"Pearls of
Wisdom" from past meetings:
> Speech Titles > Using Notes
> Using Slides > Wordmaster
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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
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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 are suggested one do
when preparing a transparency or slide. They can also be adapted in
preparing a PowerPoint Presentation.
- Number of lines
of text per slide ... 6 to 8 lines (Max 12).
- Number of words per Slide... some say 20 words max (others say 50
max).
- 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 were possible.
- Use the center of the slide (avoid putting material at the edges).
- Be consistent (Same logos, orientation, Type Font, Background Color).
Consistency make transparencies look more professional.
PHILOSOPHY
A transparency should be a SUMMARY of what is being discussed. It
should not be all inclusive. If the transparencies contains everything,
then there is no reason to discuss them or talk about them. You could
just let people read them.
OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY LAYOUT
*MARGINS (for
7.5x9.5 inch landscape window, same hole size as [cardboard] frames)
TOP=BOTTOM=.75inches
LEFT=RIGHT=1.0 inch
*CENTER AREA (usable
area on overheads)
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
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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 seems 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 0.2 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 to 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) NOTE 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.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE
MEETING: Tape or set up the word of the day at the lectern.
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.
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