How to write and deliver the first icebreaker speech for Toastmasters
Somewhere in life, we would have been in a situation where we had to break the ice and introduce ourselves to the forum. Thinking of the first speech could be nerve-racking experience especially when we do not know what to speak. The icebreaker speech is no different and is the beginning of your Toastmasters journey. It is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the group and share something about yourself. The first experience of public speaking could be a smoothest affair if we give attention to methodology involved in writing your first speech.
Every
speech has to start somewhere, and one of the most common questions we hear “Where
do I start?” All speeches start with the same foundation: speech
purpose, topic selection, and audience analysis. Since here, we are discussing
on how to write an icebreaker speech, your purpose should be to introduce
yourself to the group. You can talk about what motivated you to join
Toastmasters and in general about your personality and life journey.
Please
check my
first Toastmaster’s speech script
In
general, the Icebreaker speech is delivered with minimum of 4 minutes to be
qualified and maximum of 6 minutes to conclude. Check your timing and practice
once you have written your speech.
About Yourself
Sit down and
make a list of few things about yourself that you would like fellow club
members to know. Like your name, from where you belong, what you like, what is
your skills, an important event in your life etc.
Reasons
for Joining Toastmasters and Goal
As introduction to yourself, it is worth to tell the audience your
reason(s) for joining Toastmasters. Do you have goals that you would like to
achieve in Toastmasters? If so, list them in your speech.
Let’s
Begin Writing the Speech
Opening
A. Greetings
You may thank
the Toastmaster or person who introduced you and acknowledge fellow
Toastmasters and guests. Before coming to the stage in customary to shake hands
and then start with your speech. You can keep it simple as below
“Dear fellow Toastmasters and welcome guests”
B. Capture audience interest
Begin with something about yourself that
will capture the interest and attention of the audience.
Starting with a quote related to topic of
your speech is the most preferable way but not mandatory in an icebreaker
speech. I had started with the below
quote in my first speech to express why I wanted to join Toastmasters.
“The wisest
choice a person can make is the most valuable skill the person can develop.”
C. Introduce yourself
Following your opening, provide a brief
introduction. Although chances are people will know your name, it is the best
practice to introduce yourself by name.
“I am Mohamed Irfan”
You might want to include why you joined
Toastmasters, what is your interest or from where you belong.
D. Transition
Write a brief statement to transition
smoothly from your introduction to what you will discuss next.
Body
You
may have taken 1-2 minutes to open for the opening and therefore it is good to have
the body of your topic with no more than three main points. You can spend one
minute in each main point. Note down below points on how to go smoothly with
the main topic transition.
A. Main point 1
Use some of the About Yourself into your
Main point 1 to set the stage for the interesting speech.
Transition
Include a sentence or two that connects
main point 1 with main point 2.
B. Main point 2
Speak about the main point 2 sufficiently
and decide the time to spend according to importance.
Transition
Include a sentence or two that connects
main point 2 with main point 3.
C. Main point 3
Speak about the main point 2 sufficiently
and decide the time to spend according to importance.
Transition
Signal that the conclusion of the speech
is approaching.
Conclusion
This is final part of your speech where
you might conclude your speech. You can summarized your speech in this section
by highlighting the main points of which you have talked about.
D. Restate the main points of your speech
Summarize by including the main points
which have talked about and how affected you in few sentences.
E. Close with impact
You can chose to end speech by thanking
the audience and toastmasters for listening to your speech.
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