Impromptu Speaking Program

The BFI’s Impromptu Speaking program is an intensive, one-week program designed for students of all experience levels. The Impromptu program runs from July 29 - August 3, 2024.

Curriculum Design

• The BFI curriculum in Impromptu has two “tracks” that provide students with sound training in the fundamentals of speaking. In addition, students will receive topical instruction targeted toward the likely topics of the upcoming competitive season. To support these aims, the BFI offers students specialized instructions in the following areas:

  • Traditional/Novice Track – The BFI offers a specialized lab for students with little/no experience with Impromptu Speaking. Our traditional/novice lab(s) provide a supportive environment that emphasizes the fundamentals of organizing material and speaking. Our staff works closely with novice speakers to learn effective skills in research, speech construction, and delivery. The novice track features lectures, guided research, and speech construction that teach students the basics of effectively breaking down topics, choosing organizational strategies, identifying meaningful examples and analogies, and delivering speeches. Instruction will teach both the three-by-one and the two-by-two approaches to Impromptu Speaking. In addition to this specialized instruction, novice students will be provided with the same comprehensive topic knowledge and focus on speaking skills that is the Utah difference!
  • Progressive/Varsity Track – The varsity track focuses on advanced speaking driven by cutting-edge research and intensive preparation. The BFI offers advanced lab(s) designed to provide every student with a highly developed, collegiate-level understanding of rhetoric, persuasion, and argumentation theory and practice. The advanced track features lectures, guided research, and speech construction that teach students to effectively construct theoretical arguments, analyze critical and philosophical ideas within prompts, and strategically approach unconventional questions to create successful speeches.  This track will focus specifically on “building arguments,” including a focus on critical evaluation, argument construction in Impromptu Speaking, and other cutting-edge competitive practices. Coupled with the expansive range of “starter” resources with which students will leave camp, the BFI provides the training necessary for success throughout the competitive season. Please note: students who participate in the progressive/varsity track should have no less than one year (six tournaments) of competition at the varsity level. 

Core Courses

• Elements of Effective Research — provides hands-on instruction in library research, electronic research, outline construction, and evaluating examples for worth and usefulness.
• Fundamentals of Argument — focuses on argument construction within an impromptu speech, analysis of examples, speech structure, and other fundamental skills while creating speeches.
• Impromptu Lab — focuses on practical skills essential for speakers of all experience levels, including outline-writing (multiple formats) effective speaking (drills, judge adaptation, organization, delivery), effective time management (impromptu research before rounds, outlining, prepping, practicing), and delivery (fundamental speaking skills, gestures, pacing, tone, etc.).

Sample Schedule