Toastmasters Evaluation Contest Workshop

1. Evaluation Contest Prep Renee Yao President of Women L.E.A.D. Toastmasters 1st place Fall Fusion Evaluation District Contest Winner Content credit: Abhijeet Joshi, Dennis Dawson, Stewart Murrie July 2021

2. Agenda • Evaluation Contest Overview • How to win evaluation contests? • How to evaluate effectively? • What to evaluate? • How to Practice?

3. Evaluation Contest Overview Part I

4. Why have Toastmasters Evaluation Contests? • To encourage development of evaluation skills and to recognize the best as encouragement to all. • To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient evaluators who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.

5. How a Toastmasters Evaluation Contest Works? Test Speaker Contestants Prep (5 mins) Contestants Deliver Evaluation (2-3 mins) Judges Score The contest cycle begins each year at the local club level. Winners then proceed to area, division, and district level contests.

6. How to Win Evaluation Contests? Part II

7. Ballot Deep-Dive Don’t miss this. It’s 15 points! Short & Concise. Is it structured? Does it have focus? Was it positive, specific, helpful? Did the evaluator make the speaker feel heard, motivated? Download the ballot down and follow along: https://womenleadtm.com/meetings/regular- meeting-be-in-the-present-moment/

8. How to stand out? • Memorize it • Eye contact • Smile • Stage presence • Time qualification • Unique insights

9. How to Evaluate Effectively? Part III

10. How to Evaluate Effectively During the speech • Pay attention • Take notes ( write down key words/golden nudges) • Observe the audience ( facial expression, movements, attention span) • Empathize ( does it relate to you or your loved ones?) During the evaluation: • Give specific examples • Do not summarize the speech • Do not rewrite the speech • Do not evaluate the person or their objective • How it affects you • Use a structural approach (see next slide)

11. Template Intro + how it relates to me Body 1) Good 1 example + specifics (why + how) 2) Good 2 example + specifics 3) Improve 1 example + specifics 4) Improve 2 example + specifics 5) BEST example Summary 1) Good 1 2) Good 2 3) Improve 1 4) Improve 2 5) Best Conclusion + what action it drove 1. Tell them what you will tell them. 2. Tell Them. 3. Tell them what you just told them.

12. How to take notes? • https://toastmasterscdn.azureedge.net/medias/files/department-documents/speech-contests- documents/1177-evaluation-contestant-notes.pdf Key message: XXX Improvement Positive Golden Nuggets – 1 Golden Nuggets – 2 Golden Nuggets – 3

13. What to Evaluate? Part IV

14. Evaluations To AVOID! Not genuine praise False Praise Evaluation Only praise Whitewash Evaluation Only crisicim All-Criticism Evaluation More details here: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-evaluation-3-modified-sandwich-technique/

15. Modified Sandwich Method • Sandwich Layer: Bread Evaluation Element: Praise – strengths exhibited by the speaker • Sandwich Layer: Condiments Evaluation Element: Areas for improvement – where can the speaker improve • Sandwich Layer: Meat, cheese, vegetables Evaluation Element: Specific suggestions – how can the speaker improve More details here: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-evaluation-3-modified-sandwich-technique/

16. What to evaluate Vocal Variety Gesture Pauses Content Energetic Tone Props Opening / Closing Comfort Audience awareness Clarity Preparation Call to Action

17. “ I ” Statements “I” Statements Use to I heard… I felt… I noticed… Make simple observation I liked… I loved… I enjoyed… Reinforce positive impact I was confused by… I didn’t understand… I disliked…. Point out detracting moments I wanted to know… I like to see… I love to hear… To make speech more effective

18. Example Something Speaker Did Effectively Somethings Speakers Can Do to Make it More Effective 1) I saw your preparation stood out. There were no false starts or repetition I heard your voice was monotone. There were no lows and highs. You can project your voice more and have an energetic tone 2) I felt I was totally engrossed in the story. I was waiting for what is going to happen next. I saw no emotions on your face. Emotions connect with the audience and increase authenticity. 3) I heard the repeated use of the word Grit. This left a mark on me. I realized I also have the grit to go through the tough times. There was no message for the audience or call to action. You can say that everyone has the grit to go through the tough times. If we do not give up and stay with the tough times we will overcome it.

19. Don’ts Opening: • You Drew Us In • That was a great speech! • I love your speech • Wow. What a wonderful speech Feedback: • Use the Stage • Stand up and Speak • Superlatives • Rambling

20. How to be Specific? • “Gestures were poor.“ • “Gestures were limited in the first half of the speech.“ • “Gestures were limited in the first half of the speech because the speaker gripped the lectern.“ • “Gestures could have been improved in the first half of the speech. By removing her hands from the lectern, she could more easily make natural gestures.“

21. How to evaluate “bad” speeches • Calm down • Respect that all speakers came from different background • You are not here to judge, but to help! • Think that you are providing feedback to your younger sibling or mentee • Focus on the good part • Select two things max for improvement & really show how it can be done

22. How to evaluate “perfect” speeches • Calm down • Ask Hard Questions: • How did it make you feel? • What was the speaker feeling? • What was the message? • Was it organized? • Why was it impactful? • At a party, how would you describe this speech? • If you were to do this speech, how would you do it differently? • Did the bold choices in the speech work?

23. How to Practice? Part V

24. Evaluation In Meetings vs. Evaluation Contest SIMILARITIES • Practice • Talk to the speaker, not the audience • Give actionable, empathetic, and insightful feedback DIFFERENCE • PRACTICE (with winning mentality) • It’s a speech • Structure • Show finesse • Entertain • Know the ballot!

25. How to Practice • Go to regular toastmasters meeting and participate in evaluations regularly. 1-2 weeks before the competition • Buddy Up • Look up Toastmasters YouTube Videos • Every day listen to 1-3 speeches • Time yourself - 5 minutes • Take notes, memorize, present • Compare notes with your buddy A dozen speeches later – you will find the pattern and see insights never seen before.

26. Reference https://womenleadtm.com/2021/0 1/18/how-to-evaluate-speeches- effectively/ womenleadtm.com

27. YOUR TURN

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