Extempore Speech: Meaning, Tips, and Best Topics
What is Extempore Speech?
Imagine you are attending a training workshop. If the trainer invites you on stage and asks you to speak on a particular topic on the spot, you will quickly plan your speech—maybe jot down a couple of keywords—and then present it. This is called an extempore speech, also known as impromptu speech.
Extempore Speech Examples
Real-Life Example
CC BY 3.0 Unported by Studio Harcourt.
If you asked Amitabh Bachchan to speak about acting, he could talk day in and day out until you felt sleepy. He could explain the nuances of acting and vividly describe different aspects of it. He could even speak without any preparation.
Why? Because he has experienced and lived acting his entire life.
However, if you asked him to speak on missile technology, he might only manage a few seconds. There would be no assurance that he could say anything relevant.
Although he is an outstanding orator, the command of English alone does not mean you can speak on any topic without preparation.
How to Speak Without Preparation (Extempore Speech)
You might ask: Can I speak on any topic in English without preparation?
My answer: Only if you have the “right to speak.” Let us understand the meaning of this. It means you know a topic because you have either read it thoroughly, experienced it through work, or done extensive research about it.
Late scientist A. P. J. Abdul Kalam read extensively about missile technology and devoted his entire life to experimenting and researching it. No wonder he could speak effortlessly about the subject.
Most TEDx speakers speak effortlessly because they spend years of their lives developing solutions the world needs most, and they earn the right to speak through their extensive work in a particular field.
Yogesh Vermani
Everyday Examples of Extempore Speech
- Sachin Tendulkar can talk about cricket for hours without preparation.
- A tax practitioner can explain complex laws without a book.
- A chef can share recipes without handouts.
- A doctor can describe common illnesses without guides.
- A farmer can explain crop growth without manuals.
- A teacher can recall classroom lessons without notes.
- A driver can give road safety tips without checking a rulebook.
In summary:
If you want to speak on a topic, you must first earn the right to speak. This means understanding the topic well—through knowledge, experience, or research.
Here is your step-by-step guidance to present a topic you are not familiar with:
Yogesh Vermani
Easy Topics for Extempore Speech
Beginner-Friendly Topics
- Introducing yourself
- Your job profile
- Your parents
- A mistake you don’t want to repeat
- A proud decision
- A memorable school or college moment
- A life lesson from your father, teacher, or workplace
Difficult Topics (Not Without Preparation)
- Missile technology
- Robotic engineering
- Amazon rainforest
- Search engine optimization
🌟 Are you losing job opportunities because of poor English?
I understand your problem — I faced the same challenge when I started my career as a Chartered Accountant because I couldn’t speak with confidence. I don’t want you to feel stuck the same way.
For 15 years, I have been helping professionals and jobseekers speak English with confidence and unlock better opportunities.
I invite you to join my FREE English Speaking Demo Course so you can experience how the right direction helps you speak confidently and start improving your English from day one.
👉 Your journey to confident English speaking starts here.
Tips for Making an Effective Impromptu Speech
- If your job requires making frequent speeches, record your video every day and practise speaking on the most relevant and useful topics for you.
- If you get an opportunity to present a topic you already know well, say yes to the opportunity and give your best to the audience.
- If you are asked to speak on a topic you are not familiar with, explain to the organiser that you cannot do justice to the topic and ask them to change it.
Caution: When you try to speak on a topic where you cannot give your best, people will know it immediately. It is impossible to speak confidently about a topic you know nothing about.
Conclusion: Why Extempore Speech Matters
Extempore speech is not about talking on every topic. It is about speaking with confidence, clarity, and passion on what you know best. Experts can talk for hours without notes because they have knowledge and experience behind them.
If you want to improve, start small—with topics from your daily life. Gradually, you’ll build the habit of thinking quickly and speaking clearly.
👉 Always remember: fluency comes from practice, not from grammar rules.
Meet the Author – Yogesh
- ✅ A Qualified Chartered Accountant helping professionals and jobseekers speak English confidently for over 15 years.
- 🏢 Founder of Urcareer, one of the most trusted institutes on Google for learning English-speaking skills.
- 📚 Author of 7 books, including 2 bestsellers: Learn English Through Hindi-English Translation and English Speaking Practice.
- 🎓 Creator of English Speaking Mastery Course for Jobseekers and Professionals , with 7,200+ students from over 110 countries.
- 💬 His language tips and answers have received over 1.5 million views on Quora.
Member discussion