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Are You Ready for Toastmasters Contest Season?

Jennifer Schmidt, Senior Editor

different parts of a speech are scored. All winning
speeches typically maximize each area to get the

most points for a higher placement.
2023 International contest winnners 1st place Jocelyn
Tyson, 2nd place Nisha Shivram, and 3rd Maryam Ganni
Choose your theme - Every idea starts with an

As autumn leaves are displaying gold and orange overall theme that develops into a speech. For the
hues, you might think it’s too soon to think about the International Speech Contest, it should be inspiring
Toastmasters contest season. However, most clubs start and a topic you are passionate about that would also
their contests either in December or January. This means interest a large audience. You want to make sure
October is the perfect time to begin your competitive your theme is personal, relatable, and compelling.

journey. I did this last year when I competed and won at Also, remember you will be giving this speech
the Division level. If you're excited to throw your hat in the multiple times, and really need to enjoy the topic
ring, here’s some strategies that can help you: so you can deliver it with consistent energy.

PREPARATION PRACTICE

Review winning speeches - A good place to start is by Start with your home club - My home club, New
reviewing the videos of all the first place World Champion Horizons Toastmasters, is where I always deliver

of Public Speaking winners for the last five years. Ask my speech for the first time to get initial feedback.
yourself, what do all their topics have in common? What Before the club contest, on average I’ll practice 50
tone and style is used in each speech? How do you feel times on my own. Between contests, that number

when you watch them? Any similar traits you can glean will increase to at least 200 practices by the Division
from each presentation will help you better understand contest. This might sound like a lot of practicing,
the main ingredients of an award-winning speech. but this is how I feel the most prepared, and less
likely to forget what I’ll say when my adrenaline is
really high.

Study the contest rules - If you’re planning to enter a
contest, you have to know the rules. This includes timing, Share with other clubs - Last year I visited several
possible disqualifications, and other specific requirements clubs to practice my speech prior to the Area and

(such as club standing and paperwork) in order to compete. Division contests. This feedback from various
Reviewing the judges ballot is also a great way to see how audiences helped me to enhance my speech and

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