Document

Youth Leadership Programme

Sponsored by …………… Toastmasters Club.

This Manual belongs to:

________________________________________

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Toastmasters International

Sponsored by

………………… Toastmasters Club

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction__________________________________________________ 4

How do you stand as a Speaker? __________________________________ 6

SESSION ONE: Introduction to Chairmanship ______________________ 7

SESSION TWO: Introduction to Public Speaking __________________ 9

SESSION THREE: Impromptu Speaking _________________________ 12

SESSION FOUR: Organising your Speech _______________________15

SESSION FIVE: Listening ____________________________________18

SESSION SIX: Gestures in Speaking ____________________________20

SESSION SEVEN: Voice and Vocabulary ________________________22

SESSION EIGHT: Show your Skills _____________________________24

EVALUATE YOUR PROGRESS _______________________________26/27

Appendix _______________________________________________28 - 33

The Officers ______________________________________28

A Typical Agenda __________________________________29

Sample Speech Outline ______________________________30

How to make your ‘Butterflies’ fly in formation ________30/31

Table Topics ______________________________________31

Visual Aids _______________________________________31

How to lead as Toastmaster of a Meeting ________________32

How to lead as Topicsmaster __________________________33

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INTRODUCTIONWhat is the Youth Leadership Programme?

This Youth Leadership Programme is an informal course in the arts of Communication and Leadership. The ability to clearly express your thoughts to others so that they are heard and understood is important if you are to become successful in life. This ability is also important if you want to participate in group discussions and decision-making activities.

By participating in the Youth Leadership Programme, you will learn speaking and leadership skills that you’ll be able to use for the rest of your life. You’ll learn to:

Overcome the nervousness everyone feels when asked to speak before an audienceOrganise and present your ideas logically and convincingly.Offer helpful advice that will help others improve their speaking and leadership skills.Participate in – and even lead – group discussions or meetings.

You’ll increase your self-confidence and, best of all, you’ll have fun while you’re learning and you’ll make new friends.

This Youth Leadership course is a programme of Toastmasters International. Toastmasters International is a non-profit organisation that helps people develop their communication and leadership skills. More than two million people around the world have benefited from Toastmasters Clubs since 1924.

We learn by Doing.You can’t learn to play the piano by reading books or listening to lectures on the subject. You must put the instructions into practice. Even if you were to read a dozen books on the subjects, you couldn’t become a good speaker or leader without practice. That’s how the Youth Leadership Programme works. You are given plenty of opportunities to practice in a friendly, positive atmosphere. And you’ll receive advice and help from your fellow participants in the process.

How the Programme works.Your Youth Leadership class will meet five to eight times, with each session lasting one to one and a half hours. A Co-ordinator will help you, but each meeting will be conducted by the participants themselves.

In the first session, you’ll become better acquainted with other participants. You’ll learn about conducting a meeting, and the group will elect officers to lead the remaining sessions. You will also analyse your present speaking skills.

In Session Two, you’ll learn about preparing an effective speech, and some of you will begin speaking before an audience. The group will learn how to evaluate too. In the third meeting, more of the group will speak and practice evaluating. You’ll also practice impromptu speaking, or “Table Topics,” and participate in a group or panel discussion.

In Session Four, several more participants will present speeches and others will practice evaluation and Table Topics. The group will also learn more about organizing a speech and elect officers for the next four sessions.

During the fifth meeting, several participants will present their second speeches and others will evaluate them and practice Table Topics. The group will also discover the principles of good listening and learn more about conducting a meeting.

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More participants will present their second speeches and others will evaluate them in the sixth meeting. Others will practice Table Topics. The group will discuss the importance of gestures and body movement in speaking, and practice conducting meetings or discussions.

In Session Seven, there will be more speeches, evaluations, and Table Topics, and the group will discuss the importance of a good voice and vocabulary in successful speaking. You will review the progress you’ve made in improving your speaking skills, too. Finally you’ll make plans for the eighth and final session.

During Session Eight, the group will present whatever programme it selected in the previous session. The group will then discuss plans for a special presentation ceremony where parents, VIP’s and others are invited. You’ll each have the opportunity to display your newly developed skills, and you’ll be recognized for your efforts.

Using this Manual

This is not a textbook. It’s a workbook. Feel free to write in it, make notes in it, underline sentences, etc. Read and consider each project carefully before you prepare your speech.

Be sure to bring the manual to each Youth Leadership meeting. It contains materials that you will need during each session.

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HOW DO YOU STAND AS A SPEAKER?

Date___________________

The following questions will help you discover your present speaking abilities.

At the end of Session Seven you’ll review your progress.

DO YOU…. Yes No

Feel comfortable talking to other people?

Have trouble telling others your views or ideas?

Have nervous habits when you speak to other people, such as saying“Ah” or “um”, fumbling with buttons or clothing, jingling change

in your pocket, etc.?

Practice good grammar and have a good vocabulary?

Listen to others and think carefully about what they say?

Want to improve your speaking abilities with helpful evaluation

From your fellow Youth Leadership participants?

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SESSION ONEINTRODUCTION TO CHAIRMANSHIP

Objectives:To become better acquainted with fellow participants.To discover your present speaking skills.To begin practicing the basics of chairmanship.

Agenda:Introduction and call to order.“Get-acquainted” exerciseDiscussion of Chairmanship principles.Nomination and Election of Officers.Evaluation of present speaking abilities.Discussion of assignments for Session Two.Adjournment.

CHAIRMANSHIP.Giving Your Best.Hundreds of thousands of meetings are held every day and night of the year. Student Council Meetings, School Club Meetings, PTA Meetings, School Board Meetings, Business and Trade Association Meetings, Church Meetings, State and National Legislative Meetings. During your life you will belong to many organisations and you’ll participate in many meetings. If you are to give your best to these organisations and their meetings, and if you want to be respected and your opinions heard, you need to know the principles of Chairmanship and Group Discussion.

Tips for Good Meetings.Members of any organisation are busy people, and they have a limited amount of time to devote to the organisation. That is why it’s important that meetings are run effectively, with no time wasted. As Chairman this is your responsibility. Here are some tips to help you lead a good meeting.

1. Have an Agenda. Prepare a written agenda for the meeting and distribute it to participants before the meeting. This allows everyone to organise their thoughts. The agenda should list all of the topics to be discussed during the meeting, and give the starting and ending times for the meeting.

2. Start and end the meeting on time. Every meeting should have a definite starting and ending time. People don’t like to waste their time waiting for a meeting to begin. If your meeting is scheduled to start at 7.00 p.m., start it at 7.00 p.m., not 7.30 p.m. Don’t delay a meeting because not enough people have arrived. If you start the meeting at the scheduled time, late arrivals will try to arrive earlier next time. And everyone will be grateful if you end the meeting on schedule!

3. Keep the discussions on track. Don’t let the meeting drag. Follow the agenda. Don’t let the discussion wander off of the subject, or allow it to take more time than necessary. People lose interest quickly if things move slowly. Make sure the programme proceeds at a stimulating pace.

4. Encourage everyone to participate. No one person, including you, should dominate the discussion. A Good chairman makes sure everyone contributes ideas. If someone seems reluctant to speak up, call on him or her.

5. Make certain the meeting’s purpose is accomplished. Keep discussions centered on the problem, and make sure that decisions are made. Then make sure everyone understands the decision and any action that needs to be taken.

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Why a Chairman?Bill and five of his friends decided to go to a movie Saturday night. Bill wanted to see a science fiction movie. Jeff and Dan wanted to see a new war movie. Lisa and Ed wanted to see an adventure movie.

The group argued for 30 minutes about which movie to see, and finally agreed on the adventure movie. But by the time they made the decision, the movie had already started. They had to select another movie to see, and the argument began again.

You’ve probably had a similar experience. Whenever a group of people must make a decision, discussion and disagreement usually arise. If the discussion and disagreements continue uncontrolled, no decisions can be made. Nothing is accomplished. What a waste of time!

That’s why organisations or groups have a chairman. The Chairman is the leader, the guide, the pilot of the meeting. He or she knows the purpose of the meeting, keeps any discussions under control, and helps the group accomplish its purpose.

The chairman is not a dictator. He or she is a leader who knows

1. The basic rules of procedure2. The business to be conducted3. The order of business4. His or her own rights and the rights

of members.The Chairman sees that all members of

the group are treated with justice and courtesy. He or she knows that the majority rules and the minority have the right to be heard. He or she has self-control, tact, and common sense. He/she can speak well, is a quick thinker, and is resourceful. He or she also knows the rules of meetings, something we’ll discuss later in this programme.

Getting ExperienceThe best way to become a good chairman is

to watch the chairman of meetings you attend. Think about why some are more successful than others. Another way to become a good chairman is to serve as a chairman. Several of you will have the

opportunity to act as chairman as part of this Youth Leadership Programme.

Others may serve as other officers. The rest will have a chance to learn about leadership by watching and participating in the meetings as members.

The first set of officers will be elected at the first meeting and will serve through Session Four. The second set will be elected at Session Four and serve through Session Eight. A description of the duties of each officer and a typical meeting agenda are in the appendix at the back of this handbook.

Elections will be held by the Coordinator. The various offices will be described and then nominations will be called for and seconded. All in favour will signal accordingly and any against will also signal when asked. Once voted in, the officers will hold their positions until completion of Session Four.

Officers required for Toastmasters are:-

President. Chairman of each Meeting. Responsible for keeping record of speakers & EvaluatorsVice President. Takes Chair in absence of President. Also plans next meeting’s officers and speakers etc. Sergeant at Arms. Ensures room and equipment are laid out for meeting. Greets Coordinator, Teacher and members as they arrive in room. Toastmaster. Takes over as Chairman when asked by President. Runs the planned speaking part of the programme. (Position Changes each Session) Topicsmaster. Take over as Chairman when asked by Toastmaster. Runs table topics session. (Position changes each Session)Other Officers. Will be nominated by Vice President for each meeting

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SESSION TWOINTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING

Objectives:To learn the elements of a good speechTo become familiar with the purpose and

principles of evaluation

Agenda:1. Introduction and call to order2. Presentation of Speeches3. Evaluation of speeches by group4. Discussion of elements of a good speech5. Discussion of assignments for Session Three6. Adjournment.

Introduction to Public SpeakingSuccess through SpeechA major part of your success as a chairman or a participant in a group depends on your ability to speak. If you can express your thoughts and interests clearly and logically to others, they will listen to you and even become persuaded to your point of view.Many people are uncomfortable just thinking about standing before an audience and speaking. The discomfort increases when they actually do face an audience. Their knees shake, their voice quavers, their throat goes dry, and their mind goes blank. All of these are normal reactions. Even the most experienced speakers are nervous.

Developing Your Self-ConfidenceYour fear of speaking can be eliminated by your knowledge of the subject, your enthusiasm, and your ability to discuss it, along with practice. When confidence takes the place of fear, you’ll actually enjoy speaking before an audience.To develop your self-confidence, you must first decide what you are afraid of. These fears are probably:

1. Physical fear of the audience2. Fear of being ridiculed3. Fear of making a fool of yourself4. Fear that what you have to say isn’t

important5. Fear that you may bore the audience.

The only way you’ll overcome these fears is through practice.

Preparing a SpeechIn your first talk before the group, you’ll “Break the Ice” by introducing yourself to your fellow members. This is the best way to begin your speaking experience because you already know about the subject – yourself. This knowledge will

give your speech a sense of earnestness and conviction that will attract your audience’s interest.Although the general subject of this talk is you, that subject is too broad for a talk of three or four minutes. Select one or two interesting aspects of your life that will give your fellow Youth Leadership participants an understanding of you. These aspects can include your birthplace or family, or something about your ambitions.Or you could talk about your hobbies, or about a subject on which you have strong beliefs, such as alcohol or drug abuse, smoking, homework, government, dating. If you choose to do this type of talk, be sure that you have a definite point of view and then prepare a protest, an appeal, or a call to action to support your viewpoint. You may want to follow this outline:

1. Something is wrong. State just what it is.2. Why is this wrong? Who is to blame? What

harm is done?3. How can this wrong be corrected? Make

specific recommendations for changing things for the better.

4. What should we do? Tell your listeners exactly what you want them to do, think, or feel. Show your enthusiasm and sincerity.

No matter which talk you choose to present, your talk needs a beginning and an ending. Try to create an interesting first sentence. Get it fixed in your mind and use it even if a better idea occurs to you just before you speak. Then think of a good ending sentence and memorise it. With a good start and a good finish, it’s easy to fill in the rest of your speech.

In any speech it’s good to select only three or four main points and talk about them in detail, using examples and stories to illustrate the points. If you just state a fact and then continue, most of your audience will miss the point.Time to Rehearse

Now your talk is ready. But are YOU ready to present it? Probably not, if you haven’t rehearsed. Practice the talk until you are comfortable with it. You won’t need to memorise it, since you already know the subject.

After you’ve practiced by yourself, give the talk for someone in your family or for a friend. After your talk, ask for comments. You may get some good suggestions. If you have a tape recorder, record your talk and listen to it carefully, making improvements when necessary.

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Presenting Your Talk.After you’ve rehearsed your speech, relax.

Don’t be afraid of your audience. They are friendly and eager to help you. Put any nervous energy to work for you instead of against you. Use it to add enthusiasm to your voice.

As you are being introduced, take a few deep breaths and slowly exhale. Rise, face the chairman, and say, “Mr. (or Madam) Chairman.” Then face the audience and say, “Ladies and Gentlemen.” Pause, and then say your opening sentence.

While you’re speaking, don’t fidget with your clothing. Stand straight, both feet firmly on the floor. Don’t rock back and forth, or lean on anything. Leave your hands at your sides or put them behind you. Look directly at some of the people in your audience for a few seconds. Talk loudly and slowly – don’t rush through your speech. But pay attention to the time. Don’t speak more than four minutes or less than three minutes. Be sure to have enough material prepared so you don’t finish too soon.

Don’t end by saying, “Thank you.” The audience should thank YOU for giving them the chance to hear you speak. Just close with your prepared ending and wait for the applause. Nod at the chairman and say, “Mr. (or Madam) Chairman,” then return to your seat.

What Evaluation Means to YouAn important part of any self-improvement

programme is feedback. We need feedback whenever we try to develop new skills. Feedback lets us know how we’re doing, and how we can improve.

After every speech you present in the Youth Leadership Programme, you will receive immediate feedback from the whole group or from one participant. Part will be delivered orally before the group, and part will be written, using the evaluation guides in this manual. Your evaluator will give you a personal reaction as to how your speech came across. This evaluation has one purpose – to help you become a better speaker. A good evaluator finds the faults of a speech and points them out, and he or she shows how to correct them. He or she also finds the good things and praises them.

How to Benefit from Your EvaluationAn evaluator is not a judge or a person with all

the answers; he or she is just a source of helpful feedback. You must decide if the evaluation is “on target.”

It’s important that you realise your evaluator is not an enemy, but a friend trying to help you.

When receiving an evaluation, try to understand the evaluator’s point of view. Don’t become defensive; instead, think about how your evaluator’s comments might help you improve your speaking skills.

You can influence the evaluations you receive in several ways. You can read the evaluation guide for your speech before preparing your speech and pay attention to those areas listed in the guide as you prepare. And you can prepare carefully for every speech. By doing this, you’ll help the evaluator focus on ways you can improve, rather than on problems caused by lack of preparation.

When You Are the EvaluatorBefore you evaluate a speech, you should have

a clear idea of what to look and listen for before the speech begins. Read the speaker’s assignment and the evaluation guide before the speech.

During the speech, pay close attention, using your eyes as well as your ears. Make written notes, if necessary. After the speech you’ll present a brief oral evaluation, one or two minutes long. You’ll also complete the evaluation guide in the manual.

Your job is not to pass judgment, but to describe your own reactions. Describe the strong points of the speech, and make the overall tone of your evaluation positive and rewarding. Try to make the speaker feel good about himself or herself. Use personalised phrases, such as

“My reaction was…”“It appeared to me…”“I felt that you…”

Avoid statements like“You should have…”“You failed to…”“Your opening was…”But don’t overload the speaker with praise only.

Every evaluation should have specific suggestions for improvement. If there are problems, point them out in a friendly, helpful manner. Every comment about a weakness should have a suggestion for improving that weakness.

When offering recommendations for improvement, personalise them by saying,

“I suggest…”“I think your next speech will have a stronger

impact on me if you…”“A technique I have found useful is…”

Avoid impersonal statements such as“You should…”“You must…”“Try to…”“Good speakers do it by……………

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EVALUATION GUIDETitle: __________________________________________

Evaluator: ______________________________________

Date: __________________________________________

Note to the Evaluator: The purpose of this speech was for the Youth Leadership participant to introduce himself or herself to the other participants. The speech should have a clear beginning, body, and ending. Point the speaker towards ways to improve, but don’t “pour it on.” Be encouraging, and tell the speaker a few basic ways to do better. In addition to the oral evaluation, please write answers to the questions below:

Did the group get to know the speaker better?

Did the speech seem well-prepared?

Did the speaker talk clearly and loudly?

Did the speech have a definite opening, body and conclusion?

What strong points does the speaker already have?

What one or two specific suggestions can you give to help the speaker improve?

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SESSION THREEIMPROMPTU SPEAKINGObjectives:

To learn to think on your feet through “Table Topics” To learn and practice the principles of group discussion

Agenda1. Call to order and reading of the minutes2. Presentation of speeches3. Evaluation of Speeches4. Introduction to Table Topics5. Review of principles of group discussion6. Assignments for Session Four7. Adjournment

Thinking ---- and Speaking --- on Your FeetTable Topics

Have you ever been called upon in class to give your opinion about something, only have your mind go blank? Or, worse yet, given your opinion, but it was so disorganised that the point you were trying to make was lost?

The ability to “think on your feet” is an important skill. That’s why you’ll have the opportunity to practice thinking on your feet through “Table Topics.” During the Table Topics portion of each Youth Leadership meeting, several participants will be asked to speak on a certain topic to be given by the Co-ordinator. The topic may be about anything, -- community affairs, current events, people, etc. Your talk should be one or two minutes long. The goal is to present your thoughts in a clear, logical manner with little preparation.

Organising Your ThoughtsYou want to do two things when you present your Table Topics talk. You want to present ideas worth

listening to with skill and conviction. You also want to say something sensible that will be of value to others.

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More Tips for Impromptu SpeakingOnce you’ve become comfortable with impromptu speaking and Table Topics, you may want to try following other mental outlines to help organise your thoughts. Following are some outlines you may want to remember.

1. Give your opinion, and then justify it with two or three specific reasons. For example, you may say, “The quality of education in our schools has declined in recent years. Studies show that a majority of high school graduates read only a sixth grade level and cannot write complete sentences or spell simple words.”

2. State a problem and show its causes. You could say, “Last year 15 people were killed in automobile accidents on a five mile part of Highway 25. This segment has long been dangerous because of its sharp curves and steep hills. Now new housing developments have increased traffic on the road…”

3. Offer a viewpoint – yours or someone else’s – and elaborate on it. “Last week our Student Council voted to allow a smoking area in our school cafeteria. This action seems to be part of a trend in our school to encourage smoking among students. I feel this trend should be stopped….”

4. State a goal or problem, and tell what must be done to achieve that goal or solve that problem. “Our club’s goal is to raise €500 for new uniforms. Here’s what we can do to achieve this goal.

5. Describe a process. “What happens when you telephone the volunteer fire department to report a fire? First, the fireman answering the telephone records the information…”

6. Break a problem, situation or object into its components and discuss them. “Our national government is divided into three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The legislative branch consists of…”

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If you keep these objectives in mind, you’ll have no trouble thinking and speaking on your feet.

After you’ve been given your topic, you’ll have a few seconds to organise your thoughts before you must speak. The following guidelines will help:

1. Decide instantly upon a clear and definite point of view on the subject. Then state it.2. Justify your point of view with two or three specific reasons.3. Illustrate your point of view in terms of your own experience or the experience of your listeners.4. Finish with summary and other reasons you may have thought of since you’ve had more time to

consider your point of view.Participating in Discussions

Sharing IdeasWhenever you are in a meeting or in the classroom, you will most likely become involved in some type of discussion.

Discussion – a sharing of ideas – is the usual method for solving problems, arriving at decisions, or making plans. A good discussion is open and purposeful, and it depends on two things: participants who understand the purpose, and a discussion leader who knows what he or she is doing.

Discussion differs from other talks in one important way: it’s a joint effort. Each participant contributes. There is a sharing of ideas, feelings, and information. A fact one member lacks is given by another. Everyone gives, and everyone gains. The ability to think on your feet it essential.

There are two different kinds of discussion: the conference, and the panel discussion.

The ConferenceIn a conference, there is usually a specific problem to be solved. No matter if it’s a conference for your church,

school, community or business, the procedure for solving the problem is the same.First the group decides on the problem and phrases it in an open-ended way. For example, “Drinking should be

prohibited for people under 21 years of age” is close-ended. It’s better to say, “What should be done about drinking by teenagers?”

Next the group discusses the extent of the problem and why the group should be concerned about it.Then the group creates a list of solutions. Everyone is encouraged to contribute, and no one’s ideas are rejected. The

group evaluates the solutions suggested and decides which ones are practical and which are not. Then the best one is selected. The best solution is the one that meets the need created by the problem more satisfactorily than any of the alternative solutions.

The Conference LeaderSometime you will be called upon to be the conference leader – if not in this Youth Leadership Programme, then in

your church group, school or civic club, or in your job. Your duty as conference leader is important. It is you who brings the problem before the group, leads the discussions, and keeps it on track. But don’t do all of the talking. The purpose of the conference is to get the group’s ideas on the subject. All you should do is encourage others to give their comments and ideas, and stop them when they wander from the subject being discussed.

Panel DiscussionAnother type of group discussion in which you will participate at some time is the panel discussion. A panel

discussion is a discussion group consisting of four to eight people, a leader, and an audience who will have a chance to participate. The panel discusses a topic of interest to the audience. The panel studies the subject from different viewpoints and arrives at a conclusion.

In a panel discussion, the panel and leader sit at a table in front of the audience. The leader introduces the subject. Each panel member discusses the subject or some aspect of it. After all have spoken, the audience is invited to ask questions or give comments.

Panel members do not make formal speeches. They present ideas and ask questions of each other, and try to draw conclusions.

The Panel LeaderOccasionally you may be asked to serve as leader or moderator of a panel discussion. If so, your job is to introduce

the subject and each of the speakers. Then begin the discussion by calling on one of the speakers. Be sure that all panellists have a chance to speak, and stop members who speak too long or wander from the subject. Keep the discussion moving towards the goal.

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Evaluator: ______________________________________

Date: __________________________________________








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SESSION FOURORGANISING YOUR SPEECH

Objectives: To practice chairpersonship through election of officers To develop good speech organisation

Agenda:1. Call to order and reading of the minutes2. Table Topics3. Presentation of speeches4. Evaluation of speeches5. Discussion of speech organisation6. Assignments for Session Five7. Adjournment

Organise Your Speech

Structuring Your TalkYou have now delivered a formal talk before

the group. You’ve also begun to develop your impromptu speaking skills in Table Topics and other activities in this programme. Having experienced what it’s like to speak before an audience, you’re ready to concentrate on the structure of an effective speech – how to organise your ideas and follow an outline from beginning to end. We briefly mentioned this in Session Two.

Why Organise?If your speech is to make sense to the

audience, it must be organized into a logical form. Organisation is really nothing more than clear thinking.

As a speaker, your business is selling ideas, and as anyone in sales will tell you, success comes only when you carefully organise your approach. You must clearly identify the main problem of your subject for the audience and then lead them logically toward an acceptable solution to the problem. Merely talking around the subject in a random manner will confuse your listeners, not convince them.

If you are to sell your ideas, you must speak from your audience’s point of view. They will be motivated only by what they want, not what you want. For example, a car salesman would never sell a car if he told every potential customer, “You need to buy this car so I can make my commission. “To convince a person to buy, the salesman would do better to say, “This car is perfect for you. It’s compact, comfortable, and

fuel efficient. You’ll save hundreds of Pounds/Euros’ a year in fuel.”

When you prepare your talk, decide what it will take to motivate your audience to agree with you, understand you, or take action. Then develop your ideas so they provide that motivation.

Creating Your TalkYour first step in creating your second talk is

to decide what to talk about. Select a subject of interest to you and the audience, and limit yourself to a single aspect of the subject. Be sure your topic is timely and relevant to your audience, a topic on which you can speak with some degree of authority, and one for which you have enthusiasm and conviction.

Next, decide your exact purpose for this talk. What specific point do you want to impress on your audience? Do you intend to explain, persuade, entertain, or inspire? This will determine your speech title and how you will open and close the talk.

Finally, select your ideas and arrange them into a logical sequence what will help you achieve your speech goal. The best way to do this is to build an outline. An example of an outline is in the appendix at the back of this handbook.

A Complete OutlineAs mentioned earlier, an effective speech is

logically organised into an opening, a body and a conclusion. The opening is designed to catch immediate attention. It must arouse the audience’s interest in your topic. It also leads into the subject of the speech.

Examples of a good opening are: A startling question or a challenging statement An appropriate quotation, illustration, or story A display of some appropriate object or picture An attention-getting generalisation that ties in

with your subjectWhen preparing your opening, avoid the following:

An apologetic statement A story or joke that doesn’t relate to your

topic A commonplace observation delivered in a

commonplace manner A long or slow-moving statement A trite questions such as “Did you ever stop

to think…?The body of your speech contains the support

for your purpose. You’ll usually want to include a statement of facts, proof, and acknowledgement and rebuttal of contrary views.

The conclusion of your speech is the climax. It should tie in with your opening and should leave no doubt about what you want the audience to do with the information you have given them. Finish forcefully and confidently. A weak or apologetic closing can ruin even the best speech.

Examples of a good closing are: A summary of the points you have

made and the conclusions to be drawn from them

A specific appeal to action A story, quotation, or illustration

that emphasises the point you are making.

Preparing Your TalkWhen you have created an effective opening

and closing, memorise them. That will make them move convincing and will give you clear starting and ending points around which to build. Don’t change them at the last minute.

An outline of your speech could go like this:

1. Open with a statement that is exciting and challenging.

2. Give an illustration that brings the audience into your subject. You might begin, “Suppose you had an experience like this…?”

3. Use an actual incident to emphasise the illustration: “As I drove down Main Street the other day…”

4. Show a comparison or analogy to further illustrate the point you’re making.

5. Touch briefly on arguments that oppose your viewpoint and show their weaknesses.

6. Quote an authority, or use simple statistics to support your argument.

7. Close by motivating your audience to action, agreement, or understanding, tying it to your opening.

For InstanceSuppose you were talking on the danger of

accidents in your home, with your purpose being to urge care for the sake of safety. You could start with: “You are far more likely to be injured in an accident at home than in any other place” (audience self-interest in the opening.) Expand on this theme.

You could begin the body of the speech by giving an example. “Suppose someone fell down the stairs in your home. That’s exactly what happened in our house, and…” For comparison, you might say: “You would be safer walking down the middle of the street in heavy traffic than you would be coming downstairs without a light.”

You could then quote common arguments, such as, “Some people say, ‘I know my house so well I could walk around blindfolded.’” Show from statistics that more people are injured at home than anywhere else.

For your conclusion, restate your opening theme and make an appeal for greater care at home. Close on a strong note: “If you don’t worry about yourself, at least set a good example in home safety for your family.”

When you prepare your talk, decide what it will take to motivate your audience to agree with you, understand you, or take action.


Evaluator: ______________________________________

Date: __________________________________________








SESSION FIVELISTENING Objectives:

To practice chairmanship skills To develop good listening skills

Agenda:1. Call to order and reading of the minutes2. Table Topics3. Presentation of speeches4. Evaluation of speeches5. Discussion of chairmanship6. Discussion on listening7. Assignments for Session Six8. Adjournment

ChairmanshipRules for Meetings

In Session One you learned a little bit about chairing meetings, and you practiced when you elected officers for this Youth Leadership Programme. Rules that have been developed to guide group discussions and meetings are known as “Parliamentary Procedure.” You’ll find “Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised” to be the most popular guide to parliamentary procedure in most countries, but we will not discuss them here.

Parliamentary ProcedureFrom your history lessons, you know that democratic

government is based on the principle that the majority rules. But this requires that the minority abide by the will of the majority. Usually the minority’s willingness to do this is increased if the majority first lets them have their say on the subject before the majority takes action.

Parliamentary procedure allows for orderly discussion by all. The various terms used will not be discussed in this programme. We will however practice some types of meetings where the chairman will ensure that the minority have their say. Then the majority will rule on the decision to be made.

Listening versus HearingThe fact that you are not talking when someone else is

speaking doesn’t mean that you are listening to what they are saying. You may be thinking about what you’re having for dinner, your own witty response, or maybe your plans for the weekend. But if we don’t listen, how can we learn new things? How can we understand the other person’s point of view? What others say has an effect on what we think and do.

Listening is an important communication skill, and it’s also the most neglected. Hearing is not the same as listening. Hearing is only one step in the process of listening. Listening involves receiving, organising, interpreting, and responding to information that is heard.

Bad Habits

Research tells us that most of us are poor listeners. It also tells us that our listening can be improved as easily as any other skill.

But if you want to become a good listener, you must first get rid of your bad listening habits. These habits are:

1. Calling the subject “uninteresting” or “difficult” and tuning it out. Sometimes the most uninteresting subject offers worthwhile ideas.

2. Criticising the speaker’s appearance and delivery. Clothing or a monotone voice have little to do with the value of the talk.

3. Getting so excited or angry about something the speaker says that you stop paying attention.

4. Listening only for facts, not ideas, too.5. Taking too many notes. Sometimes note-

takers miss the point.6. Faking attention to the speaker. If your

speaker asks you a question, you’re lost – and embarrassed.7. Tolerating or creating distractions. Good

listeners keep their minds on what is being said.8. Wasting your advantage of being able to think

faster than the speaker can speak. The average person speaks at 125 words a minute, but can hear up to 400 words per minute. Use this extra time to evaluate and summarise what the speaker has said.

Effective ListeningTo be a good listener, you must act like a good

listener. Here are some things you must do to become a good listener:

1. Look the speaker in the eye.2. Sit attentively. Lean forward at all times.3. Look as if you are enjoying listening. Raise

your eyebrows, nod your head, smile, and laugh when appropriate.

4. Ask questions.5. Make comments like “I see,” “That’s

interesting,” or “I never knew that.”When a person first begins to speak, listen to see if

he or she speaks in a clear, organised way. If so, then summarise what he or she is saying. If the speaker is disorganised, then listen for the main points. Listen for concepts and ideas, not just facts. Then compare what is said with what you already know. When you hear a politician say, for example, “When I’m re-elected to office, I’ll work to cut taxes,” you immediately compare that statement to another you heard, saying to yourself, “Sure, you said that last time you ran, and last year you voted for a bill that increased our sales tax.” Relate what you hear to what you’ve heard in the past.

Then think ahead of the speaker. Think about what the next point or idea might be. If you’re right, it will reinforce your memory. If you are wrong, you’ll remember the speaker’s point because it was unexpected.

By following the above techniques, you’ll become a better listener. But it’s also important that you remember these key ideas: You must be willing to listen, be non- threatening, and understand and respect the speaker’s point of view. By being a good listener, you’ll help the speaker feel good about himself or herself, and you’ll encourage the speaker to listen to you when it’s your turn to speak. Your skills as a good listener will help make you a better speaker, and it will play an important role in your success.

Hearing is not the same as listening. Listening involves receiving, organising, interpreting, and responding to information that is heard.

EVALUATION GUIDETitle: _______________________________Evaluator: ___________________________Date: _______________________________

Note to the Evaluator: The purpose of this speech was for the speaker to organise his or her thoughts into a logical sequence, leading the audience to a clearly-defined conclusion. The talk should be based on an outline, with an opening, body, and conclusion. Please make an oral evaluation after the talk and answer the questions below in writing in the space provided.

Was the speech well prepared?

How well could you follow the speaker’s logic?

What was the purpose of the speech, as you understood it? How well did the conclusion support the purpose?

How was the supporting information used in the body of the speech?

How could the speech organisation be made more effective?

What was the clearest part of the speech?

SESSION SIXGESTURES IN SPEAKINGObjectives:

To become more familiar with the principles of chairmanship

To discover the importance of gestures in speaking

Agenda:1. Call to order and reading of the minutes2. Table Topics3. Presentation of speeches4. Evaluation of speeches5. Discussion of gestures in speaking6. Exercise in Chairmanship7. Assignments for Session Seven8. Adjournment

Show What You MeanWhen you include body language in your

speeches, you are increasing the effectiveness of your speech. By learning how to use gestures, facial expressions, and other body movements to illustrate and emphasise parts of your speech, you are showing the audience what you mean, as well as telling them.

Use of GesturesThe most expressive part of body

language is the use of your hands and arms to illustrate your words. Sometimes these are the only visual expressions the whole audience can see. Some basic gestures show:

1. Size, weight, shape, direction, location. These call for hand gestures, such as shaping of the hands or pointing. “He went that way!” You may exclaim, as you dramatically point out the direction.

2. Importance or urgency. Show your audience how important your point is. Hit your fist into your open palm, or on the lectern to accent your point.

3. Comparison and contrast. Move both your hands at the same time to show similarities or move them in opposition to show differences.

Each gesture should be large enough to be seen by everyone in the audience. But don’t make them so exaggerated that they distract attention from your speech. As a general rule, a

gesture can be considered good if it helps the audience understand your message, bad if it draws attention only to itself.The Importance of Rehearsal

Even though you’ve used body language all your life, you’ll need to practice using gestures and movements when speaking before an audience. You want to use movements that are deliberate and precise but look natural and spontaneous. This will come only after careful rehearsal. When you’ve prepared your speech, try several different ways of using your hands to exhibit or demonstrate an object. Don’t worry if your movements are stiff and awkward at first. Natural positions and smooth movements will come with practice.

If you have access to videotape equipment, you should use it in your rehearsal to help you polish the presentation. Otherwise, practice before a friend and ask for comments on your use of body language. Or rehearse in front of a mirror.

Presenting the TalkWhile you’re speaking, try to relax and

feel at ease. This will help your gestures look natural.

One way to feel at ease is to use your nervous energy toward controlled body movement. Instead of fidgeting or pacing nervously, make body movements that emphasise points of your speech.

If you’re showing an object, centre your audience’s attention on it, but don’t look at the object all the time or handle it too much.

Maintain eye contact with your audience.

Any time you display an object, use a chart, etc., and make sure before the meeting that they can easily be seen by everyone in the audience. If not, prepare your speech without them.

EVALUATION GUIDETitle: _______________________________Evaluator: ___________________________Date: _______________________________

Note to the Evaluator: The purpose of this speech was for the speaker to organise his or her thoughts into a logical sequence, leading the audience to a clearly-defined conclusion. The talk should be based on an outline, with an opening, body, and conclusion. Please make an oral evaluation after the talk and answer the questions below in writing in the space provided.


How well could you follow the speaker’s logic?

What was the purpose of the speech, as you understood it? How well did the conclusion support the purpose?

How was the supporting information used in the body of the speech?

How could the speech organisation be made more effective?

What was the clearest part of the speech?

SESSION SEVENVOICE AND VOCABULARYObjectives:

To learn the value of voice and vocabulary as part of speech

To review progress in preparing and presenting speeches

Agenda:1. Call to order and reading of the minutes2. Table Topics3. Presentation of speeches4. Evaluation of speeches5. Discussion of voice and vocabulary6. Discussion of plans for Session Eight7. Evaluation of progress in preparing and

presenting speeches8. Adjournment

Your Speaking Voice

Your Best ToolWhat kind of voice do you have? Is it musical and

easy to listen to? Or is it harsh, monotonous, or tiresome? You can make it just about what you want to if you’re willing to work at it.

Every time you present a talk, you involve your mind, body, and voice in getting the message across to your listeners. We’ve looked at sincerity, organisation, and body language as parts of effective communication. Now we will concentrate on your voice. Your voice is one of your most important tools for favourably impressing people.

Using Your VoiceA good speaking voice is balance between extremes

of volume, pitch, and rate, and has a pleasant sound quality. Let’s look at each of these:1. Volume. Some people have an unconscious

habit of always speaking loudly. At the other extreme are people who can barely be heard. In either case, a person should adjust his or her speaking voice, speaking loudly or softly only to add emphasis or dramatic impact to a speech.

2. Pitch. Good speakers vary the pitch of their voices to demonstrate emotion and conviction. Too high a pitch suggests immaturity and excitability. The best pitch is a normal, conversational pitch.

3. Rate. The most effective speaking rate falls into the range of 125-160 words a minute. You can keep within this range by speaking rapidly enough to avoid a boring drone, yet slowly enough to be clearly understood. Vary your speaking rate to emphasise points.

4. Quality. Relax your throat while you speak. A pleasing tone will usually follow

A Good Speaking Voice

By applying the above principles to your speech, you’ll find that a good speaking voice generally has the following characteristics

1. The tone is pleasant and friendly.2. It is natural.3. It sounds strong, even when not loud.4. It never sounds monotonous and emotionless.5. It is easily heard.

Try Your VoiceOne way to discover the meanings you can convey

through your voice is to practice. Try reading the following aloud, using the tone of voice described after each:

“I appreciate the kindness you have shown me, and I hope to return the favour when I can.” (Simple, honest statement, or perhaps sarcasm)

“Kindness! Do you call that kindness? I wouldn’t treat a stray dog the way you’ve treated me!” (Resentment, anger, unfriendliness)

“If we all show a little kindness, a little concern for other’s needs as well as our own, we can help make the world be what it should be.” (Deep feeling of earnestness and conviction)

Notice how your tone and effect vary with the different thoughts you express. See how easy it is to change the meaning by changing your emphasis?

Rehearsing Your TalkFind a place where you can be alone, where you can

speak without inhibitions or interruptions. Don’t overdo it, but make an honest effort to vary the pitch, rate, and volume of your voice. If you have a tape recorder, use it. Record your voice and practice until the playback satisfies you. The sound of your recorded voice may surprise you at first, but it is closer to what your audience hears than what you hear as you speak.

Presenting Your Talk

Speak with enthusiasm, but don’t speak so fast that you leave the audience behind. Vary your voice; show sincerity when you’re sincere and humour when you’re amused.

When you begin to speak, stand up straight and give your lungs room to expand. Vary your voice to match your words and gestures. Speak clearly and loudly so the audience can hear you. Be careful not to say “uh,” “um,” or “you know.”

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Working with Words

The Right WordsBy now you realise that the words you use in

speaking are important. Use the wrong word or a difficult word, and your audience is lost. Use the correct word, and audience understands you. We need to translate our thoughts and feelings into a spoken language that others can understand. We must be careful that the words we use are understood in the same way by all the people hearing us. That is one reason for rehearsing your speeches with others; only then can you be sure you’re all on the same “wavelength.”

Speaking StyleIn order to give your audience the best chance to

understand your speech, you must construct it in a spoken style. Use short, simple sentences. Interrupt your sequence of ideas for explanations and summaries.

Use specific words. The less general your words, the less room there is for audience confusion. Don’t say “car” if you want your listeners to picture a sub-compact station wagon.

Use personal pronouns when possible to show your interest in the audience. Say “you,” “we,” or “they” and put the audience into your speech if possible: “Suppose we were stranded in the desert…”

Also, use vivid words that will help your audience paint mental pictures of the story you’re telling. Your audience will listen more closely and remember better what you said.

Preparing Your TalkBe sure your words are carefully chosen and that they

are clear, accurate, and colourful. Think in terms of what your words will mean to your audience. During rehearsal, ask someone to restate your ideas. If the listener is unable to do so, select better word combinations to get your message across.

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Improving Your ArticulationWhen you speak, are your words spoken clearly so they are easily understood? Or do you talk sloppily and carelessly, mumbling and running your words together so that they are almost impossible to understand? If so, then you need to improve your articulation – the way you say your words. Following are some tips to help you speak clearly.1. Open your mouth. You may as well talk with your hand in front of your mouth as to talk with

your teeth and lips half closed. Open your mouth all of the way when you talk.2. Loosen your lazy lips. Make your lips flexible. Wrap them around your words as if each word

were a tasty piece of food.3. Watch your tongue. Become aware of your tongue when you speak. Keep it out of the way of

your words.4. Practice. Read out loud from a book. Practice saying the words carefully and clearly.

EVALUATION GUIDETitle: __________________________Evaluator: ______________________Date: __________________________Note to the Evaluator: The purpose of this speech is to help the speaker develop a good speaking voice and learn to select the words that effectively communicate his or her message to the audience. The speaker should try several vocal styles and vary volume, rate, pitch, and tone. The overall effect should be pleasant and friendly. The speaker’s words should be clear, vivid, and appropriate, avoiding misleading or confusing constructions. Please complete this evaluation form by answering the questions below. Be sure to offer praise where it is deserved. Also include specific suggestions for improvement, if necessary.

Did the speaker use vocal variety to enhance the speech?

Did the speaker talk too fast or too slowly?

Was the speaker’s voice clear?

Was the speaker’s voice pleasant and friendly?


Were the speaker’s words appropriate for this audience?

Did the speaker use words that were simple, concrete, and specific?

Did the speaker avoid words that could easily be misunderstood?

Were the speaker’s sentences short, simple, and understandable?

Did the speaker use vivid words that created mental images?

SESSION EIGHT

SHOW YOUR SKILLS

Objectives: To practice newly acquired speaking and

chairpersonship skills. To plan a special event for relatives and

community members to showcase these skills.

Agenda:1 Call to order and reading of the minutes.2 Presentation of programme selected at Session

Seven3 Evaluation of programme.4 Discussion of plans for special event.5 Adjournment.

The Final SessionThe last session, Session Eight, may be a

conference, panel discussion, a series of prepared discussions, etc. The decision is up to you and your fellow participants.

Following presentation of the programme, you and the whole group will discuss plans for a special “showcase” event, where you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate your new skills for your family, friends, and other community members.

Like the programme for Session Eight, the group decides what to present. Part of the programme could be a speech contest, with four or five participants presenting speeches that are judged by the audience. Trophies could be awarded to the winners. Or the group could conduct a typical Youth Leadership meeting for the audience. Participants could give prepared speeches and Table Topics, and demonstrate their knowledge of parliamentary procedure by introducing and passing a resolution appropriate to the occasion. All participants would have the opportunity to speak. Or the group could present a debate, selecting a topic or issue and arguing the different aspects of it.

Whatever programme you decide to present, give it your best effort. Prepare carefully for it. You should be proud of your new skills and eager for others to see what you have learned. Review this handbook and plan for whatever role you may have in the programme.

If possible, the programme should be held in conjunction with a banquet. Invite your family and friends and teachers. If you know of community leaders who may be interested in attending, invite them, too. Your co-ordinator will be making arrangements for the programme and contacting local newspaper and broadcast stations to publicise the event. Your help would be appreciated. Ask your co-ordinator how you and your fellow participants may assist.

Following the presentation, you will receive a certificate for completing the Youth Leadership Programme.

You should be proud of your new skills

You should be proud of your new skills and eager for others to see what you have learned.

EVALUATE YOUR PROGRESSYou have now presented two speeches. In addition, you have participated in Table Topics, served in various

leadership capacities at meetings, and had opportunities to evaluate other members’ speeches.Now is a good time to evaluate your progress…to review the gains you have made and to re-

examine your goals. Take a few minutes to complete this self-evaluation form. Below and on the next pages is a series of statements, each of which is followed by two blank spaces. Apply each statement to yourself in terms of where you were and where you are now. Assign ratings based on how closely each statement relates to you, using this guide:

1 = Excellent; a personal strength2 = Very good; little room for improvement3 = Satisfactory; could be better4 = Should improve; worthy of special effort5 = A serious weakness requiring immediate attention

When I When Istarted this finished this

Statement programme programme

I feel confident and comfortable about giving speeches. ___________ _______

I enjoy speaking before an audience. ___________ __________

I have no problem finding interesting speech topics. ___________ __________

I prepare thoroughly for every speech I present. ___________ __________

I always plan my speeches with a clear purpose or goal in mind. ___________ __________

I always consider my audience’s needs and interests whenplanning a speech. ___________ __________

I am able to organise my ideas into a clear, logical outline. ___________ __________

I speak with sincerity, earnestness, and enthusiasm. ___________ __________

My speech openings capture audience attention and leadinto my topic. ___________ __________

I support the main points of my speeches with relevantinformation or examples. ___________ __________

I end my speeches in a definite, memorable, and conclusivemanner. ___________ __________

I build smooth transitions between my opening, body, andconclusion. ___________ __________

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1 = Excellent; a personal strength2 = Very good; little room for improvement3 = Satisfactory; could be better4 = Should improve; worthy of special effort5 = A serious weakness requiring immediate attention

When I When Istarted this finished this

Statement programme programme

I am able to speak effectively without depending heavily on notes. ___________ __________

My speech delivery is free of verbal crutches, suchas “ah” or “um.” ____________ __________

My voice is easily heard without being too loud. ____________ __________

I use vocal variety to add emphasis and feeling to my words. ____________ __________

My delivery is free of distracting movements or mannerisms. ____________ __________

My gestures, body movements, and facial expressions arepurposeful, natural, and spontaneous. ____________ _________

I use eye contact as a means of establishing bonds withmy listeners. ____________ __________

I am careful to use words that precisely and vividly carrymy message to the audience. ____________ __________

I gracefully accept others’ evaluations of my speeches andattempt to learn from them. ____________ __________

I am able to listen carefully and analytically to others’ speeches. ____________ __________

I am able to evaluate others’ speeches in a tactful, helpful way. ____________ __________

I am able to think quickly and clearly in an impromptu speaking situation. ____________ __________

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AppendixTHE OFFICERSPRESIDENT:

1. Provides leadership and guidance the group needs to be successful. They see that members participate in and benefit from the Youth Leadership Programme. The President presides over meetings, calling the meeting to order at the appointed time and welcomes members and guests, and then introduces the members at the top table before handing control of the meeting to the Toastmaster.

2. Is therefore responsible for the general planning and organisation of meetings, and prepares an agenda for each meeting.

3. Makes sure officers and participants are prepared.

VICE PRESIDENT:1. Plans dynamic group meetings, by ensuring all

members are involved. Assists President in programme planning.

2. Assumes duties of President if President is absent.

3. Keeps list of all members and progress with speeches, ensuring that all members are ready to make their speeches as programmed. Ensures that the co-ordinator is kept up to date with this list.

SERGEANT AT ARMS:1. Is responsible for equipment storage and

preparation.2. Arranges the meeting room for each meeting.3. Greets all members and guests at each meeting.4. Assists President in keeping order.TOASTMASTER: Checks before the meeting that speakers have their speeches prepared.1. Acts as Chairperson of the meeting.2. Introduces speakers and evaluators3. Asks Grammarian, Timer and General Evaluator

to explain their duties.

TOPICSMASTER: Introduces and runs the Table Topics Session

GRAMMARIAN:Keeps a record of “Uh,” “Ah,” “Um” and “You Know” etc. by all participating in the meeting.

TIMER:Keeps the meeting participants on time.

GENERAL EVALUATOR: Gives an evaluation of the whole meeting.

Note that the Toastmaster, Topicsmaster, Grammarian, Timer and General Evaluator will be nominated for one meeting only. It is the responsibility of the Vice President to ensure that these officers are rotated so that all members have an opportunity to serve at least once in one of the roles.

The offices of President, Vice President, and Sergeant at Arms are elected ones, and officers will serve for Sessions One through to the end.

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A TYPICAL AGENDAEach meeting will be a minimum of one hour and ten minutes.

1. SERGEANT AT ARMS AND ASSISTANTS arrive before the meeting and arrange the room, and greet members and guests as they arrive.

2. PRESIDENT(a) Call meeting to order at the appropriate time(b) Give welcome to members and guests(c) Introduces by name the Toastmaster and Topicsmaster (when at table) and asks them to

explain their duties(d) Passes control to the Toastmaster

3. TOASTMASTER(a) Explains what the meeting is to be about, introduces by name and asks them to explain

their duties, the following officers: Timer, Grammarian, General Evaluator.(b) Introduces each speaker, speech title, ensuring that the evaluator has also been named

before the speaker is introduced. Thanks each speaker at end of each speech.(c) Introduces by name the evaluator for each speech and the name of the person being

evaluated.(d) Passes control to the Topicsmaster (Session 4 through 8)

4. TOPICMASTERConducts the Table Topics Session, preferably calling on members who didn’t have prepared speeches. Then passes control to Toastmaster.

5. TOASTMASTERHas ready prepared, a topic for the Topicsmaster. Then asks Grammarian for report, followed by a report from the General Evaluator. Thanks all participants and passes control to the President.

6. PRESIDENTCall for Secretary’s report (session 3 through 8 only).Call on Vice President to give assignments for next session. (Officers for meeting – participants for prepared speeches)Pass control to Co-ordinator.

7. CO-ORDINATORDiscuss assignments. Give educational talk where appropriate, or group exercise.Pass control to President.

8. PRESIDENT. Closing remarks and expression of thanks, sets time and place for next session, adjourns meeting.

SAMPLE SPEECH OUTLINESeveral types of speech outlines are commonly used by experienced speakers. Yet all of them are

organised into an opening, a body, and a conclusion. Here is a very basic outline that illustrates the

structure of a speech containing three main points:

OPENING 1. Captures audience attention2. Leads into speech topic

BODY 1. First point(a) Statement of fact(b) Supporting material

2. Second point(a) Statement of fact(b) Supporting material

3. Third point(a) Statement of fact(b) Supporting material

CONCLUSION 1. Review or summary2. Call to action or memorable statement

The speech body should contain at least three main points that you want to express about your topic. Each point should be clearly stated, illustrated and supported. Act as though your audience is not at all familiar with your topic; don’t assume they know anything. Devote a similar amount of time to each main point; otherwise the audience may consider it less important. Arrange your points in logical order.

How to Make Your “Butterflies” Fly in Formation.Nervousness, speech anxiety, stage fright, platform panic – it’s known by many names, but it’s a problem every speaker must confront. Actually, feeling nervous before a speech is healthy. It shows that your speech is important to you and that you care about doing well. But unless you learn to manage and control nervousness, it can keep you from becoming an effective speaker.

Here’s how you can make your butterflies fly in formation:

1. Know the room. Become familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early and walk around the speaking area. Stand at the lectern, speak into the microphone. If you’ll be using visual aids, practice with them. Walk around the area where the audience will be seated. Walk from where you’ll be seated to the lectern, as you will when you’re introduced.

2. Know the Audience. If possible, greet some of the audience as they arrive and chat with them. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.

3. Know your Material. If you are not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness naturally will increase. Practice your speech and revise it until you can present it with ease.

4. Relax. You can ease tension by doing exercises. Sit comfortably with your back straight. Breathe in slowly, and then slowly exhale. Repeat 10 to 20 times. To relax facial muscles, open your mouth and eyes wide, and then close them tightly. Repeat

five times. Other stretching exercises can also be undertaken.

5. Visualise yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself walking confidently to the lectern as the audience applauds. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and assured. Picture the audience applauding as you return to your seat. Visualise yourself as successful.

6. Realise that people want you to succeed. Audiences want speakers to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They want you to succeed – not to fail. This is especially true in your Youth Leadership Programme, where your audience will always be understanding and supportive.

7. Don’t apologise. Most of the time your nervousness doesn’t show at all. If you don’t say anything about it, nobody will notice. If you mention your nervousness or apologise for any problems you think you have with your speech, you’ll only be calling the audience’s attention to it. Had you remained silent, your listeners may not have noticed anything.

8. Concentrate on the message, not the medium. Your nervous feelings will dissipate if you focus your attention away from your own anxieties and outwardly toward your message and your audience.

9. Turn nervousness into positive energy. The same nervous energy that causes platform panic can be an asset to you. Harness it, and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.

10. Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is a key to effective speaking. Most beginning speakers find that their anxieties decrease after each speech they give.

TABLE TOPICSThe ability to “think and speak” on your feet is an important skill that will help you be successful. That’s why the “Table Topics” portion of the Youth Leadership Programme was developed. Table Topics provides you with the opportunity to practice thinking and speaking on your feet. You learn how to present your thoughts in a clear, organised manner with a minimum of preparation.

The Table Topics portion of the programme is conducted by the Topicsmaster. The Topicsmaster announces a topic and calls on a member, who will give a one to two minute impromptu talk on the topic. You will be called upon to speak during the Table Topics portion of the programme. The following tips are to help you prepare for impromptu speaking:

1. Read. You will be able to respond better if you’re knowledgeable about current events. Read major magazines and newspapers, and watch television newscasts.

2. Organise your thoughts. When you’re given your topic, pause to decide what the main point of your response will be. For example, if you’re asked to

give your opinion about an issue, determine your viewpoint. Then support your viewpoint with two or three reasons.

3. Structure your thoughts. Like a prepared speech, an impromptu talk has an opening, body and conclusion.

4. Remain calm. Remember, your audience will think you are confident if you appear confident.

Visual AidsVisual Aids can be powerful tools for effective communication. You are encouraged to use them whenever they might enhance a speech. Why use visuals? They have five important benefits:

1. They increase understanding. Ours is a visual age. Most of what people learn is ingested through their eyes – not their ears. Visual aids help you convey messages in the dimension best suited to clear understanding.

2. They save time. Information presented visually is received and processed by the brain faster than a verbal message. Visual aids are especially useful in helping people quickly understand complex or abstract ideas.

3. They enhance attention. People remember an average of just 10 percent of a spoken message a week after it’s presented. However, they remember up to two thirds of what they both see and hear.

4. They promote attentiveness. People think much faster than you speak, so their minds tend to wander during a speech. Visuals help keep them focused on your message; they also add variety and interest to a presentation.

5. They help control nervousness. Displaying visual aids gives you purposeful physical activity that lets your body process nervous energy without distracting the audience.

How to Lead as Toastmaster of a Meeting

One of the most valuable experiences in your Youth Leadership programme is when you take the chair as Toastmaster of the meeting and conduct the programme. The leadership insights you gain from this experience will carry over into other situations where you must co-ordinate events and motivate participation according to a schedule of events.

This assignment as Toastmaster requires careful preparation in order to have a smoothly run meeting. Check with each speaker on the programme in advance. Find out the speech titles and make up your full agenda. Plan the introductions in advance. It is your responsibility to see that the speakers are on hand and that the programme is conducted as planned, in the best possible way. This will generally involve at least one contact with each speaker.

The primary duty of the Toastmaster is to act as a genial host, introducing speakers in a way that will help them to do their best and encouraging the audience to listen with attention and anticipation. Don’t just say, “The next speaker of the meeting is…” The Toastmaster creates an atmosphere of interest, expectation, and receptivity.

PROCEDURE

1. Offer a word of thanks to the President and accept control when you are presented as Toastmaster.

2. Say a few words about the nature of the programme to warm up the audience.

3. Introduce the grammarian, timer, Topicsmaster, and General Evaluator and ask them to explain their duties.

4. Announce each speech by title and speaker. Identify the objectives of the speech, introduce the speaker.

5. Remain standing until the speaker has taken position, and then take your seat. A nod or gesture of acknowledgement is sufficient to indicate a transfer of control.

6. At the end of each presentation, lead the applause and offer a brief word of appreciation. Your function is to bridge the gap between presentations, maintaining the interest of the audience. Repeat steps 4, 5 & 6 for each speaker.

7. At the conclusion of the speeches briefly thank all speakers and carry on with the programme.

How to Lead as Topicsmaster

This assignment may be handled by any member who has given the Ice Breaker Speech. Every member should plan to participate at every meeting in Table Topics discussion, unless scheduled on a programme with limited time. An effective Table Topics can “loosen up” both speakers and listeners. As Topicsmaster, you first plan the discussion and make advance preparations for Table Topics. Then you conduct the programme, by which you gain valuable leadership experience in presiding and recognizing speakers.

Table Topics has two primary objectives:1. The speaker presents ideas worth listening to, without prior preparation.2. The speaker communicates true feelings on a subject with skill and conviction.

These two objectives are the reasons for the importance of Table Topics in the Youth Leadership Programme. The first objective is to say something sensible, which will contribute to the understanding of the others who are present. The second objective emphasises a Toastmasters principle that ideas gain value when they are communicated

The skills gained in Table Topics will be useful in all kinds of situations where you must “think on your feet,” including interviews, discussions and seminars. As Topicsmaster, you should make the topics realistic and useful to the participants. Controversial subjects are fine; they must be discussed somewhere, and the friendly atmosphere of the programme is a good place to air various opinions.

PROCEDURE

A Table Topics period will not take more than 15 minutes. Avoid lengthy introductions of speakers and remarks on what they say. Your task is to introduce topics and guide the discussion. Give all possible time to members for their comments.

When planning your Table Topics programme, avoid mundane subjects such as “My most embarrassing situation,” “My most enjoyable holiday,” and the like. Turn to stimulating topics that will generate educational discussion among the members participating. Take a stand on community, state, national or international issues.

Plan your introduction to the Table Topics session to take less than one minute. The purpose of Table Topics is to give all members not already scheduled to speak, a chance to discuss their opinion of your subject. Provide each speaker with a topic that he or she knows something about. Try not to embarrass the speaker.

When the programme is concluded, you may summarise the main points that have been presented, or you may evaluate the total discussion. Avoid individual evaluation. When your summation has been completed (less than one minute) return control of the meeting to the Toastmaster.

Set a time limit of two minutes for the first speaker, and allow ‘add ons’ of 1 minute to say their piece. An ‘Add on’ is when after the topic has been discussed by the speaker, (anyone who wishes to say something worthwhile will indicate by putting up their hand) the Topicsmaster gives the person wishing to add on, the floor. Be sure to enforce the time limit.

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