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Communication Track

Communication Manual

BASIC COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Communication skills are improved with the training manuals that combine all the aspects that a polished speaker needs to succeed.

The "Communication and Leadership manual” (often called the basic manual) is the first manual you receive when you join Toastmasters. It helps you to develop the basic skills that you need to prepare and present an effective speech.

The manual is organized into ten separate projects, each with its own individual focus or objective. An extremely effective tool in developing your speaking skills, the Competent Communication manual never tells you exactly what to do or what to speak about, but rather it provides a set of guidelines for you to think about as you prepare your speech.

It contains ten assignments in the form of speeches you write on a subject or topic of interest to you and present to the club. Each speech gives you the opportunity to practice a specific skill in order to develop your basic speaking ability. You progress through these speeches at your own rate.

The first speech is the Ice Breaker. This speech introduces you to the club and gives you your first opportunity to give a prepared speech in the club. It is to be on a topic on which you are the only expert, yourself.

The next seven speeches are designed to build on the basic speaking skills that are necessary to become a competent speaker. The final three speeches are designed to introduce you to the basic speaking styles: informing, persuading, and motivating.

 As an essential part of the Toastmasters program, another Toastmaster will evaluate each speech that you give, providing positive feedback and suggestions for improvement, as necessary.

After completing the Competent Communication manual, you earn Competent Communicator (CC) recognition and are able to focus your efforts on the projects in the advanced speech manuals of the Toastmasters program. The CC has replaced the Competent Toastmaster (CTM) designation.

Your Club Vice President Education can submit an application for a CC or other award. To submit educational awards, go to the "Club Business" section of http://www.toastmasters.org/.

The chart below lists the ten projects in the Competent Communication manual.

For details about the projects in the manual click on the title. 

P1 | Ice Breaker
P2 | Organize Your Speech
P3 | Get To The Point
P4 | How To Say It
P5 | Your Body Speaks
P6 | Vocal Variety
P7 | Research Your Topic
P8 | Get Comfortable With
        Visual Aids
P9 | Persuade With Power
P10 | Inspire Your Audience

 

1. The Ice Breaker

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. Read the entire project before preparing your talk.

Begin to understand what strengths you already have, and areas that require particular emphasis in your speaking development.

Time:   4 - 6 minutes
Objectives: To begin speaking before an audience.
  To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention
  To introduce yourself to your fellow club members.

 

Advanced Manual

1. Communicating on Television
2. Humorously Speaking
3. Interpersonal Communications
4. Interpretive Reading
5. Persuasive Speaking
6. Public Relations
7. Speaking to Inform
8. Special Occasion
9. Specialty Speeches
10. Speeches by Management
11. Storytelling
12. Technical Presentations
13. The Discussion Leader
14. The Entertaining Speaker
15. The Professional Speaker

Communicating on Television

1. Straight Talk

Time: 3 minutes +/- 30 seconds
Objectives: To effectively present an opinion or viewpoint in a short time.
   To stimulate giving a presentation as part of a television broadcast.
2. The Talk Show
Time: 10 minutes +/- 30 seconds
Objectives: To understand the dynamics of a television interview or "talk" show
  To prepare for the questions that may be asked of you during a television interview program.
  To present a positive image on the television camera.
  To appear as a guest on a simulated television talk show.
3. When You`re the Host
Time: 10 minutes +/- 30 seconds
Objectives: To conduct a successful television interview.
  To understand the dynamics of a successful television interview or "talk" show.
  To prepare questions to ask during the interview program.
  To present a positive, confident image on the television camera.
4. The Press Conference
Time: 4-6 minutes, plus 8-10 minutes (Q&A)
Objectives: To understand the nature of a television press conference.
  To prepare for an adversary confrontation on a controversial or sensitive issue.
  To employ appropriate preparation methods and strategies for communicating your organization`s viewpoint.
  To present and maintain a positive image on television.
5. Training On Television
Time: 5-7 minutes,
plus 5-7 minutes for video playback
Objectives: To learn how to develop and present an effective training program on television.
  To receive personal feedback through the videotaping of your presentation.

Note: For some speech projects, the presentation time may also include additional segments for such activities as question-and-answer periods, depending on the project.

 



          

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