Random Words
Random Words is an applied improvisation exercise from Joseph A. Keefe's Improv Yourself in which partners each place ten dissimilar, unrelated words in a random pattern on paper and then compose an original story, poem, or monologue incorporating all ten words. The exercise builds the creative muscle of forging connections between unrelated concepts under constraint.
Structure
Setup
Participants pair up. Each partner writes ten words on a sheet of paper. The words should be as unrelated as possible: concrete nouns, abstract concepts, verbs, adjectives. "Umbrella, philosophy, crumble, violet, negotiate, eleven, passport, whisper, glacier, Tuesday" would be a strong set. Partners exchange their word lists.
Progression
Each participant studies their partner's ten words and composes a short piece: a story, poem, speech, or monologue that uses all ten words. The composition can be written or spoken aloud from notes. Participants have five to ten minutes for creation.
Partners share their pieces. After each performance, they discuss which words were easiest to incorporate, which required the most creative stretching, and how the constraint shaped the final product.
A second round may use the same words to create an entirely different piece, demonstrating that the same raw materials yield different results depending on the creative approach.
Variations
A speed version gives participants only two minutes to compose, forcing intuitive rather than planned connections. A collaborative version has partners compose a single piece together, alternating sentences and each responsible for incorporating five of the words. A presentation version requires participants to deliver their piece as a formal speech to the full group.
How to Teach It
Objectives
Random Words develops the ability to find meaning in arbitrary constraints, a skill that transfers directly to improvisation, creative writing, and innovative thinking. The exercise demonstrates that creativity thrives under limitation rather than in unlimited freedom.
How to Explain It
"Your partner has given you ten random words. Create a story, poem, or speech that uses all ten. The words do not need to appear in order. Find the connections your brain wants to make."
Scaffolding
Begin with five words rather than ten for participants new to constraint-based creation. Allow written composition before requiring spoken delivery. In advanced rounds, reduce preparation time or increase word count.
Common Pitfalls
The most common issue is participants who shoehorn words into the piece awkwardly: "And then I saw an umbrella. Speaking of umbrellas, philosophy is important." Coach them to integrate words so that they feel necessary to the piece rather than inserted into it.
A second pitfall is choosing related words for a partner, making the task too easy. The exercise works best when the words resist connection, forcing genuine creative leaps.
In Applied Settings
Random Words is used in creativity workshops, writing programs, and innovation training. The exercise helps professionals practice generating coherent ideas from arbitrary constraints, a skill that mirrors real-world creative challenges where raw materials are given rather than chosen. Facilitators use the exercise to demonstrate that creative confidence comes from practice with constraints rather than from natural talent.
Skills Developed
Worth Reading
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How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Random Words. Retrieved March 19, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/random-words
The Improv Archive. "Random Words." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/random-words.
The Improv Archive. "Random Words." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/random-words. Accessed March 19, 2026.
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