Diffusing Verbal Criticism

Interpersonal Communication - Advanced Communication Manual Project #3 – "Diffusing Verbal Criticism" Objectives:

• Respond non-defensively to verbal criticism.
• Employ a five-step method to identify the problem, diffuse the attack and arrive at a solution.
• Time 10-14 minutes

The Coach

Interpersonal Communication - Advanced Communication Manual

Project #4 – "The Coach" Objectives:

• Determine reasons for someone’s substandard performance.
• Coach the person to improved performance.
• Time 10-14 minutes

Asserting Yourself Effectively

Interpersonal Communication - Advanced Communication Manual

Project #5 – "Asserting Yourself Effectively" Objectives:

• Enjoy the mental and physical benefits of being assertive.
• Employ the four-step method for addressing a problem and asking for help.
• Overcome resistance to your requests.
• Time 10-14 minutes

The Ice Breaker

Competent Communication Manual project # 1 "The Ice Breaker" Objectives:

• To begin speaking before an audience.
• To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention
• Time 4-6 minutes

Organize Your Speech

Competent Communication Manual project # 2 "Organize Your Speech" Objectives:

• Select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand your speech.
• Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that message.
• Use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to another.
• Create a strong opening and conclusion.
• Time 5-7 minutes

Get To The Point

Competent Communication Manual project # 3 "Get To The Point" Objectives:

• Select a speech topic and determine its general and specific purposes.
• Organize the speech in a manner that best achieves those purposes.
• Ensure the beginning, body and conclusion reinforce the purposes.
• Project sincerity and conviction and control any nervousness you may feel.
• Strive not to use notes.
• Time – 5-7 minutes

How To Say It

Competent Communication Manual project # 4 "How To Say It" Objectives:

• Select the right words and sentence structure to communicate your ideas clearly, accurately and vividly.
• Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas.
• Eliminate jargon and unnecessary words. Use correct grammar.
• Time – 5-7 minutes

Your Body Speaks

Competent Communication Manual project # 5 "Your Body Speaks" Objectives:

• Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech’s purpose.
• Make your body language smooth and natural.
• Time – 5-7 minutes

Vocal Variety

Competent Communication Manual project # 6 "Vocal Variety" Objectives:

• Use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality to reflect and add meaning and interest to your message.
• Use pauses to enhance your message.
• Use vocal variety smoothly and naturally.
• Time – 5-7 minutes

Research Your Topic

Competent Communication Manual project # 7 "Research Your Topic" Objectives:

• Collect information about your topic from numerous sources.
• Carefully support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and illustrations gathered through research.
• Time – 5-7 minutes

Get Comfortable With Visual Aids

Competent Communication Manual project # 8 "Get Comfortable With Visual Aids" Objectives:

• Select visual aids that are appropriate for your message and the audience.
• Use visual aids correctly with ease and confidence.
• Time – 5-7 minutes

Persuade With Power

Competent Communication Manual project # 9 "Persuade With Power" Objectives:

• Persuade listeners to adopt your viewpoint or ideas or to take some action.
• Appeal to the audience’s interests.
• Use logic and emotion to support your position.
• Avoid using notes.
• Time – 5-7 minutes

Inspire Your Audience

Competent Communication Manual project # 10 "Inspire Your Audience" Objectives:

• To inspire the audience by appealing to noble motives and challenging the audience to achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement.
• Appeal to the audience’s needs and emotions, using stories, anecdotes and quotes to add drama
• Avoid using notes.
• Time – 8-10 minutes

The Discussion Leader - Advanced Communication Series

In other advanced manual projects, you stand alone before your club and deliver different kinds of single speeches. The presentations from this manual are not lectern speeches. They will teach four different methods of how to lead a group of people in discussions.

The importance in developing skill as a discussion leader cannot be overestimated. There will be occasions at your employment, at school or civic functions, and among a gathering of friends or family when you will be called upon to preside over a group meeting.

The experience you derive from this manual will also increase your sensitivity in group behavior and awareness and your skill in dealing with group dynamics.

This manual has been designed for every Toastmaster and will find application in any discussion situation.

Small discussions groups form for many purposes:

• People who feel a common concern about a problem use groups to devise a solution or to take some action about that problem.
• Groups are used to bring together people of various professional capabilities to investigate a problem and propose solutions to an individual with the power to implement them.
• Regularly designated legislative and decision-making groups deal with public issues.
• Groups are used by established organizations, companies and schools to deal with problems as they arise.

So there is a real need for discussion leaders!