Speech 4: How to Say It. The fourth speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program is meant to help me examine word choice, sentence structure, and rhetorical devices. The tune you just heard was composed by Ananias Davisson in 1816. It’s called “Idumea,” and is one of the most popular tunes in the Sacred Harp…
Tag: Toastmasters speech
Category: Writing
I Promise I Have a Point to Make
Speech 3: Get to the Point. The third speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program is meant to help me set a speech goal and make sure that every element focuses on it. Picking my topic for this week’s speech was surprisingly difficult. The brief, “Get to the Point,” is right up my alley. I…
Writing Steps for Non-Writers
Speech 2: Organize Your Speech. The second speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program introduces the basic concepts of organizing a speech around a speech outline. Getting back into writing has made it clear to me why most authors are alcoholics, manic depressives, or lunatics. I am not a talented writer by nature. I had…
Words, Words, Words
Speech 1: The Ice Breaker. The first speech of the Toastmasters Competent Communicator program is about introducing myself to the group, providing a benchmark for my current skill level, and standing and speaking without vomiting or passing out. Mr/Madam Toastmaster, fellow members, and guests. I’ve spent most of my life fighting with the voices in…