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And the Winner Is...
By Dr. Patricia Adelekan, DTM, Founder’s District Journalist 2011- 2012
“And the winner is” . . . This is the familiar phrase we as Toastmasters hear at the end of all the speech contests. What a packed statement! It represents hours of preparation, practice and presentations required of each speaker and no doubt the winner of the speech contest.
Each year, I participate in and attend several dozens of contests. Each one is unique and filled with stories, emotions and information that intrigues, humors, saddens, educates and/or affirms. Contests are an integral part of Toastmasters International's educational program.
Recently, I was at Founder’s District Division D speech contest held at the California State University in Fullerton. While there, I asked a few people in the audience (guests, contestants, first timers and even the Chief timer) to share their thoughts and feelings about the contest.
Here are some of their comments:
A guest said “ Speaking is a tool that is used in all areas of our life; the ability to covey a thought is a skill that must not be lost, but developed. Often speech determines the success of a person.”
The Timer at the Contest, Wai Lee, from Toastmasters Club #2565--Figures of Speech, explained, “Being a timer means I’m the first person in a contest role that determines if a contestant advances. It also reminds me to be precise and teaches me to pay attention."
Michael Masotto, a contestant, said “Toastmasters has given me the opportunity to motivate people to be better than they think they can be.”
Makiko Meyers, from Club No. 1246, said "being a judge gives me an opportunity to hear great speakers and to learn great speaking skills, and to be able to be as critical as I want to be."
And finally,  David C. Shieh, from Toastmasters Club No. 3452 YLP Club, exclaimed, ”The Table topics contest is a great way to raise your adrenalin level. It was fun and exciting. I had a great time."
Remembering my varied experiences as a contestant, a guest, a judge and a functionary, I believe Toastmasters Speech Contests help bring out the best in every one from the contestant, to the first time guest who has never witnessed a contest, to the functionaries.
Keeping in mind Dr. Ralph C. Smedley’s advice, three things ring important to me:
1. Listen closely to discover the speakers purpose.
2. Objectively analyze the effectiveness of the speech according to the speaker’s purpose.
3. Give constructive feedback aimed to help improve the speech.
In a Speech Contest, the feedback comes in the form of points for various aspects of the speech and added together to determine who earned most points – that's the winner!
I have often felt and observed that some of the judging might have reflected subjective criteria – as to whether the judge “liked” or “knew” the speaker. As unfortunate as subjective judging may be, it is my wish that judges try their best to be objective as possible when determining the winners. Effective objective judging is indeed an art.
In Toastmasters speech contests are powerful tools to educate, motivate, inspire and entertain. Let us thank Dr. Ralph C. Smedley for his fortitude and diligence in creating such a humanitarian educational organization.
| Photo: Dr. Ralph C
. Smedley |
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