How to win a speech contest

I was truely honored for winning the Area Level International Speech Contest last Saturday. It was like a dream come true, mission achieved kind of feeling.

When was the last time I won a medal or trophy? It was 6 months ago in the Evaluation Contest, and 1 year ago in the Humorous Speech contest. But, prior to taking part in Toastmasters speech contest, as far as I remember, the last time that I won a competition was during my Secondary School days, a good 20 years ago.

I don’t know about women, but a man needs victory to justify their existence, at least I am like that.

When I was a fresh Toastmasters 6 years ago, I was just like any other newbie, worried that I would be called upon to answer the Table Topics question. When I took part in my first speech contest, I was kind of hope that all the good speakers such as Dusun Chong, Dr. Edmond and so are busy and doesn’t take part and I can easily get a 3^rd place by luck. Yes, that was what I though…. Get lucky….

The turning point for me was really the day I became VPE for the club. I felt like I am “obligated” to do better in both leadership and public speaking.

Coming back to the main issue, How to win in (international) speech contest:

1) Be responsible – be committed to win

Do you know that Tawau Toastmasters Club always seems to be a club with better speakers? As far as I remember, Tawau Club beats STM in a ratio of 2:1 in Area Level Speech Contest. As a responsible past leader (Oversea Buddha), I feel that I am obligated to do better in Speech Contest.

2) Attend meeting regularly

Due to “commitment” as the VPE, club president and IPP, I was “forced” to attend the training regularly. For the last 2 ½ years, I attend Toastmasters Training Meeting whenever I am around. Never skip meeting with excuses of busy or lazy.

During Training Meeting, I must say or do something. Be it a Table Topics Speakers or Invocator.

3) Attend district convention and listen to the best speakers

Perhaps, Listening to the best speakers' speeches was the single item that can make one’s speech improve the most. After listening to those great speeches by the champion speakers from the District Level has definitely increase our understanding about “what makes a good speech excellent”.

4) To prepare a good speech

A winning speech should have humor in it. The purpose of the humor is to capture the attention of the audience. A speech without laughter is seen as dry no matter how important it is.

How to get have some humor in your speech? Be a humor person. Do you know that I was not a humor person before? I actually pick up my spontaneous humorous skill from someone in Toastmasters. And believe me, humor is one of the key success factor of interpersonal skill. People like to listen to humor person, not those who always speak of serious issues in a serious manner.

b. An excellent speech has a clear structure (opening, body and conclusion), uses vocal variety, props, examples, role play to enhance the overall presentation of speech. In other words, use technique that you master in the communication series to deliver your speech.

c. The speech needs a strong underlying message which is something positive.

Do you recall my speech titled “how to rob a bank?”. The speech makes everybody laugh hilariously. But it didn’t make it to the Division Level contest because the message behind is negative.

A good speech must have a message and the message must be a good and positive one in order to win.

I sincerely hope that the reader have learned some of my tricks and take part in the Toastmasters competition in the near future.

Together, we explore the possibilities!

Norman Chin,
a.k.a. Oversea Buddha