The "Communication and Leadership Program" manual is the first manual you receive when you join Toastmasters. It contains ten assignments in the form of speeches you write on a subject or topic of interest to you and present to the club. Each speech gives you the opportunity to practice a specific skill in order to develop your basic speaking ability. You progress through these speeches at your own rate.
The Basic C&L Manual was revised in August, 1997. The revision changed the emphasis of a few speeches, which are captured in this web page via color. Text in black is common to both manuals. Text in blue corresponds to the pre-7/97 edition, and text in red corresponds to the new manual.
The first speech is the Ice Breaker. This speech introduces you to the club and gives you your first opportunity to give a prepared speech in the club. It is to be on a topic on which you are the only expert, yourself.
The next seven (six) speeches are designed to build on the basic speaking skills that are necessary to become a competent speaker. The final two (three) speeches are designed to introduce you to the basic speaking styles: informing, persuading, and motivating.
After completing the tenth speech, you can register your completion of your Competent Toastmaster CTM designation. Your club will present you with a gray (formerly brown) name badge which identifies you as having completed your CTM.
| No | Speech Theme | Objectives | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ice Breaker |
To begin speaking before an audience. To help you understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development. To introduce yourself to your fellow club members. |
4-6 minutes |
| 2 | Speak with Sincerity | To convince the audience of your earnestness, sincerity, and conviction on a subject you thoroughly understand. To confront and control any nervousness you may have. |
5-7 minutes |
| 3 | Organize Your Speech | To organize your thoughts into a logical sequence that leads the audience to a clearly defined goal. To build a speech outline that includes and opening, body and conclusion. |
5-7 minutes |
| 4 | Show What You Mean | To learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech. To explore the different ways of using body language. To develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement. |
5-7 minutes |
| 5 | Vocal Variety | To explore the use of voice volume, pitch, rate, and quality as assets to your speaking. To achieve a pleasing natural voice quality when speaking. To apply the principles of a well-developed voice to a particular speech. |
5-7 minutes |
| 6 | Work with Words | To select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly. To avoid lengthy words and sentences and jargon. To gain an understanding of the functions and uses of the spoken word. To avoid common mistakes in word use. |
5-7 minutes |
| 7 | Apply Your Skills | To bring together and apply the communication skills you have learned in the preceding projects. To organize your speech in a logical manner, following one of the suggested outlines. To research the facts needed to support your speech. To make a personal evaluation of your progress. |
5-7 minutes |
| 8 | Add Impact to Your Speech | To learn the value of props in speaking. To learn how to use props effectively in your presentations. |
5-7 minutes |
|
8 9 |
Make It Persuasive Persuade with Power |
To present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint. To achieve this persuasive effect by appealing to the audience's self-interest, building a logical foundation for agreement, and arousing emotional commitment to your cause. |
5-7 minutes |
| 9 | Speak with Knowledge | To gather accurate, up-to-date information on a subject so you can expand your knowledge and that of your audience. To write a speech based on the insights gained from your research. To read the speech before the club in an interesting, lively, and meaningful manner. |
7 minutes +/- 30 seconds |
| 10 | Inspire Your Audience | To understand the mood and feelings of your audience on a particular occasion. To put those feelings into words and inspire the audience, using all the techniques you have learned so far. |
8-10 minutes |
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