Most people use the two words interchangeably to mean `spontaneously’. Careful users of the language, however, maintain a distinction between the two.
The word `extempore’ is normally associated with public speaking. When you give a speech extempore, you give it with no notes. There is no memorisation involved either. You stand before the audience and talk, but this doesn’t mean that you haven’t given the subject matter any thought. You may have been given your topic a month in advance, and you come so well prepared that you choose to speak without notes.
The word `impromptu’ is normally used with musical performances. In this case, the performer does not play a piece that he has rehearsed; instead, he creates the music as he goes along. When the word is used in relation to public speaking, it suggests that there is no planning or premeditation involved. An impromptu speech is one when you are asked to speak all of a sudden, without any prior warning. In this case, you have little or no time to prepare; you make up your speech as you go along. Many people do not maintain this subtle distinction between the two words nowadays.
Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, November 14, 2005.
The word `extempore’ is normally associated with public speaking. When you give a speech extempore, you give it with no notes. There is no memorisation involved either. You stand before the audience and talk, but this doesn’t mean that you haven’t given the subject matter any thought. You may have been given your topic a month in advance, and you come so well prepared that you choose to speak without notes.
The word `impromptu’ is normally used with musical performances. In this case, the performer does not play a piece that he has rehearsed; instead, he creates the music as he goes along. When the word is used in relation to public speaking, it suggests that there is no planning or premeditation involved. An impromptu speech is one when you are asked to speak all of a sudden, without any prior warning. In this case, you have little or no time to prepare; you make up your speech as you go along. Many people do not maintain this subtle distinction between the two words nowadays.
Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, November 14, 2005.
Thanks for writing.
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