On the Spot!Impromptu Speaking 101Patrick Barton – Professor of Speech

What is impromptu speaking?

• Short speeches• Very little preparation• No time for practice• Great for toasts, meetings (HOA, city council,

etc.), and workplace situations (staff meetings, etc.)• Everybody has done it!

And now, a quick speech!• Somebody give me an “idea” word: like freedom, happiness,

democracy, etc.

Adding Structure…

• What is structure?• Why structure?• How to perfect it?

Structure breakdown• Attention Getting Device (AGD) >>> Tell a story• What’s In It For Me (WIIFM) Statement >>> Why should the

audience care?• Thesis >>> A single, simple sentence that sums up your entire speech• Preview of Main Points (POMP) >>> Summarize what you’re going to

talk about• Main Point >>> • Simple, short, full sentence summarizing • Answers the question “Why is my thesis true?”• After creating the sentence, create a one-word tag for transitioning

• Transitions >>> moves you between main points• Review of Main Points (ROMP) >>> Summarizes what you talked

about• Closer >>> A finishing line that closes off your speech

So your speech looks like this…1. AGD2. WIIFM3. Thesis4. PoMP5. Main Point 1 + supporting material6. Transition7. Main Point 2 + supporting material8. RoMP9. Restate Thesis10. Closer

NOTE: You would have more main points and transitions as needed!

Recipe for Impromptu!

In what order do you create the speech?

1. First your thesis2. Second your WIIFM3. Third your Main Points and Supporting Material4. Fourth your AGD and Closer5. Fifth your POMP/ROMP/Transitions6. Finally, put it back in order!

So, let’s practice!• Question: What is your favorite type of food?• Step One: Write a thesis• Step Two: Come up with a WIIFM• Step Three: Come up with two main points (full sentences!)

then shorten those main points into one word “tags”• Step Four: Come up with a story for your AGD/Closer• Step Five: Use your “tags” to make PoMP, RoMP and

Transitions• Step Six: Put it all back together

So, let’s practice on your own!

• Question: What is your favorite restaurant in Houston?

So, let’s practice again!

• Question: What is your favorite place to visit?

A way to practice on your own

• Take ANY word – create a speech around it• The “word” goes in your thesis• Examples:• Safety• Freedom• Happiness

• WHY?• Great way to practice! The most important part of

impromptu speaking is simply getting your brain to the point where it can very quickly create a speech!

So we near the end of this presentation…• Time for a shameless plug!• I’m in a production of Arsenic

and Old Lace at the Houston Family Arts Center

• Final weekend of shows!• Tonight and tomorrow at

7:30pm• Sunday at 3pm

• HoustonFAC.com for tickets• Say “hi” after the show!

Any questions?