Short notice speeches and impromptu speeches There are many situations in our everyday lives when we may be called upon to speak at short notice or speak immediately. You could be at work, speaking to retail staff or a bank manager. You may be speaking to a stranger at the supermarket. Wherever you are, you can practice spontaneous and short notice speaking. The definition of short notice speaking is when you have some warning before you need to speak. Impromptu speaking is when you speak immediately, completely ‘off the cuff’. Don’t panic! There are techniques which can be used in these situations to make them manageable and, in fact, enjoyable.

All speeches carry a message, so you need to know the purpose of your speech. Is it to inform, persuade, motivate, entertain or perhaps have a combination of these?