Keith's Training on Competent Communicator project 1~4

Here are the notes from Keith Ostergard's training on Competent Communicator Manual on Feb. 24th, 2013. [ I added comments from Giant Zhuang, a seasoned Toastmaster. Thanks, Giant!]

• Breath is life especially for a speaker. [Giant: Breathing is the fundamental basis for public speaking. So we'd better share personal experience in how to breath correctly through different ways (e.g. workout, yoga, singing, KTV, etc.) ]
• [Giant: Transitions play a very important role in leading the audience from one idea to another. "Next" is the simplest word to serve the purpose. ]
• [Giant: Assign the best evaluator to evaluate the Ice Breakers to let them "feel good". ]
• [Giant: Use the word "enhance" in your evaluation when you provide suggestions for speakers to improve their speeches.  ]
• [Giant: Using proper grammar is one of the hardest things for members in China to master and it's also a critical indicator to separate a "good"speech from a "great speech". ]
• Opening and conclusions should only be started after the body of speech has been completed. For Keith’s speeches,these are the only parts he writes and memorizes. Everything else is from outline.
• PPT is only supporting your speech, it is not the speech itself.
• Evaluations are just opinions, they are not teaching opportunities. All evaluations should focus on the objectives of the project, not on things in later projects.
• Outline your speech using mind maps (e.g. MindJet in iPhone or Android phones) before writing.
• Limit to 3 main points (1-2 min per point)
• Only start with humor in a humorous speech
• Draft two versions of your conclusion(length 30-60 secondes): Version A – if you have completed all of the speech asplanned; Version B – if you run short of time and have to leave out the finalsubpoint.
• Begin with the end in mind. Knowing whereyou want the audience to be at the end of your speech allows you to focus on thatgoal.
• When picking your subject, clarify it in asingle sentences of less than eight words. This lets you crystallize the thingsthat fit into this message and avoid things that don’t fit.
• A good speech is a conversation with theaudience. Speaker will “talk with” instead of “at” the audience. Remember touse the 3H’s: Head – never ever talk about things you don’t know; Heart – neverever talk about things you don’t care; Hands – be always willing to share. Whenyou are prepared, confidence will show to the audience.
• Nerves are caused by unfocused energy – so focusit and put it to work for you. Remember, even the most seasoned speaker will benervous, the difference is they don’t show it or tell the audience they arenervous.
• Use short words (one syllable), shortsentences and short paragraphs because most people remember short thingsbetter.
• Select verbs carefully. Use active verbswhenever possible.
• It’s recommended there be at least 4-6weeks between projects to reflect, learn and prepare.
• Club would purchase a full set of advancedmanuals (15 advanced manuals) in the library and give two of them free ofcharge to any members who have completed project #8. After the member achieveCC, club could get another two manuals from TI free of charge.
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