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The only strategy one will ever need for either Impromptu or Extempore:
1) Keep the organization simple - 5 paragraph essay; formula
2) Use imagery wherever possible
3) Use humor wherever appropriate
IMPROMPTU: SPEAKING OFF THE CUFF
Impromptu speaking is generally defined as limited preparation, time restricted speaking. You are given a short general interest topic and expected to present a logical, complete speech
within a short period of time. The preparation time for the speech is usually 0-3 minutes and the speaking time 4-6 minutes.
A. Topics
Topics that are generally used in impromptu include:
- General quotations
- Proverbs (a penny saved is a penny earned)
- One worder (such as respect, elderly, reputation, etc)
- Proper Names (Madonna, Lady Diana, etc.)
- Song lyric (I can't get no satisfaction.)
- Rhetorical situations
The topic types listed above are in order of their popularity of usage with tournament directors. Sometimes you will know prior to the tournament as to what type
is being used. Also, topic types may be mixed within the tournament.
All speakers in the round in that room will speak on the same topic. That is why the only contestants allowed in the
room are the present speaker and anyone else who has already spoken. Other speakers wait in the hall until it is their turn to speak. This is done to guarantee that you have had no extra preparation or advantage over other speakers in the contest.
You will have a different topic for each contest round.
B. Doing the Event
Preparation
1. Do practice speeches with a coach. Work on organization and support.
2. Do practice speeches on your own. Get a book of
quotes and practice how you would attack specific quotes or words if you had to give a speech about them. Just jot down your ideas and think through the speech.
3. Think of various stories, examples from classes, novels, TV shows, and other sources of ideas that would provide you specific cases of the idea that yo are trying to advance.
4. Read the newspaper daily. Find weekly news
magazines to file through. Watch the news. Pay attention to class assignments you get - especially when they involve reading. Be more aware of what is going on around you.
Before a Tournament
1. Intensify those practice sessions.
2. Prepare some notecards in advance. On it should be reminders of what goes in a good speech:
A. Introduction
including: 1) attention getter that is relevant to the topic, 2) statement of topic drawn, 3) statement of position you are taking, and 4) preview of coverage.
B. Body: Chose your 2-4 points of coverage
C. Conclusion : 1) Reminder of position and topic (how they relate), 2) review of coverage and 3) closing (similar to attention getter).
The notecard should not contain ideas of what to say but only reminders of how it should be said. Leave plenty of room to write your ideas.
During the Tournament
1. Clear your mind before going into the room.‚ Start thinking about proper structure and fresh ideas.
2. Draw your topic.
3. Think about what the quote or word means to you. What does it say and what, in general, do you want to say about it.
4. Jot down your thesis. It should come from your stand and be clearly related to the topic drawn. You do not have to give your speech directly on the topic. It
only has to relate and be clearly drawn from the topic. Be sure the judge will realize how it relates. You may also agree or disagree with the topic.
5. Determine 2-4 reasons why you believe in your
stand, This is a "reasons why" approach. Jot down the reasons - they will become your points of coverage. They are your structure.
6. Very quickly think of an example or two under each reason. Don't get bogged down with this since you may think of examples as you are up speaking.
7. Think of an appropriate opening. Use an example
of the point you are going to make. Think of an appropriate, yet short way of bringing it out. Again, jot it down and don't bog yourself down. Move quickly.
8. Get up to speak.
Hopefully this process should not have taken more
than 2-3 minutes. Over three minutes, and you've given yourself hardly any time to talk. The best people in impromptu can actually accomplish this process in 15 seconds or less.
9. As you speak, remember the rules of good public speaking:
- Take your time
- Follow your structure
- Explain yourself
- Be conversational
- Allocate your coverage and time
10. Be confident. Be assured. It really isn't a
hard event once you get the process in your head. Once it is automatic, you will be able to give coherent, logical presentations at the drop of a hat.
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