Presentation Mastery Curriculum

You may have participated in an ice breaker activity at an event sometime in your life. These activities are designed to help people connect and get to know one another. Your Ice Breaker speech fulfills the same purpose. The Ice Breaker marks the beginning of your new Toastmasters path. It is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the group and share something about yourself. You may choose to share anything from the reason you chose this particular path to something personal about your life.

The purpose of this project is to introduce yourself to the club and learn the basic structure of a public speech.

Write and deliver a speech about any topic to introduce yourself to your club. Your speech may be humorous, informational, or any other style that appeals to you.

• A 4- to 6-minute speech.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.
• Communicate with your evaluator about your goals for this speech. Be sure to share your most important concerns and ask any questions you have about the evaluation process.
• Meet with your evaluator to review your evaluation.
• Applying feedback is the most important step to improve public speaking skills. Create a plan for applying the feedback you received.
• Choose one piece of feedback that is reasonable to apply to your next speech.
• Share with your mentor, a friend, or your next evaluator the feedback you received that you plan to apply to your next speech.

Each speech you deliver during your Toastmasters meetings or outside of them is a reflection of who you are and what you want to contribute. You may be looking to share information, entertain your audience, or persuade or inspire them. Whatever your goal, the first step is to write a speech that has meaning, not only for you, but for every member of your audience.

The purpose of this project is to learn or review basic methods for writing a speech with a defined purpose and to present a well-organized speech on any topic.

Select a topic that appeals to you. It can be anything. Be sure your topic is narrow enough to be an effective 5- to 7-minute speech. Clearly define your topic and consider your goal for your speech. Before you organize your speech, identify and express your purpose in a single sentence. Practice your speech and refine its organization. Present your speech at a club meeting. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• Defining a general purpose and a specific purpose.
• Topic and Purpose Worksheet.
• The Speech Outline Worksheet.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Select a topic for your speech that is narrow enough to cover in your speaking time. For example, the topic of “dogs” is so broad that a 5- to 7-minute speech would appear shallow. Narrowing your topic to “young Golden Retrievers” allows you to develop a speech that will meet a defined, specific purpose.
• Complete the Topic and Purpose Worksheet to choose a strong topic and identify your general and specific purposes.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech. Focus on creating strong content that supports your topic and your purpose.
• Rehearse your speech.

You hold within you the most powerful tools to succeed as a public speaker. Recognizing when to raise or lower your voice, how to use silence to add impact, and the power of movement and gestures to leave an impression on an audience are fundamental skills that, when developed, can bring any type of content to life. With time and practice, every Toastmaster can become skilled at using their voice, gestures, and body language to inspire an audience.

The purpose of this project is to practice using vocal variety or body language to enhance a speech.

Learn or review the importance of vocal variety and body language. Present a 5- to 7-minute speech on any topic at a club meeting. The primary focus of the evaluation is your vocal variety or your body language and gestures. You will identify the skills you are working on for your evaluator before you deliver your speech and be evaluated on those skills.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Decide the focus of your evaluation. You can select vocal variety, body language, or both.
• Rehearse your speech.
• If possible, have your mentor, a friend, or family member video record your speech. If you do not have access to a recording device, perform your speech in front of a mirror.
• Email, post to feedback, or print your chosen evaluation resource. If you know who your evaluator will be, send it directly. Always prepare for a change by having the resource ready to add to chat, email, or hand to the evaluator at the start of your Toastmasters meeting.

The benefit of any effective evaluation is in the way it is applied. It can be challenging to accept negative—or positive—feedback. As a Toastmaster, evaluating others, being open to evaluations yourself, and applying feedback to enhance your abilities as a public speaker and leader are crucial skills to develop. Members rely on each other’s evaluations to develop their speaking skills. Communicating constructive feedback to your fellow Toastmasters is just as important as receiving and implementing feedback yourself. In this project, you will learn strategies to effectively receive feedback and apply it to improve your public speaking and leadership skills. You will also learn how to deliver tactful and constructive feedback. You will gain an understanding of how to identify the type of feedback an individual requires and expects, the importance of using positive language in feedback, and the difference between feedback and advice.

The purpose of this project is to practice applying speech evaluation feedback and serve as a speech evaluator during a club meeting.

This project includes two 5- to 7-minute speeches. Speech 1: Choose any topic for your first Evaluation and Feedback speech. After your speech, carefully review your feedback. Speech 2: At a future club meeting, present your second Evaluation and Feedback speech. You may create a new speech, revise your first Evaluation and Feedback speech, or present your first Evaluation and Feedback speech again if you are focusing on speech delivery feedback. Apply Feedback: Your second speech should reflect some or all of the feedback you received after your first Evaluation and Feedback speech. Evaluate: Finally, after you have completed both speeches, serve as an evaluator at a club meeting and deliver constructive feedback about another member’s presentation.

• Speech one: A 5- to 7-minute speech on any topic.
• Speech two: A 5- to 7-minute speech on any topic, that incorporating at least some of the feedback received from speech one. This may be the same speech as speech one, a revision of that speech, or an entirely new speech depending on feedback and your goals.
• Speech Evaluator: Serve as a speech evaluator.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your first speech for this project.
• Rehearse your speech.
• Present your first speech.
• Schedule your second speech with the Vice President Education. Remember, the evaluator of your first speech must evaluate your second speech. If the same evaluator is unavailable, share their feedback with a second evaluator.
• Write your second speech for this project. Incorporate the feedback your evaluator provided after your first speech. You may present the same speech again, revise it, or write a new speech.
• Rehearse your second speech.
• Present your second speech.
• Volunteer to be a speech evaluator at a club meeting after you have completed both speeches. Coordinate this with your Vice President Education in advance of a club meeting.

You are about to submit a completion request for this level. Once this level is complete, projects are still available to view at any time. Congratulations! This level is complete.

Communication is a two-way process for reaching mutual understanding through verbal, non-verbal, and written messages. Communication style is defined as the way in which individuals interact with one another and the messages they send, intentionally or not, through their behaviors. In this project, you will learn how to identify different communication styles, understand your preferred communication style, and recognize how your communication style may impact your interactions with others. You will determine how to improve your relationships by mastering and adapting your communication styles and tailoring your message to match situational expectations.

The purpose of this project is to learn about different communication styles and identify your primary style.

Complete the Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire to help you identify your style. Deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting about your communication style and its impact on your professional and/or personal relationships. If you are uncomfortable discussing your communication style, you may speak about the communication styles you have encountered and how they impact you. Your speech should not be a report of the content of this project. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• The Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Complete the Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire.
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech. Include information about your current communication style and how you can effectively adapt your communication to connect with other styles. If you are uncomfortable discussing your communication style, you may speak about styles you have encountered and how they impact you.
• Rehearse your speech.

When presenting a speech, a vast amount of information is visually conveyed by your appearance, manner, and physical behavior. In this project, you will learn to use your body to express emotion and attitude, recognize different forms of body language, and identify gestures to help you show confidence when speaking in public. You will also learn about the impact of unintentional movement and how you can use gestures to enhance your speech content while supporting the work you do to communicate your message.

The purpose of this project is to deliver a speech with awareness of your intentional and unintentional body language, as well as to learn, practice, and refine your use of gestures when delivering a speech.

Prepare a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic that lends itself to expression through your movement and gestures. Record your presentation and get feedback from your mentor or another reviewer before speaking to your club. If you do not have access to a recording device, perform your speech in front of a mirror and make adjustments before your scheduled speech. Present your speech at a club meeting. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech. Be sure to choose a topic that supports the use of body language.
• Rehearse your speech.
• If possible, have your mentor, a friend, or family member video record your speech. If you do not have access to a recording device, perform your speech in front of a mirror.

Mentors offer encouragement and guidance to fellow members of Toastmasters while they work to accomplish goals. In this project, you will learn about mentorship and gain an understanding of the role of mentors and protégés as well as insight into your potential as a Toastmasters mentor.

The purpose of this project is to clearly define how Toastmasters envisions mentoring.

Write and present a 5- to 7-minute speech about a time when you were a protégé. Share the impact and importance of having a mentor. This speech is not a report on the content of this project. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write a speech about a time when you were a protégé. This experience can come from any time in your life.
• Rehearse your speech.

You are about to submit a completion request for this level. Once this level is complete, projects are still available to view at any time. Congratulations! This level is complete.

Persuasive messages fill our environment. From signs and billboards to email and the web, communication intended to encourage change and incite movement is difficult to escape. Persuasion is the ability to communicate in a way that motivates others to understand, accept, and act upon new ideas. In this project, you will learn methods to support your viewpoint, identify the most appropriate type of persuasive speech for your topic, and develop a presentation to convey your message powerfully. You will learn to deliver a persuasive speech and assess the effectiveness of your persuasive skills.

The purpose of this project is to understand the types of persuasive speeches and deliver a persuasive speech at a club meeting.

Choose any topic that lends itself to speaking persuasively and prepare a speech. Present your 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting. If your Vice President Education approves a non-club event or group, your evaluator must be present for your speech. Your speech can be persuasive, humorous, informational, or crafted in any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• The Persuasive Speech Outline Worksheet.
• A 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your persuasive speech on any topic of your choosing.
• Rehearse your speech.

Choose and complete two elective projects based on your interests and goals. Choose at least two projects as required for this level. Selected elective projects can be accessed from the project menu.

• Two Chosen Electives
• Minimum of 2 Required Projects

• Deliver Social Speeches
• Using Presentation Software
• Connect with Storytelling
• Creating Effective Visual Aids
• Using Descriptive Language
• Connect with Your Audience
• Make Connections Through Networking
• Focus on the Positive
• Inspire Your Audience
• Prepare for an Interview
• Understanding Vocal Variety
• Active Listening
• Know Your Sense of Humor
• Researching and Presenting

You are about to submit a completion request for this level. Once this level is complete, projects are still available to view at any time. Completion of all projects in this level is required. Submit Level 3 for completion Submit for completion with the desired club. Credit for this completion will be applied to the club shown here. If you belong to multiple clubs, select a club from this drop-down. Club Soarhigh Toastmasters Club Submit

Part of building your skills as a public speaker and leader is developing strategies for successfully speaking to a variety of audiences. In this project, you will learn some common behaviors of difficult participants and how to address each behavior in a calm, effective, and professional way.

The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to address audience challenges when you present outside of your Toastmasters club.

Prepare a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic of your choosing. You may write a new speech or use a speech you presented previously. You will be evaluated on the way you manage audience disruptions, not the content of your speech. Before your club meeting, send the Role Play Assignments resource to the Toastmaster and Vice President Education. As you present your speech, respond to different types of difficult audience members that disrupt you. The process of speaking and responding to audience members will take 12 to 15 minutes.

• The Role Play Assignments resource.
• Responding to disruptive audience members during a 5- to 7-minute speech.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education. Make sure you have 15 minutes to complete your assignment at a club meeting.
• Write your speech. You may choose any topic.
• Rehearse your speech.
• Before your speech, send your Vice President Education or Toastmaster of the meeting the Role Play Assignments resource.
• On the day of your speech, confirm with the Vice President Education or the Toastmaster that the disrupters have been assigned. You should not be aware of who will play which role or which roles will be played.

Complete one elective project of your choice. Choose at least one project as required for this level. Selected elective projects can be accessed from the project menu.

• Elective Project
• Minimum of 1 Required Project

• Create a Podcast
• Building a Social Media Presence
• Write a Compelling Blog
• Manage Online Meetings
• Question-and-Answer Session
• Public Relations Strategies
• Manage Projects Successfully

You are about to submit a completion request for this level. Once this level is complete, projects are still available to view at any time. Completion of previous levels is required to send this approval request. Submit Level 4 for completion Submit for completion with the desired club. Credit for this completion will be applied to the club shown here. If you belong to multiple clubs, select a club from this drop-down. Club Soarhigh Toastmasters Club Submit

Most of us have experienced outstanding professional speakers. They can be found serving as event hosts or emcees, leading an educational or training seminar, or delivering a keynote address. They are highly poised and confident. Some Toastmasters envision building the expertise to go from speaking at club meetings to speaking professionally. This project is an introduction to the skills needed to make that transition. In this project, you will learn how to determine your area of expertise, define the attributes of professional speakers, understand what your audience expects from you, know how to connect with them, and incorporate stories and anecdotes that support and enhance your message. You will also learn how to market yourself as a professional-level speaker. Review the following video to learn more.

The purpose of this project is to practice developing and presenting a longer speech.

Write and present an 18- to 22-minute keynote-style speech. Exemplify the point of view or message you would convey as a professional-level speaker. You may choose to use visual aids if they fit your speech and your style. Your speech may be humorous, informational, or any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content. If you receive advance approval from the Vice President Education, you may present your speech to a non-Toastmasters group.

• The Speech Outline Worksheet.
• An 18- to 22-minute keynote-style speech.

• Identify the focus of your professional-level speech (refer to the project for more information on how to select the best topic for you).
• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Write your speech.
• Develop visual aids if you intend to use them.
• Rehearse your speech.
• If possible, schedule time to practice your speech in front of an audience.

Select and complete one elective project that supports your goals. Choose at least one project as required for this level. Selected elective projects can be accessed from the project menu.

• Elective Project
• Minimum of 1 Required Project

• Lessons Learned
• Moderate a Panel Discussion
• Ethical Leadership
• High Performance Leadership
• Leading in Your Volunteer Organization

You are about to submit a completion request for this level. Once this level is complete, projects are still available to view at any time. Completion of previous levels is required to send this approval request. Submit Level 5 for completion Submit for completion with the desired club. Credit for this completion will be applied to the club shown here. If you belong to multiple clubs, select a club from this drop-down. Club Soarhigh Toastmasters Club Submit

Congratulations! You have completed your path. A vital aspect of growth is reflecting on how far you have come and where you plan to go. In this project, you will learn to reflect on and describe your unique experience of moving through your path and share how your learning has affected your life outside Toastmasters.

The purpose of this project is to reflect on your growth during the completion of an entire path.

At a club meeting, present a 10- to 12-minute speech to share your experience completing your path. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on how far you have come, summarize the skills you have learned and developed, and to celebrate your achievements. Your speech can be humorous, informational, or any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

• The Your Toastmasters Journey resource.
• A 10- to 12-minute speech.

• Schedule your speech with the Vice President Education.
• Review all your Know-Wonder-Learned responses on the projects you have completed to help you recall your learning in each one.
• Use the Your Toastmasters Journey resource to review and record your growth within Toastmasters, in your personal life, and in your professional life.
• Write your speech.
• Rehearse your speech.

You are about to submit a completion request for this path. Once completed, your path is still available to view at any time. Completion of previous levels is required to send this approval request. Submit Presentation Mastery for completion Submit for completion with the desired club. Credit for this completion will be applied to the club shown here. If you belong to multiple clubs, select a club from this drop-down. Club Soarhigh Toastmasters Club Submit