TDK talks TM Blog

Show #11 – “The Anatomy of a Speech”  is published. You can listen, download, and / or subscribe in 3-ways;

1)  My PodCast site – http://www.TDKtalksTM.com

2)  iTunes music site (hotlink on my homesite above)

3)  ZUNE music site (hotlink on my homesite above)

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My content is intended to mentor and nurture the BEST out of every Toastmaster, along with introducing GUESTS to what Toastmasters can DO for YOU !

Since we are about 3/4 way thru our Fall Humorous Speech Contests, on the road to the final competition at the District level, I thought I would challenge myself by trying to understand the speech creation and presenting process. Speaking is the main reason many of us initially join Toastmasters, so why not give this process some thought.

I competed and won at my club level ( well, I was the only competitor …… hmmm ….. ). I did lose against 2 others at the AREA level. (Well, did I really lose ?) I then judged at the Division level, judging 6 speakers including 2 newer up-and-coming members. All did a great job. Congrats to all ! Funny how you learn something, even from junior speakers who make very obvious mistakes. Even they contribute to our learning process. We give them full support also, for we know how tough those first times of competing are.

I think everyone must have their own process of speech writing, practising, and delivering. What we begin with when we first join Toastmasters is what we know at the time, about writing, practising and presenting speeches. Gradually, after watching others speak, going to contests and even evaluating  / judging speeches, we start honing and refining our own speech methodology. It’s a learning & refining process. Eventually we hear someone speaking whom we mark as, “That’s how I want to speak and present !”

I think a good part of the process is simply idenifying what is OUR speaking and presenting character. We have been writing for years – well, not formally I guess. But some of us have NOT been speaking formally that much, if at all. So we need to find that part about ourselves. The search continues !