Vocabulary Word:

Accolade (n): An expression of

approval; an award

Impromptu Topic #1

Convince us to vote for

you as President of

the USA.

Vocabulary Word:

Acrimony (n):

Bitter, sharp hostility,

especially in speech

Impromptu Topic #2

Explain three uses for a

pencil besides for

writing.

Vocabulary Word:

Angst (n): A feeling of anxiety or

apprehension

Impromptu Topic #3

Explain which letter

of the alphabet is

the best and why.

Vocabulary Word:

Boondoggle (n):

An unnecessary or wasteful activity

Impromptu Topic #4

If I could only eat three

foods forever…

Vocabulary Word:

Bravado (n): A show of bravery

or defiance intended to

impress

Impromptu Topic #5

The animal that is closest

to my personality

is…

Vocabulary Word:

Brusque (n): Abrupt and curt

in manner or speech; rudely

blunt

Impromptu Topic #8

You are an ant.

Convince an anteater not to eat you.

Vocabulary Word:

Cabalistic (adj):

Having a secret or hidden meaning

Impromptu Topic #6

Convince us that

homework is bad for your

health.

Vocabulary Word:

Capricious(adj)

Impulsive and unpredictable

Impromptu Topic #7

3 foods I’ll never eat…

Vocabulary Word:

Carte blanche (noun)

Unrestricted, unconditional

authority

Impromptu Topic #6

The top three jobs I

want…

Vocabulary Word:

Catch-22 (noun) A set of contradictory

rules that make it impossible to attain a

desired outcome

Vocabulary Enrichment:

Catch-22 was invented by Joseph Heller in his 1955 novel, Catch-22, which

takes place in Italy during WWII. When the main

character, a pilot, asks if it is possible to be grounded

for insanity, here is the answer:

Vocabulary Enrichment:

“There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process

of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be

crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had

to fly them.”

Impromptu Topic #11

You are a salesperson trying to sell us the shoes you have on.

Vocabulary Word:

Caustic(adj):

Critical or sarcastic; cutting

Impromptu Topic #15If you could only wear one outfit of

clothes for the rest of your life, what would you

wear?

Impromptu Topic #13

You are a mad scientist. Tell us about your

latest invention.

Vocabulary Word:

Disheveled(adj):

Marked by disorder; untidy

Impromptu Topic #9If you could

choose three other people to

be stranded on a desert island

with, who would they be and why?

Vocabulary Word:

Ennui (noun):Listlessness and

boredom resulting from lack of

interest

Impromptu Topic #20

If I could design a high school

building, it would have…

Vocabulary Word:

Esoteric (adj): Intended for or

understood by only a restricted number of

people.

Impromptu Topic #18

If I had a million

dollars to give away…

Vocabulary Word:

Fastidious (adj): Displaying meticulous

attention to detail

Impromptu Topic #21

If you could have dinner

with any three people, dead

or alive…

Vocabulary Word:

Faus Pas (noun):

A social blunder

Impromptu Topic #22

If I could travel through time

to two places/times…

Vocabulary Word:

Freudian Slip (noun):

A verbal mistake thought to reveal an unconscious

belief, thought, or emotion

Impromptu Topic #24

If I could be a certain

age forever…

Vocabulary Word:

Glib (adj): Performed with a natural,

offhand ease

Impromptu Topic #25

The worst chores to

do at home are…

Vocabulary Word:

Heresy (noun): An opinion or teaching in conflict with established

beliefs and opinions

Impromptu Topic #27Make up a three-

sentence story using the following items/people:

1.Cabbage2.A pencil3.Brad Pitt

Vocabulary Word:

Idyllic (adj): Tranquil, carefree, or

picturesque

Impromptu Topic #19

If dogs ruled the world, what three

things would change?

Vocabulary Word:

Junket (noun): A trip taken by an official

at public expense

Impromptu Topic #19

What are three things that the man/woman of your dreams

could do to win your heart?

Vocabulary Word:

Kitsch (noun): Art or other objects

appealing to popular taste, usually gaudy or

overly sentimental

Vocabulary Word:

Litany (noun): A repetitive recital or list

Impromptu Topic #24

Three things that I’d

change if I ruled the

world are…

Vocabulary Word:

Lurid (adj): Vivid description or

explicit details meant to shock

Vocabulary Word:

Machiavellian (adj):

Characterized by cunning and deceit

Impromptu Topic #26

Some situations in

which lying is morally

justified are…

Vocabulary Word:

Machismo (adj): A strong sense of

masculinity; aggressiveness,

domination of women

Impromptu Topic #23

What I’ve learned

from cartoons…

Vocabulary Word:

Malaise (n): A vague feeling of bodily discomfort; depression;

unease

Vocabulary Word:

Moribund (adj): Approaching death;

about to die

Reminders for Demonstration Speeches:•Audience members need to participate, but also not overwhelm the presenter with chatter and enthusiasm•Remember that you should have a beginning, middle and end of the speech and should address all three. •Look at your rubric sometime before you present so you know exactly what you are supposed to do! (or not do!)•BE PREPARED!!!

Vocabulary Word:

Malinger (v): To fake illness in order to

avoid work or duty

Impromptu Topic #26

If you were an animal, what

would you be? Why?

Impromptu Topic #27

If I were invisible for a

day, I would…

Vocabulary Word:

Mantra (n): A word or phrase

expressed repeatedly to motivate

Impromptu Topic #30Defend a position:

Homeschooling is/is not beneficial

for children.

Vocabulary Enrichment: In Hindusim and Buddhism, a mantra

is a sacred verbal formula recited, often repeatedly, as a part of prayer, meditation, or incantation. A mantra

can be an invocation of a god, a magic spell, a portion of scripture, or even a single syllable, like OM, that is believed to have mystical properties.

Vocabulary Word:

Maudlin (adj): Excessively sentimental

Impromptu Topic #27

Name your top three favorite classes in high school (besides

this one!).

Vocabulary Word:

Misnomer (n): A name wrongly or

unsuitably applied to a person or an object

Impromptu Topic #30

Think of a subject/event about which you are

passionate and could rant about without much

preparation. Write the topic down and be prepared to

rant.

Impromptu Topic #27

A law should be made that….

Impromptu Topic #29

Defend a position: Teachers

should/should not give grades

Vocabulary Word:

Narcissist (n): One who is excessively

preoccupied with oneself

Vocabulary Enrichment: Narcissus was a beautiful young man,

the son of a nymph and a river-god. He had many admirers but spurned them all, so he was cursed for his

hardheartedness. He fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water,

even trying to kiss it and talked to his reflection. Eventually, he pined away and died of his unfulfilled love. When

the nymphs came to give him a proper funeral, they found the

narcissus flower nodding over the pool in place of his body.

Impromptu Topic #30Defend a position:

The assassination of a dictator by the

American government can/cannot be

justified.

Vocabulary Word:

Ogle (v): To stare at something, especially in a desirous or impertinent manner

Vocabulary Word:

Ostentatious (adj):

Characterized by showiness meant to

impress others; pretentious in display

Impromptu Topic #30Think of a

subject/event about which you are

passionate and could rant about without much preparation.

Vocabulary Word:

Ostracize (v): To exclude or banish

from a group

Impromptu Topic #17

Convince our principal to give students their birthdays off of

school.