by Robert C. Carroll For too long, impromptu speaking The most common method of orga- as the abstraction the thesis: "Jerry Garcia has been dominated by speeches that ad- nizing impromptu speeches has been is a symbol of the achievement in everyone's dress just about everything imaginable, with termed either argument-by-example, or ex- lives" and then proceeds to speak on the exception of the topic assigned to the ample-based impromptu, or list-pattern achievement for five minutes, then the topic speaker. In my previous article, "Organiza- speaking. Whatever name it assumes, this might as well have been the word "achieve- tion an Extemporaneous Speech using Uni- is the pattern: ment" and not the person "Jerry Garcia". fied Analysis", I argued that Unified Analy- Topic: Topic The speaker has essentially substituted a sis (UA) is "the one best organizational Thesis: Comment on the topic new topic (a word for a name), or at the very pattern" for the body of an extemporane- I. First Main Point - Historical Example least, has deviated substantially from the ous speech. Unified Analysis itself is based II. Second Main Point - Political Example existing topic. on the influential article, "Extemporaneous III. Third Main Point - Literary Example Unified Analysis solves this problem. Speaking: Unifying the Analysis," by David IV. Personal Reference In Unified Analysis: (1), several different Ross. This organizational pattern unifies reasons why this person/place/event is sig- all the analysis offered by the speaker The major problem with this organi- nificant or important are offered; (2), these around answering the question, hence its zational pattern and analytic strategy is that reasons become the main arguments in the name. This organizational structure can also the examples are used in the speech to sub- speech; and (3), examples are used to sup- be successfully applied to impromptu stitute for arguments. That is not the pur- port these arguments. Unlike the other two speaking and in this article I will do so by pose of an example; an example is used to types of topics, Unified Analysis does not reviewing the types of impromptu topics, help clarify or illustrate an argument that offer an abstraction for this topic. This is the purpose of the event and the most com- the speaker is try to make - it assists in mak- why I believe famous names and places/ mon method of organization, and then, ap- ing the argument, but it is not the argument current events make poor impromptu top- plying UA to each of these types of topics. itself. By using this pattern/strategy, all a ics; because a speaker cannot draw an ab- Before proceeding further, it is nec- speaker does is spend most of the speech straction from them. Unified Analysis uses essary to review the three basic types of relating examples to the topic and not ana- examples to support arguments which sup- impromptu topics. These are: (1), famous lyzing the topic; any reasonably intelligent port a central thesis; that the famous name people/places/events - historic or contem- speaker can "stock" examples and relate or place is indeed significant (if it was not, it porary figures and locations and events; these examples to almost any topic, while it would not be the topic) and not as argu- (2), words - conceptual (abstract) and op- takes the exceptionally intelligent speaker ments themselves. Take the example of erational (objects and things); and (3), quo- to argue a thesis using logic and support/ "Jerry Garcia" once again. The Unified tations/phrases/proverbs. illustrate this logic using cases/examples. Analysis approach would be: "Jerry Garcia In impromptu speaking, with each of was a significant figure in contemporary the three types of topics, Unified Analysis Famous Persons/Places/Events American society for two reasons: first he (or UA) can be carefully applied, especially The first type of impromptu topic is was an influential musician; and second, he if the purpose and strategy of the event is the famous person or place or (current) lived a self-destructive lifestyle." These two kept in mind. The purpose of the event is event. Though I disagree with many when reasons or influences or accomplishments for a speaker to present a clearly structured I argue that these topics make for poor im- are each examined in turn and examples are defense of a thesis he or she has extrapo- promptu speeches because they are too lim- used to support them. The same approach lated from the topic. The strategy for justi- iting, the fact remains that they are used is used with a famous place or object, such fying this abstraction becomes more clear and a speaker must be prepared for them. as "Mount Everest" or "Empire State Build- when we examine each of type of topic in In argument-by-example, an abstraction is ing", or a current event, such as "Near East depth and apply Unified Analysis to it. The drawn from the person or place and this ab- peace" or "Contract with America". speaker develops arguments which justify straction becomes the thesis for the speech, his or her extrapolation and explain why it is while examples are used to describe this Name: Jerry Garcia the best. In the process, the impromptu thesis. In essence, these examples serve as Thesis: Jerry Garcia, the deceased vo- speaker uses examples to support his or her arguments. This is not a bad approach, but calist/songwriter/guitarist for the band arguments in the same way an extempora- it is limiting. Besides, the abstraction, if too The Grateful Dead, was a significant fig- neous speaker uses evidence to support his limited, can become a word, and the speaker ure in contemporary American society: or her rationale. Thus, examples and evi- has thus changed the topic for the speech. I. Because he was an influential dence exist only to explain and support Take the example of "Jerry Garcia", the de- musician. good argumentation, not replace it. Hence, ceased vocalist/songwriter/guitarist of the II. Because he lived a self-destructive the Cardinal Rule of Impromptu Speaking band The Grateful Dead, an acceptable topic lifestyle. has evolved: Examples Are Used Only To because he is immediately recognized by Illustrate An Argument, Never To Substi- most competitors and judges and was a tute For One. newsworthy figure. If the speaker chooses Place: Mount Everest used to beat eggs". In both cases, it be- Quotations/Proverbs/Phrases Thesis: Mount Everest, the highest comes extremely difficult to choose ex- The third type of impromptu topic is mountain in the world, is a significant amples to substantiate the thesis. the quotation (not quote), phrase or prov- place in the world: In Unified Analysis, the speaker is erb. These, unlike words, make excellent I. Because it is isolated from most of allowed to be more creative: (1), a defini- topics for impromptu speaking. In list-pat- humankind tion is given for the word; (2), this defini- tern speaking, an interpretation is given for II. Because it is almost impossible to tion becomes the thesis for the speech; (3), the quotation and this interpretation be- climb several different reasons justifying this comes the thesis for the speech, with ex- definition are offered; (4), these reasons amples used to illustrate this thesis. Once Object: Empire State Building become the main arguments in the speech; again, this is not a bad approach, but it does Thesis: The Empire State Building, once and (5), examples are used to support these have its weaknesses. One, a great deal de- the tallest building in the world, is a sig- arguments. Take the examples of "liberty" pends on the quality of the examples of- nificant object: and "eggbeater" once again. The Unified fered, and two, these examples are used in I. Because it shows how the benchmark Analysis approach with "liberty" would be: substitution for an actual argument. Take in human achievement is always "liberty is a significant concept in human the example of the old Klingon proverb, "Re- moving up history for two reasons: first, it signifies venge is a dish best served cold." If the II. Because it is a symbol of the city and freedom for individuals; and second, it sig- speaker chooses as the thesis the interpre- the state it represents nifies responsibility for one's own actions". tation, "This quotation means that revenge The Unified Analysis with "eggbeater" is best taken in a cold-blooded manner" and Event: Near East peace would be: "an eggbeater is a symbol of proceeds to offer examples supporting this Thesis: Peace in the Near East, a region mixing things together for two reasons:" thesis, then all the speaker is doing is offer- of absurd complexity is significant: These two arguments are each examined in ing descriptive analysis: describing how I. Because it overcomes deep ethnic turn and examples are used to support them. this interpretation of the quotation can be hatred seen all sorts of mundane things. So, not II. Because it escapes ancient religious Word: Liberty only are examples used in place of an argu- suspicions Thesis: Liberty is the freedom from con- ment, but the analysis of the thesis never trol and the right to act on your own: passes beyond simple, descriptive analy- Event: Contract with America I. Because it signifies freedom for sis. Before proceeding, one simple fact; Thesis: The Contract with America, the individuals it implies people are not quotation is a noun and quote is a verb. document used to unite the Republican subject to absolute restrictions from The topic is never a quote, always a quota- party in the House of Representatives, the state. tion. The speaker, however, may quote the is significant: II. Because it signifies responsibility for author. I. Because it was successful in the one's own actions it implies people In Unified Analysis: (1), an interpre- campaign may act in their own best interest. tation is given for the quotation; (2), this II. Because it is determining the agenda interpretation becomes the thesis for the for the federal government Word: Equality speech; (3), several different reasons justi- Thesis: Equality is the result of all people fying this interpretation are offered; (4) Words being the same under the law: these reasons become the main arguments The second type of impromptu topic I. Because it is right treatment of all in the speech; and (5), examples are used to is the word. Unlike famous people or places, citizens. support these arguments. Unified Analy- words, especially abstract words, make ex- II. Because it is demonstrated through sis uses examples to support arguments cellent topics because they allow a speaker due process. which support a central thesis: that this a great deal of freedom and creativity. In interpretation of the quotation/phrase/prov- example-based impromptu, a definition is Word: Eggbeater erb is the best. Take the example of Klingon given for the word and this definition be- Thesis: An Eggbeater is a symbol for philosophy once again. The Unified Analy- comes the thesis for the speech, with ex- mixing things together: sis approach would be: "This quotation amples used to illustrate this definition. In I. Because it is used to beat the indi- means that revenge is best achieved in a essence, examples have taken the place of viduality out of an ingredient. cold-blooded manner for two reasons: first, arguments. Once again, this is not a bad II. Because it is used to blend separate revenge is not taken in the heat of the mo- approach, but it does have a weakness: the ingredients into a new whole. ment, instead it planned; and second, re- definition might prove too confining to con- venge is not a crime of passion, it is a crime struct a valid speech. Take the examples of Word: Lamp of retribution. These two arguments are "liberty", an abstract term, and "eggbeater", Thesis: A Lamp is a symbol for dispel- each examined in turn and examples are used an object/thing. There is only so much a ling darkness: to support them. Now, the speaker is using speaker can do with creating a thesis out of I. Because it dispells the darkness of explanative analysis to explain the interpre- a definition of these words: first, defining a ignorance. tation of the quotation given as a topic. conceptual word is difficult without using II. Because it dispells the darkness of Some students and coaches have other abstractions - "freedom", "responsi- apathy. taken Unified Analysis to mean that the bility", and second, defining an operational speaker should state a position on the quo- word really narrows the topic - "an object tation and then support this position using merely describing the topic and its applica- reason and relevant examples. Such a sce- tions, which argumentation-by-example nario involves the speaker "agreeing" or does, it justifies an abstraction (the extrapo- "disagreeing" with the quotation and de- lation of the thesis) from the topic and its fending this position. Such an application importance by using logical, analytic and of Unified Analysis is incorrect: the topic, creative insight. The argumentation-by-ex- in this case the quotation, does not exist ample, or the old two-or-three-examples- for the speaker to "agree" or disagree" and-a-personal-reference route, may be ac- with it, it exists for the speaker to extrapo- ceptable for novice speakers, but it is not late a thesis for the speech from it (such a what the event is about, nor what is should speech would lack a thesis and therefore aspire to be. not be a speech). Some speakers circum- vent this by extrapolating a thesis and then (Robert C. (Bob) Carroll formerly stating a position on the thesis, which is coached at Merrillville (IN) High School similar to a debater writing the resolution and Homewood-Flossmoor (IL) High and choosing sides; if the speaker extrapo- School. He is an alumnus of Bradley lates a thesis, he or she must defend that University.) thesis, not a position on that thesis.
Proverb: Revenge is a dish best served
cold. Thesis: Revenge is best achieved in a cold-blooded manner: I. Because revenge is not taken in the heat of the moment - it is planned. II. Because revenge is not a crime of passion - it is a crime of retribution.
Proverb: Only Nixon could go to China.
(Ancient Vulcan Proverb) Thesis: An adversary will broker the best possible deal. I. Because those who support the adversary will trust him/her. II. Because those who oppose the adversary will fear him/her.
Quotation: Rational men, who believe
themselves quite exempt from any intel- lectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. --John Maynard Keynes Thesis: Paradigms completely control how we view the world: I. Because we evaluate problems through paradigms. II. Because we propose solutions consistent with paradigms.
Phrase: Rose colored glasses.
Thesis: Rose colored glasses allow us to view the best of all possible worlds: I. Because they are worn by optimists. II. Because they can be removed or broken by pessimists.
The whole idea behind using Unified
Analysis to analyze impromptu topics is to achieve a deeper, richer, more complex and more sophisticated analysis. Rather than