Impromptu speaking is a speech and debate consolation event that involves an eight minute speech, with up to three of these eight minutes available for use as preparation time (known as prep time, or simply prep).
At the college level, the speaker is granted seven minutes to divide as he or she sees fit, as stipulated by the National Forensics Association and the American Forensics Association.
Another variation exists in which the speaker must speak for five minutes and half of a minute is given for preparation time. The speaker receives a slip of paper, which provides three choices for their speech. The topics can be abstract or concrete nouns, people, political events, quotations or proverbs.
Another variation still, is where the speaker is given an envelope with slips in it, each with a quotation. They draw three slips of paper, choose one, and then put two back. The y then have five minutes to prepare a five minute speech on the subject. This is the variation in use by the AFA NIET.[1]
While the format is simple, it takes time to construct a speech in that time and talk on your feet. Mastery of this event is difficult, but many enjoy it, because one does not have to prepare for the event beforehand. Similar in theory to extemporaneous speaking, however unlike that category, impromptu speeches need not be factual and are indeed encouraged to be humorous. In some impromptu rounds, there is a "triad" prompt, in which the participant is given three key words to talk about and connect during the speech.
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OHSSL Impromptu differs from the rules provided above in the fact that you are provided with seven minutes of time to divide at your discretion between prepping and speaking. Additionally, all topics are quotations—occasionally themed but generally random. Ohio Impromptu is also more factual and less humour based, resembling extemp. Analysis of quotations typically follows a general structure of:
There are other structures that can be used. Double analysis is normally used by experienced impromptu speakers. Experienced speakers usually divide the prep and speaking time at a 1:6 ratio.
In 2008, the National Forensics Association officially introduced a new form of impromptu for competition. In this event students are given a short editorial (ideally 3 to 5 paragraphs) to which they will develop a response. Students will be allowed nine minutes to divide between preparation and speech time. Speakers must speak for at least five minutes. Limited notes, prepared in the round, are permitted. [2] Editorial Impromptu represents an attempt to return “impromptu” to impromptu speaking. The speech should involve the development of an argument in response to the thesis developed or opinion shared in a given editorial.
Typically in high school speech and debate competitions, a competitor is given 30 seconds to select a topic from a set of topics (usually three.) During those 30 seconds, the competitor must also compose a speech of five minutes with a 30 second grace period. There is a general outline for impromptu speeches, it is as follows:
The introduction begins with a catchy beginning, the statement of the topic and an outline of the speech. The conclusion is usually the like the introduction except backwards, ending with a profound statement. For the three body points, there are many kinds of formats that can be used. For example, if the topic is a quote, a competitor may go over how the quote is true, how the quote is false, and why they believe what they believe. Other examples are: past, present, future; local, national, international. More advanced speakers will use formats that look deeper into a subject such as: physical, moral, intellectual; books, video, digital (media.)
However, many speakers choose not to follow a format at all. That being said, most beginners who fail to follow a solid format often find themselves lost in a jumble of ideas.