Impromptu: How to Think on Your Feet

The game of "Impromptu" is the outgrowth of an exercise devised by the author and used by him in The Public Speaking Club of America.

A number of cards, each bearing a separate subject, are placed in a hat. Then a member of the club stands up, selects one of the cards, announces the subject named on the card, and proceeds to speak on that particular theme for one minute. At the expiration of that time another member rings the bell.

This exercise can be carried on by two or more persons. It is surprizing how rapidly through this simple pastime one gains facility in speech and increased self-confidence. Many of these "maiden efforts" at impromptu speaking are necessarily very funny, and sometimes send the listeners into fits of laughter; but the basis of the exercise is serious, and there is disclosed new and unsuspected talent in the participants.

The ability to think and speak "on one's feet" is not usually a gift of nature, but is acquired through simple and regular practise. Curran, the distinguished Irish orator, was known in his early days as "Stuttering Jack." He has described his first experience in attempting to speak before a small debating club. On standing up, he trembled from head to foot, and when he saw all eyes fixt upon him—there were seven persons present!—he became almost petrified with fear. His friends cried "Hear him!" but altho his lips moved, not a sound came from them. He profited by his experience, however, since through study and practise he became one of the greatest orators of his day.

"Impromptu" implies ready, offhand, without previous study or preparation, and provides one of the best tests of a man's fund of thought and readiness in expression. In practising "Impromptu" the student is advised to set his mind rapidly to work the instant he reads the subject on the card chosen, to content himself with the first idea that comes to him, and to speak very deliberately. This will give the appearance of self-possession, while permitting his mind to reach out for fresh material. So rapidly does the mind work that, after a little practise, the speaker will be able to arrange his thoughts in a certain sequence, even in the few seconds that elapse between choosing his subject and uttering the first word.

A conscientious student will endeavor to make each succeeding effort better than the last. He will aim to keep strictly to his subject, to speak fluently, to employ the best possible language, and to express only those ideas that are worth while. Where circumstances render it necessary, one may practise the exercise by himself.