"Impromptu"; or, How to Think on Your Feet

The work presents a practical method for developing the ability to speak extemporaneously, describing a classroom game in which speakers draw topic cards and deliver one-minute addresses while peers signal time. It offers concise guidance emphasizing clear thought, clear expression, and authenticity, along with instructions for rapid idea selection, disciplined practice, and solo drills. Extensive lists of varied topics and numerous specimen one-minute speeches illustrate the approach, while anecdotes and an appended essay on forensic eloquence discuss broader techniques of persuasion. The book stresses regular practice as the means to gain mental agility, resourcefulness, concentration, and self-confidence in public speaking.