Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes

Incredible impromptus

Tips for creating incredible impromptu speeches

Student public speaking resource developed by The Arts Unit

Years 3 to 6 public speaking

What will I learn?

You will:

  • define public speaking and explore impromptu examples

  • create a KWL chart

  • reflect on the elements of impromptu speeches

  • organise your ideas

  • practise your own impromptu speech.

Before you begin

You will need:

  • an ideas notebook and a pen or pencil

  • palm cards or pieces of paper.

Review

Public speaking is when you speak in front of an audience. Some examples of when you might need to do public speaking include; talking in front of the class, in a debate, presenting a project or participating in a public speaking competition at school.

It's more formal than everyday conversations. For example, the speaker usually talks to an audience (without being interrupted) in a structured way.

Some people love to talk and some people can't think of anything worse than public speaking! Even though it can sometimes be scary, public speaking is a great opportunity because it gives you a chance to communicate your ideas, knowledge or opinions to a large group of people.

When we discuss a speech (and when adjudicators judge a speech) we look at something called the 3 Ms:

  • Matter is what you say

  • Manner is how you say it

  • Method is the structure of a speech.

Impromptu speeches

Every year, hundreds of students take part in public speaking competitions in NSW schools. Some students go on to compete in local district, regional, state and national finals. At public speaking events, students make 2 speeches:

  • a prepared speech (which they have rehearsed)

  • an impromptu speech (a speech made up on the day, based around a surprise topic).

Impromptu speeches

You will get about 5 minutes to prepare for this speech.

Timing: approximately 1-2 minutes

Topics: You will be given a broad topic (for example: 'choices') to base your speech on.

What adjudicators are looking for: they know that these speeches won't be as well prepared, just try to do your best and focus on developing an idea related to the topic!

Getting started

Task

Create a KWL chart

A KWL chart helps you express what you already Know, what you Wonder about (or Want to know) and what you have Learnt about something.

Hint: Use the KWL chart example (DOCX 19 KB) or write on a large pieces of paper (you might even like to have one piece of paper for each letter).

KWL chart example (DOCX 19 KB)

KWL chart.docx

  • Think about what you already know about impromptu speeches and add it to the 'K' section of the KWL chart.

  • Next, think of things you'd like to know or learn about in regards to impromptu public speaking. Add this to the 'W' section.

  • At the end of each lesson on impromptu speaking, add to the 'L' section as a way to reflect.

  • Make sure you hang up the chart in your classroom so it can be referred to (for visible learning).

You might like to collaborate with other class members and create a class KWL chart!

Watch the video Impromptu speeches to learn hints and guidelines for public speaking competitions.

Impromptu speeches

Duration: 01:49

Answer the following questions:

    • In a competition, how much of the final result is determined by the impromptu speech?

    • Make a list of the things that should NOT be included in an impromptu speech.

    • Make a list of the suggested topics that were mentioned.

Write down anything else you learned from this video.

Watch Ava present an impromptu speech at the 2019 Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition.

Discuss:

    • What did Ava do well?

    • Why was her speech so effective?

    • How do you think she became such a confident speaker?

Reflecting on strengths and goals

Record yourself speak

Record yourself (or ask a friend/family member to record you) doing an impromptu speech on a topic for 1 minute. The topic can be anything you know a lot about (for example: your favourite book/author, your favourite sport).

Reflect

Watch the recording back and answer the following reflection questions:

  • What did I do well?

  • How long did I speak for before running out of things to say? Is this too short, too long or just right?

  • Was I listing things to do with the topic or was I going into more detail?

  • Did I repeat myself?

  • What is my impromptu speaking goal, what would I like to improve?

Discuss

Write down your reflection and share it with your teacher. If you like, you can also compare your reflection with a friend in class and discuss what was similar and different.

Preparing an impromptu speech

Watch this video about preparing for an impromptu speech.

Steps and structure for impromptu speeches

Duration: 05:53

Answer the following questions:

  • What are the 4 steps Tony suggests you should follow when preparing?

  • What are some structures you can use in your speech (for example: past/present/future)?

Check your answers by selecting this drop-down box.

Steps to planning your speech

  1. Narrow your focus

  2. Plan a beginning

  3. Pick a middle structure

  4. Plan an ending

Structure examples

  • Past/present/future: The topic in the past, what it's like today, how it will be in the future.

  • Discussions: Good stuff, bad stuff, good or bad overall?

  • Changing perspectives: The topic and me, the topic and the community, the topic and the world

Task

Topic: Honesty

  • Set a timer and spend 5 minutes brainstorming all the ideas that come to mind for the topic 'honesty'.

  • Spend 5-10 minutes writing down a plan for a speech, using one idea from the brainstorm list. Make sure you follow each of the 4 steps.

  • You might like to spend some time sharing your ideas with your classmates or other people around you.

Advanced impromptu tips

Watch the video to hear some advanced tips from Tony Davey.

Think:
What are some things Tony recommends when planning your speech?

Task

Practise in groups

Topic: 'Heroes and villains'

Discuss what you could talk about in pairs or small groups. But this time, make sure you focus on finding a message.

Optional challenge

Have a go at presenting a 60 second impromptu speech to your partner or a small group. Your speech should be on the above topic.

Hint: You should aim to talk for 30 seconds about a simple (relevant) story then talk for 30 seconds about the message you discussed as a class.

What to do, what not to do

Watch the video to hear some of Tony's top tips about what to do and what not to do in an impromptu speech.

Answer the following questions:

  1. What are Tony's 3 top tips for impromptu speeches?

  2. Why was Tony's first example speech on climate change not as relevant as the second example?

  3. What did Tony do differently?

Brainstorm some things you could talk about for the topic 'No direction'.

Watch the video to hear 3 different impromptu speeches on the same topic from the 2018 Years 5&6 Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition.

Discuss how each speaker interpreted the topic differently, but still made sure their speech was relevant.

Using a narrative structure

Task 1

Group storytelling

This game helps you structure your response by using a beginning, a middle and an end. It also reminds you to lead to a point in your story.

Together, in groups of 3-4, you will make up a story on the spot. Each person will take responsibility for one part of the story.

Rules:

  • Randomly decide who will do which part of the story (orientation, complication, resolution). If you have 4 in your group there should also be a coda.

  • You must make your part of the story up on the spot (no pausing). It might be a little bizarre, but these sometimes make the best stories!

  • You will each take turns, speaking aloud for 30 seconds (use a timer if you can).

  • As soon as your 30 seconds is up, the next person needs to continue the story for another 30 seconds (doing their part).

  • Continue until the story is complete with a conclusion.

Hint: Before playing this game, it can be useful to review the elements of a narrative text.

You can use the some fun picture prompts from Pobble 365 to get the story started!

An impromptu speech should also be structured with a beginning, a middle and an end. One way to approach an impromptu speech is to use a narrative structure, the same as writing a story.

  • Think about the complication in a story as the issue you'd like to talk about.

  • The events in the story are the problems that occur.

  • The conclusion of your story is the solution that you think will fix the issue.

  • The moral of your story is the point you are trying to make in your speech.

Task 2

Watch this impromptu speech from the 2019 Multicultural Perspectives Finals.

Identify how Eden has used a narrative structure in order to make a point about the topic, 'rewards'.

Eden Wong – Rewards

Duration: 01:17

Task 3

  • You will have 5 minutes to prepare an impromptu speech on the topic 'Decisions'.

  • Hint: Make sure for this activity you use the narrative method.

  • Present your impromptu speech to a peer, a small group or the whole class.

Using your knowledge

Remember, impromptu speaking is not about learning speeches off by heart or trying to force a topic into your speech. It is about being well-informed and interested in the world around you. This will help you come up with a persuasive and worthwhile speech for your listeners.

Don’t try to learn a 'pre-prepared' impromptu speech off by heart (and try to make it fit the topic!). The adjudicator can always tell and it won't be an effective impromptu speech.

Instead, try to prepare for impromptus by

  • paying attention to what is going on in the world around you.

  • thinking about the lessons that can be learned from everyday events.

  • learning the meanings of new words and phrases so that you can understand tricky topics.

Watch the video to see how Micaela prepares for impromptu speaking by staying aware of the issues in the world around her.

Task

  1. Brainstorm different ways you can try to learn more about the world around you.

  2. Circle your top 2 ideas. See if you can do these things leading up to your next speaking competition!

Using your experience

Task 1

Thinking about lessons learnt

Write down something you have learnt about recently. It doesn't have to be something learnt from class. The lesson may be from a book, a film, a BTN or news story, a discussion with friends or family, something you saw on the internet or a game you played.

For example, maybe you read about a character in a book who feels different to everyone around them.

Think about how this might relate to a speech. What sort of topics would it fit into?

Write a few down.

Task 2

Watch this impromptu speech by Lily Watkins, who used her previous knowledge of a book she has read as material for an impromptu on the topic of 'Getting distracted'.

Hint: Keep a notebook of ideas or things you've found interesting recently (any time you read, hear or view something that makes you think)!

Congratulations!

You have completed this Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Class

You are on your way to becoming a great public speaker!

To investigate public speaking in more detail and explore a range of skills building activities you might like to complete these Creative Classes:

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