Accountability: The Fall and Rise of Speech 2

Hello!

Last night I delivered my second speech to my Toastmasters organisation. To say I ballsed it up would be an understatement.

The activity called for planning and organising a speech with a strong core throughline and multiple examples to illustrate my point ending with a strong powerful conclusion. The speech I delivered was not strong enough and the conclusion limped across as opposed to striking my audience.

So what happened?

I had over-planned and under prepared simultaneously. I had so many examples to illustrate my point, however I hadn't prepared how I was going to link them well enough. My speech was muddy and when my mind went blank as I approached the front of the audience I was in trouble. I started sweating profusely, I went red, my hair stuck to my brow, distracting me further. It was not a good speech.

Despite having a relatively strong opening I mumbled, stumbled and squandered the potential of what I had to say. When I finally sat down upon receiving the confirmation I had matched the time allocated for the speech I wanted to melt into the chair, through the floor and never darken the Toastmasters door again. This was compounded following two excellent speeches including an 'Icebreaker' which I had so eloquently completed in the previous session.

During the intermission I received feedback and spoke to my evaluator who had asked me what I thought he should comment on. Straight out the gate I told him I thought it went poorly but then I began to think. This was only my second speech, if I'm going to stumble, it should be at this point. I need to grow into this organically to be a great speaker.

I was given helpful tips by other Toastmaster members and although I felt downheartened about my performance I was determined to not let it keep me down. I volunteered for Table Topics and threw myself in to that, and would you look at that....

I won Table Topics this week. Even in my stressed and critical state I thought I had redeemed myself, ever so slightly.

I'll be giving Toastmasters a miss for the next few sessions, however I plan to return soon and improve.

Thanks for reading!
AT

Accountability: Toastmasters Speech 2 Planning

Hello!

I'm preparing for my second Toastmasters speech.

The second speech is entitled: Organise your Speech

Whilst the first speech was about breaking down the fear of standing in front of others, this speech is about conveying an idea and seeing it through to completion. Introducing a strong outline and continuing a narrative hook throughout, the speech must also include a strong opening and conclusion.

The speech must have a strong opening, outline clear points and then conclude strongly.

For the topic to cover I've decided to cover something I'm truly interested in and relates back to my university studies, politics and popular culture.








I've found a good resource breaking down the speech from Six Minutes:

When you speak, does your audience get it?

If your audience doesn’t grasp your message (even though your topic is one you know they are interested in), you need to rethink the way you present it. You need to organize your ideas to promote understanding.

The second Toastmasters speech project addresses organizing your speech. This article of the Toastmasters Speech Series examines the primary goals of this project, provides tips and techniques, and links to numerous sample speeches.

Why is This Speech Important?

There are four aims for this speech:

• Use an outline which aids understanding.
• Transition smoothly from one point to the next.
• Craft an effective speech opening.
• Craft an effective speech conclusion.

These are fundamental skills that you apply to every speech you’ll ever deliver, whether it is a 2 minute off-the-cuff speech, a 15 minute business proposal, or a 60 minute keynote.

Transitions are the Key

Of the four elements, appropriate transitions are most lacking in the majority of presentations that I have seen. Most speakers have an introduction and conclusion, with supporting material arranged in some form of outline. But, there is often little in the way of transition phrases that link the speech together in a cohesive unit.

• In a written piece (like this article), headings, bullets, and punctuation provide cues to the reader that help them understand the macro-organization.
• In a verbal speech, use pauses and transition phrases to achieve this effect so that the audience knows when one point ends, and the next begins. 

http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/toastmasters-speech-2-organize-your-speech/

Hopefully my speech will go well!

Thanks for reading!
AT

Accountability: I aint afraid of no Toast

Hello!

Last night I performed my first speech at Toastmasters on the Competent Communicator path. I had my cue cards ready, my angle, hook and narrative all aligned to deliver a good speech.

In the structure of the meeting I was chosen to deliver my speech first. I stood at the front of the room, looked at my cue cards and my mind went completely blank.

I delivered a speech where I left the main hooks and referrals at the door but had one main throughline which I could return to during my speech. I was nervous, really worried and incredibly relieved when it was over.

The speech was supposed to last between 4-6 minutes, my timing was 5.29 which I'm told is ideal.

The feedback delivered by my fellow toastmasters was positive, the critique was I need to speak louder and clearly (something I know I need to work on), I need to have better focus in my speech, another area of which I'm aware I need to improve and also my confidence in looking directly at the audience. I was called out for looking at the floor and then at the ceiling, so I need to find a happy medium.

At the end of Toastmasters meetings if there are more than 2 core speeches there will be an overall best speech announced. I did not win this time, I was defeated by a moving delivery of a powerful civil rights poem, but I feel worthy.

That's not to say I didn't get a ribbon...

Another speech given and another ribbon received!

I've nominated myself to deliver my second speech at the next meeting!

Thanks for reading!

AT

Accountability: Ice-Ice Breaker

Hello!

Another sprint means another shot at Toastmasters and now as a member I'm eligible to take part in speaking programme.

Working my way through the Competent Communicator document will be the official start of my Toastmasters journey and dalliance with public speaking.

So let's take a look at the first speech proper:

For your first speech project, you will introduce yourself to your fellow club members and give them some information about your background, interests and ambitions. Practice giving your speech to friends or family members, and strive to make eye contact with some of your audience. You may use notes during your speech if you wish.
http://bigfoottoastmastersclub.toastmastersclubs.org/icebreaker.html

I've developed a hook and narrative for how I want to approach the speech and will be using cue cards to help if I need them.

I'm hoping to give an informal introduction to myself and hope my personality comes through my speech. I'm not so much ad-libbing but going to go through key points and hope the conversation flows naturally.

How will I do? Hopefully I'll be able to update you tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!
AT