Video transcript
Hints and guidelines for public speaking competitions - Impromptu speeches

In this video, we will discuss what the adjudicators will be looking for in terms of impromptu speeches. Impromptu topics will be general and allow speeches on a wide variety of issues. Some examples of topics given in the past are hard work, changes, bigger and better, friends, honesty, a big problem, older and wiser, and heroes and villains.

Parts of newspaper headlines often make great impromptu topics for practice. The best impromptu speeches are very different from the prepared speeches that the audience has already seen. Speakers will be disadvantaged if they use material from their own or anyone else's prepared speech.

The rules of what makes a good impromptu speech are exactly the same as for the prepared section. This means a beginning, middle, and end are still a must. A clear, singular approach to the topic is vital. Long lists of unrelated ideas make poor impromptu speeches. Speakers should not just rattle off everything that comes into their head when they hear the topic.

It's even better if that clear, singular approach is original and different to the rest of the field. Students who descend into rambling, just to make time, won't be rewarded for it, but speakers who are well under time will also be disadvantaged. Remember that equal weight is given to the prepared and impromptu speeches, so speakers should practice both.