Project Skill
- Giving an impromptu speech
Objective
- Participant will choose an item at random and give a brief, unrehearsed speech about it.
Success Indicator
- Participant organizes and gives a 2- to 4-minute talk that accurately and interestingly describes an object.
Message Makers
- A variety of objects spread on a table, at least three choices per participant
Wise Words
- When an actor delivers a line that isn't in the script, he or she is “ad-libbing.” When a speaker delivers a speech that is unprepared and unrehearsed, he or she is making an extemporaneous or impromptu address.
Power Language: Public Speaking
Activity 3: Off the Cuff
Set the Stage
Plenty of times, we find we have to do something “off the top of our heads” or “off the cuff.” Someone may have asked you to solve a problem. Or you might be asked to give directions. What other times do you have to quickly organize your thoughts before speaking?
Speak Out
Choose an object that you will give a short speech about. Now brainstorm a brief speech about the object you chose. Remember that even a short speech has a purpose. A speech informs, entertains, or persuades someone. Also, a speech has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Allow yourself 10 minutes to consider your object and what you will say about it. What is interesting about it? How important is it to your everyday life? What would be a catchy way to start your speech? Organize your thoughts.
Give a 2- to 4-minute talk about the object and its meaning or purpose.
Stretch the Message
Design or draw a fictional object. Give your object a history and purpose. Give a 2- to 4-minute speech that explains its value to an audience.
Open Mike
Share
- What did you say about your object that grabbed the audience's attention?
- What were the hardest and easiest parts of describing it?
- Name one advantage and one disadvantage of extemporaneous speaking.
Process
- What was the purpose of your speech?
- Why did you select the object you did?
- Could you tell how well you were communicating with your audience? How?
- How can being able to quickly organize your thoughts make you a better communicator?
Generalize
- What did you learn about being a “quick study?”
Apply
- When might it be necessary to speak at a moment's notice?
Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
8/04-BS
4H M-10-48W
E01-38992