What is the impact of using quotes in an impromptu speech?

Using quotes in an impromptu speech serves to enhance the speech's effectiveness by adding credibility and reinforcing key points. When a speaker incorporates quotes from authoritative sources or notable figures, it lends weight to their arguments and supports their stance, making the speech more persuasive. This reinforcement can resonate emotionally with the audience, helping to drive home the speaker’s message and making it more memorable.

Quotes can also establish a connection with shared cultural or historical context, which can further engage the audience. By grounding the speaker's ideas in recognized wisdom or popular opinion, the audience may be more inclined to trust and accept the speaker's overall message.

In contrast, making the speech longer and more complex would not necessarily benefit the clarity or impact. Similarly, distracting the audience or limiting originality detracts from the goal of engaging and informing the audience effectively, which quotes are designed to support rather than undermine.