Advanced Communication and Leadership Program
Toastmasters International provides every club with 15 additional manuals to improve their speaking skills. Each of the advanced manuals assumes that the speaker already know the basics of speech - organization, voice, gestures, etc. - but not necessarily that the skills are fully developed. Refer to the basic manual if there is a need for refreshing on some of the principles of speech. These advanced manuals are designed around four principles:
- The projects increase in difficulty within each manual, beginning with an overview of the subject and then becoming more specialized as you progress.
- Each project incorporates what you have learned from the preceding ones, and it assumes you will use these techniques whether or not they are specifically referred to.
- The projects supply more information than you need to complete each particular assignment. This will give you idea-starters for future talks.
- It is the speech preparation and delivery that teach you, not just reading the project in the manual.
List of Advanced Manuals
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Public Relations Speech |
Prepare a talk that will build goodwill for your
organization by supplying useful information of interest to the audience. Favorably influence the audience by the skillful and friendly delivery of your talk. |
5-7 minutes |
2 |
Resources for Goodwill |
Research the operation and benefits of an
organization or company. Prepare a talk designed to build goodwill toward it by presenting factual information. Analyze the common interests of your audience and focus your presentation on those interests. Effectively use at least one visual aid to enhance the audiences understanding. |
8-10 minutes |
3 |
The Persuasive Approach |
Direct a persuasive appeal to the audiences
self-interests using a combination of fact and emotion in a speech delivered in such a
manner that it appears extemporaneous. Persuade the audience to adopt your viewpoint by the use of standard persuasive techniques. |
8-10 minutes |
4 |
Speaking Under Fire |
Prepare a talk to persuade a hostile audience at
least to consider your position on a controversial issue. Conduct a question-and-answer period on the speech subject. |
6-8 minutes for speech |
5 |
The Media Speech |
Write a speech script on behalf of a social cause. Using the script, present the speech to persuade a general television audience. |
8-10 minutes, plus or minus 30 seconds |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Winning Attitude |
Understand the importance of a selling attitude
that puts customers interests ahead of your own. Learn to translate product features into "people" benefits. Utilize the five-step structural sequence for building a sales presentation. Prepare and deliver a sales presentation that focuses on meeting audience needs |
8-10 minutes |
2 |
Closing the Sale |
Understand the importance of closing in successful
selling. Master several closing techniques applicable to various products and sales situations. Prepare and deliver a sales presentation incorporating one or more closing techniques. Effectively handle audience questions and/or objections. |
10-12 minutes |
3 |
Training the Sales Force |
Understand the role of a sales trainer in helping
salespeople to function successfully. Select a specific aspect of selling and prepare an educational and/or motivational presentation. Present an interesting, interactive sales training speech and conduct a role play to enable the audience to practice sales techniques. |
Speech time: |
4 |
The Sales Meeting |
Learn to coordinate an effective sales meeting. Apply sales meeting techniques to the challenge of building membership in your Toastmasters club. Plan and conduct a kickoff meeting for a Toastmasters membership campaign. |
15-20 minutes |
5 |
The Team Sales Presentation |
Understand the nature and process of a team sales
presentation. Develop a concept and plan for sales presentation involving three or more speakers, including yourself. Assemble a team of speakers who can work together effectively. Coordinate planning, preparation, and delivery of a team sales presentation. |
15-20 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
Mastering the Toast |
Recognize the characteristics of a toast. Present a toast honoring an occasion or person. |
2-3 minutes |
2 |
Speaking in Praise |
Prepare a speech praising or honoring someone,
either living or dead. Address five areas concerning the individual and his/her accomplishments. Include anecdotes illustrating points within the speech. |
5-7 minutes |
3 |
The Roast |
Poke fun at a particular individual in a
good-natured way. Adapt and personalize humorous material from other sources. Deliver jokes and humorous stories effectively. |
3-5 minutes |
4 |
Presenting an Award |
Present an award with dignity and grace. Acknowledge the contributions of the recipient. |
3-4 minutes |
5 |
Accepting an Award |
Accept an award with dignity, grace and sincerity.
Acknowledge the presenting organization. |
5-7 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Entertaining Speech |
Entertain the audience through use of humor and/or
drama drawn from your personal experience. Organize an entertaining speech for maximum audience impact. |
5-7 minutes |
2 |
Resources for Entertainment |
Draw humorous and/or dramatic material from
sources other than your own personal experience. Adapt your material to suit your topic, your own personality and the audience. Use entertaining material as means of conveying a serious message. |
8-10 minutes |
3 |
Make Them Laugh |
Prepare a humorous speech drawn from your own
experience. Strengthen the speech by adapting and personalizing humorous material from outside sources. Deliver the speech in a way that makes the humor effective. |
8-10 minutes |
4 |
A Dramatic Talk |
Develop an entertaining dramatic talk about an
experience or incident, or give a dramatic reading. Include vivid imagery, characters and dialogue. Deliver the talk in an interpretative manner. |
10-12 minutes |
5 |
Speaking After Dinner |
Prepare an entertaining after-dinner talk on a
specific theme. Deliver the talk extemporaneously, using the skills developed in the preceding entertainment projects. |
13-15 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Speech to Inform |
Select new and useful information for presentation
to the audience. Organize the information for easy understandability and retention. Present the information in a way that will help motivate the audience to learn. |
5-7 minutes |
2 |
Resources for Informing |
Analyze the knowledge level of your audience
regarding your chosen subject. Focus your presentation at the audiences level of knowledge. Build a supporting case for each major point through use of explanation, examples, and information gathered research. Effectively use at least one visual aid to enhance the audiences understanding. |
8-10 minutes |
3 |
The Demonstration Talk |
Prepare a demonstration speech to clearly explain
a process, product, or activity. Conduct the demonstration as part of a speech delivered without notes. |
10-12 minutes |
4 |
A Fact-Finding Report |
Prepare a report on a situation, event, or problem
of interest to the audience. Deliver sufficient factual information in your report so the audience can base valid conclusions or a sound decision on it. |
10-12 minutes |
5 |
The Abstract Concept |
Research and organize the thought of experts on an
abstract concept, theory, historical force, or social/political issue. Present the ideas in a clear and interesting manner. |
10-12 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Seminar Solution |
Present an introductory short talk or brief
lecture describing a theory, model, or information about a topic that will be discussed by
a group following the presentation. Organize the information so that it is easy to understand and can be remembered. Orient the group to think about the specific goal of the discussion that follows. Use a buzz session discussion technique to promote group participation in deriving information leading to solution to the problem. |
20-30 minutes |
2 |
The Round Robin |
Establish the meaning of a question with a
discussion group. Using a problem solving pattern, lead the participants in a brainstorming session.. Screen the possible solutions and lead the group in deciding what action to take. |
20-30 minutes |
3 |
Pilot A Panel |
Select a problem for panel discussion. Select not
less than three members in advance to speak on the panel. Define the common goals and the purpose of the panel. Acting as moderator, monitor the panel discussion to inform the audience. |
30-40 minutes |
4 |
Make It Make Believe (Role Play) |
Understand what role-playing is and how to use it
effectively in group communication. Select a problem involving human relations in which you may use the role-playing method to illustrate and explore the problem. Create a plot and characters relevant to the discussion problem and select a cast from among the group members. Direct the role-play enactment, relate it to the discussion problem, and lead the group in arriving at a solution. |
20-30 minutes |
5 |
The Workshop Leader |
Building group unity, guide the workshop
participants in an investigative discussion of the problem. Follow a problem solving pattern to arrive at a solution. Bring the group to an agreement before the discussion ends. |
30-40 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
Speak Off The Cuff |
Develop an awareness of situations in which you
might be called upon to deliver an impromptu speech. Understand how to prepare for impromptu speaking. Develop skill as a speaker in the impromptu situation by using one or more patterns to approach a topic under discussion; for example, comparing a past, present, future situation or before and after. |
5-7 minutes |
2 |
Uplift The Spirit |
Identify and understand the basic differences and
similarities between inspirational speeches and other kind of speeches. Learn how to evaluate audience feeling and establish emotional rapport. Develop a speech style and delivery that effectively expresses inspirational content by moving the audience to adopt your views. |
8-10 minutes |
3 |
Sell A Product |
Understand the relationship of sales technique to
persuasion. Skillfully use the four steps in a sales presentation: attention, interest, desire, action. Identify and promote a unique selling proposition in a sales presentation. Be able to handle objections and close a prospective buyer. |
10-12 minutes |
4 |
Read Out Loud |
Arrive at an understanding of the elements that
comprise oral interpretation and how it differs from preparing and giving a speech. Learn the preparation or planning techniques of effective interpretation. Learn the principles of presentation and develop skill in interpretive reading with regard to voice and body as instruments of communication. |
12-15 minutes |
5 |
Introduce The Speaker |
Focus on the special occasion talk from the
standpoint of the introducer (function chairman, toastmaster, master of ceremonies). Become knowledgeable and skilled in the functions associated with the master of ceremonies. Handle the introduction of other speaker at a club meeting. |
Duration of a club meeting |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Briefing |
Apply the key steps in the preparation of a
briefing and the organization of material. Give a briefing according to a specific objective so the audience will have an understanding of the information. Effectively handle a question-and-answer session following the briefing. |
8-10 minutes for speech |
2 |
The Technical Speech |
Convert a technical paper or technical material
and information into a technical speech. Organize a technical speech according to the inverted-pyramid approach. Write a technical speech as "spoken language," not as an article. Give the speech by effectively reading out loud. |
8-10 minutes |
3 |
Manage and Motivate |
Understand the concept and nature of motivational
method in management. Apply a four step motivational method with the objectives to persuade and inspire. Deliver a motivational speech to persuade an audience to agree with your management proposal. |
10-12 minutes |
4 |
The Status Report |
Organize and prepare a status report involving the
overall condition of a plan or program, or performance of a department or company in
relation to goals. Construct the report according to a four step pattern. Give an effective presentation of the report. |
12-15 minutes |
5 |
Confrontation: |
Understand the definition and nature of the
adversary relationship. Prepare for an adversary confrontation on a controversial management issue. Employing appropriate preparation methods, strategy, and techniques, for communicating with an adversary group as the representative of your company or corporation. |
5 minutes for speech |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Keynote Address |
Identify the basic differences between keynotes
speeches and other kinds of speeches. Learn how to evaluate audience feeling and establish emotional rapport. Learn and use the professional techniques necessary for a successful keynote presentation. Develop a speech style and delivery that effectively inspires and moves the audience to adopt your views as a collective reaffirmation of its own. |
15-20 minutes |
2 |
Speaking to Entertain |
Entertain the audience through the use of humor
drawn from personal experience and from other material that you have personalized. Deliver the speech in a way that makes the humor effective. Establish personal rapport with your audience for maximum impact. |
15-20 minutes |
3 |
The Sales Training Speech |
Tell a sales audience how to sell a product by
using a planned presentation. Inform a sales training audience about the human experience of the buyer-seller relationship. Use entertaining stories and dynamic examples of sales situations. Inspire salespeople to want succeed in selling. |
15-20 minutes |
4 |
The Professional Seminar |
Plan and present a seminar with specific learning
objectives. Relate to the audience by using a seminar presentation style. Use seminar presentation techniques to promote group participation, learning and personal growth. |
20-40 minutes |
5 |
The Motivational Speech |
Understand the concept and nature of motivational
speaking. Apply a four-step motivational method with the purpose of persuading and inspiring. Deliver a motivational speech to persuade an audience to emotionally commit to an action. |
15-20 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Technical Briefing |
Using a systematic approach, organize technical
material into a concise presentation. Tailor the presentation to the audiences needs, interests and knowledge levels. |
8-10 minutes |
2 |
The Proposal |
To prepare a technical presentation advocating a
product, service, idea or course of action. To present your viewpoint logically and convincingly, using an inverted-pyramid approach. To effectively use a flipchart to illustrate your message. To effectively handle a question-and-answer period. |
8-10 minutes |
3 |
The Nontechnical Audience |
Understand the principles of communicating complex
information to Nontechnical listeners. Build and deliver an interesting talk based on these principles. Answer audience questions that arise during the presentation. Use overhead transparencies to illustrate your message. |
10-12 minutes |
4 |
Presenting a Technical Paper |
Deliver an interesting speech based on a technical
paper or article. Effectively use a flipchart, overhead projector or slides to illustrate your message. |
10-12 minutes |
5 |
The Team Technical Presentation |
Understand the nature and process of a team
technical presentation. Conceptualize a briefing or proposal involving three or more speakers, including yourself.. Assemble a team of club members capable of getting the job done. Orchestrate the planning, preparation and delivery of a team technical presentation. |
20-30 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
Straight Talk |
To effectively present an opinion or viewpoint in
a short time. To stimulate giving a presentation as part of a television broadcast. |
3 minutes |
2 |
The Talk Show |
To understand the dynamics of a television
interview or "talk" show. To prepare for the questions that may be asked of you during a television interview program. To present a positive image on the television camera. To appear as a guest on a simulated television talk show. |
10 minutes |
3 |
When You're the Host |
To conduct a successful television interview. To understand the dynamics of a successful television interview or "talk" show. To prepare questions to ask during the interview program. To present a positive, confident image on the television camera. |
10 minutes |
4 |
The Press Conference |
To understand the nature of a television press
conference. To prepare for an adversary confrontation on a controversial or sensitive issue. To employ appropriate preparation methods and strategies for communicating your organizations viewpoint. To present and maintain a positive image on television. |
4-6 minutes for presentation |
5 |
Training On Television |
To learn how to develop and present an effective
training program on television. To receive personal feedback through the videotaping of your presentation. |
5-7 minutes for the presentation |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
The Folk Tale |
To tell a folk tale that is entertaining and
enjoyable for a specific age group. To use vivid imaginary and voice to enhance the tale. |
7-9 minutes |
2 |
Let's Get Personal |
To learn the elements of a good story: To create and tell an original story based on a personal experience. |
6-8 minutes |
3 |
The Moral of the Story |
To understand that a story can be entertaining yet
display moral values. To create a new story that offers a lesson or moral. To tell the story, using the skills developed in the previous two projects. |
4-6 minutes |
4 |
The Touching Story |
To understand the techniques available to arouse
emotion. to become skilled in arousing emotions while telling a story. |
6-8 minutes |
5 |
Bringing History to Life |
To understand the purpose of stories about
historical events or people. To use the storytelling skills developed in the preceding projects to tell a story about a historical event or person. |
7-9 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
Read A Story |
To understand the elements of interpretive
reading. To learn how to analyze a narrative and plan for effective interpretation. To learn and apply vocal techniques that will aid in the effectiveness of the reading. |
8-10 minutes |
2 |
Interpreting Poetry |
To understand the differences between poetry and
prose. To recognize how poets use imaginary, rhythm, meter, cadence and rhyme to convey the meanings and emotions of their poetry. To apply vocal techniques that will aid in the effectiveness of the reading. |
6-8 minutes |
3 |
The Monodrama |
To understand the concept and nature of the
monodrama. To assume the identity of a character and to portray the physical and emotional aspects of this character to an audience. |
5-7 minutes |
4 |
The Play |
To adapt a play for interpretive reading. To portray several characters in one reading, identifying them to the audience through voice changes and movement. |
12-15 minutes |
5 |
The Oratorical Speech |
To understand the structure of an effective
speech. To interpret and present a famous speech. |
10-12 minutes |
No |
Speech title |
Objectives |
Duration |
1 |
Conversing with Ease |
Identify techniques to use in conversing with
strangers. Recognize different levels of conversation. Initiate a conversation with a stranger. Use open-ended questions to solicit information for further conversation. |
10-14 minutes |
2 |
The Successful Negotiator |
Employ win/win negotiating strategies to achieve
your goals. Enjoy the benefits of win/win negotiating. |
10-14 minutes |
3 |
Diffusing Verbal Criticism |
Respond non-defensively to verbal criticism. Employ a five-step method to identify the problem, diffuse the attack and arrive at a solution. |
10-14 minutes |
4 |
The Coach |
Determine reasons for someone's substandard
performance. Coach the person to improved performance. |
10-14 minutes |
5 |
Asserting Yourself Effectively |
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. |
10-14 minutes |