When you join Toastmasters, you work through two sets of manuals: one for communication skill and one for leadership. There is a starting manual and advanced manual projects for each.
Competent Communication project objectives
The first communication manual is especially designed to focus on different aspects of crafting and delivering a speech, ending with projects for persuasive and inspirational speeches.
You decide what your speech will be about. The manual includes a couple of pages for each speech to help you prepare.
You will receive a verbal and written evaluation of your speech by a more experienced Toastmaster at the meeting you delivered it in the context of the speech objectives, included below.
1: The Ice Breaker
4-6 minutes
- Begin speaking before an audience.
- Discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention.
- Introduce yourself to your fellow club members.
2: Organize Your Speech
5-7 minutes
- Select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand your speech.
- Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that message.
- Use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to another.
- Create a strong opening and conclusion.
3: Get To The Point
5-7 minutes
- Organize the speech in a manner that best achieves its purposes.
- Ensure the beginning, body, and conclusion reinforce the purpose.
- Project sincerity and conviction and control any nervousness you may feel.
- Strive not to use notes.
4: How To Say It
5-7 minutes
- Select the right words and sentence structure to communicate your ideas clearly, accurately and vividly.
- Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas.
- Eliminate jargon and unnecessary words.
- Use correct grammar.
5: Your Body Speaks
5-7 minutes
- Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech’s purpose.
- Make your body language smooth and natural.
- Focus on methods of delivery, but do not overlook speech content.
6: Vocal Variety
5-7 minutes
- Use voice volume, pitch, rate, and quality to reflect and add meaning and interest to your message.
- Use pauses to enhance your message.
- Use vocal variety smoothly and naturally.
7: Research Your Topic
5-7 minutes
- Collect information about your topic from numerous sources.
- Carefully support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples, and illustrations gathered through research.
8: Get Comfortable With Visual Aids
5-7 minutes
- Select visual aids that are appropriate for your message and the audience.
- Use visual aids correctly with ease and confidence.
9: Persuade With Power
5-7 minutes
- Persuade listeners to adopt your viewpoint or ideas or to take some action.
- Appealing to the audience’s interests.
- Use logic and emotion to support your position.
- Avoid using notes.
10: Inspire Your Audience
8-10 minutes
- Inspire the audience by appealing to noble motives and challenging the audience to achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement.
- Appeal to the audience’s needs and emotions, using stories, anecdotes and quotes to add drama.
- Avoid using notes.
See Toastmaster Andrew Dlugan’s guides to these speech projects.