notice. In that way, you can be sure your impromptu speech will leave a lasting impact.

Need a little extra help with a speech?  Check out these articles.

Speech Outline: How to Get the Most Out of Your Next Speech

• Games, topic printables & more
• The 4 main speech types
• Example speeches
• Commemorative
• Declamation
• Demonstration
• Informative
• Introduction
• Student Council
• Speech topics
• Poems to read aloud
• How to write a speech
• Using props/visual aids
• Acute anxiety help
• Breathing exercises
• Letting go - free e-course
• Using self-hypnosis
• Delivery overview
• 4 modes of delivery
• How to make cue cards
• How to read a speech
• 9 vocal aspects
• Vocal variety
• Diction/articulation
• Pronunciation
• Speaking rate
• How to use pauses
• Eye contact
• Body language
• Voice image
• Voice health
• Public speaking activities and games
• Blogging Aloud
• About me/contact
• Impromptu public speaking topics

-200 first-rate impromptu speech topics 

By:  Susan Dugdale  

• 50 impromptu topics
• Yet another 50 random speech topics
• Then 50 more good impromptu speech topics
• And finally, 50 funny impromptu speech topics.
• Plus links to more impromptu speech topics and activities.

The topics cover a broad cross section of subject matter. Use them for table topics at your Toastmaster's Club, with your high school public speaking class as practice for debate competitions or, by yourself.

Some of them are quirky and funny.

Many are deliberately provocative to stimulate a response from both you, the speaker and, your audience!

Others are open-ended or neutral to allow whatever occurs in your mind to fit the topic. You could use those ones to tell a true story; a personal experience, share your personal bloopers, or talk about the meaning of life!

Any one of the 200 will make a good subject for an excellent impromptu speech.

These types of speeches, off the cuff and without much time to prepare, are a great way to polish communication skills. And, most importantly, they're fun!

Are you in a hurry & needing impromptu speech topics ready for use now?

Solve your problem in 5 minutes. Get the first list of 50 impromptu speech topics on this page plus 48 more in an instantly available print-and-go pdf. 50 + 48 = 98 impromptu speech topics!

Quick tips for practicing by yourself:

• Choose a good topic, one that appeals to you from any one of the lists below.
• Give yourself a strictly monitored preparation time of no more than one minute in which to note an opening, a couple of main points with examples and, a conclusion.
• Deliver your speech while timing and, if possible, recording it. Aim to speak for a couple of minutes.
• When you play the recording back, listen for speech structure, (Is there one?), content and fluency. Each of these combine to create the overall impact of your speech.

If you're using these impromptu speaking topics with a friend or in front of an audience in a classroom, use the same method but skip the recording.

Be sure though to allow enough time to give and receive feedback. Along with regular practice, it's a vital part of improving!

Ideally once you or your class has become more confident, you'll allow less preparation time.

The ultimate goal is to be given a speech topic, do some quick thinking and to begin speaking on the subject coherently and easily, almost immediately.

Literally, you get given the topic, the green light, timer or stop watch is flicked on, you open your mouth and go!

Get help with impromptu speaking formats

If you've arrived at this page on impromptu public speaking topics without having seen my impromptu speaking tips page, pay a visit there too.

You'll get really useful information on structural patterns as well as delivery tips.

If you're new to making this kind of short duration speech, both will help a great deal.

The 7 patterns, in particular, are invaluable. They'll stop you from blundering aimlessly around blurting whatever occurs to you first! Something I remember doing quite frequently before I found them. ☺

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50 impromptu public speaking topics

• My biggest concern for the future is...
• Real wealth is never measured in money or possessions.
• Conservation is survival.
• Real love is not the stuff of pop songs.
• If I were an animal I'd be a...
• Plants have feelings too.
• Junk food's popularity relies on marketing.
• To err is human. To forgive is divine. Discuss.
• The world is a smaller place these days.
• The more we communicate, the less we really say.
• When I grow up...
• The best letter of the alphabet is...
• Goals are good for you.
• The most important lesson of my life so far...
• Intelligence is not enough.
• If I ruled the world...
• Color affects the way people feel.
• Ill health begins in the mind.
• Team sports build strong individuals.
• Laughter is the best medicine.
• Fools and their money are easily parted.
• Discipline is not a dirty word.
• Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
• Children learn what they live with.
• My favorite day of the year is...
• What characteristics make an ideal hero and why?
• What and who is an average person?
• Being young is over-rated.
• In what situation is lying a good idea?
• Does money make the world go round?
• What human quality do we need more of and why?
• Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
• How we look is unimportant. It's who we are on the inside that counts.
• Fashion victims I have known.
• Pets are for people who don't have children.
• Summer is the best and worst of times. Why?
• The media controls how and what we think.
• Advertising targeting children is immoral.
• Talking to someone and talking with someone are two different activities.
• Real learning doesn't occur in a classroom.
• What would you rather be - wise or intelligent?
• True wisdom comes from experience.
• A sense of humor is essential.
• Uniforms stifle individuality.
• What is normal is decided by the society we live in.
• Manners matter.
• Children should not watch television.
• Art is essential to life.
• Cities are for people not cars.
• Peace is possible.   

Grab 'n go for busy people - Printable Speech Topics

Impromptu Speech Topics on the RUN

Get the first 50 topics on this page PLUS 48 more. It's a Serendipity (little-bit-of everything) Selection in an instantly available printable format: 14 topics per A4 page.

Preview an extract. See the 14 topics on page 5 of 7.

98 printable impromptu speech topics

Select, print, cut-and-GO!

50 excellent random impromptu speech topics

Here's the second list of 50. If a topic ends with an ellipsis, (...), replace it with a word or phrase of your choice.

E.g. 'I wish I was...' might become 'I wish I was sitting on a beach with my best friend.', or 'I wish I was more courageous.'

• What has more impact? Being beautiful or being kind?
• I wish I was...
• The color yellow reminds of...
• Swear words are satisfying to say.
• Share one important memory.
• What have you said that you immediately regretted?
• Explain how to withstand peer group pressure.
• The only certainties in life are death and taxes.
• Nationalism fuels wars.
• Doing what you want, when you want, does not build character.
• Every woman needs a husband.
• Love is exploited by manufacturers and shopkeepers.
• The Christmas season has been hijacked for profit.
• Vital medicines should be free.
• Social service should be compulsory.
• Being poor is not a crime.
• Love is not always the answer.
• What does it mean to be in a black mood?
• We should have Thanksgiving every day.
• When is stealing necessary?
• What is unforgivable?
• Being wrong is good for us.
• Who is the enemy? Why?
• Ignorance is a root cause of violence.
• What I loved doing most as a kid.
• A saying I’ll never forget is...
• The most important lesson I learned from my mother.
• What foreign language should we learn.
• If you could be a famous person for a day who would you be?
• The silliest thing I ever saw.
• An idea is never original.
• Copying other people is not bad. It’s the way we learn.
• Social media is both good and bad.
• The item I value most.
• We procrastinate because we are fearful of being wrong.
• Learning not to pre-judge a person is very difficult.
• The last book I read.
• My favorite time of the day.
• If I changed my name I’d change it to...
• People in my family never...
• Something I want to believe in but can’t.
• Becoming educated is a life-long mission.
• Learning to be grateful for what we have makes us happier.
• Sexual predation is never acceptable.
• Real friends love us, despite our faults.
• How to tell the difference between real and fake news.
• Describe an everyday miracle.
• Being different makes the world a richer place.
• Green washing is a modern crime.
• The contents of my bathroom cupboard.

Another 50 good impromptu speech topics

And here's the third list!

• Comfort food: what is the food that makes you feel good.
• How I got my name and what it means.
• What would happen if I had to be without my phone.
• An everyday hero.
• What qualities makes a person a leader?
• It’s OK to be wrong and it’s OK to fail.
• My favorite clothes: what are they, and why have you chosen them.
• My favorite song: what it is, and why is it your favorite.
• My favorite place: the place where I feel best.
• The worst food I’ve ever eaten.
• My favorite season of the year.
• How being locked down over Covid has changed how we learn.
• How the Covid pandemic changed my life.
• What country I want to visit and why.
• How to break a bad habit.
• The best trick I ever played.
• A skill I want to learn.
• The difference between liking and loving someone.
• Why keeping up with national and international news is important.
• The sport that seems strangest to me.
• Cars reflect their owners.
• The clouds in the sky sometimes remind me of...
• We need to take cyber-security seriously.
• How can you tell if someone is telling a lie.
• Trees communicate with each other.
• What I collect, and why.
• Curiosity underpins inventions.
• I wish someone would explain to me why...
• What I am most proud of about myself.
• If you could go back in time, what time and event would you return to?
• Three convincing reasons for not completing your homework.
• Tell two truths and one lie. Ask the audience to pick the lie.
• Why is it important to look someone in the eye?
• What is the absolutely best way to relax?
• Is there truth in the saying: “Clothes make the man”?
• In what ways can sport be seen as a religion?
• The three most annoying habits of people in my family.
• How to sound and act like an expert.
• Is it immoral for the immensely wealthy not to use their money to help people living in poverty?
• Is there any truth in the saying: “Fake it until you make it”?
• Why do some people behave as if they are superior to others?
• My secret ambition is to become...
• Name three words setting your peer group and generation apart from your parent’s generation? Eg. GOAT, dope, sick. What do they mean? How are they used?
• Why girls should be allowed to play contact sports.
• Why vaping should be banned along with cigarettes.
• Why is it important to vote?
• Who is the best person you have ever met? Why are they the best?
• What would you do if you could do anything?
• Explain these sayings: “take a chill pill” and “all that glitters is not gold”.
• In what major ways has the world changed in the last 20 years?

Finally, 50 funny impromptu speech topics

• What I wish I'd said. Responses I would have given if I was quick enough.
• If you could choose a theme song, what would yours be and why?
• If my pet could talk, this is what they'd say about me.
• If you ran the news outlets, what would your top headlines for today be?
• Tell us about the worst hair cut you ever had.
• What clothing choices have you made in the past that you now regret?
• If you were a hero for the day, what would you do?
• Why does Murphy's Law (Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong) kick in when we're under pressure? 
• What kinds of things are you a secret snob about?
• Three reasons why I decided to take up extreme knitting.
• Why sports cars should only be driven by young beautiful people.
• What are the worst chores you've ever had to do around your home.
• What is the funniest personal habit you've witnessed in your friends or family?
• Three funny facts about your home country.
• What's wrong with saving the best for last?
• The best trick that's ever been played on me.
• The real reasons why I decided to become a pop star.
• Which celebrity would you invite to dinner?
• What 'funny story' gets told over and over again in your family?
• What food did you dislike the most as a child and why?
• What's the silliest situation you've even been in?
• Share an amusing situation where you read someone's body language wrongly.
• What eccentric habits are you going to adopt?
• If you could become someone else, who would you be and why?
• What three things bore you the most?
• What personal habit has caused you the most trouble?
• Why is your daily horoscope always right?
• What is the best day of the week, and why?
• How to become an expert procrastinator.
• Three things I wish my mother had told me.
• Fascinating trivia - the useless facts I know.
• How to recover from embarrassing yourself publicly. 
• What's the real story behind the saying: "to beat around the bush" or "to take the cake"?
• What would you invent if you could?
• If you could meet a person from the past, who would it be, and why? 
• What's your three top tips for living well?
• If you could only have the same food every day, what would you choose?
• What happened on your best 'worst' date?
• The top ways to make people like you. 
• The real reasons why people do not talk to each other on public transport.
• The reasons why I will bequeath my fortune to my cat.
• What item of clothing do you own that makes you feel good?
• If you had a personal logo, what would it be? 
• What words or phrases do people use that let us know who they mix with, and how old they are?
• What is the silliest or most trivial problem you currently have?
• If 'looks can kill', who would you most like to see in front of you and why? 
• What thing have you kept for sentimental reasons? Why?
• What words do people frequently use that annoy you immensely?
• What is something you've misplaced or lost that had inconvenient consequences?
• What online sites frequently cause you to lose track of time?   

EVEN MORE good impromptu speech topics!

10+ themed sets of fun impromptu speech topics fresh from the creative, wild and wacky department! 

If you're looking for inspiration for your public speaking class or you need table topics for Toastmasters, these are contagiously silly subjects:  lighthearted and nonsensical. (Like the bumper sticker wisdom quote illustrated below.)

Fun Impromptu Speech Topics   to get them laughing - the best way to learn ☺

Here's four themed sets of 20 table topic questions : Christmas, music, life-lessons and thought-provoking topic ideas. There's a printable for each set, plus an overview of table topics: its benefits, how a Toastmasters table topics session is run, what makes a good topic, the value of feedback, and more. 

Another option are these 150 1 minute speech topics . They are split into 3 groups of 50: those suitable for kids, 50 work/career themed suggestions and another 50 just for fun. You'll also find 3 sample speech outlines and example speeches: text and audio. Plus a free printable speech outline.                

See example impromptu speech outlines

Click for example impromptu speech outlines . See how to take a topic and develop it into an outline for a speech. You'll find e xamples of seven different structural patterns: PREP, Problem - Solution, Cause - Effect - Remedy, Before - The Event - The Result, Past - Present - Future, and two more.

Each comes with a printable outline for your own use, which seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? In the same league as 'lead balloon' and 'civil war'. When did war become civil, or balloons filled with lead actually fly? They didn't.

Impromptu speaking and completing an outline only makes sense if you regard the outline as tool to help you commit the pattern to memory. Once you've got it, you'll no longer need to write your key points and their transitions out.

Go to impromptu speech outline patterns .

Fun activities for practicing impromptu speaking

For more impromptu speaking practice ideas visit this page of public speaking games . 

While some of these activities are drama based you'll find all 10 of them useful and FUN! They are especially good if you're a teacher looking for ideas to help you plan impromptu public speaking lessons for your class.

The One Minute Speeches activity featured below is included in the collection however it's minus the pdf of instructions, game variations and printable topics.

One minute speeches - 368 topics + instructions!

368 topics, instructions for introducing and running a session on One Minute Speeches, plus activity variations in an instantly available format. A great reusable impromptu speaking resource for busy teachers! Have a look: One Minute Speeches

Impromptu speech activities bundle

And for those of you who want more than one activity check out this  comprehensive bundle of   17 proven fun and effective impromptu speech activities , complete with full guidelines and printables. 

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How to Give An Impromptu Speech When You Have Zero Prep Time

• Communication and Preaching

It freaks everyone out, but at some point or another, you’re going to be called to give an impromptu talk.

Maybe it will be in front of eight people in the boardroom after the boss taps you on the shoulder and says, “What do you have to say about that? Get up and tell us!”

Or maybe you’re speaking at an event and you learn the keynote speaker’s flight was canceled, and they call on you at the last minute to talk to the audience .

Or maybe you feel like the talk you prepared isn’t the right one, and you need to take things in a whole new direction, and you’re up in five minutes.

As a full-time communicator, I’ve been there…in almost every scenario you can think of.

In any scenario, cue most leaders’ worst nightmare: Giving a talk with zero prep time. How do you not just panic, throw up, freeze like a deer in headlights, or ramble on like someone who had their brain removed?

Here’s How It Can Happen To You

I was twelve years old when I gave my first impromptu talk. I was supposed to give a five-minute talk to our church family about the camp I’d been to that summer. Someone else was cued up to speak ahead of me,  and she basically said exactly what I was going to say.

So what did that twelve-year-old kid do? According to my dad, I walked on stage, made up a bunch of new points, and no one knew the difference.

What started at 12 has happened more times than I can count since.

Here are three quick examples:

• Numerous times at events, I’ve watched the previous speaker cover points I was going to make. At that moment I know I have to pivot, and I’m up next. Apparently, this doesn’t only happen to 12-year-olds.
• A few years ago, I was at a conference when I learned the night before that the keynote couldn’t make it. I got asked to step in…in front of 3000 people.
• Years ago at our church, we were in a video series with Andy Stanley and the video playback died. Just died. Right in the middle of the service. I’d heard the message at the previous service, but with literally 30 seconds’ notice, I got pushed onto the stage. The lights came up. I explained to the congregation that the video had died so I was up with zero prep, having heard the message once before. Then I proceeded to do the best I could to recite what I remembered from Andy’s message and improvised my own take. After the 40-minute message was over, people cheered.

How do you carry yourself in moments like those?

Look, I have a huge preference for writing messages months and weeks ahead of delivery, and highly recommend that.

I outline an entire process for delivering amazing sermons and talks in my course, The Art of Preaching . So 99.9% of the time, go with that.

But at some point, with zero prep, you’re going to be pushed onto a platform to speak.

How do you simply not freeze or stumble all over your words, or just meander your way to disaster?

Here are 5 ways to handle that moment when it comes.

1. Don’t Panic

The biggest enemy you have when you’re called on at the last moment and you panic is you .

Your emotions will threaten to hijack your brain. You’ll convince yourself that you’re not able to do a good job, that this is unfair, or you haven’t got it in you to rise to the occasion.

Start believing that, and the voices in your head will be 100% accurate.

Except they’re not. You can do a good job. And no, it’s not unfair (people want to hear from you) and you’ve got this.

The best way to deal with your natural fear is to push past it. So push past it.

After all, this is happening, and you’re more ready than you think.

2. Think About What Your Audience Needs

So, where do you start?

Left unchecked, you’ll only think about yourself. (You’ll invent 100 new insecurities on the spot. See #1 above).

So, shift your view for a moment and think about what your audience needs.

Who’s the room?

What are  their  issues?

What do you possess that might help them?

How can you empathize with what they’re going through?

Speakers who care about their audience will always have a more engaged audience.

3. Focus on what You Already Know

Great…so you’ve thought (even momentarily) about your audience and tried to silence the panic in your head and heart.

Your mind might naturally want to focus on what you  don’t  know. After all, you couldn’t prepare. No research. No carefully crafted phrases. Zero prep.

Your head will go back to this: Clearly, I can’t tackle this.

You’ve got a few decades of life under your belt, and you know  something .

Focus on that.

For professional communicators (preachers, leaders), you’ve likely got a few talks under your belt that you can cherry-pick from. Do it.

Pull from that sermon you preached last September or that talk you gave in June. It’s not unfair. And it’s not cheating. It’s called serving your audience well .

And if you go with what you know, you’ll be coherent.

A coherent you is better than a rambling you.

Even if you’re not in the habit of speaking, you know a lot about some things. Draw on that knowledge.

When you panic, you’ll be tempted to focus on what you don’t know. Focus on what you know instead.

You know way more than you think.

4. Pretend You’re Having a Conversation…Because You Are

In all impromptu talks, here’s a principle that simply works: Pretend you’re having a conversation . Because you are.

Why does imagining you’re having a conversation work?

Because you do it every day. Think about it.

How much time do you prepare for the conversations you have every day? For the most part, unless you’re asking for a raise or having a tough intervention, the answer is “Well, I don’t.”

That’s the thing about conversations….you just have them.

So, go have one.

Pretend you’re talking to one person and just explaining your thoughts, ideas and feelings.

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is.

A conversation has a natural flow. Go with that flow. Your accumulated lifetime experience of interacting with other people will move you toward forming an introduction, a main point (or points), and an ending.

The pressure of speaking in front of a live audience will help you stay focused, sharp, and concise.

So…you have conversations all the time that you never prepare for. And you’re fine in them.

This time, a bunch of people just happened to show up.

5. Finish Early (It’s Okay…Really)

Of all the things communicators struggle with, this is one of the worst: we convince ourselves we don’t have enough to say to fill the time.

First, that’s almost never true. Most speakers and preachers go over time, every time. Cue the buzzer for that habit.

Second, the audience is almost  always  grateful when a speaker finishes on time and extra grateful when the speaker wraps up early.

If you run out of things to stay (and you might), stop. Even if you’re done early.

Worried you’re disappointing your host? Just say, “It’s been a joy to share this impromptu moment with you, I think that’s all I have to say. Thank you.”

Cue the thunderous silent applause going on in every audience member’s head.

People are incredibly grateful when communicators realize they’re done.

A communicator who knows they’re done before the audience senses they’re done is a wise communicator.

You’ve prepared your sermon. You’re ready for Sunday... Or are you?

The #1 factor people look for in a church is the quality of the preaching. In fact, 86% of people choose a church based on that.

So if you step back and take a look in the mirror for a moment...

• Does your sermon prep get the time it deserves?
• And when was the last time you took a big step forward in becoming a better preacher?

Most Pastors aren't happy with the answers they give to those questions.

How to preach more engaging, memorable, and relevant sermons—starting as early as this week.

Now, take a minute to imagine feeling confident that your message would connect on Sunday morning, knowing you’d deliver it clearly and truthfully .

It’s time to ditch the random, stressful, and last-minute approach to becoming a better preacher and communicator.

Get a proven method to preach sermons that reach more people and grow your church in The Art of Preaching. It's the only program trusted by 3,000+ pastors over 5+ years—no matter the denomination or church size—that will transform your preaching from preparation to delivery.

• You’ll save hours each week with a better sermon prep process.
• You’ll write messages people remember for months… or even years.
• You’ll deepen your own connection with the text , seeing things you never noticed before.
• You’ll be able to (finally) deliver your message without using notes .
• You’ll preach sermons that reach more people and transform the lives of churched and unchurched people alike .

Carey Nieuwhof

Carey Nieuwhof is a best-selling leadership author, speaker, podcaster, former attorney, and church planter. He hosts one of today’s most influential leadership podcasts, and his online content is accessed by leaders over 1.5 million times a month. He speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change, and personal growth.

50 Topics for Impromptu Student Speeches

Illustration by Catherine Song. ThoughtCo. 

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For the many people who break out in a sweat at the very idea of speaking in front of an audience , the prospect of speaking on an unknown topic with little to no preparation is likely terrifying. But you don't have to be afraid of impromptu speeches. As it turns out, the secret even to off-the-cuff speeches is preparation.

Impromptu Speech Tips

• Decide on your topic
• Come up with three supportive statements related to your topic
• Prepare a strong conclusion

Use this list of impromptu speech topics to practice making a quick speech outline in your head. For each of the topics below, just think of three main points you'd like to make. For example, if your speech topic is "Your least favorite chores," you could quickly come up with three statements:

• I don't know anybody who likes to fold laundry, so the first task on my list of unhappy chores is folding laundry.
• Taking out the trash is another chore that most people dread, and I'm no different.
• The worst chore in the entire household has to be cleaning the toilet.

If you go into your speech with these statements in your head, you can spend the rest of your time thinking up supporting statements as you speak. When you've identified your three main points, think of a great finishing statement. If you end with a great closer, you'll really impress your audience.

Start Practicing With This List

• My three favorite animals.
• What you would find in my closet. Make something up.
• What you'd find under my bed.
• The best letter of the alphabet.
• Why your mom/dad is special.
• A day that stands out.
• The best surprise ever.
• If I had a million dollars to give away.
• If cats/dogs ruled the world.
• A trip to remember.
• My favorite day of the year.
• If I could only eat three foods forever.
• If I could design a school.
• Why books are important.
• Three surprising facts about me .
• How to impress your parents.
• How to plan a party.
• A job I'd love to have.
• A day in my life.
• If I could have dinner with anyone.
• If I could travel through time.
• My favorite book.
• An important lesson I've learned.
• What I've learned from cartoons.
• The smartest cartoon character.
• Three things I'd change if I ruled the world.
• Why sports are important.
• The worst chores at home.
• Why I deserve an allowance.
• If I were in charge of school lunches.
• If I had invented school.
• The best theme park rides.
• Whom do you admire most?
• What is your favorite animal?
• How to achieve your dreams.
• Why you need a baby brother.
• How to annoy an older sister.
• How to save money.
• Three things that scare me.
• Great things about snow days.
• Things you can make out of snow.
• How to spend a rainy day.
• How to walk a dog.
• Great things about the ocean.
• Things I'll never eat.
• How to be a slacker.
• Why I like my town.
• The best parts of a parade.
• Interesting things you see in the sky.
• Things to remember when you're camping.
• An experience with a bully.
• How to Give an Impromptu Speech
• 100 Persuasive Speech Topics for Students
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10 top tips for delivering an impromptu speech

No time to prepare take heart – and take note..

For many of us it’s the worst-case scenario – suddenly having to deliver an impromptu presentation. Being asked to speak in public is a major challenge for many leaders. Being asked to speak spontaneously as well as publicly can catapult the task straight into the very-difficult, to-be-avoided-at-all-times-I’d-rather-die category. The negative possibilities appear grave – your brain freezes, you mumble incoherently, or you appear to lose all gravitas.

Yet these scenarios happen all the time – introducing yourself at networking events, giving a toast at a company party, unexpectedly being pulled into a meeting to give an update, having a colleague directly turn to you in the middle of a presentation for input or being asked an unexpected question on a panel.

While you may wish for thorough preparation, giving an  extemporaneous  speech can mark you out as an excellent communicator. It’s how you handle yourself when you are least prepared that often demonstrates your leadership and influencing abilities.

Here are 10 top tips for performing – and presenting – under unexpected pressure.

• Be confident – look up, breathe deeply, say to yourself something positive – ‘I’m going to be fine’.
• Focus on the audience – Every presentation, including impromptu ones, need to be audience centric. The audience will be on your side – focus on what will be useful to them.
• Less is more – Avoid the tendency to ramble. An audience is far more likely to listen if you stay on target and are succinct. In fact, they’ll love you for it. Keep it short and to the point. Remember the Power of 3 – stick to three key points.
• Have a structure – Tell them what you are going to tell them; tell them; tell them what you told them. In the main section use a simple structure. For example:
• Past / Present/ future
• Cause / Effect / Remedy
• Before / The Event / The Result
• Primacy and recency – The audience will remember the first and last things you say. Make sure these are therefore powerful and linked to your key message.
• Talk conversationally – imagine you are speaking to your best friend and let yourself be authentic and natural.
• Personalise your speech & have a relevant story . Share from personal experience. No need to research, no need to investigate, and no need to memorise anything. When in doubt about what to say, just tell a story from your past related to the situation. Stories are memorable.
• Demonstrate powerful body language – Stand tall on both feet, resist the urge to slump or fiddle, use big gestures, smile and get eye contact with your audience.
• Use a credible voice tone – Go slowly! Hurrying will increase any feelings of unease you have. Take your time. Breathe deeply. Deliver your words slowly and use pauses.
• Turn your impromptu session into a Q&A session – For lengthier impromptu speeches re-frame the session as a Q&A session, which are probably easier for you to answer individually and breaks a session up into a series of very small impromptu interventions. Also, the content comes directly from the audience, so you are guaranteed to deliver what they are seeking.

Whilst we can still enjoy the famous tongue-in-cheek Mark Twain quote ‘it usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech’, you now know what to do when confronted by the dreaded impromptu business presentation. Now all you have to do is practise on the edge of discomfort.

Appeared in Management Today – April 2018

Previous post authenticity: how to be genuine when you present, next post how to engage an audience in 3 minutes flat, contact jeremy:.

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7 Impromptu Tips and Tricks to deliver a Great Speech

What is impromptu speaking?

Impromptu speaking is giving an unprepared talk.

In any  situation  when a person  simply takes the  floor, selects a subject, and begins, the twist to the tale is that the ideas voiced are unrehearsed and unprepared.

The typical characteristic of this form of speech is the unprepared delivery and the suddenness with which a person is confronted with a speech situation.

Impromptu speaking is often conducted at those times when a person is called upon without warning

―to say a few words mostly at social/professional gatherings.

Many people assume that impromptu speaking is easy. In reality impromptu speaking is extremely difficult. There are methods, however, which if used properly, will enable a person to perform acceptably on the spur of the moment.

The thought of public speaking intimidates many people. This fear can be reduced to a good extent when there is time to prepare and practice before getting up in front of an audience.

How does impromptu speaking work?

What happens, though, when there is no time to prepare? 

When you are asked to speak without notice?

This can make the most confident presenters very nervous.

The key to success in these situations is to have strategies you can use to compose your thoughts quickly and communicate the message clearly.

Becoming skilled at impromptu speaking can give you the self-confidence you need to give a last-minute presentation, sail through a challenging meeting, or convince others of your ideas. You can build your personal brand when you learn to speak effectively under pressure.

It can also equip you with the techniques to conduct a successful question and answer session or make important connections at a networking event.

By developing this skill, you can learn to speak with eloquence, humour and confidence, and you’ll ensure that you can communicate your messages clearly. This can be very advantageous as you pursue future leadership roles within the association.

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How can you deliver an impromptu speech successfully?

The easiest way to prepare for impromptu situations is to anticipate.

Anticipating situations where you may be asked to speak unexpectedly.

However, it certainly is not practically possible to anticipate every possible situation in your personal as well as professional life, so having a couple strategies to deal with those unexpected situations or to be able to handle those situations effectively is another way you can be ready when an unforeseen opportunity to speak.

While preparing for these impromptu conversations, consider the two most common scenarios that people face:

a. Being asked to share your thoughts, answer some questions

b. Give an update on a project without being told ahead of time.

How would you feel if you face either of these situations?

How do you deal with these? 

What do you do? 

What do you say? 

How do you say it? 

What if you can’t think of anything worthwhile to say?

• Being asked to share your thoughts.

Let me take you through this, for that, start with brainstorming…

You may have many ideas, thoughts, expressions, fears, anxiety and opinions running through your mind when you are chosen to speak in front of a group.

The first thing you must must and must do is to calm yourself down in order to convey your thoughts in a coherence and cohesion.

1. Take a deep breath or two. That should always be the first thing to do.

A common mistake most people make is that they start speaking before they have gathered their thoughts.

Give yourself enough time to absorb and observe the question or topic you are supposed to talk about. These deep breaths are strategically put to help you collect yourself and your ideas. It slows you down, relaxes you, and makes you appear more in control of the situation. As a personal brand you don’t want to project yourself as overly anxious/nervous/perplexed.

In this short time span, or this window of opportunity, try to interpret what is being asked in the question or request. 

Why is this person asking you and what is the intention? 

Is this an attack, a legitimate question for more information or a test?

2. Repeat the question yourself before answering or better if you can rephrase the question or change it slightly into what you want to answer.

Ask for clarification if you have not understood the question, it will help you be more specific about the answer.

At this point you may even for a definition to make sure your understanding of the terminology is the same as the person asking the question.

At a time just deal with one aspect/one point of view/ one topic and one supporting piece of information. Under pressure, you run the risk of sharing too much information.

Remember: This technique gives you focus and allows you to answer accurately and with conviction.

3. Say it clearly

Do remember: the way you say something is almost as important as what you say.

• Speak in a confident voice (not just a loud voice!)

• Use pauses strategically to emphasise a point

• Avoid sounding monotonous

• Maintain the eye contact with your audience

When you convert your thoughts into coherent speech you are making a conscious effort of making yourself heard. You come across as being confident, persuasive and trustworthy.

So by now, you might have had a fairly good idea how to handle situations where you are asked to respond to a question/situation extempore.

B. Moving on to the situation where you are being asked to deliver an extempore speech.

Naturally you cannot prepare for an unknown topic, but you can prepare a method of attack on surprise offerings from your audience. One system of doing this is to have in mind various orders by which to develop your ideas.

For example, you are asked to talk about ‘Family’. Here, you can talk about this term indifferent contexts- family as a social unit, your family members, values, importance of having a family, structure of family (joint/nuclear), extended family, professional family- your organisation/department/unit. In addition to all these, you may also talk about things like:

Why is this topic important to your audience?

Give a back-story of the importance and relevance of having a family. What are the overall effects of your topic (such as) on your audience, the state, the nation, the world? What are the effects geographically? What are the effects politically? What are the effects economically? What are the effects socially? What are the effects religiously? What are the effects educationally? What are the effects morally? What are the effects agriculturally? What are the effects emotionally and psychologically?

By talking about all or some of these will make your speech a well structured one with cohesion and coherence.

1. Prep- point reason example point

Out of a variety of templates for organising the thoughts quickly in order to deliver an impromptu speech, the next you should know is to PREP- Point, Reason, Example and Point.

• Start with stating your point or position.

• Talk about the primary reason.

• Site a relevant example (examples sound relatable to people because when you are giving an example, you are sharing a practical experience).

• Conclude by summarising your main point again; remember your conclusion should match your introduction.

2. You can always make the tide turn by conducting this impromptu session into a question & answer session.

Once you reframe the session as a Q&A session, it will automatically break into a series of very small impromptu speeches that are easier for you to manage. The plus point is that here, the content will come directly from the audience, so you are certainly delivering what they are seeking.

This works best when you are filling in for an absent/in-preparation speaker.

3. Anecdotes to the rescue.

We all are nothing but stories with blood and flesh. We all carry and weave our stories around each other, so what can be better than sharing a story from your life along with the relevance of the same to the audience’s life.

It may sound crazy to you but you’ll find that it is much easier to speak without preparation, because the events have already happened to you.

4. Practice: get into a circle or orators/speakers.

Join clubs/networking events where you get to interact with like-minded people from different walks of life. It will help you in building your communications and leadership skills in a low-threat environment. 

Make sure you don’t miss a single opportunity to observe others in order to learn from them. 

OBSERVE NOT JUDGE

Not many people enjoy speaking without warning or answering questions that they are not fully expecting. This surely can be stressful. Stressing about the situation is never going to make you comfortable with the situation: PREPARATION and PRACTICE WILL.

In presenting an impromptu speech your attitude is a deciding factor in determining your effectiveness. Maintain your poise. It does not matter how surprised you are, or how difficult your topic is. It does not make any difference what happens when you receive your subject or while you are speaking or after you have concluded your speech: you still must maintain poise.

As an Executive Communication Coach , I combine three fundamental areas of communication – the intellectual, the psychological and the physical to help you speak brilliantly, enhance your influence and reputation, boost your confidence, and discover your authentic style and voice. 

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How to Give a Speech Without Preparation

Last Updated: May 29, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 88% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 63,667 times.

Public speaking is daunting for many people, and having little time to prepare just increases the pressure. If you're called on to give a speech at a wedding, funeral, or other similar situation, stick to pre-set ideas like personal anecdotes and quotations, and keep things brief. If you have to give a speech in a professional situation, follow a tried-and-true method for quickly organizing your thoughts to keep things to the point. Take a breath, stay confident, and you can deliver an effective speech on the spot.

Using an Anecdote

• At a wedding, you could tell a funny story about growing up with the bride or groom.
• At a funeral, you could tell a story about how kind or generous the deceased was, or about how they influenced you.

• For example, imagine you're giving a toast at Frank's 70th birthday. You could say something like: “They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Frank here's proving them wrong. Who else would have the courage to start running marathons in retirement?”

• For example, if you're toasting the groom at a wedding, stick to just two good stories about your friendship.
• If you see people in the audience do things like turn away, talk to each other, check their phones or watches, or fidget in their seats, you might be rambling on and losing their attention.
• If this happens just quickly cut to your main point and say “thank you” as a way to close.

• You can also look out in the audience and find a few friends or people who seem supportive, and focus on them.
• If you're nervous, you could also try the old standby of imagining everyone in the audience naked!
• Above all, just remind yourself that most people will naturally admire the courage of someone who shows the confidence to get up and speak in front of a crowd.

Creating a Quick Speech Structure

• If you don't have time to write even a few notes, just make a quick mental outline, telling yourself something like: “First I'll say how generous Jim is. I'll tell the story about the time he fixed my flat tire in the middle of the night, then the one about how he baked me a birthday cake when I was sick in bed with the flu.”

• A moving story
• A convincing fact or statistic
• An inspiring quotation

• Begin by saying that casual Fridays boost morale, lead to greater productivity, and will make your company seem up to date.
• Follow up by acknowledging that casual Fridays mean that employees will appear less professional at the end of the week, and that they may need guidance on what kind of casual clothing is acceptable.
• End with your position that since most client meetings happen early in the week, casual Fridays overall will be good for your company and not create a disruption.

• You could start off with something like: “I know we've all been thinking about casual Fridays, and there are a lot of opinions out there. Let's get the conversation going by airing some of those. Does anyone have any questions, or want to share their point of view?”
• You can also call on someone in particular, if you want or need to: “Frank, you've been with us the longest. Why don't you start?”

Using the PREP Method for a Topical Speech

• Begin by saying you think casual Fridays are good because they boost employee morale.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
• ↑ https://debate.uvm.edu/NFL/rostrumlib/impcox0998.pdf
• ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/impromptu-speech-1857493
• ↑ http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/how-to-impromptu-speech/
• ↑ https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Video-Library/impromptu-speaking

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Most people have the following reactions when they have to give an unprepared speech- there’s fear, nervousness and anxiety, and sometimes with a mixture of excitement. There's different types of ; sometimes it can be a kind of ‘prepared for’ version of an unprepared/impromptu speech, wherein the speaker learns before hand that they will be required to do one. This type is often done in school competitions. They are prepared for because the speaker knows in advance that they are going to do it, but the topic will usually be a surprise. But sometimes you are just put on the spot – your name is called out at a function and you are requested to say a few words. The best way to prepare for an impromptu speech is to analyze the nature of the function you are attending and examine any possibilities of someone asking you to do something or say something. Always be prepared. If it is a close friend, relative’s or a work function, be prepared for any “Mr./Ms. X, would you please say a few words”. 1. Ask yourself: “if this situation does occur, how would I like to handle it?” That way you are exchanging worry for advanced planning, thinking and courage. 2. The best way to be ready for impromptu speeches or any public speech for that matter- is to invest in a good public speaking book or audio. They are a very good investment since most of us will be called out to speak unprepared at some stage in our lives. 3. Have a few opening lines, quotes or humor, up your sleeves, just in case. Better still, have a funny phrase about being put on the spot. 3 Ways to Structure a Speech the Professional Way Hrideep barot. Public Speaking , Speech Writing The Public Speaking sector has grown and soared. We all know what Public Speaking is and at some point in our school or work life have been faced with the challenge of presenting something or more popularly – talking about yourself or some other similar topics. Sometimes you get a chance to prepare sometimes you don’t. Regardless of that fact, what you speak leaves an impression. Let’s try to make sure that it is a good one! Structuring your speech is a way to consolidate information in a manner to make it more understandable and engaging. It is a great way to build up to important points and make your transitions more seamless and natural. How do we go about this? Public Speakers have different communication styles and even though every style has a unique approach and every speaker has their own process, we are going to try and explore some methods and tricks which can help you build and structure your speech in a more organised and systematic manner. Since Public Speaking has been integrated into our lives so firmly, I thought it best to focus on the two main umbrellas of Speeches – Prepared and Unprepared. No. This does not reflect the prepared of the speaker. Prepared Speech Have you ever been asked to speak at an assembly, give a keynote address or at the most basic level: seen a speaking competition? These types of speeches give you time to prepare and are usually on a topic which has educational or entertainment factors. Prepared speeches are well researched, rehearsed speeches. The speaker receives the topic / is intimated about the speech well in advance to make the content more concise and relevant to the audience. Prepared speakers have the luxury of working on their speaking skills and build them based on what their speech demands. Be it their tonality, body language, voice modulation and all the other things that work into creating and executing a great speech. If you are looking to build on your voice modulation and tonality, then look no further! We’ve written an expensive article just on that: 8 Essential Tips on Voice Modulation and Tonality. How to Structure a Prepared Speech 1. stick to the classic. What is the classic way? Let’s go back to school. Do you remember the time when you first learned to write an essay? Maybe this will jog your memory: Introduction Body Conclusion Yeah, I think that should about do it! 🙂 This method of structuring your speech is the most basic and direct way of structuring your speech. It lays a solid foundation but there is a lot more than three topics that need to be covered while structuring your speech so my advice would be to check out the other methods as well. Introduction An introduction holds about 10-15% (it is an estimate, I am a public speaker not a mathematician, give me a break) of your speech’s content and time. A solid introduction can make and break your speech. Now there are millions of ways you can begin your speech, lets look the ones which help you build a strong foundation. 1. Audience Engagement There is no surprise in the fact that you need to engage your audience. However, it isn’t really necessary to get them and keep them hooked from the very first word you utter because believe it or not, they will zone out. So how do you engage the audience? Simple. Understand their demographic. Find out what interests them, figure out a way to connect their interests to your speech. Pro Tip: Try not to create or imply a disconnect with your audience. Even if you are 50 and your audience is 13 or vice versa. It is best not the address the obvious. You may accidentally create a disconnect in your speech. For example: “Your generation was/is used to XYZ and (TOPIC) may not be of great importance to you but let me try to show you why it (the topic) is of significant importance.” Why should we not create a disconnect? To engage your audience you need to be able to connect with them, in other words: find common ground and by establishing a difference between the two parties doesn’t really work. Don’t forget the fact that you are the only active participant and a differentiation highlighted from your end may not work to your advantage. Understanding and analysing your audience can go a long way for you when preparing for or delivering your speech. Check out our video to figure out how to analyse your audience. 2. Answer the who and why. To complete your introduction the two main questions you need to answer are: Who are you and Why are you here? Who are you? The answer is pretty simple right? Not really. We need to find a way to make you sound qualified and yet not boastful all while keeping this section of your introduction to a sentence or two at the most. Remember, the Master of the Ceremony would have already introduced you. There is no need to state every achievement. Instead what we can do is find out your most relevant achievement / qualification and mention that in brief. Why are you here? As much as the narcissist in you and I wants to believe that this question expects an answer specific to the speaker, we are wrong. Speaking about a sliver of the topics you are going to touch in your speech is a great start to your introduction. Pro Tip: Following up with this after the previous question gives you a great chance to shift the focus from yourself and segue into the topic at hand. Here is the meat of your speech and it is the section your audience will be in contact with the most. Lets work on a sound way to go about getting the most out of it. 1. Research You have had the chance to work on and build your content the best you can and even though the procrastinator in you wants to watch one more episode. Lets get cracking! A well researched speech can do wonders for you! For starters, it can boost your credibility and make the audience actually invested in the content you are providing and another added benefit is that your confidence would be at its peak because you are sure of all the stats, all the data and information. Sounds really promising doesn’t it? Try it. The hours you put in hunched over books or starting at screens just to build the right form of content with everything fact checked will be worth it. 2. Organisation You have your data ready, how do you organise it? Check out the chart below: Personal Anecdote Topic Sub-topic – relevant to your area of expertise Current Trends / Career / Anything you found cool Your experiences Build to a general conversation By following the above chart you can build a great body which will cover all possible topics and sub-topics of your speech and will also give you the opportunity to hit multiple touch points. Pro Tip: Always hold back on a little information instead of spilling all the beans if you are having a Q&A session after or during your speech. It will help satiate the audience and you would still be able to get your point across with the same confidence and surety as you did in your speech. Remember, just because it is a different section of your speech doesn’t mean that the tips and ideas of the other sections do not apply. Conclusions are simple. Even though there is this unbelievable pressure to make a lasting impact, sometimes I believe, if you content is engaging enough, you don’t need the flare and pompous show of quotes, rhetorical questions, cliff hangers and other techniques. These techniques albeit extremely helpful and when used and combined aptly give out amazing results, lets focus on the main content of your conclusion: People usually say that your conclusion should summarise your whole speech, but how do you go about doing that? Do you list things down that you covered? Screen the outline of your speech? Please. Don’t. Here is an example of summarising and building to a close to help you get an idea of how to go about it: With the end of the world seeming like a very plausible occurrence, we need to do something for mankind’s survival, and do it sustainably. The windmills, the solar energy innovation, the plastic free lifestyle, they are all just small individual measures taken by small, tiny species on a small, tiny planet. It is time we face the music and realise that we aren’t killing nature but ourselves. Nature is dynamic. It can adapt and survive. We have become so self-centred that we think just because we can’t live, nothing can. Notice the various topics (windmill, solar energy, plastic free lifestyle) were mentioned and got together but the conclusion isn’t just that, it brings out the essence of the topic – climate change. The last line isn’t a quote but a simple observation which is sufficient to close a conversation but it still gives the audience something to think about, something to connect with while building their own opinions. If you are interested in checking out closing lines and quotes, honestly, there is nothing wrong in that. They are a tool just like others. It is up to you to figure out what suits you the best. Here is an extensively researched article by us on the same: 50 Speech Closing Lines (& How You Can Create Your Own) The Ultimate Guide. 2. Points and Lists Working on structuring your speech can be taxing and fun at the same time. Some people are a natural, some learn with experience and some find a little bit of research to go a long way. The Intro | Body | Conclusion method is the most popular one and a favourite among professionals. But after a few years of experience people tend to get used to writing speeches and stop segregating their speech. But then how do they write it and divide it so perfectly? Here is how: When using this method, you need to have your research and content ready and in place. Along with that study the demographic as well. The next step is to follow a systematic order. How do you find out the order? This section may sound tricky but is fairly easy. Introduction to the Main Theme. Introduction to your area of expertise (do not focus on you but what you work on). Current Trends and other sections of the topic that you think would help your audience. What is the future of the given topic? Go back to the main theme. While this is a rough outline of what you can work on, lets make it less vague by working on points for the example given before about climate change. Here is how the points might look: 1. Climate Change 2. Latest affect (major) of it on humans – Ozone Layer, Rashes, Asthma, Etc,. 3. What can we do about it? 4. Renewable Energy 5. Windmill – Benefits and usage 6. Solar Energy – Benefits, projects, innovation. 7. What can an individual do? 8. Plastic free lifestyle – what it is and how does it help? 9. Working on things and speaker’s point of view. Now that you have know the points you need to cover and speak about it becomes fairly easier to build your speech. The added benefit of this method is that you don’t really need to work on transitions because as and when you move from point to point you begin to find a way to connect the previous one to the next one. Please remember that just because there are 5 points listed here as the possible avenues you can take, it does not mean you limit yourself at 5 or force yourself to reach 5. Each topic, each speech, each speaker is different and you are the best judge for your speech’s preparation. Who knows when inspiration may come knocking. It is best to keep an open mind and door. 🙂 Unprepared Speech Have you been ever called up in class randomly to speak about a topic? Or at a new job to “introduce yourself”? Well what you just did there was give an unprepared speech. To make it more clear, it is known by multiple names: impromptu, improv, extempore, JAM (just a minute) and even as simple as on the spot speech. An unprepared speech is usually for a short duration (1-2 minutes) and is on an easy topic that doesn’t require much preparation or research. Topics could be personal like an introduction or they may be related to current and popular trends. Check out this article to get various impromptu speech ideas! How to Structure an Unprepared Speech You can follow a simple flow: For a better understanding, I have written this short speech to help you build your skills on impromptu speeches. The topic I have taken is: “What defines you?” What is a definition but something that limits you? It is strict, rigid and set in stone. If I define myself to be a person of life and joy, does that mean I don’t ever have low days? If I define myself to be hardworking, organised, focused, am I suddenly not allowed to relax, unwind, make mistakes and be human? I am life, I am colour, I am the gloomy rain and I am the storm that comes with it, I am many things but what I am not is a definition. PS. I had time to write this out and fit it perfectly to the 4 points given, remember that even with experience, many people don’t usually get this sound a structure. It takes a lot of practice and consistency to become an efficient speaker and no one expects the other to be one. It is okay to fumble and mess up, as long as you keep working towards your goal! Organising your thoughts In the moment there will be multiple things that will rush through your mind. Here is where your decisiveness comes into play. Pick something that you know your can build on and work from there. You may also be given some time to think about what you have to speak, use that to build on your topic and decide a direction. Once you have a train of thought all you need next is to work on your speaking skills which after all develops with practice and practice alone. Final Thoughts Structuring you speech the way the professionals do it is a great way to build and challenge yourself. A structure maybe be one element of a speech but if even one point is out of place it sticks out like a sore thumb. At the end, all you need to do is practice because I can’t claim anything about other things but in Public Speaking, practice is what makes perfect. Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you How to Brag Like a Pro as a Speaker Less is More! Tips to Avoid Overwhelming Your Audience  What does it mean to Resonate with the Audience- Agreement, Acceptance, Approval [email protected] +91 98203 57888 Get our latest tips and tricks in your inbox always Copyright © 2023 Frantically Speaking All rights reserved Essay Guides Speech Topics Impromptu Speech Topics: 230 Ideas for Random Speeches Basics of Essay Writing Essay Topics Other Essays Main Academic Essays Research Paper Topics Basics of Research Paper Writing Miscellaneous Chicago/ Turabian Data & Statistics Methodology Admission Writing Tips Admission Advice Other Guides Student Life Studying Tips Understanding Plagiarism Academic Writing Tips Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing Research Paper Guides Formatting Guides Basics of Research Process Admission Guides Dissertation & Thesis Guides Table of contents Use our free Readability checker Imagine having been invited to attend a charity dinner. Then one of the organizers indiscriminately selects you to give a speech on a particular impromptu topic. Daunting, right? But you do not have to be scared of such a scenario because, as it turns out, the key secret to tackling any speech is always preparation. Addressing an audience is terrifying, even to the most experienced orators. However, you can enhance your confidence and give any speech without fear if you practice. Since impromptu speeches are considered the most difficult to deliver, you will be in a good place if you can master their dynamics. Achieving this requires an understanding of a variety of impromptu speech topics. This article from our speech writing service seeks to explain the meaning of spontaneous speech topics and provides a list of several speech concepts for you to practice. What Are Impromptu Speech Topics? An impromptu speech is delivered without prior preparation or organization. Before presenting the speech, you should come up with a topic that is suitable for both the occasion and the event. Mostly, you are given 1 to 3 minutes to prepare and deliver the speech lasting 5-10 minutes. It is commonly used in debates, weddings, public speaking classes, etc. Impromptu speech topics refer to the random topics people discuss in their speeches. In other words, it is anything that you choose to talk about. These topics can focus on any theme depending on the creativity and knowledge level of the speaker. A random speech may cover your aspirations, past experiences, trends, imaginations, etc. What Makes a Good Impromptu Topic? A good impromptu topic can make it easy for you to deliver your speech. To choose good impromptu topics , you will have to look at the following tips: Simple: must be simple and uncomplicated to be understood by the audience. Limited: ought to be limited so you can cover it within a few minutes. Interesting: should be engaging to grab the audience’s attention. Situational: supposed to be suitable to the situation or event in which it is delivered. How to Choose an Impromptu Speech Topic? Mostly, impromptu speeches are short and simple, and you are given only a few minutes to prepare them. Consequently, it would help if you came up with a fitting topic for your listeners. Sometimes choosing topics for impromptu speech may be harder than its delivery. The following steps will guide you on how to select a random topic for speech: Identify the nature and purpose of the event. Your topic should be relevant to the occasion. Know your audience. You should recognize the common features of your audience before selecting a topic that is relevant to them. Think of your personal knowledge, and experiences. Always look for a topic that interests you or one that you are most knowledgeable about. Ensure that the topic is relevant i.e., it coincides with current issues. Brainstorm and make a short list of fitting topics. Decide on which topic you are going to talk about and commit to it. If you have a hard time preparing a speech, consider using a professional writing service. Buy a speech from StudyCrumb and get a text that will impress your audience.  Best Topics for Impromptu Speech Do you intend to enhance your communication and speech delivery significantly? Then you are in the right place because we have listed the best impromptu speech topics to nourish your competence. Go through this list and find one that suits you: The world has become a global village. Imperative lessons that I have learned in life. Online communication is killing real-life connections. Your favorite stand-up comedian. If I ruled the world. Does color affect a person's mood? Is beauty dependent on the beholder? Children become their environment. My favorite childhood memory. Do we overrate being young? How do we define a hero? Do sports teams build strong characters? People are killing the earth. Man is to error. Plants do feel too. To get more ideas, you can browse other our blogs with topics in different fields. Start with education action research topics . Choose something that is familiar to you.  Good Impromptu Speech Topics Are you searching for good topics for impromptu speeches? Look no further because you can select any random speech topic from the following list: Importance of goal setting. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet? Why do we love junk food so much? A way to improve your mental health . Can education cure ignorance? Laughter is the best remedy. Adverse effects of the internet. Tips to save money. Superhero culture in our society. Does music replenish your soul? The day I fell in love with baseball. What do you do when you wake up in the morning? Who is your hero? Who is your favorite person? If you had the ability to fly like a bird, what would you do? Intriguing Impromptu Topics Ideas Are you looking for intriguing impromptu ideas for topics? Then you are in the right place. The following impromptu topics list will both intrigue and interest your audience: Can inadequate nutrition affect a person's beauty? Music affects a person's mental health. We are unknowingly using traditional herbs. Is global warming a myth? A nerve-wracking novel I read. Social media has promoted racism. Have you ever witnessed a bank robbery? How the media controls the way we think. Why you should stop constantly checking social media. How did the Christmas celebrations start? Why women should be allowed to be priests. Sometimes being wrong is good. Ignorance and violence walk hand in hand. Copying from others is not always a bad thing. Did you know that every day is a miracle? Debatable Random Speech Topics If you are looking for random topics for speech, pay attention to speech and debate impromptu topics. These are used to create random speeches that derive contrary opinions. Check out the following list: Children should not be allowed to watch television. Would you rather be intelligent or wise? Does money change people? Halloween is a useless holiday. Do we have to lie sometimes? Should all drugs be legalized? Uniforms affect individuality. Every man needs a wife. All schools should block access to social media sites. Young people need help to detach from their phones. People should embrace a vegan lifestyle. Obesity should be classified as a disease. Humans can never win against global warming. Atheists are more generous than religious people. Is technology saving or destroying the world? Fun Impromptu Speech Topics Do you wish to make people laugh with impromptu prompts? Then you are lucky because the list below contains ideas for funny impromptu speech topics: What was your childhood nickname? What is your favorite cartoon character? Why? How did you discover Santa was not real? Funny pranks you have ever encountered. The day I was caught eavesdropping. Memorable college experiences. Embarrassing prom moment. The day you came late to work. Name three silly things that scare you the most. What made you laugh at yourself? If you could become a billionaire overnight, what would you do? What is your strangest hobby? What is your memorable childhood pet? My favorite comedy series . If you turned into a cat, what would you do? Easy Impromptu Speech Topics When considering the topic for your speech, it is better to look for an easy impromptu speech topic. This is because complex impromptu speeches topics may be hard to deliver. Below is a list of topics that are easy to give. Negative impacts of the internet on education. Is social media suitable for our children? Renting houses is better than buying houses. How junk food affects your health. The minimum wage should be increased. My most memorable event. My all-time favorite movie. The most memorable villain. Legalizing marijuana use. Advantages of junk food. Why is social media censorship necessary? How to avoid lateness? Eliminate procrastination from your life. Your favorite musical instrument. Friends are the best source of happiness. Creative Impromptu Speaking Topics Creativity is an area that is highly utilized in designing improv speech topics. If what you are looking for is creative speaking prompts, the list below will satisfy your curiosity: How can I simultaneously work and study? Can animals relieve stress? Best ice-breakers in a public place. Best ways to win in chess. Buying or building a house? Which one is better? Dealing with gambling addiction. Types of phobias that people have. Sustaining a happy marriage for a long time. Is our food killing us? Why should you always be thankful? Memorable marriage proposals. Best practices that improve your mental health. How can I become an influencer on social media? How can I become an expert coder? Methods of assisting a choking person. Interesting Impromptu Questions There are several impromptu speech questions that you need to ask to trigger the interest of your audience. If this is what you are searching for, then the following list has a variety of impromptu speech prompts to get you going: Exciting games to play during Halloween. How can you beat a professional chess master easily? Three ways to become a genius. Funny New Year’s resolutions. Why did I run from medical school? Methods of starting a business. Is reading fiction a waste of time? The day that I saw a ghost. Why TV shows are becoming tiresome. How can I avoid detention? Losing weight in 2 weeks. The biggest lie that teachers don’t tell you. The day I bit my dentist. How artificial intelligence has taken over. Growing things in a garden is vital. Unique Topics for Impromptu Speech For those searching for uniqueness in their addresses, the list below presents unique impromptu speech topics that will blow your audience's minds: Best bank robberies in history. How can you escape from your mind prison? Which one is better? Being influential or rich? Building a time machine. Did dinosaurs exist? Can Usain Bolt’s Olympic record ever be broken? How to learn simple magic tricks. Can we survive in pre-technology times? How do cats manage to land on their feet every time they fall? Why do dogs always chase cats? What is the real cause of cancer? Do manners define a man? What motivates serial killers? How do our brains continue working when we are sleeping? Does education stifle creativity? Persuasive Impromptu Speech Topics One of the aims of a speech is to persuade the audience. To achieve this, you will be required to deliver speech prompts to sway your listeners. The following is a list of persuasive impromptu topic ideas: The best form of learning is outside the classroom. Technology has improved cancer treatment. Children should reduce their time on the internet. Global warming is a catastrophe waiting. Fake news is becoming a menace. Harmful effects of GMO food. Why children should be taught cultural diversity. Humans are killing the planet with pollution. Vaccines are essential in fighting against COVID-19. All schools should embrace virtual learning. Fighting corruption should be vital for any country. Dangers of cancel culture. People should follow a strict sleeping pattern. Importance of exercising daily. Peaceful demonstrations against racism are necessary. List of Impromptu Speech Topics for Students Any time you are in public, you can be required to deliver an impromptu speech. This is why the topic should be introduced to students from a young age. If you are a student, you should make an effort to practice impromptu speeches. This will polish your communication skills and elevate your confidence level. To improve your delivering skills, make sure to look at the following random impromptu speech topics to help you generate concepts for your speech. Impromptu Speech Topics for Middle School Learning to deliver spontaneous addresses should go as far as middle school. There are several impromptu topics for middle school children. The following list presents tips for quick speech topics: My favorite Spanish teacher. My favorite cousin. Presents I would like to be given for Christmas Why I love solving puzzles. My worst nightmare. The most enticing comic book that I have ever read. How to make friends. Things that I can do during the summer. How to make creative paper designs. My favorite era in history. A visit to the dentist. Why is it wrong for kids to lie to their teachers and parents? What will I become when I grow up? Sports personality I would like to meet. Why my father is my hero. The day I went camping. What would I do if I could go back in time? My favorite movie. Should school uniforms be removed? My swimming lessons. Impromptu Speech Topics for High School Impromptu speech delivery is an essential part for high school students. The following are ideas of topics for an impromptu speech for high school students: Best social media sites. Dealing with bullies. Best party I have ever attended. Why you should take extra online classes. Intelligence relies upon creativity. Key lessons I have learned in school. How can we set goals and pursue them to the end? New skill courses that a high school student can learn in three months. How can I become famous on social media? What leadership position would I occupy when I am employed? Adverse effects of peer pressure. How can I find love? Recent trending fashion. Improving my intelligence level. How to choose my college. Extending recess time. My best lesson in school. What motivates bullies in school? Maintaining friendship. Avoiding being grounded. Impromptu Speech Topics for College If you are looking for ideas of impromptu speech topics for college students or demonstrative speech topics , then you are in the right place. The list below are examples of college impromptu speech topics: Using social media as a marketing tool. Becoming financially independent. My future career paths. How to start, structure, and sustain my own business. Finding a career in the entertainment industry. Social impacts of COVID-19. Working hard vs. working smart. Why is depression rampant among college students? Private schools are better than public schools. Taking part in peaceful protests. Is coding a necessary skill for students? College parties are overrated. Practicing healthy eating is beneficial. Paying student loans. How can I get scholarship opportunities? Racism is still rampant in college. Creating a culturally diverse society. How can I become a vegetarian? Are school competitions beneficial to students? Coffee dates are overrated. Bonus Impromptu Speech Ideas You can never exhaust the list of ideas for impromptu speech topics. But if by now you are still looking for more inspiration, here is a extra list of impromptu speech ideas that will fire up your creativity: Can anyone be a successful politician? Raising a child leader. Why should etiquette be taught in school from a young age? How do we permanently help homeless people in America? How can Ukraine be successful against Russia in the war? Are cars destroying the ozone layer? Is depression preventable? How do allergies work? Healthy habits that you do before an exam. How to survive in the jungle. First aid for someone unconscious. How can I help someone who is drowning? How can I improve my popularity? Requirements for becoming a baseball player. How can I avoid being mugged? Learning more than one language. Vegetarians' lifestyle is overrated. Prevent cheating in exams. Best place to travel in Italy. Does education have an end? Final Thoughts on Speech Prompts By now you are familiar with the definition of impromptu topics and also know how to select an impromptu topic for your speech. Therefore, you have moved a step closer to improving your delivery skills. The above examples are just a scope of impromptu speech topics you can use to develop your own. After going through this list, you can select an impromptu topic that captures your interest and start practicing your speech delivery method. Only by practicing can you become an expert in prompt delivery.  Contact StudyCrumb to get professional help with writing a speech for any occasion. From impromptu speeches to academic writing, our writers can compose outstanding texts on any topic. Send us ‘ write my assignment for me ’ request and enjoy an excellent outcome. Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers. You may also like Mindset Network Unprepared Speeches English First Additional Language LS - Formal Prepared Speeches Planning speeches LS - Listening for Information LSC - Statements and Sentence Structure WP - Writing Informative Paragraphs LS - Listening for Opinion LSC - Expressing Emotions RV - Literary Texts 1 and 2 WP - Writing Imaginative Paragraphs LS - Giving Opinions WP - Writing Letters and Dialogues LS - Reading Comprehension LSC - Direct and Indirect Speech RV - Literary Texts 3 and 4 WP - Writing Narrative Essays LS - Listening to Song Words and Story Telling LSC - Revision of Verbs RV - Reading Graphs, Newspapers and Magazines WP - Writing Reviews Term 01 General Focus on Process Writing LS - Explaining Visual Texts LSC - Conjunctions WP - Writing Explanations LS - Formal Researched Speech LSC - Concord in Context RV - Literary Texts 5 and 6 RV - Humorous Texts WP - Personal Recounts LSC - Figurative Language and Rhetorical Devices RV - Reading for Critical Awareness WP - Creating Adverts and Recommending Books Term 02 General Focus on Process Writing LSC - Logical Connectors and Conjunctions RV - Simple Arguments WP - Writing Arguments and Business Letters LS - Introducing Formal Debates LSC - Paragraph Structures RV - Literary Texts 8 and 9 RV - Literary Texts 10 and 11 WP - Writing and Justifying Opinions LSC - Meta Language RV - Literary Text 12 Term 03 General Focus on Process Writing RV - Critical Language Awareness WP - Writing a Letter to the Press LS - Note Taking RV - Literary Texts 13 and 14 WP - Writing Notes into Full Sentences LS - Listening for Appreciation LSC - Polite Forms and Stock Phrases of Thanks WP - Writing Letters of Appreciation LS - Informal Discussions LSC - Dictionary Work Term 04 General Focus on Process Writing RV - Literary Text 1 LS - Unprepared Public Reading RV - Literary Text 2 LS - Listening for Summaries LSC - Nouns RV - Summarising Informative Texts WP - Writing Point Form Summaries LS - Prepared Public Reading WP - Writing Narrative Texts LS - Listening to Different Texts WP - Writing and Interview or Dialogue Term 01 General focus on Process Writing LSC - Preopositions RV - Directions from a Literary Text WP - Writing Factual Descriptions LSC - Paragraphs Structures RV - Reading Informative Texts WP - Writing Agendas and Taking Notes LS - Debating and Listening for Position WP - Creating an Advert LS - Panel Discussions and Interviews RV - Reading for Summary WP - Writing Arguments LS - Discussing Issues Related to a Literary Text LSC - Verb Tenses RV - Literary Texts 7 and 8 WP - Writing Descriptive, Narrative and Reflective Texts LS - Formal Prepared Speech LSC - Formats related to Writing RV - Mass Media Shorter Texts WP - Writing a Notice or Announcement LSC - Images, Symbols and Literacl and Figurative Meanings LS - Listening for Pleasure RV- Literary Text 9 WP - Writing Shorter Texts in Response LSC - Passive and Active Voice LS - Critical Listening of Recorded Text RV - Reading for Critocal Language Awareness LSC - Verbs and Chronological Order LS - Listening for Sequence WP - Rewriting to Remove Prejudice LSC - Polite forms and Stock Phrases of Thanks RV - Literary Text 14 Exam Preparation LSC - Formal Structures LS - Discussing Texts with Purpose and Structure RV - Skimming and Scanning WP - Summary Notes, Letters to the Press and Press Notices LSC - Passive Voice and Indirect Speech LS - Listening for Research RV - Literary Texts 2 and 3 RV - Intensive Reading LSC - Verb Tenses and Concord LS - Listening for Comprehension LSC - Paragraph Structure in Discursive Writing LS - Themes and Messages in Visual Texts WP - Changing Visual Text into other forms RV - Reading Multimodal Texts WP - Writing Emails and Webpages LSC - Meta-Language in Multimodal Texts LS - Listening to a Job Interview LSC - Passive Voice RV - Reading and Advert WP - Writing Covering Letters and CVs WP - Writing Summaries LSC - Emotive Writing LS - Formal Speech on Visual Media RV - Viewing and Reviewing Films WP - Writing Pursuasive Letters RV - Literary Text 10 LSC - Logical Connectors and Conjunctions and Generalisations LS - Listening to Media for Bias LSC - Pronouns RV - Reading for Critical Language Awareness WP - Writing Formal Letters of Apology LSC - Formal Style Elements LS - Setwork Discussion WP - Writing an Essay LSC - Style Elements Related to Written Work LS - Discussions for Exam Preparation Disabled Feature This functionality is only active if you sign-in with your Google account. Related Resources Connect with social media Sign in with your email address. Create new account Request new password 121 IMAGES Unprepared Speech: 15 Marks • Teacha! THE IMPROMPTU: Unprepared Speech THE IMPROMPTU: Unprepared Speech English HL Gr. 6 Assessment Unprepared Speech • Teacha! English HL Gr. 6 Assessment Unprepared Speech • Teacha! 🐈 Unprepared speech topics for grade 10. Unprepared Speech Topics For COMMENTS How to Give a Great Impromptu Speech: 12 Steps (with Pictures) Take a few slow, deep breaths to collect yourself. [1] Let your mind settle so you can concentrate on the task at hand. Shut out all unnecessary distractions that might steal your attention and stifle anxious thoughts that might cause you to doubt yourself. Assume that everyone around you wants to see you succeed. How to Give an Impromptu Speech, with Examples Tips on giving an impromptu speech. If you are about to make an impromptu speech and have a few minutes to prepare, follow these two tips: 1. Make some quick notes. The first thing you should do when asked to speak is to grab a pen and a piece of paper (or napkin - whatever you can find to write on). Jot down a few initial ideas, or even just ... How to Master the Art of the Impromptu Speech: 13 Practical Tips When you're giving an impromptu speech, it can be tempting to try to fill up all the allotted time. After all, you don't want to seem unprepared or like you don't have enough to say. But here's a counterintuitive tip: it's okay to finish early. In fact, finishing early can be a sign of confidence and clarity. 45 Impromptu Speech Topics and Ideas For an impromptu speech, you'll generally have 1-3 minutes of preparation for a speech lasting 5-8 minutes. Tougher speech events can reduce this preparation time down to 30 seconds and require you to plan your speech mentally, without any paper to write notes on. Impromptu speeches are often given as part of university and college debates. Impromptu Speech: Meaning, Tips And Skills Impromptu speech, in particular, gives you the liberty to explore ideas, opinions and perspectives while sharing them with an audience. ... If you're speaking in front of an audience unprepared, the first thing you should do is collect and organize your thoughts. When you start making points in your head, you gain clarity and direction ... How to Give an Impromptu Speech (Public Speaking) Grab a pen and a piece of paper. If you have a few moments before your speech is expected to begin, grab a writing utensil and something to write on, whether it's a napkin, envelope, or the back of a receipt you have on hand, and jot down a few thoughts. Highlight a few interesting or significant points. Keep in mind, your impromptu speech ... 15 Best Impromptu Speech Tips (With Examples) Thinking about something positive is a confidence boost you might need to get through the speech. 2. Focus on Your Audience. When you're starting your impromptu speech, keep in mind that you're not going against the audience, yet the audience will be on your side. Therefore, you should work with the audience and focus your speech around ... Impromptu speech outline: 7 structural patterns with examples PREP impromptu speech outline: workplace Topic: Cameras off during a virtual team meeting Point: Human Resources are reporting numerous requests from employees to be allowed to leave their cameras off during routine virtual (zoom) meetings. Reason: The reason most frequently given is fatigue due to strain Examples: It is hard to: maintain focus while looking at a grid of faces for the length ... Impromptu speaking Impromptu speaking 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, one-word abstract, or one of the many alternative possibilities. [1] While specific rules and norms vary with the organization and level of competition, the ... Impromptu Speaking Skills 3. Slow Down. Last-minute speaking opportunities can make you feel stressed, unprepared and anxious. Learn to think on your feet, so that you remain calm, cool, and collected. If you only have a few minutes to prepare before you speak to an audience, take several deep breaths to slow down and relax. How to Deliver an Impromptu Speech: A Comprehensive Guide 1. Practice at Home With Your Family. The best way to deliver an impromptu speech is to practice more. Ask your family members to give you a topic on-spot every day. It can be a short 5 min session where you practice one topic or one-hour session where each family member takes turns and speaks on any given topic. Examples of How to Give an Impromptu Speech Talk about experiences from your life. Keep the speech short and don't take up too much time. Start with a story. Make eye contact with portions of the audience, not individual people. Do this by dividing the audience into halves or quarters. Don't tell the audience you were asked to give an impromptu speech. Impromptu public speaking topics: 200 good speech ideas There are 200 impromptu public speaking topics here split into four random (un-themed) lists of fifty: 50 impromptu topics. Yet another 50 random speech topics. Then 50 more good impromptu speech topics. And finally, 50 funny impromptu speech topics. Plus links to more impromptu speech topics and activities. How to Ace the Impromptu Speech Craft a coherent message, and then be quiet. Rambling on will only weaken your overall speech. If you must fill more time, shift into a Q&A. Go easy on yourself. We all want to speak perfectly every time, but demanding perfection from yourself in an impromptu speech is setting the bar too high. How to Give An Impromptu Speech When You Have Zero Prep Time First, that's almost never true. Most speakers and preachers go over time, every time. Cue the buzzer for that habit. Second, the audience is almost always grateful when a speaker finishes on time and extra grateful when the speaker wraps up early. If you run out of things to stay (and you might), stop. 50 Topics for Impromptu Student Speeches Use this list of impromptu speech topics to practice making a quick speech outline in your head. For each of the topics below, just think of three main points you'd like to make. For example, if your speech topic is "Your least favorite chores," you could quickly come up with three statements: I don't know anybody who likes to fold laundry, so ... 10 top tips for delivering an impromptu speech Here are 10 top tips for performing - and presenting - under unexpected pressure. Be confident - look up, breathe deeply, say to yourself something positive - 'I'm going to be fine'. Focus on the audience - Every presentation, including impromptu ones, need to be audience centric. The audience will be on your side - focus on ... 7 Impromptu Tips and Tricks to deliver a Great Speech Impromptu speaking is giving an unprepared talk. In any situation when a person simply takes the floor, selects a subject, and begins, the twist to the tale is that the ideas voiced are unrehearsed and unprepared. ... The typical characteristic of this form of speech is the unprepared delivery and the suddenness with which a person is ... 3 Ways to Give a Speech Without Preparation 4. Speak clearly and calmly. [3] Even practiced speakers can get nervous when asked to give a talk on the spot. Control your nerves by taking a deep breath before you begin, and taking brief pauses every so often while you are talking. Focus on pronouncing your words clearly, and not speaking too quickly. [4] 5. PREPARING FOR AN IMPROMPTU SPEECH (unprepared speeches) The best way to be ready for impromptu speeches or any public speech for that matter- is to invest in a good public speaking book or audio. They are a very good investment since most of us will be called out to speak unprepared at some stage in our lives. 3. Have a few opening lines, quotes or humor, up your sleeves, just in case. 3 Ways to Structure a Speech the Professional Way Well what you just did there was give an unprepared speech. To make it more clear, it is known by multiple names: impromptu, improv, extempore, JAM (just a minute) and even as simple as on the spot speech. An unprepared speech is usually for a short duration (1-2 minutes) and is on an easy topic that doesn't require much preparation or research. 230 Impromptu Speech Topics & Ideas in 2023 Impromptu speech delivery is an essential part for high school students. The following are ideas of topics for an impromptu speech for high school students: Best social media sites. Dealing with bullies. Best party I have ever attended. Why you should take extra online classes. Intelligence relies upon creativity. Key lessons I have learned in ... Unprepared Speeches In this lesson we learn about unprepared, or impromptu, speeches and you'll see that they can actually be fun. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to plan an unprepared, or impromptu, speech and approach it with confidence. Learner Video. English First Additional Language / Grade 10 / LS - Formal Prepared Speeches. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis