Icebreaker

Introduction: The Ice Breaker marks the beginning of your new Toastmasters path. It is your opportunity to introduce yourself to your group and share something about yourself. You may choose to share anything from the reason you chose this particular path to something personal about your life.

The Ice Breaker speech is 4 to 6 minutes in length and it is the first one that all Toastmasters present to their clubs. It is also the speech Toastmasters deliver when they embark on a new path.

You will learn to distinguish the basic elements of speech structure and learn about rehearsal techniques that will help you balance preparation and spontaneity.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to introduce yourself to the club and learn the basic structure of a public speech.

Structure: The four elements of a good story are:

1. Interesting topic.
2. Opening.
3. Body.
4. Conclusion.

Overview: Write and deliver a speech about any topic to introduce yourself to your club. Your speech may be humorous, informational, or any other style that appeals to you.

Practice: There are many ways to practice. Choose a technique that works for you or develop one of your own.

• Rehearse with Friends or Family.
• Record Yourself.
• Use a Mirror.
• Practice Sections.
• Time Yourself.

Relax, Breathe, Enjoy, and Overcome Anxiety.

How to overcome crutch words

1. Embrace the pause. They create suspense, slow down fast talkers, demonstrate confidence, draw audience attention and give speakers the time they need to communicate with precision. With practice, you will soon be pausing instead of using crutch words, and there’s no penalty for pausing. 
2. Slow down. But when speakers slow down, they have much more time to plan out the precise phrases they want to use and will not need nonsensical fillers to connect random and pre-baked thoughts.
3. Know your point. Prepare your points in advance and know them well. If you start talking before you know what you want to say, you’re bound to say something pointless.
4. Practice your speech. Practicing mitigates that anxiety by making the speaker more familiar with the material. A comfortable and confident speaker has more control, enabling her to embrace pauses and deftly avoid the “ums” and “ahs.” Practice may not always make perfect, but it can give you the confidence to make good public-speaking decisions.

Ah counter speech

Greetings General Evaluator, fellow Toastmasters, and guests. The purpose of the Ah-Counter is to note words and sounds that are used as a "crutch" or "pause filler" by anyone who speaks. During the meeting, I will listen for overused words, including and, well, but, so, and you know. I will also listen for filler sounds, including ah, um, and er. And when a speaker repeats a word or phrase, such as "I, I" or "This, this, this means." At the end of the meeting, I will report the number of times that each speaker used these expressions.

Thank you, General Evaluator. Go back to you.

The ah counter

The purpose of the Ah-Counter is to note any overused words or filler sounds used as a crutch by anyone who speaks during the meeting. Words may be inappropriate interjections, such as and, well, but, so and you know. Sounds may be ah, um or er. As Ah-Counter you:

• Request a copy of the Ah-Counter’s log from your sergeant at arms. If a log is not available, be prepared to take notes.
• When introduced during the club meeting, explain the role of the Ah-Counter.
• In the Ah-Counter’s log, record overlong pauses, overused words and filler sounds relied upon too often by all speakers. Examples include: and, but, so, you know, ah, um.
• During the evaluation portion of the meeting, report your observations when called upon.

Pathways

The current education system Pathways consists of eleven differing paths suited to their needs and requirements, based around Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Management, Strategic Leadership, and Confidence. Each path consists of 14 projects. Content consists of online and print materials, it being the first time in the organization’s history to provide modern technology in its programme. Content is available in English, and as of 2023, translations are available in 10 languages.

Evaluation criteria for a speech

This criteria lists the specific goals and expectations for the speech. Please review each level to help you complete the evaluation.

Clarity. Spoken language is clear and is easily understood.

5 – Is an exemplary public speaker who is always understood 
4 – Excels at communicating using the spoken word 
3 – Spoken language is clear and is easily understood 
2 – Spoken language is somewhat unclear or challenging to understand 
1 – Spoken language is unclear or not easily understood 

Vocal Variety. Uses tone, speed, and volume as tools.

5 – Uses the tools of tone, speed, and volume to perfection 
4 – Excels at using tone, speed, and volume as tools 
3 – Uses tone, speed, and volume as tools 
2 – Use of tone, speed, and volume requires further practice 
1 – Ineffective use of tone, speed, and volume 

Eye Contact. Effectively uses eye contact to engage audience.

5 – Uses eye contact to convey emotion and elicit response 
4 – Uses eye contact to gauge audience reaction and response 
3 – Effectively uses eye contact to engage audience 
2 – Eye contact with audience needs improvement 
1 – Makes little or no eye contact with audience 

Gestures. Uses physical gestures effectively.

5 – Fully integrates physical gestures with content to deliver an exemplary speech 
4 – Uses physical gestures as a tool to enhance speech 
3 – Uses physical gestures effectively 
2 – Uses somewhat distracting or limited gestures 
1 – Uses very distracting gestures or no gestures Audience 

Awareness. Demonstrates awareness of audience engagement and needs.

5 – Engages audience completely and anticipates audience needs 
4 – Is fully aware of audience engagement/needs and responds effectively 
3 – Demonstrates awareness of audience engagement and needs 
2 – Audience engagement or awareness of audience requires further practice 
1 – Makes little or no attempt to engage audience or meet audience needs 

Comfort Level. Appears comfortable with the audience.

5 – Appears completely self-assured with the audience 
4 – Appears fully at ease with the audience 
3 – Appears comfortable with the audience 
2 – Appears uncomfortable with the audience 
1 – Appears highly uncomfortable with the audience 

Interest. Engages audience with interesting, well-constructed content.

5 – Fully engages audience with exemplary, well constructed content 
4 – Engages audience with highly compelling, well constructed content 
3 – Engages audience with interesting, well constructed content 
2 – Content is interesting but not well-constructed or is well-constructed but not interesting 
1 – Content is neither interesting nor well-constructed 

Topic. Shares some aspect of his or her leadership style and the impact of that style on self or others.

5 – Delivers an exemplary speech about the topic and its impact
4 – Delivers an excellent speech about the topic and its impact
3 – Shares some aspect of the topic and its impact
2 – Mentions some aspect of the topic and its impact, but does not fully address 
1 – Delivers a speech on a topic other than some aspect of the topic proposed

How To Speak Like The 1% Elite

Natalie Dawson

1. Stop speaking to be liked. Speak to lead. Mindset: I am a leader. Be certain of. 
2. No emotions allowed. High emotion, low intelligence. Swayed based off of logic, based off of data. Never let your emotions override your message.
3. Have authority. Don't speak more, speak with weight. Conversations, meetings have to matter. What is my target? Struggle with the most important point. Steer the conversation with clear confident delivery.
4. Become a question master. Understand what really matters. In order to solve the most complicated problem you need to know what questions you need to ask to be able to make the best decisions to move on.
5. Stop oversharing. Overexplain is a signal that you are not confident. Be direct. Don't seek validation. Show confidence.

Conmutación

Conmutación o retruécano, es una figura retórica de repetición que consiste en la reorganización de los elementos de una oración en otra subsiguiente.

Por ejemplo, «hay muchos que siendo pobres merecen ser ricos, y los hay que siendo ricos merecen ser pobres.» (Quevedo).

Pathways de Toastmasters

Toastmaster

Los niveles de Toastmasters están organizados en el programa Pathways, que es un programa educativo que ayuda a desarrollar habilidades de comunicación y liderazgo. Los niveles son: 

1. Dominar los aspectos fundamentales 
2. Aprender el estilo de comunicación y liderazgo 
3. Aumentar el conocimiento y negociar el mejor resultado 
4. Desarrollar habilidades 
5. Demostrar experiencia 

Cada trayecto Pathways tiene cinco niveles, y al comenzar se dominan los fundamentos para luego pasar a habilidades más avanzadas. 

Completar un Pathways puede llevar alrededor de dos años, pero se puede avanzar más rápido si se es miembro de más de un club. Al incorporarse como socio por primera vez, Toastmasters International incluye un trayecto Pathways. Para obtener y desarrollar trayectos subsecuentes, se deben adquirir en la página web internacional.

Five vocal exercises

Vinh Giang

Lip flutter:

1. No sound ***
2. Spurts *
3. Constant pitch ***
4. Low to high pitch *
5. Favorite song *

3 Exercises to Strengthen Voice

Laryngopedia

So

• Vocal cord/ tract muscles can be strengthened by challenging them
• Short bursts of intense voice use can build vocal cords and related muscles
• Aggressive voice does not harm vocal cords if done briefly

Do

• Voice of Authority. 
• Ship Ahoy Voice.
• Siren.

For

• 20 seconds on each task.
• 4 to 6 times a day.
• Minimum 2 weeks.

3 Techniques Obama Uses that will Elevate Your Speech

1. Anaphora. Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
2. Epizeuxis. Repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession, typically within the same sentence, for vehemence or emphasis.
3. Parellelism. Repetition of grammatical structures in a piece of writing to create a harmonious effect.
4. Antithesis. opposition or contrast of ideas.
5. Chiasmus. Repetition in reversal order of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses.
6. Juxtaposition. Placing two things close together or side by side to compare or contrast them, or to show similarities or differences.
7. Isocolon. Succession of phrases, clauses, or sentences of approximately equal length and corresponding structure.

10 consejos para mejorar tu oratoria

1. Apasiónate. Conoce el tema.
2. Practica. Repetición. Memoria muscular.
3. Simplifica tu Lenguaje. Lenguaje no técnico. Usa ejemplos.
4. Improvisa. No leas tu discurso. Conexión visual.
5. Conciso. No hables de más. El objetivo es comunicar con eficiencia.
6. Naturalidad. No impostes la voz.
7. Lenguaje corporal. Utiliza gestos para acompañar tus mensajes.
8. Muévete. Prestancia. Manejo de escenario.
9. Espontaneidad. Interactúa.
10. Termina con fuerza. Con lo último que se queda tu público.

5 simple techniques Barack Obama uses

1. Personal anecdote. Leading to the point.
2. Details in rhetoric. To establish an idea.
3. Love for the stories. That anyone connect to.
4. Stress on the words. Compelling to listen power phrases.
5. Patience to watch. Letting peoaple react and praise.

Figuras retóricas

analepsis

Del gr. ἀνάληψις análēpsis 'recuperación', 'restauración, renovación'.

1. f. Ret. Pasaje de una obra literaria que trae una escena del pasado rompiendo la secuencia cronológica.

Sin.: flashback.

Ant.: prolepsis.

prolepsis

Del gr. πρόληψις prólēpsis.

 1. f. Fil. En la doctrina de los epicúreos y los estoicos, conocimiento anticipado de algo.

2. f. Psicol. Anticipación mental de una acción por realizar.

3. f. Ret. Anticipación por parte del autor a la objeción que se le pudiera hacer. 

4. f. Ret. Pasaje de una obra literaria que anticipa una escena posterior rompiendo la secuencia cronológica.

Ant.: analepsis.

elipsis 

Del gr. ἔλλειψις élleipsis; literalmente 'falta, carencia'.

1. f. Gram. Omisión de un segmento sintáctico cuyo contenido se puede recuperar por el contexto; p. ej., en Juan estudia biología y María (estudia) matemáticas.

Sin.: elisión.

2. f. Ret. Omisión intencionada de algún elemento del discurso para suscitar determinados efectos en el lector.

Sin.: zeugma.

3. f. Cinem. y T. lit. En narratología, omisión de segmentos de la historia que se narra.

anagnórisis 

Del gr. ἀναγνώρισις anagnṓrisis 'acción de reconocer'.

1. f. Ret. Reencuentro y reconocimiento de dos personajes a los que el tiempo y las circunstancias han separado.

Sin.: agnición.

2. f. Reconocimiento de la identidad de un personaje por otro u otros.

Gettysburg Address Analysis

By Frank Coffman, wordsmith.

Opening:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Archaism. Four scores and seven years ago to add nobility and authority.

Envelope alliteration. Four... fathers... forth... proposition...

Thesis:

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

Parallelism. In the use of the words nation, conceived and dedicated as in the first paragraph.

Argument:

We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

Anaphora. Repeated opening. Now we are engaged... We are met... We have come...

Polyptoton. Words derived from the same root are repeated. lives... live.

Tricola. we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow... 

Diminutio. "a great civil war", "a great battlefield of that war", "a portion of that field". 

Call to action:

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- 

Incremental paraphrasis. to be dedicated here to the unfinished work... to be here dedicated to the great task...

Chiasmus. Reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses. for us the living rather... rather for us... / dedicated here... here dedicated.

Antithesis. we take... they gave...

Polyptoton. these dead... died... 

Closing:

that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Metaphor. birth of freedom.

Tetracola. that from these honored dead... that we here highly resolve... that this nation... and that governement...

Tricola. of the people, by the people, for the people

Envelope alliteration. people... for... people... 

Epiphora. Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. of the people, by the people, for the people

The 7 Cs of effective communication

The 7 Cs of effective communication:

1. Clear. Few ideas easy to understand
2. Concise. Stick to the point and keep it brief
3. Concrete. Solid message
4. Correct. Error-free
5. Coherent. Logical. All points connected and relevant to the main topic
6. Complete. Everything needed to be informed
7. Courteous. Friendly, open and honest

Errores al presentarte

1. Presentación demasiado larga. Desconectas. Irrelevante. Breve y que genere interés.
2. Ser demasiado humilde. Sé seguro. Confianza al transmitir.
3. Improvisar el inicio. 7 segundos. Buen inicio.
4. Olvidarte del lenguaje corporal. Expresa emociones con tu rostro. 55%. Postura.
5. Decir toda tu información académica. Elogio en boca propia es vituperio.

The Five Canons of Rhetoric

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion through speaking or writing. Rhetoric is divided into five canons: Invention, Arrangement, Style, Memory and Delivery. Studying and practicing each element will allow you to communicate persuasively with greater clarity, eloquence and self-confidence and can also enable you to decode other people's attempts to persuade you. 

Invention. Define the topic that you want to discuss, use reliable sources to research about it and identify the best arguments and approaches to persuade your audience.

Questions:

Questions of fact. What is the subject matter? What facts support or undermine your opinion?

Questions of definition. Define the topic, and analyze its various elements. Ask yourself if any terms are ambiguous or open to misinterpretation. Avoid unnecessary jargon.

Questions of quality. Consider the ethics or quality of your views. What values influence your argument? Are they aligned with your personal values, and those of your organization? And how reliable are your conclusions?

Questions of jurisdiction. This refers to the channel of communication. Have you chosen the best one for your message, for example, email, speech or social media?

Questions of audience. What is its level of understanding of your topic? What questions does it want you to answer? What is its cultural makeup?

Tips:

Don't be tempted to embellish facts or massage statistics in order to advance your agenda. These are surefire ways to destroy your credibility. 

If you are communicating with a diverse audience, use segmentation to understand the needs of each group. You need to know both your subject and your audience for your message to be convincing.

Arrangement. Organize your information into the most persuasive and logical order. You can do this in a variety of ways. A common format is as follows:

1. Introduction.
2. Statement of facts (background information).
3. Division (a summary of your arguments).
4. Proof (your logical argument/the main body of your speech or writing).
5. Refutation (highlighting the objections to your argument and then dealing with them).
6. Conclusion.

Tips:

Use the 7 Cs of Communication to ensure that it's clear, concise and complete.

The Five Canons of Rhetoric is a useful framework for organizing and preparing your communications. You can also use the Rhetorical Triangle to formulate your thoughts and present your position clearly. 

Take care to avoid fallacies. In other words, statements that seem to be true, but that are based on false reasoning. They are sometimes used to present flawed arguments as fact. So, if you use one by mistake, it may make you seem dishonest.

Style. This is how well you express your ideas. Use simple, powerful sentences and project genuine believe in what you say. Style will depend on your platform and your audience, and it can include your use of metaphors, storytelling and visual aids. 

Tips:

Use short, clear and compelling sentences. Make your speech or writing as elegant as possible, and use positive and inspiring words. Avoid anything that appeals to negative emotions such as fear, anger or shame.

Memory. Rehearse your speech thoroughly, or get familiar enough with your topic so that you feel confident communicating it to others. Use mnemonics, review strategies and checklists to commit your ideas to memory. Your message should also be memorable for your audience. 

Questions:

How can you ensure that your audience members won't forget your message as soon as they finish reading or listening? And how can you make a deep impact, and reach them on an emotional level?

Delivery. Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice and diction. You want your audience to trust you. It needs to believe that you're authentic, credible and knowledgeable about your topic – and the best way to achieve this is to be authentic, credible and knowledgeable!

Tip:

You can explore strategies for improving your delivery in our articles on making a great first impression, thinking on your feet, assertiveness, and building self-confidence.