Speech Manuals

Toastmasters International has developed speech manuals specifically designed to help you first learn the basics of speech preparation, then progressing to learn specific types of speeches suited to your own desires. When you join Toastmasters you will receive your first manual "Communication and Leadership Program", also referred to as the "Basic Manual". When you finish this manual you will have reached the level of CTM (Competent Toastmaster). From there you will start using the advanced manuals that are designed to cover more specific types of speeches. When you finish two of these manuals you have reached the first ATM (Advanced Toastmaster) level. As you continue using the advanced manuals, as well as fulfilling other requirements, you will receive further awards. More importantly, though, you will become a better communicator both in your professional and personal life.

Basic Manual

Communication and Leadership Program Basic Manual (225)

This is the manual that all Toastmasters start with. The ten speeches are designed to provide the basic tools towards becoming an effective speaker. Upon finishing this manual, the Toastmaster receives the Competent Toastmaster (CTM) award.

1. The Ice Breaker
   • Begin speaking before an audience
   • Helps you understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development
   • Introduce yourself to your fellow club members
2. Speak with Sincerity
   • Convince the audience of your earnestness, sincerity and conviction on a subject that you thoroughly understand
   • Confront and control any nervousness you may have
3. Organize Your Speech
   • Organize your thoughts into a logical sequence that leads the audience to a clearly defined goal
   • Build a speech outline that includes an opening, body,and conclusion
4. Show What You Mean
   • Learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech
   • Explore the different ways of using body language
   • Develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement
5. Vocal Variety
   • Explore the use of voice volume, pitch, rate,and quality as assets to your speaking
   • Achieve a pleasing natural voice quality when speaking
6. Work with Words
   • Select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly
   • Explains how to avoid lengthy words, sentences, and jargon
7. Apply Your Skills
   • Bring together and apply the communication skills you have learned in the preceding projects
   • Organize your speech in a logical manner, following one of the suggested outlines
   • Research the facts needed to support your speech
   • Make a personal evaluation of your progress
8. Add Impact to Your Speech
   • Learn the value of and how to use props effectively in your presentations
9. Persuade with Power
   • Present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint
10. Inspire Your Audience
    • Understand the mood and feeling of your audience on a particular occasion
    • Put those feeling into words and inspire the audience, using all the techniques you have learned so far

Advanced Manuals

The Entertaining Speaker (226-A)

This manual includes valuable information on how to give an entertaining or dramatic speech, where to find material, how to make an audience laugh, and what to do when you're asked to speak after dinner.

1. The Entertaining Speech
2. Resources for Entertainment
3. Make Them Laugh
4. A Dramatic Talk
5. Speaking After Dinner

Speaking To Inform (22G-B)

The projects in this manual will help you give informative and interesting speeches. Topics covered include the demonstration talk, the fact-finding report, the abstract concept, and resources for informing.

1. Speech to Inform
2. Resources for Informing
3. The Demonstration Talk
4. A Fact-Finding Report
5. The Abstract Concept

Public Relations (226-C)

This complete guide to preparing and delivering the public relations speech will help you develop resources and techniques, "speak under fire," and handle the media talk.

The Discussion Leader (226-D)

This manual offers guidance in presenting workshop and conference presentations. Role-playing and problem-solving sessions are also covered. This manual is a must for managers, trainers, teachers, and administrators.

1. The Seminar Solution
2. Round Robin
3. Pilot A Panel
4. Make It Make Believe (Role Playing)
5. The Workshop Leader

Specialty Speeches (226- E)

Speakers must be able to speak in many situations and this manual will help. Types of speeches covered include impromptu speeches, sales presentations, introductions, inspirational speeches, and oral interpretations.

1. Speak Off The Cuff
2. Uplift The Spirit
3. Sell A Product
4. Read Out Loud
5. Introduce The Speaker

Speeches by Management (226-F)

This manual will help you successfully handle a variety of speaking situations managers encounter in their work environments. Subjects covered include briefings, technical speeches, motivational talks, and confrontations.

1. The Briefing
2. The Technical Speech
3. Manage and Motivate
4. The Status Report
5. Confrontation: The Adversary Relationship

The Professional Speaker (226-G)

This manual is a complete guide to becoming a professional speaker. Subjects covered include speaking as a company representative and speaking for pay.

1. The Keynote Address
2. Speaking to Entertain
3. The Sales Training Speech
4. The Professional Seminar
5. The Motivational Speech

Technical Presentations (226-H)

The projects in this manual will help you prepare and present briefings, proposals, technical papers, and technical team presentations.

1. The Technical Presentation
2. The Proposal
3. The Nontechnical Audience
4. Presenting a Technical Paper
5. The Team Technical Presentation

Persuasive Speaking (226-I)

The projects in this manual will help you sell products, services and ideas to others.

1. The Effective Salesperson
2. Conquering the "Cold Call"
3. The Winning Proposal
4. Addressing the Opposition
5. The Persuasive Leader

Communicating on Television (226- J)

Television presentations differ from other presentations, and they require special considerations. With this manual you'll learn to present editorials, appear as a guest on a "talk" show, conduct a press conference, and use television to train.

1. Straight Talk
2. The Talk Show
3. When You’re the Host
4. The Press Conference
5. Training On Television

Storytelling (226-K)

Everyone loves a story. Types of stories covered in this manual include the folk tale, the personal story, stories with morals, the touching story, and the historical story.

Interpretive Reading (226- L)

This manual will help you develop your interpretive reading skills. The projects include presenting stories, poetry, monodramas, plays and oratorical speeches.

1. Read A Story
2. Interpreting Poetry
3. The Monodrama
4. The Play
5. The Oratorical Speech

Interpersonal Communications (226-M)

Topics covered include conversing with ease, negotiating, handling criticism, coaching someone to improved performance, and expressing dissatisfaction effectively.

1. Conversing with Ease
2. The Successful Negotiator
3. Diffusing Verbal Criticism
4. The Coach
5. Asserting Yourself Effectively

Special Occasion Speeches (226-N)

Provides instruction in giving toasts, speaking in praise, "roasting" someone, and presenting and accepting awards.

1. Mastering the Toast
2. Speaking in Praise
3. The Roast
4. Presenting an Award
5. Accepting an Award

Humorously Speaking (226-O)

Audiences love to laugh. This manual shows you how to use humorous stories and jokes throughout your speech to grab and keep listeners' attention and illustrate your points. You also learn how to give an entirely humorous speech.

1. Warm Up Your Audience
2. Leave Them With a Smile
3. Make Them Laugh
4. Keep Them Laughing
5. The Humorous Speech