I won my TM club's International Speech Contest. It was close though.
The feedback I got highlighted what I was concerned about in the speech. The front end was weak and needed a stronger tie in to the main body and close. Also, I was told to pick up the pace on my pauses. I believe it was due to two reasons:
1. First time the speech has been given live
2. I panicked a bit when I wasn't seeing the green light turn on, which made me worry I didn't have enough to meet the minimum time. I was wrong, as I was only about 6 seconds from 7 minutes.
Several things to mull over for the next draft:
1. Make it more current to what is going on the economy and tying it to the fact that Op Santa began in the middle of the Great Depression and we are in the middle of what is being called the Great Recession.
2. Possibly changing/dropping the non-verbal intro.
3. Carl's resonating comment: Emphasize "hole in my life" feelings which adds "oomph" to how I filled it at the end.
4. Remembering its a journey of discovery.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
5th Draft Done and Club Contest Tonight.
Yesterday, I took the print out of my 4th draft and made notes. Then I slept on it.
This morning I had an epiphany. Rather it was remembering its all about the emotion and using all the Toastmaster techniques to serve that emotion.
The fifth draft addresses what was nagging at me after the finished fourth draft. I couldn't put my finger on it and yesterday's note taking identified that something was lacking. I guess that was enough for my subconscious mind to work on it while I slept.
I'm very happy with this draft.
Now, its a matter of execution as tonight's the first rung of the World Championship of Public Speaking competition ladder. My TM club contest.
This morning I had an epiphany. Rather it was remembering its all about the emotion and using all the Toastmaster techniques to serve that emotion.
The fifth draft addresses what was nagging at me after the finished fourth draft. I couldn't put my finger on it and yesterday's note taking identified that something was lacking. I guess that was enough for my subconscious mind to work on it while I slept.
I'm very happy with this draft.
Now, its a matter of execution as tonight's the first rung of the World Championship of Public Speaking competition ladder. My TM club contest.
Monday, February 22, 2010
4th Draft Done
Several days off helped. I was able to crank out a fourth draft. Still needs work, but I think its close to good enough to win my TM club contest.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Taking a step back
Yesterday, I tried making notes for a fourth draft. I was getting confused so I put it down to walk away from it.
This morning my confusion is clearing up. I'm going to stay away from it for the next 2 days though and let it simmer in my head. I have a 1 hour seminar to give tomorrow, so in preparing for that it will give me a needed break.
This morning my confusion is clearing up. I'm going to stay away from it for the next 2 days though and let it simmer in my head. I have a 1 hour seminar to give tomorrow, so in preparing for that it will give me a needed break.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
3rd Draft Done
Spent time reviewing the hardcopy of my 2nd draft. Took a break and decided to go for the 3rd draft.
Made clearer the message. Started adding style modifications to make it more lyrical. Heavy use of 3. Alliteration. Making the language more visual and reducing the narrative. In other words using more of the storytelling and poetic skills that I have.
Also doing Joss Whedon touches, undercutting the heavy melodrama with humor.
It's shaping up well.
Made clearer the message. Started adding style modifications to make it more lyrical. Heavy use of 3. Alliteration. Making the language more visual and reducing the narrative. In other words using more of the storytelling and poetic skills that I have.
Also doing Joss Whedon touches, undercutting the heavy melodrama with humor.
It's shaping up well.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
2nd draft finished
Yesterday, I thought about the 1st draft and wrote down some notes.
Today, I took those notes and created a 2nd draft. The first draft was putting on paper stories that elicited a strong emotion.
Today, it was about figuring out the message and creating a structure. This process helped me to focus by having to add narrative and seeing what helped or hindered that narrative.
Today, I took those notes and created a 2nd draft. The first draft was putting on paper stories that elicited a strong emotion.
Today, it was about figuring out the message and creating a structure. This process helped me to focus by having to add narrative and seeing what helped or hindered that narrative.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
2010 TM International Speech Contest - The Club Contest - Preparation
Yesterday, I began to prepare for my Toastmaster's Club International Speech Contest. The winner will go on to represent the club at the Area B-1 contest in March.
Knowing that the key to an inspirational speech is a strong emotion I began by watching 5 musical performances that emotionally resonate with me. They are:
1. Christina Aguilera's performing her song "Lift Me Up' at the Help Haiti Now Telethon
2. Justin Timberlake and Matt Moore's duet of the song "Halleujuia" at the same Telethon
3. Evanescense performing live in Paris the song "Bring Me to Life"
4. Evanescense performing "My Immortal" on the David Letterman Show
5. Michael Jackson performing "Billie Jean" at MSG in New York in 2001
Emotionally warmed up I began to write and I was happy that at the end of a couple of hours I had a good first draft.
I plan to let it sit in my head today and then look at it tomorrow.
Knowing that the key to an inspirational speech is a strong emotion I began by watching 5 musical performances that emotionally resonate with me. They are:
1. Christina Aguilera's performing her song "Lift Me Up' at the Help Haiti Now Telethon
2. Justin Timberlake and Matt Moore's duet of the song "Halleujuia" at the same Telethon
3. Evanescense performing live in Paris the song "Bring Me to Life"
4. Evanescense performing "My Immortal" on the David Letterman Show
5. Michael Jackson performing "Billie Jean" at MSG in New York in 2001
Emotionally warmed up I began to write and I was happy that at the end of a couple of hours I had a good first draft.
I plan to let it sit in my head today and then look at it tomorrow.
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