This section will continue to expand with more information about the art of public speaking. Please check back and consider adding to the knowledge base. Please follow the links for information on:
Learn how to write your own Introduction
One of the greatest fears in public speaking is when your mind goes blank in front of an audience and yet - public speaking can be one of the most exciting experiences you will ever have!
Check out these two articles on fear and excitement by Tom Gray
This link will take you to a PDF file on how to:
Evaluation Tips
The evaluation process is one of the most dynamic learning tools we have as toastmasters. It provides each member with an opportunity to grow. The best evaluations occur when the evaluator contacts the speaker prior to the meeting. A phone call is more valuable than an email.
Here are some questions that an evaluator can ask the speaker:
1. Is this a manual presentation?
2. If so, what are your
objectives?
3. If not, what do you want to accomplish?
4. Is
there a common critique from past evaluations that can be addressed
in this presentation?
5. What can I do to help you prepare for
this presentation?
You can click on the links below for an evaluation form in a PDF format. There are two forms. The first is in a landscape layout and the other is in a portrait layout.
Evaluation Form - landscape layout
Evaluation Form - portrait layoutYou will find contest dates and locations on the activities page.
This section is for information on the competition process and how to run or plan speech, evaluation, humorous and table topics contest for the club, area, and division level. There are links at the bottom of this section with more detailed information.
The competition process starts with the international speech and evaluation contests in the spring and the humorous and table topics contests in the fall. We have over 150 clubs in our district and each club goes through this same process.
You will hear some wonderful presentations, evaluations, and impromptu speaking with the winners from each club advancing to their Area Contest. The winner of the Area Contest will compete at the Division Contest and the winner of that contest will compete at the District Contest. The international speech contestant winner will continue to complete by creating a new speech for the Regional Contest and the winner of that event will create new speech for the International Contest.
All contestants must be in good standing (dues paid) and the club needs to be in good standing for the winner to continue on to the area contest. The international speech contestant must have completed 6 speeches in the Communication and Leadership Manual (Competent Communicator Manual). The only exception is for chartered members of a new club that was charted by last July.
We have had a number of our members
compete to the district level and a few members have competed at the
regional level.
The International Speech Contest - is
the most important contest Toastmasters International offers. The
International Speech Contest is a 5 - 7 minute presentation that
contestants have honed to perfection. These presentations are usually
inspirational, motivational and or entertaining in nature but don’t
have to be.
The Evaluation Contest - is one of the most
interesting contests we have in our organization. A guest speaker
will deliver a presentation. Then the sergeant at arms escorts all of
the contestants from the room. They will have five minutes to prepare
their notes. At the end of that time the sergeant at arms will
collect all of the notes except from the first contestant.
The
first contestant enters the room while the other contestants remain
out of the room. (The contestants draw for position.) The evaluations
are 2 to 3 minutes just like at the club level. When the second
contestant enters the room he or she will be given their notes.
The
process continues until the competition is completed. Keep in mind
that the contestants heard the same speech but each will give a
different evaluation.
The Humorous Speech Contest - is fun! It is a 5 - 7 minute presentation that will tickle your funny bone.
The Table Topics Contest – is all about mastering the art of impromptu speaking. The first contestant enters the room while the other contestants remain out of the room. (The contestants draw for position.) The toastmaster gives the contestant a topic. The contestant has 1 to 2 minutes just like at the club level. When the second contestant enters the room he or she will be given the same topic.
How to Plan a Club Speech Contest
Speech Contestant Biographical Information
Ballot Counter Sheet
Timer Sheets:
International Speech Judging Form
International Speech Tie Breaking Form
Follow these links for information on:
