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How to be a competent communicator
This document outlines the 10 speech projects in the Toastmasters Competent Communicator manual. The projects are designed to help speakers improve their communication skills over time through practice. They include introductory speeches, speeches with visual aids, persuasive speeches, and an inspiring conclusion speech. Each project has a goal, time limit, and provides guidance on content and delivery techniques for the speaker. Completing the projects allows speakers to develop their skills and achieve the designation of Competent Communicator.
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How to be a competent communicator
- 1. HOW TO BEA COMPETENT COMMUNICATOR By Shanit Vannala
- 2. Why should Ibe a competent communication? • Your communication skills are directly connected to your leadership skills. • Not everyone is born with excellent communication skills. Most cultivates it over time. • We remember great leaders through their great communication skills like, FDR, JFK, MLK, Ronald Reagan, Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, and many more. • Toastmasters International ( since 1924) founded in California – has over 260,000 member in 113 countries through over 12,800 clubs. • Content from Competent Communicator manual.
- 3. 1. The IceBreaker • Goal: Give a speech Introducing yourself to the world (Club) • Speech Duration: 4-6 min • Get comfortable being in front of people and engaging people though a speech. • Talk about yourself, background, interest and/or ambitions. • Keep the scope of the speech concise in order to be effective and stay within the time limit • Have an engaging opening, concise body and a good conclusion
- 4. 2. Organize YourSpeech • Goal: Give a speech with a visual aid/presentation • Speech Duration: 5-7 min • A well organized speech will be Easy to understand, Easy to remember, Credible and Enjoyable. • Make an outline – Chronologically, Spatially, Causally, Comparatively, Topically or Problem-Solution model. • The presentation can use statistics, testimonies, Stories, Examples, Visual aids and Facts.
- 5. 3. Get tothe Point • Goal: Give a speech with General and Specific purpose. • Speech Duration: 5-7 min • General Purpose (during the speech) – To inform, To persuade, To entertain and To inspire • Specific Purpose (after the speech) • Worded from the audience’s viewpoint • Specific (wording is precise) • Attainable (realistic goals)
- 6. 4. How toSay It • Goal: Pick a relatively complex or descriptive topic and give a speech such that everyone understands it with ease. • Speech Duration: 5-7 min • Write a speech for ears • Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs • A speech cant be re-read like a complex essay, so keep it simple. • Be specific and keep the scope of the speech limited. • Use vivid word – play with verbs and use active voice • Use rhetorical devices like similes, metaphors, alliteration, triads (express in three’s) • Avoid jargons and enunciate properly.
- 7. 5. Your BodySpeaks • Goal: Use stance, movement, facial expression, and eye contacts to give an effective speech. • Speech duration: 5-7 min • Stance: only stand still when making an important point, slouching or eye’s fixed on the ground = shyness • Movement: matters before the speech starts to after the speech is over. • Gestures (hands, arms etc): can be used to express size, weight, shape, direction, urgency, contrast, etc. • Facial Expression: subconsciously conveys how the audience should feel and react • Eye Contact: conveys sincerity and respect.
- 8. 6. Vocal Variety •Goal: use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality to reflect and add meaning and interest to you message. • Speech duration: 5-7 min • Proper breathing = good-quality voice • Be able to control volume (dB), pitch (frequency), rate (tempo) and quality to better make a point. • Use pause to get attention, like to emphasis the main point • Best tool to be expressive! • Rehearsal, Rehearsal, Rehearsal!
- 9. 7. Research YourTopic • Goal: Give a well researched speech with proper sources • Speech Duration: 5-7 min • Data can come very handy while making a strong case. • Present data in a way people can easily follow and understand. • Use reputed sources to increase credibility. • Just like an essay, get in a habit of citing your sources, without using too much time. For instance, mention the source organization, year published and the author, if applicable.
- 10. 8. Get Comfortablewith Visual Aids • Goal: Give a speech which can only be done with a visual aid • Speech Duration: 5-7 min • Visual aid can increase understanding, saves time, enhance retention, promote attentiveness, and control nervousness. • Visual aids can include overhead presentations, flipchart, whiteboard, props, etc. • Should be easily visible and legible • Limit visual per one main thought • Keep it simple and use color carefully. • Give audience to read/see the aid
- 11. 9. Persuade withPower • Goal: Give a speech persuading listeners to adopt your viewpoint or take some action. • Speech Duration: 5-7 min • Persuasion can involve Inspiring, Convincing and Call for Action. • In order to persuade, you must sound knowledgeable, reputation, sincere and have good delivery. • Know your audience to design you speech appropriately. • Organize you speech- Problem/Solution, Proof, Comparative etc. • Avoid using notes.
- 12. 10. Inspire YourAudience • Goal: Use all your training up till now to inspire the audience (Most Challenging Speech) • Speech Duration: 8-10 min • Connect with audience based on a their needs- on a pathological, safety, belongingness, esteem, self- actualization • Challenge the Status Quo • Inspire the audience by outlining a path to achieve a particular goal. • Say it right – use quotes, stories, vivid words, action verbs and positive words.
- 13. Conclusion • Use the10 projects as an opportunity to achieve your goal to be a competent communicator. • Each speech will be followed by an evaluation at least by an assigned Speech Evaluator. • The speaker will be evaluated against the goal of that particular speech. The evaluation sheet is in the Competent Communicator manual. • Also, pick a mentor who can give you additional feedback and track your progress through various projects. • And more importantly, enjoys the ride.