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Introduction to Extemporaneous Speaking

📚 Foundation Track ⏱️ ~45 minutes 🎯 Beginner

What is Extemporaneous Speaking?

Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp) is a speech event where competitors have 30 minutes to prepare a 7-minute speech answering a question about current events. It tests your knowledge of domestic and international affairs, your ability to organize thoughts quickly, and your public speaking skills.

Unlike other speech events where you prepare for weeks, Extemp challenges you to deliver an informed, compelling speech with minimal preparation time. This makes it one of the most intellectually demanding and rewarding events in speech and debate.

The Extemp Process

  1. Draw three questions from a topic area
  2. Choose one question to answer
  3. Research and prepare for 30 minutes
  4. Deliver a 7-minute speech

Types of Extemp

There are two main categories of Extemporaneous Speaking:

United States (Domestic) Extemp

Questions focus on American politics, economics, social issues, and domestic policy. Topics might include congressional legislation, Supreme Court cases, state politics, economic trends, or social movements.

Example Question: "Will Democrats retain control of the Senate in 2026?"

International (Foreign) Extemp

Questions cover global affairs, international relations, foreign policy, and events outside the United States. Topics span geopolitics, international economics, conflicts, diplomacy, and global trends.

Example Question: "Can the European Union effectively respond to the migration crisis?"

Speech Structure

A standard Extemp speech follows a clear organizational pattern:

Classic Extemp Structure

  1. Attention-Getter (AGD): Hook the audience with a quote, anecdote, or striking statistic (30-45 seconds)
  2. Link to Topic: Connect your AGD to your question (15-20 seconds)
  3. Answer the Question: Clearly state your thesis (10-15 seconds)
  4. Preview Points: Outline your 3 main points (15-20 seconds)
  5. Point 1: First main argument with analysis and sources (2 minutes)
  6. Point 2: Second main argument with analysis and sources (2 minutes)
  7. Point 3: Third main argument with analysis and sources (2 minutes)
  8. Conclusion: Summarize your answer and leave a memorable final thought (30-45 seconds)

What Judges Look For

Successful Extemp speakers excel in three areas:

1. Content & Analysis

  • Deep knowledge of current events
  • Sophisticated analysis that goes beyond surface-level observations
  • Well-supported arguments with credible sources
  • Clear answer to the question asked

2. Organization & Structure

  • Logical flow from introduction through conclusion
  • Clear transitions between points
  • Balanced time allocation across points
  • Coherent argument that builds throughout the speech

3. Delivery & Speaking

  • Confident, engaging presentation
  • Strong eye contact and body language
  • Varied vocal tone and pacing
  • Minimal reliance on notes

The 30-Minute Prep Process

How you use your prep time is crucial. A typical prep period breaks down like this:

  • Minutes 0-5: Question analysis and research, gathering sources
  • Minutes 5-15: Outlining your three main points and crafting your answer
  • Minutes 15-25: Finding supporting evidence and sources for each point
  • Minutes 25-30: Writing your introduction, conclusion, and practicing delivery

You'll develop your own prep rhythm, but the key is having a consistent system that ensures you finish on time.

Source Citation

In Extemp, you must cite your sources orally during your speech. A proper citation includes the source name and date. For example:

"According to The New York Times from October 15th, unemployment dropped to 3.8 percent..."

You'll typically cite 5-8 sources in a competitive speech.

Why Do Extemp?

Extemporaneous Speaking develops skills that are valuable far beyond competition:

  • Current Events Knowledge: You'll become exceptionally informed about the world
  • Quick Thinking: Learn to organize complex ideas under pressure
  • Public Speaking: Develop confidence speaking to any audience
  • Research Skills: Master efficient information gathering and synthesis
  • Critical Analysis: Move beyond headlines to understand deeper implications

Practice Exercise

Task: Watch two example Extemp speeches online (search "Extemp finals" on YouTube). As you watch, take notes on:

  1. How the speaker structures their introduction
  2. How they organize their three points
  3. How they cite sources
  4. Their delivery style and body language

Write a short reflection (150-200 words) on what you learned and what speaking techniques you want to incorporate.

Moving Forward

In the next lesson, you'll learn how to build a research filing system—the foundation of successful Extemp speaking. You'll discover how to find, organize, and access information quickly during your 30-minute prep period.

For now, start reading the news daily. Pick 2-3 reliable news sources and spend 20 minutes each day reading about current events. This habit is the single most important thing you can do to prepare for Extemp.