Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches
This is the first article of the Toastmasters Speech Series — a collection of articles which examines the fundamentals of public speaking.
Not familiar with Toastmasters? Find out here.
For Toastmasters and non-Toastmasters alike, these articles show how you can graduate from speaking fear to inspiring your audience.
The format for the series will be one article for each of the ten speeches which comprise the introductory Toastmasters manual — the Competent Communicator Manual.
- The Ice Breaker
- Organize Your Speech
- Get to the Point
- How To Say It
- Your Body Speaks
- Vocal Variety
- Research Your Topic
- Get Comfortable with Visual Aids (coming next)
- Persuade With Power
- Inspire Your Audience
For Toastmasters and Non-Toastmasters Alike
If you are a Toastmaster, this is your guide through the first ten speeches. For each speech project, we’ll look at tips, techniques, and wherever possible, written and video examples of speeches which demonstrate the goals.
If you are not a Toastmaster, consider this an introductory public speaking course. Each of the 10 speeches covers one fundamental skill for public speakers. This is the solid formula on which the Toastmasters program is based. If you’ve never joined Toastmasters or taken a public speaking course, this series will be a primer for you.
Overview of the First Ten Toastmasters Speeches
As the articles are published, each of these will turn into links to those articles.
- Speech 1: The Ice Breaker — The first speech of the Toastmasters program is about introducing yourself to your peers, providing a benchmark for your current skill level, and standing and speaking without falling over.
- Speech 2: Organize Your Speech — Introduces the basic concepts of organizing a speech around a speech outline.
- Speech 3: Get to the Point — Clearly state your speech goal, and make sure that every element of your speech focuses on that goal.
- Speech 4: How to Say It — Examines word choice, sentence structure, and rhetorical devices.
- Speech 5: Your Body Speaks — Shows how to complement words with posture, stance, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact.
- Speech 6: Vocal Variety — Guides you to add life to your voice with variations in pitch, pace, power, and pauses.
- Speech 7: Research Your Topic — Addresses the importance of backing up your arguments with evidence, and touches on the types of evidence to use.
- Speech 8: Get Comfortable With Visual Aids — Examines the use of slides, transparencies, flip charts, whiteboards, or props.
- Speech 9: Persuade With Power — Discusses audience analysis and the different forms of persuasion available to a speaker.
- Speech 10: Inspire Your Audience — The last of ten speeches, this project challenges the speaker to draw all their skills together to deliver a powerful inspirational message.
Sample Written Speeches and Speech Videos
Each article will include several examples of real speeches written and delivered by Toastmasters.
The purpose of including these samples is not to say “Look, here’s the right way to do this project.” In fact, there is no single “right way.”
Instead, I hope these sample speeches will provide ideas and inspiration for you as you search for relevant topics from your own life experiences.
Next in the Toastmasters Speech Series
The next article in this series addresses Speech 1: The Ice Breaker.
This is one of a number of articles related to Toastmasters featured on Six Minutes.
Subscribe to Six Minutes for free to receive future articles.
Note: Six Minutes is not affiliated with or endorsed by Toastmasters International. Click here for more information about the relationship between the two.
Blog about it...
Bookmark it...
Stumble it!
Save on del.icio.us
Comment on this Article
Subscribe - It's Free!
 Subscribe via RSS |
 Subscribe via Email |
 Follow @6minutes on Twitter |
shashi bhushan — May 5th, 2008
Excellent work !!!
Keep it up.
I’ll see how I can contribute.
Cheers,
TM Shashi
Chris — May 22nd, 2008
This is very good information. I found this since I was looking for information on Toastmasters. I’m definitely going to be joining.
I can’t wait to see the rest of the speeches get posted.
Thanks
Jacqui Grobler — Aug 11th, 2008
Please could you let me know when you are doing the rest of the manual?
These are very helpful.
Thanks
Jacqui
Rajagopalan — Sep 7th, 2008
Excellent info – now one doesnt need to read the CC Manual – everything’s here on a click…
Keep up the gud work
R. Gopinath — Apr 7th, 2009
I found your articles and links to the examples and your analysis very helpful in my project speeches ( 1 to 4).
However you have not gone beyond Project 4. Recently I gave my Project 5 speech (Your Body Speaks). The text is available at http://toastmasterspeeches.blogspot.com/2009/04/project-5-speech-ragging-learning.html.
Please feel free to refer it in your article if you think it is worthwhile.
B — May 14th, 2009
Well, I guess they gave up on the CC series, I’ve been checking back for months and months waiting for number 5, in the meantime I have completed 3 and 4 in my own club, I guess I’ll trudge on through 5 with no extra help… I’m getting more confidence, so I guess I don’t need it.
Gopinath — May 20th, 2009
It will be really great if this series is resumed. Meanwhile I guess for the ones who are seeking tips on Project 5 (Body Language) and Project 6 (Vocal Variety) can refer to Speech Preparation series #7
http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/2008/03/08/speech-preparation-7-staging-gestures-vocal-variety/
It proved to be really useful for my Project 6 speech.
http://toastmasterspeeches.blogspot.com/2009/05/project-6-speech-michaels-story.html
akhmad Guntar — Jun 13th, 2009
This is very great Blog. I find so many useful resources here. Could you please continue the toastmasters post series
Gopinath — Jun 13th, 2009
Here is an an example of Project 7 speech – Research Your Topic. Recently we had general elections in India and we used Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). I did some research on the process of electronic voting and the EVMs based on which I gave this speech.
Here is the link http://toastmasterspeeches.blogspot.com/2009/06/project-7-speech-electronic-voting.html
Gopinath — Jul 23rd, 2009
My Project 8 Speech ( Get comfortable with visual aids) was inspired by 3 short articles in Paulo Coelho’s book “Like the Flowing River”.
It was all about the wisdom we can gain from common day to day objects. I used a currency note, a pencil and some bananas as props. The speech was very well received in my club. Here is the link to the same http://toastmasterspeeches.blogspot.com/2009/07/project-8-speech-wisdom-wisdom.html
Gopinath — Sep 4th, 2009
Sponsor a Girl Child. This was my topic for Project 9 (Persuade with Power Speech). I talked about Nanhi Kali a project in India which is doing a yeoman service in securing the sponsorships for educating girls from underpriveleged sections of the society. I have been associated with this project for last 10 years and in my speech I tried to persuade the Toastmasters to sponsor at least one girl. The speech was well received. Here is the link
http://toastmasterspeeches.blogspot.com/2009/09/project-9-speech-sponsor-girl-child.html
Barbara Kite — Sep 10th, 2009
I’m almost afraid to delve into any more of these videos as I’ve looked at quite a few already and they scare me. Because speakers don’t seem to realize that speaking is performing and so their voices are week, their energry is low, their speech sounds memorized but here goes.
Andrew Dlugan — Sep 10th, 2009
Barbara:
Don’t forget that many of the Toastmasters members in these videos are taking their very first public speaking steps. It’s okay that they are not yet polished speechwriters or speakers. That’s why have committed themselves to improvement through Toastmasters.
Gopinath — Dec 7th, 2009
I completed my Project 10 speech (Inspire Your Audience). The topic was “Three Essential Qualities of a Toastmaster”.
http://toastmasterspeeches.blogspot.com/2009/12/project-10-speech-three-essential.html
Sue Hutton — Jan 8th, 2010
It would be really good if you would update the series for speeches 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Or perhaps I should start my own website and do that
usha — Jan 29th, 2010
Its indeed an excellent article from the toast masters end.
Jamie — Feb 7th, 2010
I really love your six minutes guide to the first ten speeches! It was really helpful and I don’t think I could have pulled off my speeches successfully without your help!
Thanks again Andrew, it would be great if you could continue to inspire us novice toastmasters!
Cheers,
Jamie
Dr. Ida Pennella — Feb 8th, 2010
Great ideas. Thanks for posting them.
Katie — Feb 11th, 2010
Hi Andrew
I subscribe to Six Minutes and really enjoy your blog. I particularly like your links to the first 6 Toastmasters speeches. Do you plan to post information on speeches 7-10? I’d find it most helpful. (I am a Toastmaster). Many thanks
Katie
Public Speaking — Feb 16th, 2010
This is such a great blog. Love the ten Toastmasters speeches.
Mon J Gamil — Feb 24th, 2010
Hi Andrew. This is a great site. Very valuable for TMs or non-TMs. Can I direct our Club Guests to your site? Even for new TMs – this will be very helpful before they receive their manuals. Again, Thanks a lot. Enjoying the Olympics?
Mon J Gamil
Lakeview TM Club, Mississauga, Ontario
Tyrone Campbell — May 13th, 2010
I have recently join a toastmasters club. It is amazing, with all the talking I do with friends. When it comes to formulizing a speech it seems alittle intimidating. I am thankful for this website. I hope to improve as a public speaker.
Thanks.
Arun V.Raman — Aug 28th, 2010
Andrew Dlugan,
Thanks for the resources that you provide. Can you please send me information on your rates for training in “Advanced Speech Techniques” and information on how you would deliver training.
I have a CTM/CC in ToastMasters, would like to improve to be a powerful, impact speaker. I have the lexicon resources(passive) and would like that to be active and effective for strong speech delivery, stage presence to influence multiple levels of consciousness within my intended audiences.
Patricia Cotton — Sep 2nd, 2010
This is awesome…I am sending this link to all the Toastmasters Officers in all the clubs I am in so they can give this extra umph to their new and seasoned members.
You always have great articles and information…thank you very much!
Thank you for the interview with LaShunda Rundles.
Warm regards,
Patricia Cotton
Nikhil Sheth — Oct 30th, 2010
Featured on Toastmasters in Pune Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toastmasters-in-Pune/148767611833746
Larry Howlett, DTM — Nov 16th, 2010
very well done
MG387 — Jan 11th, 2011
Very useful website, but also very interesting. Thanks for great content.
Kevin — Mar 9th, 2011
Hello Andrew
Awesome blog…I found it loaded with helpful tips…I enjoy reading all the topics…May I know if you have an idea for a humourous topic of discussion as I have this contest coming and I really lack inspiration and the deadline is closing in!!!
Cheers
rex tyler — Mar 27th, 2011
for my mentees and club members this is perfect,
written with an ease that can be seen
its helpful,and supportive of my efforts
I appreciate you for you have been
Helpful
Caring
thoughtful
and sharing
thank you so much
sam — Jun 7th, 2011
this is good site. pl keep it updated regularly and add more usefule topics and ideas.
bookmark — Jun 9th, 2011
Awesome blog…I found it loaded with helpful tips…I enjoy reading all the topics…May I know if you have an idea for a humourous topic of discussion as I have this contest coming and I really lack inspiration and the deadline is closing in!!!
sheryle peters — Jul 7th, 2011
ANDREW PLEASE HELP ME IAM NEW TOASTMASTER IN GRANDCENTER2000 IN ST.LOUIS MO. IAM ON NUMBER 6 IAM SO LOST PLEASE GIVER SOME POINTER SHERYLE
keynote speaker — Oct 5th, 2011
These is definitely the key to become a good speaker. Practice this, and you’ll definitely on your way to become a good public speaker.
Phil Costello, CC, CL, ACB, ACS — Nov 6th, 2011
As a Toastmaster for many years, it heightens my energy level to read posts about my organization, and its stature in the world. The letters after my name indicate that I have completed the first ten speeches, CC, and subsequent levels of expertise within the organization. As an accomplished speaker, and toastmaster, I want to commend your efforts to broaden the horizon of the speaking field, and the breadth to which your site has made speaking look easy.
hati_ko koichi @hati_ — Nov 5th, 2009
Toastmastersのスピーチガイドを発見. 使えそうなんだけど、まだVocal Varietyまでしかコンテンツが出来ていない。 http://bit.ly/37BCZg
koichi @koichi_1031 — Nov 5th, 2009
Oh! that's a nice website! i'll read it later! It has many tips for toastmasters speech. http://bit.ly/37BCZg
koichi @koichi_1031 — Nov 12th, 2009
I found very useful website to make speech for Toastmasters. http://bit.ly/Sbnz0
Rhetorik Wiesbaden @tmwiesbaden — Nov 12th, 2009
Very useful website for #Toastmasters: http://bit.ly/Sbnz0 (via @koichi_1031) #rhetoric #publicspeaking
Jeferson Batista @oratoria3g — Jan 29th, 2010
RT @6minutes Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://bit.ly/4g0WMF
Phil Holberton @philholberton — Feb 28th, 2010
Jump start your speaking development RT @6minutes Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://bit.ly/4g0WMF
Conor Neill @cuchullainn — Mar 27th, 2010
Good introductory speech course… RT @6minutes Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://bit.ly/4g0WMF
LMU MBA Toastmasters @lmutoastmasters — Jun 7th, 2010
Guide to the first ten speeches: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/toastmasters-speech-0-competent-communicator/
Liberty Village TM @libertyvillage — Jun 11th, 2010
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches
http://bit.ly/tVkzI
wendy kier @biz_mechanic — Aug 17th, 2010
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://ow.ly/2q0Ct #Toastmaster
wendy kier @womencoaching — Aug 17th, 2010
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://ow.ly/2q0Cu #Toastmaster
Wendy Kier @bblc — Aug 17th, 2010
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://ow.ly/2q0BJ #Toastmaster
sstoastmasters @sstoastmasters — Sep 24th, 2010
Competent Communicator : The First 10 speeches:samples and more: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/toastmasters-speech-0-competent-communicator/
Malcolm Sunny @malxc — Oct 14th, 2010
A useful website for all TM members attempting P1 – P7 speeches. Includes sample written speeches and speech… http://fb.me/E4KDBQXo
Matilda Smeds @matildasmeds — Oct 14th, 2010
I'm giving my 1st speech http://tinyurl.com/3x6xqhl today at Helsinki @Toastmasters. The title is "Finding my life's work". Exciting!
Brighton-Speakers @bh_speakersclub — Nov 5th, 2010
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://ow.ly/33UH6
Kevin Moulton @kevin_moulton — Nov 8th, 2010
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches. http://tinyurl.com/23u9k4t #toastmasters
Brighton-Speakers @bh_speakersclub — Nov 30th, 2010
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://ow.ly/3gKil #speaking
Brighton-Speakers @bh_speakersclub — Dec 1st, 2010
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://ow.ly/3gKkE
brighthong @brighthong — Dec 28th, 2010
@6minutes hi from China ,I learned so much for this series :http://is.gd/jDrfT Wonder when will you finish the rest 3 articles? thanx
Bright Hong @brighthong — Dec 28th, 2010
@6minutes hi from China ,I learned so much for this series :http://is.gd/jDrfT Wonder when will you finish the rest 3 articles? thanx
Christopher P TAYLOR @cpstaylor — Dec 30th, 2010
Have completed the #Toastmasters #Competent #Communicator #Manual within 6 months.Within a year of speechcraft. http://bit.ly/eHKEG7
Shaun Young @recyc1bin — Jan 9th, 2011
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://bit.ly/4g0WMF
Parker Toastmasters @parkercotm — Jul 12th, 2011
Working on your 10 speeches for your Competent Communicator? Here is a great guide from Six Minutes http://ping.fm/rRrQM
Bill Morgan @billymocolorado — Jul 12th, 2011
Working on your 10 speeches for your Competent Communicator? Here is a great guide from Six Minutes http://ping.fm/rRrQM
MadProgrammer @madprogrammer — Jul 30th, 2011
#Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches
http://j.mp/oRYOS6
The Butterfly Tamers @butterflytamers — Aug 16th, 2011
Working on your Competent Communicator? Check out this guide to the first 10 speeches by Andrew Dlugan of "Six… http://t.co/9q0pKN9
HPS Toastmasters @parkspeak — Sep 3rd, 2011
What a great resources! “@d7tm: #Toastmasters: A guide to the first 10 speeches: http://t.co/Y6JUBSX” #fb
HPS Toastmasters @parkspeak — Sep 3rd, 2011
What a great resources! “@d7tm: #Toastmasters: A guide to the first 10 speeches: http://t.co/Y6JUBSX” #fb
HPS Toastmasters @parkspeak — Sep 3rd, 2011
“@d7tm: #Toastmasters: A guide to the first 10 speeches: http://t.co/Y6JUBSX” #fb
TM Scandinavia @tmscandinavia — Sep 19th, 2011
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://t.co/UmNSfqtk
CapitalCityTM @capitalcitytm — Dec 11th, 2011
Check out this terrific series from @6minutes on the 10 speeches that make up the Competent Communicator manual. http://t.co/RC6uQFMM
martin fournier @martinfournier — Dec 14th, 2011
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches http://t.co/uI7jYs4s via @6minutes
Basheer @basheercv — Jan 29th, 2012
http://t.co/rL4l48QJ
Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches | "Public Speaking in Singapore" — Sep 3rd, 2008
[...] Overview: The Toastmasters Speech Series [...]
Toastmasters: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? « It’s only Life and Love — Aug 8th, 2009
[...] Speaking” still forms the core of the Toastmasters educational program as the 10 projects of the Competent Communicator Manual. ( It has, of course, been updated and revised many [...]
Updated Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches | "Public Speaking in Singapore" — Aug 30th, 2009
[...] Overview: The Toastmasters Speech Series [...]
Gundy Gabbers Toastmasters Blog — Nov 16th, 2009
[...] article of the Toastmasters Speech Series examines the primary goals of this project, provides tips and techniques, and links to numerous [...]
uberVU - social comments — Jan 29th, 2010
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by koichi_1031: Oh! that’s a nice website! i’ll read it later! It has many tips for toastmasters speech. http://bit.ly/37BCZg...
The Top 5 Tips for More Effective Toastmasters Speech Evaluations « Capital City Toastmasters Blog — Apr 25th, 2010
[...] Meet (Meet the speaker where he or she is. The first part of the Toastmasters curriculum involves the 10 projects in the Competent Communicatino (CC) manual. To illustrate “meeting the speaker where she is,” you don’t want to scare away [...]
Toastmasters: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? « Anand Dreams Weblog — Jun 11th, 2010
[...] Speaking” still forms the core of the Toastmasters educational program as the 10 projects of the Competent Communicator manual. ( It has, of course, been updated and revised many [...]
Toastmasters « Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce — Jul 8th, 2010
[...] and CLACC Toastmasters can help you reach this goal. Check out some information on the first 10 Toastmasters speeches to really see what we [...]
To Buy or Not To Buy - Farnham Speakers — Sep 24th, 2010
[...] powerful speech is from Sarah Jane Groome. It is speech number three from the Competent Communicator manual and uses the theme of ‘Get to the Point’. It was performed at our inaugural [...]
first steps of a Toastmaster « Aimhigh Toastmaster Club, Austin, TX — Sep 28th, 2010
[...] us your motivation. Here is a good link providing details on first 10 speeaches for starters Link] [...]
first ten speeches for a newbie Toastmaster « Aimhigh Toastmaster Club, Austin, TX — Sep 28th, 2010
[...] us your motivation. Here is a good link providing details on first 10 speeaches for starters Link] [...]
The Toastmaster’s Journey — Oct 12th, 2011
[...] be better if I give each presentation twice and didn’t worry about how fast I made it through the Competent Communicator Manual. This way I can practice refining a presentation, get more feedback, and continue to grow my [...]
Basics: some resources. | The Cartusians Toastmasters Club — Nov 14th, 2011
[...] 1. Six Minutes by Andrew Dlugan [...]
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Toastmaster | Risman © Member of Qatar Society Petroleum Engineers & Dukhan Toastmaster Club ®. — Dec 11th, 2011
[...] Speaking” still forms the core of the Toastmasters educational program as the 10 projects of the Competent Communicator manual. ( It has, of course, been updated and revised many [...]