When you stand to speak impromptu you will be

When you stand to speak “impromptu,” you will
be prepared to pull out the needed data from your
mental file. For example, reading up on
MCJROTC and discussing your future in it with
your instructor will add to your ability to discuss
this subject with your audience.
One way to organize your thoughts for an
impromptu speech is to use a “Past, Present,
Future” format. Speak first about the past of the
subject, such as how the MCJROTC unfolded in
the beginning and what has been done to increase
the number of cadets. Then, speak about the
organization and the role it plays today by
considering what is happening now and what kind
of learning takes place. And next, contemplate the
“It usually takes me more than three weeks to
prepare a good impromptu speech.”
Mark Twain
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Category 3 – Personal Growth and Responsibility
Skill 4– Written and Oral Communication
future. Consider what things may change, what
improvements may be made, and where
MCJROTC may be ten years from now.
Another procedure to use in your
presentation is to support your ideas with
examples or statistics. In addition, try to find
experiences from your past that will add to your
speech and make your points believable. For
example, suppose your instructor asked you to
make a speech about seatbelts and whether or not
you favor a mandatory law for wearing them. You
could talk about how you feel wearing seatbelts is
a wonderful idea. But, most people already know
that. You would not be telling them anything they
did not already know. Instead, state why a
mandatory law is a good idea by attaching it to
something you have seen, heard, or read in the
news. You could say something like, “I read in
the newspaper the other day that a family of four
survived a car accident because they were wearing
seatbelts. The report said that if it were not for
that, they would have been thrown violently from
their car. More than likely, they all would have
died.”
Also, always be sure to take your time.
Of course, some situations require a minimum or
maximum time. Remember that you will need to
collect your thoughts and to wait for the audience
to quiet down. Most important, do not rush head-
on into your presentation. Concentrate on what
you are saying and what you want to say.
Finally, try to stay on the subject. Keep
focusing on the topic in your mind so that your
examples or stories are extended from that basis.
Practicing at home will help you be prepared in
the classroom or anywhere the impromptu
situation arises. Pick any object in your room or
any story in the newspaper. Contemplate what
you could say about it. Speak about the item
while timing yourself.
Tips for Impromptu Speaking
Remember these techniques to improve
impromptu speaking:
 Stay knowledgeable on a variety of topics.