The Toastmasters Competent Communication Track By Vinod Raman, DTM

 10 Projects  Provides basic skills needed to present an effective speech  Each project has a set of objectives focusing on a different speaking skill  You learn by practising, delivering speeches and getting feedback  Enjoy the experience – it’s a self paced program, there’s no need to rush through your projects The CC Track in a Nutshell

 You can speak on any topic of your choice  Choose topics that allow meeting your objectives  Understand your audience – choose topics that everyone can relate to Choosing A Topic  Choose topics you’re familiar with or passionate about – you’ll be more convincing

 Oral and written feedback  Evaluations are personal and subjective opinions and can often vary  Point out your strengths as a speaker Evaluations  Offer constructive suggestions on improvement for future speeches  Consider whether suggestions from previous evaluations have been incorporated into the current the project presentation

 Speak about yourself, it’s the best way to begin speaking  Choose 3 to 4 broad aspects and elaborate  Try and maintain a chronological order of events CC #1 – The Ice Breaker  If you require notes, try using a cue card  Speak slowly and clearly  Don’t be nervous – we’ve all been there

 Start strong – Opening should capture the audience attention  Your body should support your speech’s message  Have a singular and clear message CC # 2 – Organize Your Speech  Have clear transitions between Opening, Body and Conclusion  Reinforce your message and drive it home with an emphatic conclusion

 Most speeches have one of the following four general purposes which highlights the broad intent of your speech:  To Inform  To Persuade  To Entertain  To Inspire  Every speech must have a specific and realistic purpose that the audience can relate to and act upon  Ensure both your General & Specific purposes are clear  Organize your speech content to reinforce your specific purpose CC # 3 – Get To The Point

 Avoid using jargon and cliché phrases  Use short and pertinent sentences  Use proper grammar and pronunciation CC # 4 – How To Say It  Talk less, say more – use the right words  Don’t just tell us about it, take us there – use vivid descriptions to paint a picture for your audience  Use rhetorical devices like similes metaphors and triads to enhance your ideas

 Use gestures and facial expressions to describe or emphasize your points or emotions CC # 5 – Your Body Speaks  Ensure your movements on stage are purposeful and reflect your:  Transitions  Tone of speech  Lock eye contact with an audience member when making a point

 Vary your volume, pitch and rate of speech to reflect the emotions or points being described:  Speak faster and louder to show anger or excitement  Speak slowly and softly to show sadness or fatigue CC # 6 – Vocal Variety  Pause :  Before punch lines and jokes – build that suspense  After punch lines and jokes – let it sink in, let them laugh

 Keep it simple – complex terms and statistics will go over the audience members’ heads and you’ll lose their interests  Use different sources to gather your information  Don’t plagiarize - always reference the source of your facts, statistics or examples  Use appropriate visual aids if necessary to support your ideas  Handouts are always helpful– something for audience members to take home CC # 7 – Research Your Topic

 Use visual aids only to support your speech:  Ensure the focus remains on you  Avoid too many slides:  points per slide  words per point  Use clearly readable font  A picture says a 1000 words  Look at your audience, not your slides - rehearse  Have a backup plan in case technology fails CC # 8 – Getting Comfortable With Visual Aids

 Address issues that appeal to your audience’s interests  Convince your audience to change their opinions  Provide proof of your views using logic and/or emotions  Deliver your speech with sincerity and conviction  Conclude with a strong call to action CC # 9 – Persuade With Power

 Connect with your audience’s needs and emotions  Support your points with stories and anecdotes  Have a singular and clear message CC # 10 – Inspire Your Audience  Emphasize your points with vivid words, body language and vocal variety  Inspire them with a powerful and positive conclusion – an emphatic call to action

 Always lock eye contact with audience members  Pauses are a powerful tool  Have a single clear message  Use personal stories Going That Extra Mile  There’s always a way to add humour – try and start with a joke  The best speeches are conversational

 Never come unprepared – practice, practice, practice  Never say “Thank You” at the end of your speech  Never apologize – you haven’t made a mistake unless YOU tell us What You Shouldn’t Do  Never turn your back to audience unless your content requires it  Never hesitate to ask your mentor for help

Congratulations !!! You’re a Competent Communicator

Beyond Your Competent Communicator 9.Persuasive Speaking 10.Communicating on Video 11.Storytelling 12.Interpretive Reading 13.Interpersonal Communication 14.Special Occasion Speeches 15.Humorously Speaking 1.The Entertaining Speaker 2.Speaking to Inform 3.Public Relations 4.Facilitating Discussion 5.Specialty Speeches 6.Speeches by Management 7.The Professional Speaker 8.Technical Presentations  15 Advanced manuals – 5 Speech projects per manual  2 different manuals for each advanced level – Bronze (ACB), Silver (ACS) and Gold (ACG)