Extemporaneous is so gratifying—and not just because of the competition. There are plenty of outlets that provide that opportunity. What I really love about Extemp is the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the world, discuss it with family and friends, and then share that information and analysis with others. That’s exactly what I hope to do with you today. If we haven’t met, my name is Roman Hogancamp, and I honored to be the 2024 NCFCA Extemporaneous National Champion. As such, I would like to provide three tips for competing in Extemporaneous—whether in STOA, NCFCA, or just around the dinner table. Continue reading or SIGN UP for EXTEMP CLUB that starts NEXT WEEK!
When I was 19 years old, (gosh that was a long time ago!) I ran a 6 week summer Theatre Camp based almost entirely on improvisation. Improv for short, we would develop our listening skills to learn excellent communication and performance skills. Sound like Fun? For those that are unclear as to what Improvisation actually is, the University of Chicago, one of the leading Improv Institutions, defines it like this: (Improv) “is a live performance in which the actors make up scenes, dialogue and characters on the spot (sometimes incorporating suggestions from the audience). It’s often comedic, though not always.” Sound slightly familiar? How about this definition: “to make, invent, or arrange offhand” (Merriam Webster) In competitive, public speaking, Impromptu is a category where we often do all of the above.
How many of you actually practice your limited preparation speeches? Many people think they don’t have to, because it’s supposed to be “off the cuff.” Right!? But, did you know, if you really want to grow as a speaker and communicator, the number one way is to practice through limited prep speaking!?! And Lasting Impact! has a variety of ways for you to practice those skills…
Join a Club! Whether it’s online or in person, clubs (hopefully) provide lots of practice, whether it’s through speech or debate. Lasting Impact! has specific clubs for Limited Prep, and specifically for Apologetics or Extemporaneous. All of our clubs have an emphasis on practice! We are here to help guide you and help you grow! There is still time to sign up for our Limited Prep Clubs for fall 2023. – Limited Prep Club – starts TONIGHT! – Apologetics Club – starts Friday! – Extemporaneous Roundtable – starts Sept. 26
The Limited Prep Guide. Want to explore all the different types of limited prep speech categories on your own? Or do you want to lead or teach limited prep speaking skills? Lasting Impact! has created their very own guide to help walk you through the ins and outs of this huge category! And we proved a plethora of activities, as well as a resource packet to keep you busy and practicing all season long!
Listen what author, Honor Persing has to say about the guide. Here is part of her introduction to the book…
“Welcome to the world of limited prep speaking! I’m so glad you’re here. Limited Preparation can be a very daunting category of speech–you only get a few minutes to sort out your thoughts and develop a well-reasoned speech on an important topic. While it’s a challenge, limited prep can also be the most rewarding type of speech. It stretches your mind unlike any other category, forcing you to think quickly, analyze effectively, and come up with thought-provoking stories and examples on the spot.
Limited prep is also a category that uniquely prepares you for life. While education, persuasion, and acting are valuable skills that you learn in the other categories, no other type of speech applies to as wide a range of life. Anytime you’re called upon to give your opinion on a political topic, speak in a group (or even one-on-one), or defend essential truths of the faith, you’re drawing on a limited prep skill.
This guide is designed to help you create those limited prep skills, whether you’re a novice starting out or an advanced student looking to up your game. For each limited prep category you’ll find an “ABCs” section with basic tips and explanations to help you get started. If you already understand the basics, you can jump to “next-level tips” where intermediate students can find advice and suggestions. Finally, “elite advice” will challenge seasoned students to push themselves as far as possible in developing their skills. At the end of each section you’ll find some helpful exercises so that you can practice the concepts discussed for yourself.
You can read this guide straight through or turn to the sections that are relevant to you. Either way, I hope you find a few practical and interesting tips that you can take with you and that you leave feeling a little more confident about the world of limited prep!”
You can purchase the Limited Prep Guide HERE. With daily practice, your communication skills will grow stronger. Also- don’t forget, we also created the Lasting Impact! Activity Prompt Cards – ways to make club or home more fun and engaging through activity prompts!
Looking for an all in one limited prep resource that is practical and easy to use? Looking for a resource that can grow with you- from beginner, to intermediate, and beyond? Look no further!!! The Lasting Impact! Limited Prep Guide has what you are looking for… – Impromptu – Mars Hill – Extemporaneous – Apologetics Whether you are a student, parent, club leader or coach- use this guide to elevate your skills!! Plus!!! BONUS RESOURCE!!! The Limited Prep Resource Packet… compilations of lists, prompts, quotes, questions, and more!! Over 200 pages of tips and tricks to master limited prep speaking! This is an excellent tool for the tool box!! Head to the SHOP and get yours today! It’s on SALE for the month of June!
Have you seen our RESOURCES recently? We have everything from Guide Books to Source Books for Juniors, Beginners, Novices, Intermediate, and Advanced! We also cater our products to students, as well as parents, coaches, and clubs! Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact Heather@lastingimpact.info
Most people think of impromptu examples as stories. Almost always, that’s the way it plays out: whether you’re telling the story of someone’s life (Beethoven overcame challenging life circumstances to compose beautiful music), a plot point from a book (When Frodo took the ring to Mount Doom, he relied on his friend Sam), or even a personal anecdote, you’re relying on storytelling. There’s nothing wrong with this–in fact, story is a powerful way to connect with people and draw them into your narrative…
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Throughout my seven years competing in Speech and Debate, I heard the same phrase echoing throughout the competition halls: “I just want at least ONE judge to cry in my speech this time”. Pathos, the emotional appeal of your words, is admittedly an effective tool when it comes to evoking strong reactions amongst your audience, but is it the best way to approach your limited prep speeches?
Sign up for Annie’s Impromptu Class, which starts Mon. Feb. 10, HERE or continue to read on…
Impromptu. The word itself used to scare me. Why not play it safe and do informative and persuasive speeches? Aren’t I too old to start a new speech category?
For a long time, I stuck with this philosophy; playing it safe, until I felt that God was calling me to do something very bold, something completely out of my comfort zone and on my “never do” list….impromptu.
This week starts Annie Roger’s Online Impromptu Club. There is still room left to join and gain the tools you need to feel better equipped to speak on your feet. Are you ready? 1 Peter 3:15 states, “But in your hearts honor Christ as Lord, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you.” Are you ready to defend your faith? Are you ready to give an answer? Annie has been working with students for over three years. Here is what a couple of her students had to say…
“Annie’s guidance with Impromptu was extremely beneficial for me. She demonstrated how to quickly craft an effective thesis by helping me think about seemingly simple topics in a deep and impactful way. Through Annie’s insight I went from never breaking to competing at Nationals.” ~Nathanael R.
“Annie Rogers is one of the best coaches that I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. I had never imagined success in Impromptu, as it was a new event for me. Annie is professional, encouraging, and honest. She taught me many valuable lessons about Limited Preparation Speeches. She is an incredible strategist, in that she can analyze a situation and help her students overcome their obstacles. She not only helped me succeed in Impromptu, but I got to Nationals in Debate and Apologetics, as well. She is more than just a coach, she is a friend that I would recommend to anyone.” ~Zach D.
If you sign up for Online Impromptu, here are some of the things Annie will be covering…
Intro into Impromptu
Preparation
Structure
Delivery and Style
Growth
Adding Complexity
Being able to speak on your feet will be valuable for years to come. Sign up NOW.
Annie Rogers competed in speech and debate for seven years. In 2015, she earned the title of NCFCA National Impromptu Champion, her favorite category, and was in the top five debate teams in the nation for 2017. As a sophomore at Wheaton College in Illinois, Annie competes on Wheaton’s British Parliamentary debate team, and got 2nd place at the 2019 Pan Pacific Debate Championship. Annie has been coaching limited prep for three years, and loves watching her students tackle challenges and grow in skill and character.
Next week starts Online Impromptu Club with Annie Rogers. Sign up now to improve your Limited Prep speaking skills. Click HERE to learn more about this awesome opportunity or continue reading Annie’s article on “How to Approach Impromptu “…
Do you ever wonder how to effectively link books, songs, movies, art… to Jesus? I mean, who does that?! Mars Hill Impromptu is a great event that helps train us to implement Jesus into every aspect of our lives! It’s also a great way to practice witnessing to others about Christ in a creative way!
When I was competing in Speech and Debate, I loved the Limited Preparation speeches. Apologetics, Impromptu, and Extemporaneous gave me the opportunity to use my voice to speak about important issues, make an impact, and inspire people. I used to jokingly tell people that I loved limited prep because for me, “limited preparation meant no preparation.” But that wasn’t really true. I spent a lot of time preparing for limited preparation speeches, just not in the same way as for platform or interpretive speeches. Remember our Online Extemp Group starts in less than two weeks. Join Now!
When you are doing a duo, your prep involves picking a book, memorizing, and practicing blocking with your partner. For persuasive, you need to spend most of your time researching and writing your speech, and then fine tuning your delivery. In Limited Preparation speeches, you don’t need to memorize anything, work with a partner, or plan out your hand motions, body movements, or pauses ahead of time. Instead, the best use of your time is to be an inquisitive and fully present person. What do I mean by this? Let’s break it down for three limited preps- Extemp, Apol, and Impromptu… (Isabelle Clausen will break down the Mars Hill binder next week)…
1st Peter 3:15 says “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Holy, and always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within you.”
This verse is one widely considered to be the foundation for all Christian Apologetics and is one that gives Christians a high responsibility. To ALWAYS be ready to give an answer means that we can’t delay in our preparation or in our willingness to answer anyone who asks us about the hope that we have in Christ. Nothing prepares us better to do this than learning and competing in the speech event Apologetics… even as a beginner!
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