Random Word Impromptu

By Rebeca Russi Daolio

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is for students to get familiar with outlining the main points of an informative speech. Also, they will have the opportunity to practice impromptu speaking in front of their peer classmates. The purpose of the activity is not necessarily to deliver an astonishing informative speech, rather, it is to combine the elements of informative speaking, topic and main points creation, and impromptu delivery.

O.b.s.: This activity is best done prior to teaching the full outline.

Applicable: This activity relates to chapters 1, 2, 6, and 12 of the textbook Speak Out, Call in: Public Speaking as Advocacy (Mapes, 2019). Students will particularly use informative speech outlines and the type of delivery - impromptu.

Learning goals:

Students will be able to

• Practice the informative speech.
• Narrow down a broader and general topic into a specific, ready-to-be thesis statement topic.
• Develop main points for a selected topic.
• Select and apply an organizational pattern.
• Complete an informative basic outline in a short amount of time.
• Deliver impromptu informative speech with little to none preparation.

Corresponding course objectives on the COMS 130 Syllabus: Students will have the opportunity to practice the informative outline, narrow down a broad and general topic into a specific one, select and apply organizational patterns, and challenge their impromptu delivery method of speaking.

Materials needed:

• Random word generator website. My suggestion: https://randomwordgenerator.com/
• Informative speech foundation outline (provided at the end)

Time needed: ~25 minutes.

• 3 minutes briefing and explaining the activity
• 9 minutes presentations
  • 1 minute to divide students in groups and assign each their random word
  • 2 minutes for students to prepare the outline, with topics only
  • 6 minutes speeches (1-2 minutes per speech)
• 10 minutes debriefing and discussion

Procedures:

Instructor

• Provide the informative speech foundation outline both printed and in online format; so that the students can choose which one to use during the activity.
• Divide students into groups of three and assign each student within the group a number (1, 2, and 3). In the case of having a higher or lower number needed for the group, make sure to have one or two groups of two students rather than one group of four.
• In the random word generator website, shuffle a random word for students number 1, another random word for students number 2, and a third random word for students number 3. For instance, if you shuffle the words - 1 rice, 2 biology, and 3 glacier - students assigned the number 1 will be performing speeches about rice, each student with the corresponding number and random word.
• The word generated will be very broad and general, purposefully, therefore students are supposed to narrow down the broad topic into a more specific one for outlining.
• After each student is assigned their random word, give time (two minutes) for them to plan and prepare the informative foundation outline, written with topics.
• Once the two minutes are over, it is time for students to present their informative speech to their group.
• Start with numbers 1, then numbers 2, and finally numbers 3.
• After everyone is done with presentations you will conduct a debriefing and discussion with the follow-up questions below. You are welcome to add or change the questions as you like.

P.s.: This is a challenging activity so make sure to encourage students that their efforts trying to perform this activity are valued. If students receive a word that they are not very familiar with the area of study, they are welcome to create and invent information about the subject.

Students

• You will present an informative speech in an impromptu manner in front of two classmates.
• You will be divided in groups of 3.
• Your instructor will provide an informative foundation outline and shuffle a random word for each one of your group members. You will need to select a specific topic within the random word and prepare an impromptu speech using the outline provided.
• The foundation outline consists of an introduction with only the attention getter, a body with 2-3 main points, and a conclusion with only the clincher. Make sure to write topics rather than full sentences in your outline.
• After you are finished writing the outline, it is time to start the speeches.
• Each one of you will have 1-2 minutes to present your speech. Once everyone is done presenting, you will participate in a discussion about the activity.

Follow-up questions:

• What was the purpose of this activity?
• What were some of the challenges of this activity?
• What were some positive aspects of this activity?
• What area did you improve on?
• What do we still have room to improve?

References

Mapes, M. (2019). Speak Out, Call In: Public Speaking as Advocacy. KU Libraries.

Informative Foundation Outline

Topic:

I. Introduction

Attention getter:

II. Main body

Main point I:

Main point II:

Main point III:

III. Conclusion

Clincher: