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"Pearls of
Wisdom"
from past meetings:
> Speech Titles
> Using Notes > Using Slides
> Wordmaster > Top of Page
CREATIVE SPEECH TITLES
Speech titles should grab the audience attention.. spark their interest in what you are going to say. One of
our newest members asked for some examples of "snazzy speech
titles" from previous speeches. Here is a list of some of the titles of
speeches given at Bell Tower
Toastmasters in the past that got my attention:
"An
Out of this Word Experience"
"Is there a Tailor in the House"
"It's about Crime"
"Are you an IP?"
"So, Where are you from?"
"The Deadly mistake"
"A Chicken Range?"
"Anansi, the Spiderman"
"A Rose is a Rose"
"Here a Billion, There a Billion"
"Whirlwinds and Whirlpools"
"DANGER: Boys at Play"
"25 Hours a Day"
"This Ain't Monopoly"
"A Hamburger Checklist"
"Alabama Mountain Memories"
"The Great Bear Hunt"
-VP of Membership
> Speech Titles > Using Notes > Using
Slides > Wordmaster
> Top of Page
TIPS ON USING NOTES
This topic came up at a recent meeting. Captured here are some tips from
fellow club members for those of us trying to wean ourselves from using
notes:
* Work toward using only a
few key words to keep your speaking on track; print these in large font (18
or 24point).
* Visualize your speech in pictures, connecting them - either by actual
drawing or mentally
* Use a package like Power Point to highlight key talking points
* Rehearse your speech in your head
* Do a test run, out loud, in front of a mirror or in front of a friend
* Once your speech is "out of the can" it is easier to remember
Caution: don't
over-practice your speech to the point of losing excitement about the topic;
after practicing it a few times, set it aside until the time of the speech.
-Club
Secretary
> Speech Titles > Using Notes
> Using Slides
> Wordmaster > Top of Page
USING SLIDES IN PRESENTATIONS
Here is a VERY brief outline of some things that you can do when preparing a
PowerPoint presentation, a transparency or a slide.
- Number of lines of text
per slide ... 6 to 8 lines (Max 12).
- Number of words per Slide... from 20 words to 50 max.
Less is better.
- Use Serif print (it can be read more easily).
- Type size (to be legible):
Small letters 1/4" Min
Large letters 3/8" Min
- Thus, use 38point CG_Times or TimesNewRoman
(BOLD) for Titles and 30point Times bold for Text (sometimes as low as 26
point for text).
- Use landscape.
- Keep contents simple (Simplify computer code [SAS, etc.] to show point).
- Use illustrations where possible.
- Use the center of the slide (avoid putting material at the edges).
- Be consistent (same logos, orientation, type font, background color).
Consistency makes slides look more professional.
PHILOSOPHY
A slide should be a SUMMARY of what you plan to discuss. It should not be all
inclusive. If the transparency contains everything, then there is no reason
to discuss it or talk about it. You could just let people read the slide
OVERHEAD
SLIDE LAYOUT
*MARGINS
(for 7.5x9.5 inch landscape window
TOP=BOTTOM=.75inches
LEFT=RIGHT=1.0 inch
*CENTER AREA (usable area)
LANDSCAPE (always)
HEIGHT=7inches
WIDTH=9 inches
*FONT
TITLES= 38points
TEXT= 26 to 30 points
BOLD throughout
Serif fonts like TIMES NEW
ROMAN (easier to read)
> Speech Titles > Using Notes
> Using Slides > Wordmaster
> Top of Page
HOW TO BE WORDMASTER
BEFORE THE MEETING:
1) Choose a word that can be easily incorporated into everyday conversation.
I like to choose words that I have run across recently that are new to me and
seem like a word I would actually use. For example: "Mouse Potato
(someone who sits in front of the computer all day) as opposed to couch
potato. Mouse potato was recently introduced into the dictionary. I try to
avoid words that are too esoteric and I would never actually use. The goal of
word of the day is to introduce a new word which will expand a person's
active vocabulary (words people use) as opposed to their passive vocabulary
(words people recognize and understand, but never actually use).
2) Print the word on a sheet of paper or cardboard in letters large enough,
so they can be seen from the back of the room. This visual will be placed in
front of the room during the meeting so that people will be reminded to use
the word during the meeting. At 20 feet, lettering should be about 2 inches high or a
minimum of 32-point print. Bold print is probably better. You may also want
to bring tape to be able to hang your display on the lectern or the wall.
3) Prepare an explanation of the word including part of speech (noun,
adjective, verb), definition and an example in a
sentence. When they exist, some people provide the different forms of the
same word (as a noun, as an adjective, etc.). Having different forms of the
word, makes it easier to use in the meeting, but having one form is just
fine.
4) When, for some reason, the word of
the day is not prepared ahead of time, there is a deck of cards in our
meeting room and a word can be chosen from this deck.
DURING THE MEETING: When
called upon by the Toastmaster, stand by your chair and announce the Word,
the part of speech and an example in a sentence. Request that anyone speaking
during the meeting, try to use the word. Place the word where all can see it.
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