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Join Toastmasters - http://www.toastmasters.org/ http://www.toastmasters.org/ There's no substitute for actually doing it.

by edw519 17y ago

kalid 17y ago
I second toastmasters -- it really helped me discover what aspects of teaching I enjoy. My tip would be to use stories/anecdotes, especially for something meant to be entertaining (vs. informative) for a best-man's speech. Think of some funny memories that can be linked together to give insights into the personality of the groom.
yan 17y ago
I heard about toastmasters before. What are the meetings actually like?
- edw519 17y ago
  My experience (other chapters may differ): 1. Everyone who comes speaks to the entire group for 1 or 2 minutes. This was called "Table Topics". A different member is assigned each week to administer the Table Topics. I remember one time the Table Topics person handed each one of us a paper bag that we had to open, remove the object inside, and give an interesting talk. My object was a clothes pin. 2. Everyone gets a mentor when they join to help them through the education. 3. Everyone cycles through the program at their own pace giving longer and longer prepared talks. 5:00, 10:00, 15:00, etc. You give one of these every month or so. 4. Every single talk is publicly critiqued by at least one judge. They are usually ruthless and very, very helpful. It took me months to stop playing with my hands when I talked. They finally got me to stop. 5. I remembered speaking about my business in all my prepared talks. I can't imagine having a better place to practice than Toastmasters.
weaksauce 17y ago
That's a good suggestion I have to give the speech tomorrow but I think I need to do something like this to get better at it because it is such a valuable skill.
DanielStraight 17y ago
Actually, that's the correct advice for any skill: "there's no substitute for actually doing it." Practice makes perfect. It's not just a cliche.

Join Toastmasters - http://www.toastmasters.org/ http://www.toastmasters.org/ There's no substitute for actually doing it.

by edw519 17y ago

Join Toastmasters - http://www.toastmasters.org/ http://www.toastmasters.org/ There's no substitute for actually doing it.

kalid 17y ago

I second toastmasters -- it really helped me discover what aspects of teaching I enjoy. My tip would be to use stories/anecdotes, especially for something meant to be entertaining (vs. informative) for a best-man's speech. Think of some funny memories that can be linked together to give insights into the personality of the groom.

yan 17y ago

I heard about toastmasters before. What are the meetings actually like?

edw519 17y ago
My experience (other chapters may differ): 1. Everyone who comes speaks to the entire group for 1 or 2 minutes. This was called "Table Topics". A different member is assigned each week to administer the Table Topics. I remember one time the Table Topics person handed each one of us a paper bag that we had to open, remove the object inside, and give an interesting talk. My object was a clothes pin. 2. Everyone gets a mentor when they join to help them through the education. 3. Everyone cycles through the program at their own pace giving longer and longer prepared talks. 5:00, 10:00, 15:00, etc. You give one of these every month or so. 4. Every single talk is publicly critiqued by at least one judge. They are usually ruthless and very, very helpful. It took me months to stop playing with my hands when I talked. They finally got me to stop. 5. I remembered speaking about my business in all my prepared talks. I can't imagine having a better place to practice than Toastmasters.

weaksauce 17y ago

That's a good suggestion I have to give the speech tomorrow but I think I need to do something like this to get better at it because it is such a valuable skill.

DanielStraight 17y ago

Actually, that's the correct advice for any skill: "there's no substitute for actually doing it." Practice makes perfect. It's not just a cliche.