CTM Speeches

The Competent Toastmaster (CTM) award is the first level of accomplishment a Toastmaster can achieve. It also serves as a goal for working through the essentials of public speaking. To achieve the CTM, the Toastmaster must complete the ten speeches in the Basic Manual. This section gives an overview of the speeches I gave as I worked through the basic manual.

Speech Title Objectives

The Ice Breaker
To begin speaking before an audience.

To help you understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development.

To introduce yourself to your fellow club members.

Speak With Sincerity
To convince the audience of your earnestness, sincerity, and conviction on a subject you thoroughly understand.

To confront and control any nervousness you may have.

Organize Your Speech
To organize a talk that includes a beginning, a body, and a conclusion that leads the audience to a clearly defined goal.

To practice the skills learned in the previous two projects.

Show What You Mean
To learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech.

To explore the different ways of using body language.

To develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement.

Vocal Variety
To explore the use of voice volume, pitch, rate, and quality as assets to your speaking.

To achieve a pleasing natural voice quality when speaking.

Work With Words
To select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly.

To avoid lengthy words and sentences and jargon.

Apply Your Skills
To bring together and apply the communication skills you have learned in the preceding projects.

To organize your speech in a logical manner, following one of the suggested outlines.

To research the facts needed to support your speech.

To make a personal evaluation of your progress.

Add Impact To Your Speech
To learn the value of props in speaking.

To learn how to use props effectively in your presentations.

Persuade With Power
To present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint.

To achieve this persuasive effect by appealing to the audience's self-interest, building a logical foundation for agreement, and arousing emotional commitment to your cause.

Inspire Your Audience
To understand the mood and feelings of your audience on a particular occasion.

To put those feelings into words and inspire the audience, using all the techniques you have learned so far.

Speech Title	Objectives
The Ice Breaker	To begin speaking before an audience. To help you understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development. To introduce yourself to your fellow club members.
Speak With Sincerity	To convince the audience of your earnestness, sincerity, and conviction on a subject you thoroughly understand. To confront and control any nervousness you may have.
Organize Your Speech	To organize a talk that includes a beginning, a body, and a conclusion that leads the audience to a clearly defined goal. To practice the skills learned in the previous two projects.
Show What You Mean	To learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech. To explore the different ways of using body language. To develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement.
Vocal Variety	To explore the use of voice volume, pitch, rate, and quality as assets to your speaking. To achieve a pleasing natural voice quality when speaking.
Work With Words	To select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly. To avoid lengthy words and sentences and jargon.
Apply Your Skills	To bring together and apply the communication skills you have learned in the preceding projects. To organize your speech in a logical manner, following one of the suggested outlines. To research the facts needed to support your speech. To make a personal evaluation of your progress.
Add Impact To Your Speech	To learn the value of props in speaking. To learn how to use props effectively in your presentations.
Persuade With Power	To present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint. To achieve this persuasive effect by appealing to the audience's self-interest, building a logical foundation for agreement, and arousing emotional commitment to your cause.
Inspire Your Audience	To understand the mood and feelings of your audience on a particular occasion. To put those feelings into words and inspire the audience, using all the techniques you have learned so far.