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Impromptu speaking is a speech that a person delivers without predetermination or preparation. The speaker is most commonly provided with their topic in the form of a quotation, but the topic may also be presented as an object, proverb, one-word abstract, or one of the many alternative possibilities.[1] While specific rules and norms vary with the organization and level of competition, the speeches tend to follow basic speech format and cover topics that are both humorous and profound.

Collegiate impromptu speaking

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Impromptu speaking is an individual event offered and regulated by both the National Forensic Association (NFA) and the American Forensics Association (AFA), both of whom follow nearly identical formats in proctoring the event. Both organizations provide seven minutes of time to be allocated between speaking and preparation as the speaker sees fit, allow minimal notes (usually a 3"x5" index card) to be used, and provide undisclosed prompts to determine the speech's topic.[2][3]

While the competitor's success and ranking is ultimately determined by the judge's decision, there are several general criteria that many competitors and judges adhere to:

  • Experienced speakers are generally expected to avoid exceeding two minutes of preparation time, with some speakers preferring to use only one minute or less.[4]
  • The speaker is to create an interpretation of the prompt and use it to establish an argument/thesis that the speech will support.[5]
  • The speaker is heavily encouraged to use examples (e.g. historical events) in the "body" of their speech to support their argument.[5]
  • Advanced speakers often use theories in conjunction with examples that illustrate them.
  • As with any competitive speech, the speaker is expected to offer a clear and defined structure in their speech.[5]
  • Competitors are advised to avoid giving pre-prepared, or "canned" impromptu speeches.[5]

Neither the AFA nor NFA regulate specific speech formats to be used by competitors, however there are two formats that are predominantly used:

Two point format: 

I. Introduction (Attention getter, interpretation of prompt, argument/thesis)
II. First main point
   A. Supporting example
   B. Supporting example
III. Second main point
   A. Supporting example
   B. Supporting example
IV. Conclusion

Three point format: 

I. Introduction
II. First main point
   A. Supporting example
III. Second main point
   A. Supporting example
IV. Third main point
   A. Supporting example
V. Conclusion

Editorial impromptu

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In 2008, the National Forensic Association introduced a new form of impromptu competition. In this experimental event, students were given a short editorial (ideally 3 to 5 paragraphs) to which they developed a response. Students were allowed nine minutes to divide between preparation and speaking. Speakers were required to speak for at least five minutes. Limited notes, prepared in the round, were permitted. The speech was intended to involve the development of an argument in response to the thesis or opinion shared in a given editorial.[6] The event was offered at the National Championship Tournament only twice. Stan Polit from Northwestern University was the 2009 champion and Joshua Hiew from Northwestern University was the 2011 champion.[7]

High school competitions

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Typically in high school speech competitions, a competitor is given 30 seconds to select a topic from a set of topics (usually three). The competitor will then have 5 minutes to compose a speech of five minutes with a 30-second grace period. There is a general outline for impromptu speeches, it is as follows:

  1. Introduction/roadmap (1 minute)
  2. First section (1 minute)
  3. Second section (1 minute)
  4. Third section (1 minute)
  5. Conclusion (1 minute)

The introduction begins with an attention-getter, the statement of the topic and an outline of the speech. The conclusion is usually like the introduction except backwards, ending with a profound statement, although a lighthearted ending is also accepted. For the three body points, there are many kinds of formats that can be used. For example, if the topic is a quote, a competitor may go over how the quote is true, how the quote is false, and why he or she believes what he or she believes. Other examples are: past, present, future; local, national, international. More advanced speakers will use formats that look deeper into a subject such as: physical, moral, intellectual; books, video, digital (media.)

However, many speakers choose not to follow a format at all. That being said, most beginners who fail to follow a solid format often find themselves lost in a jumble of ideas.

Judging usually involves one judge in the preliminary round, one to three judges in the semi-finals/qualifying round, and a panel of three judges in the finals round. Judges look for overall coherency, impact, and confidence, and usually overlook basal errors due to the short preparation time.

Past champions in impromptu speaking

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Past AFA Champions

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Year Competitor Academic Institution
1979 Dwight Rabuse Macalester College
1980 Camille Bammes University of New Mexico
1981 Andy Heaton Bradley University
1982 Kate Joeckel University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1983 Bart Coleman Concordia College
1984 Dave Fowler George Mason University
1985 Bucky Fay University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
1986 Debra Williams Gonzaga University
1987 David Bickford Brown University
1988 Cam Jones Cornell University
1989 Cort Sylvester Concordia College
1990 Michael Jacoby Bradley University
1991 Randy Cox University of Texas at Austin
1992 Joe Kennedy George Mason University
1993 Mark Price University of Colorado Boulder
1994 Joe Kennedy George Mason University
1995 Eric Wolff Concordia College
1996 Kurtis McCathern Rice University
1997 Chris Grove Illinois State University
1998 Amir Brown Rice University
1999 Julie Bolcer Seton Hall University
2000 Chris McLemore Kansas State University
2001 Bryan Gray University of Texas at Austin
2002 Rob Barnhart Ohio University
2003 Rob Barnhart Ohio University
2004 Jackson Hataway University of Alabama
2005 Stephanie Cagniart University of Texas at Austin
2006 Stephanie Cagniart University of Texas at Austin
2007 Jill Collum University of Texas at Austin
2008 Saeed Jones Western Kentucky University
2009 Jessica Furgerson Western Kentucky University
2010 Dan Glaser Ohio University
2011 Omar Orme Eastern Michigan University
2012 Dexter Strong University of Alabama
2013 Harrison Postler University of Northern Iowa
2014 Andrew Neylon Ball State University
2015 James Qian Arizona State University
2016 Nathan Leys George Mason University
2017 Lily Nellans Western Kentucky University
2018 Suchinder Kalyan University of Texas at Austin
2019 Nathan Dowell Kansas State University
2021 Rahmane Dixon Western Kentucky University
2022 Anna Kutbay University of Alabama
2023 Gustavo Lanz George Mason University
2024 Margot Treadwell Cornell University

Past NFA Champions

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Year Competitor Academic Institution
1971 Lisa Uhrig Ball State University
1972 Michael Muth Ohio University
1973 Jerry Bluhm Eastern Michigan University
1974 Alberto Coll Princeton University
1975 Jan Marrow California State University
1976 Alberto Coll Princeton University
1977 Butch Maltby Wheaton College (Illinois)
1978 William Allen Young University of Southern California
1979 George Denger Eastern Michigan University
1980 Justin Hughes Oberlin College
1981 Mary Foersch University of Virginia
1982 Tom McCarthy Bradley University
1983 Sam Marcosson Bradley University
1984 David Alabach Bradley University
1985 Michell Patrick La Salle University
1986 Mitchell Fay University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
1987 Scott Wilson University of Minnesota Twin Cities
1988 Cam Jones Cornell University
1989 Cam Jones Cornell University
1990 Ed Wisniowski Illinois State University
1991 Nick Fynn Ohio University
1992 Ronnie Stewart Bradley University
1993 Eric Martin Bradley University
1994 Kevin Minch Wayne State University
1995 Jeff Archibald Cornell University
1996 Paul Higday University of Pennsylvania
1997 Mike Thompson Miami University
1998 Chris Kristofco St. Joseph's University
1999 Chris Kristofco St. Joseph's University
2000 Nathan Mather Northwestern University
2001 Bryan McCann Ohio University
2002 Rob Barnhart Ohio University
2003 Rob Barnhart Ohio University
2004 Allison Rank Miami University
2005 A.J. Moorehead Arizona State University
2006 Saeed Jones Western Kentucky University
2007 Joelle Perry Western Kentucky University
2008 Jessica Furgerson Western Kentucky University
2009 Merry Regan University of Texas at Austin
2010 Todd Rainey Western Kentucky University
2011 Shira DeCovnick Northwestern University
2012 Joshua Hiew Northwestern University
2013 Andrew Neylon Ball State University
2014 Patrick Seick Eastern Michigan University
2015 Paige Settles Western Kentucky University
2016 Jerome Gregory Bradley University
2017 Kohinoor Gill Arizona State University
2018 Annie Schuver Bradley University
2019 Jordan Auzenne University of Texas at Austin
2021 Jacob Thompson George Mason University
2022 Aaron Lutz Lewis & Clark College
2023 Gursimrat Dahry University of Minnesota Twin Cities
2024 David Jacobson University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 tournament was canceled. However, the NFA permitted competitors in their senior year to submit recordings of their speeches for an asynchronous competition. The top performing student in each category was ranked as the Performance of Highest Distinction.[8] The Performance of Highest Distinction in Impromptu Speaking was awarded to Andrew Yohanan from Bradley University.[9]

Past NSDA Champions

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Year Competitor Academic Institution
1964 Richard Patterson Oskaloosa HS, Iowa
1965 James Kay Fullerton HS, California
1966 Keith Dodds Antelope Valley HS, California
1967 Michael Biggers Houston-Memorial, Texas
1968 William Rosenberg Denver-Washington, Colorado
1969 David Alley Springfield-Parkview, Missouri
1970 Gene Alesandrini Pekin HS, Illinois
1971 John Campbell San Marino HS, California
1972 Roy Osborne Nashville-Overton, Tennessee
1973 David Miller Denver-Regis, Colorado
1974 Robert Meadow Richmond-Kennedy, California
1975 David Burton San Antonio-MacArthur, Texas
1976 James Attridge Denver-Regis, Colorado
1977 Denise Antolini Harbor HS, California
1978 Mary Joekel Lincoln-Southeast, Nebraska
1979 Bill Frank Perry HS, Ohio
1980 Beth Barlet Carthage HS, Missouri
1981 Robert Verchick Chaparral HS, Nevada
1982 Mary Shamshoian Clovis HS, California
1983 Paul Mapp South Eugene HS, Oregon
1984 Susan Foster Gonzaga Preparatory, Washington
1985 Jon Garcia Bellarmine Preparatory, California
1986 Elaine Barnett Fresno HS, California
1987 James Wallace Leilehua HS, Hawaii
1988 Anne Joseph Robinson Secondary HS, Virginia
1989 Breean Stickgold Redlands HS, California
1990 Chris Snowbeck Wheaton Central HS, Illinois
1991 Samantha Burton Bakersfield HS, California
1992 Arthur Krause Polytechnic School, California
1993 Jill Van Pelt Plano HS, Texas
1994 Chris Walker Dobson HS, Arizona
1995 Razimera Heywood Redlands HS, California
1996 Ryan Syrek Millard-South HS, Nebraska
1997 Barrett Huddleston Putnam City HS, Oklahoma
1998 Peter Stone Johansen HS, California
1999 Joe Shapiro Beaverton HS, Oregon
2000 Bethany Kenny Neosho HS, Missouri
2001 Lexi Menish Assumption HS, Kentucky
2002 Georgios Theophanous Miramonte HS, California
2003 Ron Kendler Newton South HS, Massachusetts
2004 Megan Loden Aubrey HS, Texas
2005 Lauren K. Nelson Wheaton North HS, Illinois
2006 Jessica Furgerson Sandra Day O’Connor, Texas
2007 Treza Hirsch Flathead County HS, Montana
2008 Taman Narayan Leland HS, California
2009 Jessica Petrie Belleville West HS, Illinois
2010 Adam Conner Loyola Blakefield HS, Maryland
2011 Alex Daniel Dobson HS, Arizona
2012 Matt Rauen Pennsbury HS, Pennsylvania
2013 Alexander Buckley Downers Grove North HS, Illinois
2014 Michael Everett Chaminade College Prep, California
2015 Josh Mansfield Highland HS, Idaho
2016 Jacob Womack Aberdeen Central HS, South Dakota
2017 Kate Farwell ILEAD North Hollywood, California
2018 Miles Morton ILEAD North Hollywood, California
2019 Jocelyn Marks Theodore Roosevelt HS, Iowa
2022 Chloe Yang Ridge HS, New Jersey
2023 Kat Northrop Westridge School, California
2024 Madeline White Gwynedd Mercy Academy, Pennsylvania

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NSDA permitted competitors in 2020 and 2021 to submit recordings of their speeches for a Prepared Prompt Speaking competition. In Prepared Prompt, students were given a list of topics prior to the tournament, selected one prompt from the official list, prepared a speech, and submitted it through the recording process. The 2020 champion was Sarah George (Marquette HS, Missouri) and the 2021 champion was Nya Ware (Southland College Prep Charter HS, Illinois).[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "San Diego Christian College Event Descriptions". Archived from the original on 2013-12-19.
  2. ^ "AFA-NIET Event Descriptions" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-21.
  3. ^ "NFA Rules for Individual Events". Archived from the original on 2013-12-19.
  4. ^ "Pi Kappa Delta Impromptu Event Description" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-19.
  5. ^ a b c d "Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics – Impromptu Speaking".
  6. ^ "NFA Editorial Impromptu Rules". Archived from the original on 2013-12-19.
  7. ^ "2024 NFA Booklet" (PDF). nationalforensicassociation.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  8. ^ "Texas Speech: Individual National Champions". commstudies.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  9. ^ "2024 NFA Booklet" (PDF). nationalforensicassociation.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  10. ^ "Competition Events" (PDF). speechanddebate.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
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