Impromptu

The most basic improvised event that we see at every single tournament is Impromptu Speaking. All of the other events that I will cover share the basic concept and structure with this event, so it will be easier on all of us if I start here. Any novice speaker that I work with will get their feet wet with Impromptu. Once they are comfortable here they typically branch out and try the more unique events.

The concept behind Impromptu is simple.  You are given a prompt, typically a quotation, which you must analyze and then persuade the judge as to why your interpretation is correct. 

Rules: 

Competitors have seven minutes total for this event. That time may be split between time used to prepare their speech and to deliver it. The judge will give 30 second verbal cues while you prep and hand signals counting down your time while you are speaking. You must speak for at least 4 minutes. A note card is permitted, but remember that you should only use it to trigger thoughts.  

While you are allowed to take up to three minutes to prepare your speech, the goal is to be finished as quickly as possible. The top competitors will be done with prep after 1:15-1:30. This gives them more time to deliver their speech. It's a Catch 22 of sorts. The more time you take to prepare, the more you will have to talk about, but you will also have less time to do so. Finishing early means more time to speak but potentially nothing to say. It's all about balance. I am typically standing up to speak after a minute and a half of prep.

Ok so let's first break down the process of analyzing a quotation and preparing your speech.

Here is your prompt:

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you"

                                                                                       -Walt Whitman

The first thing you will need to do is analyze the quotation. Ask yourself "What does this mean? What is the author saying?". Once you've done that you will need to decide whether or not you agree with them. 

Next come up with two reasons that we can agree/disagree with the author.

Finally, you will need to provide two examples for each of those reasons that show that they are true. 

What is Whitman saying in this quotation?

I would say that this quote tells us that when we proactively pursue our future and move forward, everything will fall into its proper place.

1. To move on from our past we must move towards the light of our future

          a. Katniss Everdeen & Peta after the Hunger Games

          b. Alexander Hamilton

2. To be successful in the future we must boldly and consciously face it

          a. Harry Potter

          b. Nelly Bly

You will also need something to get the attention of the judge/audience. Find an example that ties into your analysis and use that as your opener. Let's go ahead and use Frodo Baggins. 

Alrighty, now we're ready to get started. Begin the speech with the opener and explain how Frodo couldn't be passive in his quest to destroy the One Ring.

Next move into your first point. Each of the two examples need to show how the character had to overcome their past by focusing on their future. 

1a. So for Katniss and Peta we would show that they had to find a hobby to help them cope with the aftermath of their victory in the Hunger Games.  Then talk about how that led to Katniss becoming the Mocking Jay and how she was instrumental in  leading the rebellion against President Snow. 

1b. For the second example I would talk about Hamilton's affair with Maria Reynolds and how that was a massive obstacle obstructing his political career. 

Our next examples will need to show how the individuals had to be bold and deliberate in their pursuits of their dreams.

2a. First we should show how Harry Potter might have been "The boy who lived", but it was his determination to excel and master magic that made him the boy who eventually defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Even though he might have wanted to give up, he never did. 

2b. Nelly Bly was a very unconventional woman who rejected the cultural limitations of her time. She became a famous reporter by doing things that a woman in that time "wasn't supposed to do". She was very deliberate in her pursuit of her dream as she overcame the obstacles. 

Wrap up by going back to our opener. If Frodo had looked behind him instead of focusing on the task at hand, Sauron would have destroyed all of Middle Earth and the shadows would have fallen all around them, instead of behind them. 

And that's it. Congratulations! You have given your first Impromptu Speech! Well done!!