About this event
Impromptu Speaking tests how well you think on your feet. The topic is secret until your preparation time begins. Individual event. How it runs: there is no test. You get the topic and 20 minutes to prepare with two notecards, then deliver a speech of up to 7 minutes. There is no Q&A, and no technology, reference materials, visuals, or props are allowed. At the National Leadership Conference there is a preliminary round, and the top speakers from each section advance to a final round that decides the winners.
FormatPresentation
Duration20 minutes prep (topic given on site), speech up to 7 minutes, no Q&A
Solo or teamIndividual
CategoryCommunication & Public Speaking
Your plan
How to study
Built from the official rating sheet and the event's own clock.
Read the guidelines and the sheet
Everything is scored on the rating sheet below. The official guidelines give the rules and how the event runs on the day.
Official guidelines (opens in a new tab)Practice on fresh topics
The topic is given at the event, so nothing is written ahead. Practice on topics you have not seen, inside the official prep time, until a clear opening, a few strong points and a close come together in that time.
Learn what judges score
Know every row of the sheet before the day, biggest rows first: it is what judges look for.
See the sheetRehearse the presentation
Type or say your presentation. The judge scores it on the official rating sheet and times you against the 7-minute limit.
Get judged on your presentationRehearse to the clock
You have 7 minutes, with no questions after. Time every run, out loud, start to finish.
Judging
What judges score
- Incorporates the provided topic10
- Identifies and executes a consistent theme10
- Includes accurate and appropriate supporting information10
- Introduces the topic immediately, the introduction10
- Supports the topic throughout, the body20
- Provides an effective conclusion, the closing10
Presentation Delivery
- Delivers a quality extemporaneous presentation15
- Displays confidence, poised body language, engaging eye contact and effective voice projection15
Total 100 points
Guidelines and resources
Bookmark to saveCurated by ChapterPrep. Free unless noted. External links open in a new tab.
Free guides for this kind of event
- Book · LibreTextsStand up, Speak out, Sec. 14.1: Four Methods of Delivery (opens in a new tab)
- Book · LibreTextsStand up, Speak out, Sec. 9.2: The Attention-Getter, the First Step of an Introduction (opens in a new tab)
- Book · LibreTextsStand up, Speak out, Sec. 10.3: Keeping Your Speech Moving (opens in a new tab)
- Book · LibreTextsStand up, Speak out, Sec. 11.2: Steps of a Conclusion (opens in a new tab)
- Book · LibreTextsStand up, Speak out, Sec. 8.3: Using Support and Creating Arguments (opens in a new tab)