General Comments

• One general comment I have on the advanced manuals is that it’s a really good thing to do one from each manual (as permitted) outside the club environment. As advanced speakers we should be stretching ourselves this much and more, I think.

·        Possibly clubs could ask or list which advanced manuals they have completed so that new members can give them a call to ask about their experiences but I do think it’s horses for courses and no two people will hold the same views on what which manuals were a pleasure or pain for them!

·        Generally there does seem to be one speech in each manual that is a particular challenge that I personally put off doing until I finally have to push through my resistance!

"The Entertaining Speech" (5-7 mins)

• Entertain the audience through use of humor and/or drama drawn from your personal experience.
• Organize an entertaining speech for maximum audience impact.

"Resources for Entertainment" (8-10 mins)

• 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.

"Make Them Laugh" (5-7 mins)

• 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.

"A Dramatic Talk" (10-12 mins)

• 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.

"Speaking After Dinner" (13-15 mins)

• Prepare an entertaining after-dinner talk on a specific theme.
• Deliver the talk extemporaneously, using the skills developed in the preceding entertainment projects.

Comments – The Entertaining Speaker

I think this is rightly thought of as a ‘basic’ advanced manual. It covers the sort of skills most speakers need in real life, and the projects are practical. The final one, Speaking After Dinner, is best done at a real dinner event: I did it twice outside Toastmasters, but clubs often have birthday dinners and the like where it can be practiced in a non-threatening environment.

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Speaking to Inform (226-B)

"The Speech to Inform" (5-7 mins)"

• 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.

"Resources for Informing" (8-10 mins)

• Analyze the knowledge level of your audience regarding your chosen subject.
• Focus your presentation at the audience's 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 audience's understanding.

"The Demonstration Talk" (10-12 mins)

• Prepare a demonstration speech to clearly explain a process, product, or activity.
• Conduct the demonstration as part of a speech delivered without notes.

"A Fact-Finding Report" (10-12 mins)

• 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.

"The Abstract Concept" (10-12 mins)

• 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.

Comments - Speaking to inform

• Really enjoying this one, each speech is very different, and I like the challenge of selecting a topic that suits the speech objectives, that I am interested in and that I think the TM audience will be interested in. The art lies in presenting the information in a way that keeps the audience’s attention - a key skill for all toastmasters to have. I subsequently used my first speech from this manual, with minor alterations, in a presentation at work. An excellent manual – maybe a good one to tackle as your first advanced manual, but also one you could come back to and repeat at a later stage.
• Very useful skills for those of us who have to make technical presentations in the course of business. I found all the projects useful and practical.
• Speaking to Inform - actually more interesting than it sounds, with scope for a wide range of subjects and approaches. I enjoyed this one.
• Speak to Inform was fine because I was able to stretch myself and do that in different scenarios

·        This challenged me in doing research which was something I resisted but my speech structure improved immensely with this manual

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Public Relations (226-C)

"The Public Relations Speech" (5-7 mins)

• Prepare a talk that will build goodwill for your organization by supplying useful information of interest to the audience.

"Resources for Goodwill" (8-10 mins)

• 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 audience's understanding.

"The Persuasive Approach" (8-10 mins)

• Direct a persuasive appeal to the audience's 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.

"Speaking Under Fire" (Speech: 6-8 mins, Questions: 8-10 mins)

• 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.

"The Media Speech" (8 mins ±30 secs)

• Write a speech script on behalf of a social cause.
• Using the script, present the speech to persuade a general television audience.

Comments - Public Relations

• I have a lot of experience of the activities covered by this manual in the course of my work, and I have mixed feelings about the projects in the manual. No problems with the advice given… it’s just the role-play element, which asks the audience to role-play as well as the speaker. This can be impractical. For example, when I did the project ‘Speaking under Fire’ I tried to make it as real as possible, asking the audience to ‘be themselves’ while I presented a controversial subject. In the event they were vastly more hostile and aggressive than the most irrational Soil Association or Greenpeace activist I have ever had to deal with: a test, truly, of my patience under hostile fire but not a good representation of reality

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The Discussion Leader (226-D)

"The Seminar Solution" (20-30 mins)

• 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.

"The Round Robin" (20-30 mins)

• 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.

"Pilot a Panel" (30-40 mins)

• 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.

"Make It Make Believe (Role Play)" (20-30 mins)

• 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.

"The Workshop Leader" (30-40 mins)

• 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.

Comments - Discussion leader

• Beware – you need to lead group discussion for about 20 - 30 mins, which will be difficult to schedule at a busy club. Consequently I never even got off the ground with this manual; it is still languishing on a shelf. However I have seen it used successfully at Excalibur, as members can book a longer speech slot there. Not sure how easy it will be to find a good topic for discussion though (unless it is related to Toastmasters, as the audience will all have experience of that). Maybe one to do at training sessions/committee meetings.
• I’ve a lot of experience of this sort of thing in real life. The manual gives plenty of good advice, but the projects are hard to fit in a normal club programme. They require multiple participants, too, and it’s not easy for them to be doing something practical and educational that contributes to their progress through the programme. I had to resort to a real professional conference for ‘Pilot a Panel.’ The final project, Workshop Leader, can be very useful for a major educational event outside the normal run of club meetings

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Specialty Speeches (226-E)

"Speak Off the Cuff" (5-7 mins)

• 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.

"Uplift the Spirit" (8-10 mins)

• 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.

"Sell a Product" (10-12 mins)

• 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.

"Read Out Loud" (12-15 mins)

• 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.

"Introduce the Speaker" (Duration of a club meeting)

• 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 speakers at a club meeting.

• Actually just a mixture of different kinds of speeches e.g. impromptu speaking, leading a meeting. It did not need any special skills and I found it useful to dip in and out of without having to commit to a particular type of speech.

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Speeches By Management (226-F)

"The Briefing" (Speech: 8-10 mins, Questions: 5 mins)

• 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.

"The Technical Speech" (8-10 mins)

• 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.

"Manage and Motivate" (10-12 mins)

• 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.

"The Status Report" (12-15 mins)

• 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.

"Confrontation: The Adversary Relationship" (Speech: 5 mins, Questions: 10 mins)

• 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.

Comments - Speeches by Management

• I have found the content to be good
• You could end up asking your audience to do a lot of role-playing with this manual, too… or, much better, you could use it in your role as a ‘manager’ of the club: brief the club on the DCP, for example, and report on the status at the AGM. I found all the projects practical and useful

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The Professional Speaker (226-G)

"The Keynote Address" (15-20 mins)

• 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.

"Speaking to Entertain" (15-20 mins)

• 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.

"The Sales Training Speech" (15-20 mins)

• 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.

"The Professional Seminar" (20-40 mins)

• 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.

"The Motivational Speech" (15-20 mins)

• 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.

Comments - The Professional Speaker

·        What the professional speaker really needs to know is how to build and promote a speaking business, and that’s not covered by any of the projects in the manual (although I think I remember some useful basic advice at the back of the book). The contents are good in terms of the advice offered, but I don’t think the projects are sufficiently realistic to help a genuine aspirant professional. They are too short and the club environment is too friendly.

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Technical Presentations (226-H)

"The Technical Briefing" (8-10 mins)

• Using a systematic approach, organize technical material into a concise presentation.
• Tailor the presentation to the audience's needs, interests and knowledge levels.

"The Proposal" (8-10 mins)

• 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 flip-chart to illustrate your message.
• To effectively handle a question-and-answer period.

"The Non-Technical Audience" (10-12 mins)

• Understand the principles of communicating complex information to non-technical 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.

"Presenting a Technical Paper" (10-12 mins)

• Deliver an interesting speech based on a technical paper or article.
• Effectively use a flip-chart, overhead projector or slides to illustrate your message.

"The Team Technical Presentation" (20-30 mins)

• 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.

Comments - Technical Presentations

• Serious and practical, but again at least one project requires multiple participants and can be hard to fit into the normal club programme.

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Persuasive Speaking (226-I)

"The Effective Salesperson" (3-4 min speech, short scenario intro, 3-5 min role play)

• Learn a technique for selling an inexpensive product in a retail store.
• Recognize a buyer's thought processes in making a purchase.
• Elicit information from a prospective buyer through questions.
• Match the buyer's situation with the most appropriate product.

"Conquering the "Cold Call"" (3-4 min speech, short scenario intro, 5-7 min role-play, 2-3 min discussion)

• Learn a technique for "cold call" selling of expensive product or services.
• Recognize the risks buyers assume in purchasing.
• Use questions to help the buyer discover problems with his or her current situation.
• Successfully handle buyer's objections and concerns.

"The Winning Proposal" (5-7 mins)

• Prepare a proposal advocating an idea or course of action.
• Organize the proposal using the six-step method provided.

"Addressing the Opposition" (7-9 min speech; 2-3 min Q&A)

• Prepare a talk on a controversial subject that persuades an audience to accept or at least consider your viewpoint.
• Construct the speech to appeal to the audience's logic and emotions.

"The Persuasive Leader" (6-8 mins)

• Communicate your vision and mission to an audience.
• Convince your audience to work toward achieving your vision and mission.

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Comments - The Persuasive Speaker

We have received no feedback on this manual. If you have used it, please get in touch

Communicating On Television (226-J)

"Straight Talk" (3 mins ±30 secs)

• To effectively present an opinion or viewpoint in a short time.
• To simulate giving a presentation as part of a television broadcast.

"The Talk Show" (10 mins ±30 secs)

• 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.

"When You're the Host" (10 mins ±30 secs)

• 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.

"The Press Conference" (Present: 4-6 mins, Questions: 8-10 mins)

• 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 organization's viewpoint.
• To present and maintain a positive image on television.

"Training on Television" (Present: 5-7 mins, Playback: 5-7 mins)

• To learn how to develop and present an effective training program on television.
• To receive personal feedback through the videotaping of your presentation.

• This is a must if you like to work in front of camera and with each project I learnt a lot and with every speech you need to prepare the audience. Finding someone that is working on the same manual is very useful.
• Comments from someone who has not completed the manual, but says:  I have read some of Speaking for Television and it seems to have some useful tips and a range of useful situations to work through. It could be useful experience not only for television but also for a range of other kinds of situations when speaking in public (e.g. interviews, public discussions, appearing in public in various roles etc.) and I think it is a useful manual

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Storytelling (226-K)

"The Folk Tale" (7-9 mins)

• To tell a folk tale that is entertaining and enjoyable for a specific age group.
• To use vivid imagery and voice to enhance the tale.

"Let's Get Personal" (6-8 mins)

• To learn the elements of a good story.
• To create and tell an original story based on a personal experience.

"The Moral of the Story" (4-6 mins)

• 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.

"The Touching Story" (6-8 mins)

• To understand the techniques available to arouse emotion.
• To become skilled in arousing emotions while telling a story.

"Bringing History to Life" (7-9 mins)

• 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.

Comments - Storytelling

• Is good…challenging…and develops great skills. Would recommend this one
• One of my top favourites – one I would do over and over. The advice is good as far as it goes, in my opinion, and the projects are practical within the club context and fun.
• This is a wonderful manual to do; you can hold the audience in the palm of your hand. Useful for extending your vocal variety and non-verbal communication. Like Interpretive Reading, the hardest part is finding the right material; i.e. a good story, and one that feels right for you. The internet can be useful, although a fellow member told me he read through 40 stories before finding “the one”!   I consulted a lot of library books, and used a couple of stories I had read many years ago, which I rewrote in my own words.
• This one had helpful comments and was interesting
• My current manual with 3 speeches to go! I’m enjoying the personal aspect of this manual and using it to think about connecting with my heart in my speaking.

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Interpretive Reading (226-L)

"Read a Story" (8-10 mins)

• 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.

"Interpreting Poetry" (6-8 mins)

• To understand the differences between poetry and prose.
• To recognize how poets use imagery, 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.

"The Monodrama" (5-7 mins)

• 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.

"The Play" (12-15 mins )

• To adapt a play for interpretive reading.
• To portray several characters in one reading, identifying them to the audience through voice changes and movement.

"The Oratorical Speech" (10-12 mins)

• To understand the structure of an effective speech.
• To interpret and present a famous speech.

Comments - Interpretive Reading

• Another favourite with me, although I’ve rarely seen anyone else do the projects from this manual effectively. The problem seems to be that people think ‘just reading’ is an easy option. It isn’t. I have spent as long just selecting material as I would have spent preparing a normal five-to-seven minute speech. Many people struggle with resources for reading, too, and I didn’t find the manual very helpful on this point. However, I enjoyed doing this manual tremendously, and it’s another I would repeat. All the projects are easily accommodated in a club programme.
• I really enjoyed this manual, and found it was useful for developing/stretching my vocal variety. Don’t think it is an easy option, on the basis that you don’t have to write a speech; I found it took as long (if not longer) to research and select the right passage to read, as it would to write a speech. I think selecting the right material is crucial here. Top tip: I found it very useful to prepare the audience beforehand, about what interpretive reading involves. I did this by asking the toastmaster to explain the purpose of interpretive reading; this avoided getting feedback slips commenting on lack of eye contact etc. In fact I actually won “Best Speaker” award at least once when doing a project from this manual.
• I knew that I would take on a big challenge choosing this manual as I can not remember every doing any interpretive reading - ever. Again, I feel with this manual that you need to really prepare the audience. This manual was very challenging for me and I could not wait for it to finish. I wanted to burn this manual saying goodbye, but a month later flicking through the manual I feel very proud that I finished it. So will I do it again? No, but if I did I would definitely have a mentor to help me on the way.

·        INTERPRETATIVE READING?  Dreadful, just dreadful.  I did it mainly because one of our ex-Presidents highly recommended that that was exactly the Manual I needed to tackle to help me with my biggest challenge – vocal variety.  Had I taken more time to study the scope and content of the Manual I would undoubtedly have made a better choice. READING is not speaking as such and about 85% of the audience are not prepared for that, no matter how much the Toastmaster on the night sets the scene.  Also, when they go over 7 mins the audience switches off because they are programmed usually for 7 minutes!  Most disconcerting.  Almost without exception, all the feedback said “more eye contact”, even thought the reading assignments were to be without such eye contact.  On a hiding to nothing … ! Also, from memory, one of the projects is an ORATORICAL speech.  Pray tell me, what relevance has that got for today’s world? The talks I gave from this Manual were nearly all extremely difficult and I felt and received such a mixed reaction, which did not encourage me.  It was a case of simply getting through it so that I could move on to something much more worthwhile. I did feel INTERPRETATIVE READING was a waste of my time and I most definitely would not recommend it to ANYONE, whether they needed to improve vocal variety or not.  There has to be a better/more practical use of material for the advanced projects that relevant to today’s world.

·        Interpretive Reading – A lot of fun this one although difficult finding some readings to fit the allotted time. It was a challenge for me not to be able to make eye contact with some of the projects.

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Interpersonal Communication (226-M)

"Conversing with Ease" (10-14 mins)

• 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.

"The Successful Negotiator" (10-14 mins)

• Employ win/win negotiating strategies to achieve your goals.
• Enjoy the benefits of win/win negotiating.

"Diffusing Verbal Criticism" (10-14 mins)

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

"The Coach" (10-14 mins)

• Determine reasons for someone's substandard performance.
• Coach the person to improved performance.

"Asserting Yourself Effectively" (10-14 mins)

• 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.

Comments- Interpersonal Communication

• Well, after two great favourites, there has to be a contrast. I know others have succeeded with this manual, but I just couldn’t get started. All the projects require lots of role-playing by others. The projects are hard to fit into a club programme, and in my opinion are no fun for the audience.

·        I personally would not recommend the Interpersonal Communications Manual. Hope that helps.

·        I have done 2 talks from this. I found them testing. You have to give a lecture, do an unrehearsed role play then get audience feedback. Maybe the challenge will appeal to some. Probably useful experience of working with an audience if this is something new.

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Special Occasion Speeches (226-N)

"Mastering the Toast" (2-3 mins)

• Recognize the characteristics of a toast.
• Present a toast honoring an occasion or person.

"Speaking in Praise" (5-7 mins)

• 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.

"The Roast" (3-5 mins)

• 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.

"Presenting an Award" (3-4 mins)

• Present an award with dignity and grace.
• Acknowledge the contributions of the recipient.

"Accepting an Award" (5-7 mins)

• Accept an award with dignity, grace and sincerity.
• Acknowledge the presenting organization.

Comments -  Special occasion speeches

• Challenging again but manageable and practice things likely to need often. Would recommend this one
• I have started on Special Occasion Speeches which I have liked because most of the speeches are short e.g. giving an award, receiving an award.  Worth matching people to give these two speeches when WHQ send through award certificates (May be useful to liaise with your VPE about this).
• A great manual for an opportunity to learn the skills of appreciation especially with The Toast and The Roast!

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Humorous Speeches (226-O)

"Warm Up Your Audience" (5-7 mins)

• Prepare a speech that opens with a humorous story.
• Personalize the story.
• Deliver the story smoothly and effectively.

"Leave Them with a Smile" (5-7 mins)

• Prepare a serious speech that opens and closes with humorous stories.
• Prepare a closing story that reemphasizes the speech's main point.
• Deliver the stories smoothly and effectively.

"Make Them Laugh" (5-7 mins)

• Prepare a speech that opens and closes with humorous stories.
• Include jokes in the speech body to illustrate points or maintain audience interest.
• Deliver the jokes and stories smoothly and effectively.

"Keep Them Laughing" (5-7 mins)

• Prepare a speech that opens with a self-deprecating joke.
• String together two or three related jokes in the speech body.
• Close the speech with a humorous story.

"The Humorous Speech" (5-7 mins)

• Use exaggeration to tell a humorous story.
• Entertain the audience.
• Effectively use body language and voice to enhance the story.

Comments - Humorous Speeches

• In my opinion, this is rubbish. It is not about using humour in speeches, but just about bunging in a funny story, at the places they tell you to. I found it very dictatorial and it didn’t suit my style of humour at all. You are better off attending an Adam Ginalski humour workshop. Having said that, I enjoyed giving the speeches, working on pace and pause, and being able to get the audience laughing - it was just the objectives of each project that I didn’t like!
• A major challenge if you’re as unfunny as I am….… 

·        I have looked through the Humorous manual. I would like to work through that one but I find humour quite a challenge. I believe that the manual gives some of this preparation and ideas for the basis of humour but perhaps it would be nice to have a bit more information. It seems to rely to a large extent on giving jokes as a part of the speeches.

·        I loved this manual as it pushed me through some strong and limiting beliefs about not being able to make anyone laugh!  

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