Leaders.com
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
Public Speaking impromptu speech

Bettmann / Contributor / Getty Images

By Colin Baker Leaders Staff

Colin Baker

Leadership and Business Writer

Colin Baker is a business writer for Leaders Media. He has a background in as a television journalism, working as...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

Updated Aug 25, 2023

Examples of How to Give an Impromptu Speech

Did you know that the most memorable part of one of the most famous speeches in history was not part of the script?

When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, he had a planned speech in front of him. As he stuck to the script, Mahalia Jackson, a gospel singer, shouted to him to use his line about his “dream,” which came from a speech he had given before. King proceeded to give his “I Have a Dream” speech from memory. This impromptu speech was filled with emotion and excited the crowd more than his planned remarks. The speech stands to this day as an unforgettable call to action.

Table of Contents
  1. How to Give an Impromptu Speech
  2. Impromptu Speech Topics
  3. An Impromptu Speech Example
  4. The Advantages of an Impromptu Speech

An impromptu speech can feel intimidating. After all, you’ve probably heard that you need to prepare well in advance to give an effective speech. But in truth, a short speech that you give directly from your heart can reach your audience and stir them to action.

While it’s normal to feel that intimidation when called to give impromptu speeches, this article will go beyond defining “what is an impromptu speech.” It will teach you how to make your next impromptu speech your very best.

How to Give an Impromptu Speech

An impromptu speech is a public address that the speaker hasn’t planned on giving beforehand. As such, it can be an intimidating prospect, especially for those who feel they lack public speaking and communication skills. Impromptu speaking means you didn’t prepare for the moment, meaning you have to do everything on the fly. Even with experience, you’re not always guaranteed a successful speech. It truly is one of the most difficult public speaking skills to master.

Don’t think of impromptu speaking as a burden. Think of it as a chance to grow and learn. Public speaking may not be your strong suit, but this opportunity can be positive if you know what to do. If you still feel overwhelmed, try the following tips for an impromptu speech.

  • Talk about experiences from your life.
  • Keep the speech short and don’t take up too much time.
  • Start with a story.
  • Make eye contact with portions of the audience, not individual people. Do this by dividing the audience into halves or quarters.
  • Don’t tell the audience you were asked to give an impromptu speech. This automatically lowers audience expectations.
  • Be mindful of your expressions.
  • Keep from fidgeting. Holding a small object like a pen can help with this.
  • Speak clearly. People can tell if you try to rush through things.

Impromptu Speech Topics

Impromptu speaking topics range from celebratory to somber. As seen below, there are a wide variety of situations that might call for a person to speak on an impromptu speech topic at the drop of a dime.

  • Recognizing a person or team for their hard work on a project
  • Congratulating an employee on a promotion
  • Discussing your vision for the future
  • Communicating a pivot or change the business will be making
  • Informally announcing your resignation or retirement
  • Celebrating work anniversaries, such as the business being open for five years
  • Wishing a team member the best as they part ways with the business
  • Introducing a new product or service
  • Kicking off a company event or conference

An Impromptu Speech Example

You may find yourself at a business dinner party one day where you get asked to speak from personal experience out of nowhere. You have ten minutes or so to talk on a topic and share your thoughts. 

First, understand that the stakes are fairly low in this type of setting. You don’t need to stress over what to say, but that’s not an excuse to ramble on about whatever comes to mind. That would be an impromptu speaking failure.

While you may know how to be confident, start putting together a loose strategy to prepare what you’ll talk about. There are many impromptu speech examples to choose from, but the following framework can help when you’re in a pinch or your public speaking experience is limited.

  • Intro (1-2 minutes): Start out with a story, preferably something that happened to you or one that you heard recently.
  • Point 1 (2-3 minutes): Make sure your story transitions into your first point.
  • Point 2 (2-3 minutes): Create a smooth transition from the first point to the second.
  • Closer (30-60 seconds): Finish your speech with a final call to action. This should be the one thing that sticks with the audience after you’ve finished.

The Advantages of an Impromptu Speech

Even if you’re still nervous about giving an impromptu speech on a specific topic, there are several advantages you should know about. As mentioned above, people are generally forgiving when it comes to spur-of-the-moment speeches derived from personal experience. You don’t have to worry about being overly eloquent or super organized. As long as you practice charismatic leadership, you’ll have their attention all the same.

With an impromptu speech, you have a chance to show a vulnerable and genuine side. This tends to be a more effective approach than being flashy. It all comes down to substance and not style. 

Best of all, you’re likely already an expert on the topic, so there isn’t a huge need for a lot of preparation. Lean into what you know, and use your expertise to back up your words during any impromptu speaking engagement. While it may be true that people have heard what you want to say before, that doesn’t mean they’ve heard you say it.

Summary

If you remember only one thing, then remember this: When next you give an impromptu speech, pick one story to share at a time. That story should illustrate your core values and who you are as a person.

Your story should indicate what drives you and motivates your decision-making. Over time, you can refine that story until you’re ready to share it at a moment’s notice. In that way, you can be sure your impromptu speech will leave a lasting impact.

Need a little extra help with a speech? Check out these articles.

Speech Outline: How to Get the Most Out of Your Next Speech

How to Start a Speech: 9 Tips You Can Use

8 Rhetorical Strategies to Persuade Your Audience

Home / Articles / Examples of How to Give an Impromptu Speech
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Articles

phone interview questions

Learn the Winning Answers to the Most Common Phone Interview Questions

The phone interview—it’s one of the most critical steps in the hiring process in part because it’s often the first...

Read more

quotes on self love

85 Quotes on Self-Love to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Oftentimes, we can be our own worst critic. We look at ourselves through an unfair and unflattering lens, focusing on...

Read more

Sabbaticals

What is a Sabbatical? Your Ticket to Restful Growth and Meaning

Seven out of ten employees say that their company doesn’t do enough to alleviate work burnout, with 21% admitting that...

Read more

work ethic

The Importance of a Strong Work Ethic and 5 Ways to Improve Yours

If you’ve ever faked being sick to get out of going to work, you’re not alone. One survey found that...

Read more

character traits list

23 Character Traits: A List of The Good and Bad Traits You See at Work

Are you born a leader? Is anyone? Data suggests that leadership traits could be in your genetics, with 30%-60% of...

Read more

employee incentive program

Want Your Team to Excel? Try One of These 20 Employee Incentive Programs

One of the most persistent problems for companies all over the world is the lack of employee engagement. According to...

Read more

career coach

Overlooked for a Promotion? A Career Coach Helps You Advance

Getting laid off or passed over for a promotion can deeply rattle your confidence and make you feel directionless in...

Read more

bible verses on leadership

24 Timeless Bible Verses About Leadership All Leaders Should Know

If you go to your local bookstore or library, you’ll find shelves full of books about how to be a...

Read more

Recent Articles

Hiring

Nov 1, 2023

Learn the Winning Answers to the Most Common Phone Interview Questions

Come to your next phone interview fully prepared

Personal Growth

Oct 30, 2023

85 Quotes on Self-Love to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Don’t fall into the trap of harsh self-criticism

Company Culture

Oct 27, 2023

What is a Sabbatical? Your Ticket to Restful Growth and Meaning

Sabbaticals can benefits both employees and businesses

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2025 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com