Impromptu Speaking Homework | Young Speakers Academy

Brain Ping-Pong Warm-Up

The Game

Stand in a circle. Someone throws an imaginary ball and says ONE word (like "Spatula"). You catch it and immediately say the first connected word that pops into your head ("Pancakes"). Keep it going fast!

The big lesson: If you pause to think of the "perfect" word, the game slows down. Impromptu speaking is about trusting your FIRST thought!

Quiz: What is the main lesson from Brain Ping-Pong?

A Always think for a long time before answering

B Trust your first thought and don't overthink

C Only say words that start with the same letter

The 3 "Cheat Codes"

What Are Cheat Codes?

When a video game level is too hard, sometimes you use a Cheat Code. In speaking, we use Frameworks. If someone asks you a question, don't panic - just pick a code!

You don't need to write a speech - you just need a structure to hang your words on!

The 3 Frameworks

O.R.E.O. - Best for "Opinion" questions like "Do you like X?" or "What is your favorite...?"
Time Traveler - Best for "Tell us about..." questions - great for big topics or history
Story Sandwich - Best for "What would you do?" questions - hypothetical situations

Quiz: What are frameworks in impromptu speaking?

A Scripts you memorize word-for-word

B Rules that tell you exactly what to say

C Structures (cheat codes) to organize your thoughts quickly

Match: Which cheat code fits which type of question?

"What is your favorite...?"

"Tell us about..."

"What would you do if...?"

Cheat Code #1: O.R.E.O.

The O.R.E.O. Framework

Use this when asked opinion questions like "Do you like X?" or "What is your favorite...?"

O Opinion: State clearly how you feel. "I think Minecraft is the best game ever."
R Reason: Why? "Because you can build anything you can imagine."
E Example: Give a specific detail. "Once, I built a castle that went all the way to the clouds."
O Opinion: Restate it. "That is why Minecraft is the king of games."

Quiz: What does the "R" in O.R.E.O. stand for?

A Repeat

B Reason

C Remember

Quiz: In O.R.E.O., why do you restate your opinion at the end?

A Because you forgot what you said

B To make your speech longer

C To wrap up your answer with a strong, complete ending

Cheat Codes #2 & #3

The Time Traveler

Use this for "Tell us about..." questions - travel through time!

PAST: How was it before?
PRESENT: How is it now?
FUTURE: What do you hope happens?

Example: "Tell us about how we listen to music."

PAST: "My parents carried around giant boomboxes. They could only carry 12 songs!"

PRESENT: "Today, I have Spotify. 10 million songs in my pocket."

FUTURE: "In the future, music will be beamed directly to a chip in our ear!"

The Story Sandwich

Use this for "What would you do?" questions - hypothetical situations!

TOP BUN (The Hook): Start with a bold statement or sound effect
THE MEAT (The Story): Tell the story of what you would do
BOTTOM BUN (The Lesson): Why does this matter?

Quiz: In the Time Traveler framework, what are the 3 time periods?

A Morning, Afternoon, Evening

B Past, Present, Future

C Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Quiz: In the Story Sandwich, what is the "Top Bun"?

A A bold statement or sound effect to hook the audience

B A quiet introduction where you say your name

C The lesson or moral of the story

The Skeleton Run

What Is It?

In the Skeleton Run, you DON'T give a full speech. You only give the skeleton - your answer plus 3 quick points (the "3 bones"). This builds the muscle of organizing your thoughts quickly.

Example: "What is the best pet?" → "Dog. Bone 1: They cuddle. Bone 2: They protect the house. Bone 3: They play fetch."

Try It at Home!

Ask a family member to give you a random topic. Give your answer + 3 bones as fast as you can. Try these: "Best school lunch?" "Cats vs Dogs?" "Best superpower?"

Quiz: What is the purpose of the Skeleton Run?

A To give a full 5-minute speech with lots of detail

B To memorize your answer word-for-word

C To practice organizing your thoughts quickly with just an answer and 3 points

Review & Remember

Key Takeaways

Trust your first thought - don't overthink it, just speak!
O.R.E.O. = Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion (for "favorite" and opinion questions)
Time Traveler = Past, Present, Future (for "tell us about" questions)
Story Sandwich = Hook, Story, Lesson (for "what would you do" questions)
The Skeleton Run = Answer + 3 Bones (practice organizing fast)

Your Homework Challenge

Next time someone at the dinner table asks "How was school?", don't just say "Good." Use the Time Traveler code: "This morning was tired, Lunch was pizza, and Tomorrow I have a test!"

Great Job Reviewing Session 2!

Keep practicing your cheat codes at home. Remember: 1, 2, 3... LEVEL UP!

Impromptu Speaking: Master the Cheat Codes