Thursday, December 5, 2019

Toastmasters - Personal Notes


  • Clarity, Vocal verity(soft/loud, modulation,, same pitch, emphasis on the word), Eye Contact, Gesture, Expression, Audience Awareness 
  • Content rich speaker, Funny and Humorous speaker , Story teller, 
  • Rhetorical device: Special way of arranging words
    • Sound an idea more pleasing, Easier to remember for the listener. 
    • Simile <Si-mu-lee>: A comparison technique, that compares two different things in an interesting way to  spark an interesting connection in a listener's mind. It uses the words "like" or "as".  For example:  If we deny our children an education, ignorance will grow like a cancer. She is as innocent as an angel.
    • Metaphor: Another form of comparison: Ignorance is a cancer that must be cured. She is an angel
    • Alliteration: The initial sounds in words or in stressed syllable within the words are repeated in a pleasing or memorable manners. Example: "Unnoticed and unused", "Hallowed halls", "Protect and preserve peace". 
    • Triads: Idea, adjective and points are grouped/expressed in three. It sounds dramatic/rhythmic , hence memorable. Example: We mutually please to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.  Barack Obama, Inaugural Speech - “we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America“

1. Spotlight syndrome - Someone is always looking at me. ware, walk, talk, carry myself, symmetry . In stage you would see a spot light which moves with person. 

2. Educational Qualification is just a Pizza base without topping. The topping is the skill set which attracts the people. 

3. It is only Failure which makes us stronger. People who has only tasted success continuously are weaker tad, they cannot accept NO. But who has faced failure willl get back if you drop them in any part of the world. 

4. Problem in education is that we do not laugh. but we laugh once the teacher turn towards the Board. Smile is offence. Are you insulting me?  If someone is smiling either of 2 reason  a. if they are talking about us b. something is open. 

5. HOD will always share all the Love which they have got from top to buttom. 

6. Story about early morning class and student eating Chips , when masters look at whoing hands, girl hand over one chips. 

7. Crack Jokes to get attention else who listen in the planet. 

8. The pople were very happy and smily face looking at the teacher. Teacher was happy that people are paying attention. After the class they are saying money is coming out from your pocket. Manoj Dash's teeth showing story. 

9.  I am an englieer becaoz I keep laughing at the teachers. Lauching is sin. One of our collegues will be laughing with us while sitting with us on ce they become Teacher then gets very serious. 

10. Yesterday's m-Tech today faculty. Laughing to Serious mode. They give more what they have got from ther faculty. 

11. CSE Class they put scent,  Mechanical they do not bath. When 2 friends meet, they clasp hand calling Mechanical-Mechanical. No girl. Comydy about ED. 

12. System teaching us to be a professional sad people. We all are the product. Profession to be sad. We went to school without our knowledge. Whyone know when you went to school? 

13. Nobody remember past if it is not worth remembering. 

14. You are sitting on a beaching, beautiful wheather, fresh air.... how did I write the exam? All vanishes and mood is spoiled. No wind, no water, no oxygen....

15. My Son will understand lession through me. It is the worst thing to happen. 

16. We are not happy because we are not alive. 

17. Class room - Why should I sit in the same place, same people everyday. Why should I change my mood based on a bell. If I love physica, my love will change if the bell rang and start loving to Chemistry. Does our mind works like that. If that happens then Debadasa will say bye bye to bottle. Learning is a Love affair. It is a flow. How can you forget one class into another. If someone lauching at you and you cannot forget that, how can you forget Physics and jump to Chemistry. 

18. You learn how to explore Mac Pro but get an MI. 

19. Child story: Was in grandparents, so no schools. Father got him and from grand parents house and send him to school. Boy denied. Fahter dropped son but Son told I will not go. If you push then only I will go. Why volunterairy do somehting which I do not like, at least in my heart there is consolation that I was forced to go. 

20. No voluntarily dying. 

21. We need to understand the kick of the joy. 

22. Usain Bolt: Jamaican former sprinter/runner.  widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. 
23.  Verbal Ornamentation:   Weapon  Shield 
Rhetorician: A person who delivers a speech or oration
Simile: A figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with 'like' or 'as')


Body Language: 
1. Defensive posture, attacking posture, Blocking posture, distracted posture ...
2. 

Great tricks you can use to make a speech more powerful — rhetorical devices are just the beginning! Here’s a quick list of some popular ones:

1. Anaphora

Repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of sentences or clauses.

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds..." — Churchill

2. Epistrophe

Repeating at the end of sentences.

"...government of the people, by the people, for the people." — Lincoln

3. Alliteration

Using the same starting sounds.

"Let us go forth to lead the land we love."

4. Parallelism

Keeping the structure of phrases or sentences similar.

"Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." — JFK

5. Antithesis

Putting two opposite ideas together for contrast.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." — Dickens

6. Metaphor and Simile

Comparing things to make abstract ideas more relatable.

"The world is a stage." (Metaphor)
"Brave as a lion." (Simile)

7. Hypophora

Asking a question and then immediately answering it.

"Why must we act now? Because the cost of inaction is too high."

8. Tricolon

A list of three — it sounds naturally satisfying.

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

9. Asyndeton

Leaving out conjunctions for speed and punchiness.

"I came, I saw, I conquered."

10. Polysyndeton

Using extra conjunctions for emphasis.

"We have ships and men and money and stores."

==================Evaluator tips==========

feedback is the breakfast of champions—but when served with elegance, clarity, and encouragement, it becomes a power meal.

That’s a brilliant hook, and it worked!”

Your speech followed a clear arc: a strong opening, a personal story in the middle, and a message-driven conclusion

You didn’t just speak—you orchestrated your voice like a musician. I particularly noticed how you lowered your tone during the emotional segment. It added gravity and made the audience pause and reflect. That’s a powerful use of silence and modulation.

visually engaging

One opportunity to elevate your speech further is to pause just a bit longer after a punchline or a key message. Let your words breathe so they can land more fully with the audience. You've got a powerful message—let silence do some of the talking 

To sum up, your speech was a blend of heart, humor, and insight.

you captured our attention with a story that was not just heard—but felt. Your structure flowed like a well-written script: from curiosity to connection to conclusion.

You didn't just use gestures—you choreographed your emotions. 

Recommondation - what could be enhenced... 

I sensed a slight rush at the end. A small time buffer would help your final message breathe and land with even more impact.”


“You planted a compelling idea—consider giving us a next step. What can we do with this insight tomorrow?”

“To lead is to speak up; to speak up is to inspire. And you, today, did both. 

You didn't just deliver a speech—you created an experience.


Rhetorical Devices You Can Sprinkle Into Feedback

Alliteration: “Purposeful pauses polished your powerful points.”

Parallelism: “You informed us. You inspired us. You invited us to grow.”

Imagery: “Your words painted pictures that lingered long after your voice paused.”

Anaphora: “You made us think. You made us laugh. You made us care.”


DeviceHow It WorksFeedback Example
AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds to create rhythm or emphasis“You painted your passion with powerful, poetic phrasing.”
AnaphoraRepeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clausesYou made us think. You made us feel. You made us reflect.”
AntithesisContrasting two ideas in a parallel structureYou didn’t just speak to inform, you spoke to transform.”
TricolonGrouping things in threes for impact“Your clarity, confidence, and connection made your message unforgettable.”
Metaphor / SimileDrawing comparisons to visualize an





Alliteration

“Your speech was a masterclass in message, momentum, and mindfulness—it moved with meaning and magnetism.”

🪞 Metaphor

“Your words were not just sentences—they were stepping stones across a river of ideas, helping us cross from confusion to clarity.”

🎢 Parallelism

“You didn't just tell a story. You painted a moment. You built a memory. You delivered meaning.”

💬 Anaphora

“You challenged us to care. You challenged us to contribute. You challenged us to change—and that’s the mark of a compelling communicator.”

⚖️ Antithesis

“Your speech was humorous yet heartfelt, light yet layered, simple yet significant—a beautiful balance of contrast and clarity.”

🎯 Tricolon (Rule of Three)

“You made us laugh, made us learn, and ultimately, made us listen with purpose.”

🔁 Epiphora

“You spoke with conviction, you moved with passion, and you closed with emotion. What lingered—was your emotion.”

🧠 Analogy

“Just like a conductor leads an orchestra, you led us through emotional highs and reflective pauses—every note intentional, every beat meaningful.”

📢 Rhetorical Question

“What makes a speech unforgettable? It’s not just the words—it’s the heart behind them. And today, we saw yours.”

Let’s sharpen that feedback sword together!


1. Timing & Pacing“At moments, your message raced like a sports car—but sometimes, impact needs a pause. A brief stillness after key ideas would allow your audience to absorb the brilliance you're offering.”

2. Vocal Variety

“Your content had emotional depth, but your vocal tone remained on one level. Imagine giving your words wings—let your voice rise with excitement and fall with reflection to amplify your message’s resonance.”

3. Transitions & Flow

“Your ideas were strong individually, like beautiful bricks—but a little mortar between them would have created a smoother structure. A transitional phrase or summary line would help your audience move effortlessly from one point to the next.”

4. Use of Silence

“Every speech needs moments of breath—not just for the speaker, but for the audience. You had several powerful lines that could have landed stronger with a beat of silence, a moment to let the idea bloom.”

5. Audience Engagement

“You looked at us, but you didn’t quite see us. A few intentional moments of eye contact can transform your speech from a monologue to a conversation. Locking eyes is how speakers leave impressions long after the words fade.”

 6. Message Clarity

“Your speech had strong emotional beats, but the central takeaway was slightly blurred. A crisper call-to-action or ‘so what’ at the end could give your audience something to carry forward like a torch.”

7. Word Choice & Language“Your ideas were impactful, but the vocabulary could be sharpened. Try using more visual or sensory language—words that not only inform, but paint and pulse with energy.”

8. Opening HookYour introduction set the context, but didn’t quite ignite curiosity. What if you started with a question, a quote, or a startling fact that made us lean in before we even understood where the speech was going?”

9. Emotional Expression“Your story had heart, but the emotional peaks felt muted. Think of your speech as a symphony—let your face, voice, and hands mirror the emotion, so we feel with you, not just for you.”

10. Purpose & Takeaway “I sensed a powerful message beneath your narrative—but the takeaway remained subtle. A memorable conclusion is like a handoff; give us something specific to carry home, reflect on, or act upon.”
11. Humor DeliveryYour humor had potential, but it felt rushed—like a punchline in a hurry to exit. A moment of pause before and after the joke lets laughter rise... and more importantly, lets you savor it, too.
12. Personal Connection “Your content was rich in ideas, but felt slightly distant. Could you let the audience see a crack in the armor—a personal challenge or moment of vulnerability? Sometimes, the most polished speeches need a touch of imperfection to feel real.
13. Language & Imagery“Your message was solid—but consider painting it with more vibrant language. Words like ‘good’ and ‘important’ do their job... but words like ‘transformative’ and ‘ignited’ make an audience feel.”
14. Repetition for Emphasis “You introduced a strong core message—something worth repeating. Reinforcing it once more, perhaps as a rhetorical refrain or callback, could embed it deeper into the audience’s memory.”

“Each part of your speech was engaging—but the overall theme felt like a puzzle with a few corners missing. Ask yourself, ‘What do I want them to remember?’ and make sure each section ladders up to that message.”


A lion may loose it's teeth but not it's hunger. 


 

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