Adapted from Grenville Kleiser’s Impromptu Speeches: How to Make Them (1920)
Impromptu speaking is a skill that every leader, student, or professional should cultivate. As Kleiser — a former instructor in Public Speaking at Yale — reminds us, the ability to speak well without preparation is not a gift of nature but an achievement of practice, diligence, and personality.
This guide distills key lessons from Kleiser’s classic text into actionable insights for today’s context.
- You may be called to speak without notice — in debates, meetings, classrooms, or public forums.
- As Kleiser emphasizes, such moments demand clarity, composure, and adaptability.
- Impromptu ability builds confidence and credibility — qualities every speaker needs.
1. Preparation Meets Opportunity
“It is the part of prudence to prepare yourself in advance for the possible opportunity or emergency.”
- Impromptu doesn’t mean unprepared.
- Read widely, stay informed, and rehearse short arguments or stories so you always have material at hand.
2. Speak from Personality, Not Memory
“The most effective public speaker speaks from his personality rather than from his memory.”
- Don’t force memorized lines.
- Let your character, convictions, and lived experience shine through.
3. Think on Your Feet
“He thinks on his feet.”
- Structure your talk quickly:
- A strong opening statement.
- Two or three key points.
- A short, decisive conclusion.
4. Confidence Through Practice
- Kleiser argues that spontaneity and ease are acquired through practice, not inherited.
- Join forums, contribute to discussions, and take every chance to speak.
Drawing from Kleiser’s 1920 insights, here are modern takeaways:
- Restate a question to gain thinking time.
- Keep sentences short and clear.
- Use personal stories when caught off guard.
- Aim for impact over length.
Grenville Kleiser’s Impromptu Speeches: How to Make Them (1920) may be over a century old, but its wisdom remains fresh. Impromptu speaking is less about dazzling brilliance on the spot, and more about being ready, practiced, and authentic.
By preparing your mind and trusting your personality, you can turn unplanned moments into opportunities for influence.
