Sample Speeches

To provide an idea of the kind of preparation that goes into a Toastmasters speech, here are the materials for two speeches given by club members.

Our first example, The Sleep Speech, is from the basic speech manual which covers the first 10 prescribed speeches. It was a seven minute speech about the dangers of not getting enough sleep. Note that the speech is structured in outline format only. While the general concepts are mapped out, the exact words were determined only at the time it was presented. This lessens the need for memorization, and results in a more natural speaking style. The downside is that the extemporaneous delivery does not allow for precise word selection.

Our second example, Competitive Eating Speech was an advanced speech from a member who had already completed the 10 speeches of the basic manual. The speech was about eating contests, and differs strikingly from the first example in that it is scripted almost word for word. Such scripting allows for tightly controlled delivery, but requires much more effort in memorization.

If you would like to submit the text of a speech you presented at Toastmasters, please click here!