Speech Contestants ever wonder

In Toastmasters speech contests, judges compare contestants to their ideal speaker based on specific criteria to ensure a fair and consistent contest. What are the judges thinking? 

Check out these tips to help you align your speech with what judges are looking for:

1. Understand the Judging Criteria: 50% is your message!!
2. Craft Clear and Relevant Content: Create a clear road map for the audience to follow your “journey.”
3. Tell Personal Stories: Connect emotionally with your audience and make it memorable.
4. Watch Your Time: This is a silly way to be disqualified and is totally preventable!
5. Use Effective Language: Make it simple to develop vivid images that bring your audience with you. Let them see, hear, feel, smell and taste your story.
6. Demonstrate Strong Speech Development: Grab their attention in your first sentence, and finish strong so they know “it is time to applaud!”
7. Engage the Audience: Maintain eye contact, use appropriate gestures, and vary your vocal delivery to keep the audience involved.
8. Practice Diligently: Consistent perfect practice leads to more polish.
9. Attend the Circle of Gold: Even one tip can make the difference of one point on the judge’s form. 
10. Make it yours! Authenticity and sharing the real you will endear the audience and the judges to you.

Every contest has different contestants, different judges and different audiences.  Prepare your contest speech with these suggestions and increase your chances of success as you compete and climb the contest ladder.  Contests are an amazing opportunity to share your message and along the way, you will home your presentation skills that will stay with you for years to come!

Christina Kruis, DTM
District Contest Chair (In-Person)