Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
The goal of right extemporaneous speaking is this: to persuade or inform an audience briefly.
This is the common general definition of speaking.
If you are asking yourself: What should I do in the extemp speech? Then keep this rule of thumb
in mind: the extemporaneous speech topics must answer the question in a school assignment or
tournament. Simple and easy. Although the best spontaneous speaker can speak almost without
any notes. But avoid that if you feel not confident enough.
In this article:
Preparation In 3 Steps
Extemporaneous Speaking Without Preparation
Extemporaneous Speech Topic Examples
Outline Examples
FAQ
How to Prepare
How To Deliver
High School And College Assignments – Always do what your teacher asks you to do!
Often you have to pick out forms of informative, analytical, international, domestic or
economic questions about current events. Your extemporaneous speech topics should
answer the question exactly.Check if some written notes are permitted in classroom.
Tournaments – An event where speakers receive their questionnaire forms. Check the
tournament entry to see which format and which rules will be used. Successful extempers
don’t use cards.However, if you are allowed to use notes, then use a card for each
element in the form below. Just use keywords.
Business Presentations – The are considered as difficult by those who must give
presentations in business. Here I limit myself to good class hints for at school, college
and for tournaments.
Preparation In 3 Steps
These three steps for preparing extemporaneous speech topics will help you to do what you have
to do: answering the question in case of school assignments or tournaments.
The First Step – Analyze what extemporaneous question you have to answer:
o Questions of fact – Characterized by is and are, or will or would.
o Questions of value – Characterized by should.
o Questions of policy – Characterized by can and could. Often used for an political
discour.
The Second Step – Determine if it is informative or persuasive. The words what, which and who
indicate that it is an informative issue. The words should and why indicate that it is a persuasive
issue.
The Third Step – Always stay with your subject. In other words: never change the ideas. Now,
organize your ideas and points effectively. You can use the outline technique below. Focus on
your subject and think about the various angles.
Now write those first thoughts quickly down. Catch them in keywords.
Most natural communication can fall under the umbrella of the term extemporanous speech.
But just what is it, and what are the best rules to follow so that you know you are giving a real
winner extemporaneous speaking talk or address and cure your on stage fear?
Let’s take a look at my tricks that will help you do a better job next time you have to speak
without preparation:
Tip: Tweak a little bit with the why’s, can’s, could’s. That’s the way to discover your own
themes and original extemporaneous speech topics. Nice for your audience too.
Outline Examples
Use this outline to prepare ideas quick and properly. Remember: all information that you want to
cover should answer the mandatory question of the teacher or jury members.
YOUR TITLE
In one complete summarizing sentence: _______
THE INTRODUCTION
Grab the attention of your public in a oneliner that state the theme. Relate the oneliner to
question. State the extemporaneous speech topics question and tell why it is important. Briefly
answer it. Tease your main points.
The main points should be phrased as argumentative statements. Devote an equal amount of time
at each point. Try to come up with three points.
Try to come up with three sub-points. Construct your sub-points with credible arguments and
factual evidence.
Perhaps you can add relevant statistics and references. Think about the pros and cons, likes and
dislikes, advantages and disadvantages.
Refer to reliable sources, it will enhance your credibility. Write down your the points in one
sentence for each point.
Just pick out the elements which are appropriate within the time limit!
MAIN POINT I:
SUB POINT 1:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
SUB POINT 2:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
SUB POINT 3:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
SUB POINT 1:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
SUB POINT 2:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
SUB POINT 3:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
SUB POINT 1:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
SUB POINT 2:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
SUB POINT 3:
Arguments?
Evidence?
Statistics?
References?
YOUR CONCLUSION
Summarize the main points of your extemporaneous topics. State the question again. State your
answer in a catchy one-liner.
Extemporaneous speech topic outline for students who have to deal with actual themes using
ordinairy news articles to formulate arguments and evidence in a snap. For this writing I used
four articles as basics to filter out information, listed in the sources paragraph below:
My step by step method: First I decided on the angle of view. Secondly, I simply choose for this
extemp question: Does President Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize? And thirdly, I follow
the instructions in the template below. Remember, you can also take side in favor of the laureate.
This is not my personal opinion, but just an example to show you how to write an extemp pattern
yourself.
I. INTEREST STEP
The award of the Nobel Peace Prize 2009 to Barack Obama is a surprise pick which raise lots of
doubts. A peace award winner who has not directed any winning peace project so far.
II. THESIS
So, does he realy deserve it? No, he has not achieved any real success in foreign policy matters.
III. CLARIFICATION
The Norwegian Committee has praised his extraordinary efforts in international diplomacy. But
world reactions expressed surprise. The honor comes too soon, according to worldleaders, there
are no real peace achievements.
IV. PREVIEW
(This is a short compelling summary of the vital body bricks)
The laureate does not deserve the prize because of Iraq, the Middle East and Afghanistan, the
President himself has spoken openly about his doubts, and other preeminent political figures who
won before sure had achieved real substantial diplomatic peace successes.
And they are openly credited for it internationally.
B. REASONING
(Explain here how the first argument of the extemporaneous speech topic is constructed, based
on your evidence)
More troops could to Af. violence and civilian casualties in the end, the enemy proclaims. There
still is no working M E peace plan in which both parties, Israel and Palestinians trust. The
schedule of the person in charge for the withdrawal of troops is still discussed, the oppositional
forces still try to create disorder.
C. RELATIONSHIP TO THESIS
Can we call that peace efforts? Yes, we can. Can we call that substantial peace achievements?
No, we can not – at this moment.
A. EVIDENCE
He says to be surprised and deeply humbled.
B. REASONING
Hw further said that he not feel he ‘deserve to be in the company of so many of the
transformative figures who have been honoured by this prize’.
C. RELATIONSHIP TO THESIS
O. has stated that he doesn’t see it as a recognition of his accomplishments, but ‘rather as an
affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations’.
A. EVIDENCE
In 1994 Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister of Israel, won. In 1994 Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister
of Israel, in 1978 Menachim Begin, Prime Minister of Israel, and in 1973 Henry Kissinger, U S
Secretary of State.
B. REASONING
Their peace efforts resulted in concrete historical peace making moments: Shimon Peres, and
Yitzhak Rabin were honoured for their historic agreement between Israel and Palestinians.
Menachim Begin for the peace treaty he co-concluded between Israel and Egypt. And Henry
Kissinger was praised for helping to establish a ceasefire and U S withdrawal from Vietnam.
C. RELATIONSHIP TO THESIS
Yes, they all accomplish concrete diplomatic successes. Obama not.
CONCLUSION
I. SUMMARY
There have not been any real substantial peace achievements at this moment. The laureate
himself refers to the lack of peace making moments. And he refers to Nobel Peace Prize winners
who are awarded because of their historical agreements.
II. RESTATEMENT
So, now again: is President Obama entitled? No, he has not achieved any real success in foreign
policy matters, and predecessors have.
SOURCES
Aljazeera News Europe, Norwegian Nobel Committee Report, and All Laureates List.
FAQ
Is There One Single Best Outline?
No. The best outline doesn’t exist. The pattern above is just a method to organize
extemporaneous topics quick and efficient.
Mostly there are two types of questions, open and closed for extemporaneous speech
topics.Determine what type you are answering.
Closed Questions – You can only state a clear Yes or No in your introduction. In the points of
the body part you offer the arguments.
Example: Is Disclosure A Bad Movie? Yes, you can also choose for humorous.
Open Questions – State how or what will, should or can be done in your introduction. Then
guide the audience to the answer in logical steps. Those steps are the major points in your
extemp.
E.g. What Can We Do Against Corrupt Politicians?
How to Prepare
Tip # 1 Set up your extemp to start with a good summation that grabs the attention, then state the
theme in one sentence.
Tip # 2 Develop between three and five main points and make sure each one is a single, clear,
self contained idea.
Tip # 3 Make sure that each one is related to your main thesis statement and that it reminds the
audience what your key note point is.
Tip # 4 Make sure every point leads smoothly and sensibly into the next one – no non sequiturs
here. No ‘bridges’ that do not make sense.
Tip # 5 All your sub points must contain new information or details not stated in the main points.
Their job is to describe, explain, or otherwise support your main points. For the conclusion, don’t
just summarize. But also analyse and provide a judgement on each conclusion.
Tip # 6 Come back to the introduction and reinforce your thesis statement, connect the interests
and needs of the audience to the theme, then go back over the major points of your speech,
finishing up neatly.
Tip # 7 Stick to using simple words, and don’t try to impress with complex topics for an
extemporaneous. There is a bigger chance that you will end up stumbling over them or that your
speech will fall flat.
Tip # 8 It’s all about producing topics for an extemporaneous that get strictly to the point. If
you’re feeling nervous, put your hands in your pockets or on front of the table in front of you,
and don’t be afraid to let people know.
Tip # 9 Keep comments about your nervousness short and to the point. They will probably get a
chuckle, they will understand, and you’ll feel a little better.
Tip # 10 Do not go on and on, though, or stop dead. Go right to what you need to say. Conclude,
restate, smile and just stick to that!
How To Deliver
This is about time management, practicing and repeating, and the delivery:
Time Management –
The right time management is crucial. Put a watch in front of you. If you have 30 minutes to
prepare, then divide that time in parts. Below are three examples of time management. Find out
which one is the best for you. If you are allowed to use note cards, then the memorize part can be
shorter in time, of course.
Visualize the flow of your extemporaneous speech topics in your mind. Something like this: first
I want to state this, and then I prove it by that. And so on. Learn the sequence by heart. If there’s
a possibility to practice in front of a friend or classmate, then do it!
And listen to their comment. Elaborate on it. Another idea is to tape yourself on audio or video.
Listen and look if you are
making logical steps, transitions and pauses.
Delivery
Do not be boring with monotonous and facts and a phlegmatic attitude, add some
funny extemporaneous speech topics in your presentation. Talk easy, and in a normal tempo – do
not talk to fast. Do not speak like a talking puppet in a suit. Move a little bit, use the proper
gestures (guide them
trough your material with hand signals and passionate facial expresions) to emphasize your main
points and the direction of logical reasoning.
Many competitors spend hours a week to prepare files with noteworthy articles about every
possible subject for extemporaneous speech topics. They can use these so-called Extemp Tubs in
tournaments. But how does a speaker fill these files with the best?
Tips/h2>
1. Analyze and study current events in magazines and
newspapers. Sort out the headlines, the pros and cons,
reasons, statistics and sources.
2. Research on the Internet. Pay special attention to quotes
and reports of scientific researchers. Don’t forget to find
humorous quotes, to break the ice.
3. Watch interesting television documentaries and note the
facts and the conclusions that could be extracted.
4. Ask experienced competitors how they prepare for public
speaking. Look how they practice and perform on stage, and
learn their educational discourse tricks.
5. Organize and update your files in a way you can find your
written notes quick and easy. For instance, organize your
plastic tub like a cherry tree – pick four or five general
extemporaneous speech topics in hanging folders.
And place within those general tabulations lots of sub-
sequences categorized from A to Z.
6. Also use a reference book, a dictionary, a small
encyclopedia, et cetera to refill fresh and creative ideas.
By now, you have learned how to prepare and outline your
communication subjects – I wish you all succes you need and
keep improving your communication skills. Bookmark and
share this tutorial and come back whenever you like