•

Why are we doing an impromptu speech?

•

it is a good model to take to any speech setting where you have to speak without much preparation

•

the format allows you to quickly put together a speech that is easy to listen to

•

this is the first speech assignment because it is a base model for the other speeches

•

has fewer moving parts than the other speeches, but

•

"Sorry, I was trying to stay with the mechanical metaphor but I totally ran out of steam."

•

this will be a basic model you can build into your muscle memory and fall back on

•

basic procedure

•

1. select a prompt

•

2. prepare an outline in 5 minutes

•

this is a good time limit to practice a realistic speed of preparing a short talk: it doesn't have to be perfect, but it has to be usable for a speech

•

3. deliver a 3-6 minute speech

•

structure

•

introduction

•

point #1

•

support

•

support

•

point #2

•

support

•

support

•

conclusion

•

the prompts

•

these are just topics so you can take them and make any argument out of them

•

"I don't care which way you argue, I care that you're making good arguments."

•

about the topics

•

I know that you are interested in public speaking

•

I know you have some experience with online education

•

not just American topics

•

you just need to be able to weight in one way or the other

•

argue for and against, a good skill base to have

•

topics

•

delivery is more important than invention in public speaking

•

the prevalence of the television soundbite has significantly hurt the quality of public speeches

•

online education will never replace traditional universities

•

Coursera should charge a small fee for classes in order to pay for staffing and website development.

•

online courses re better than face-to-face instruction