Page 26 - September 2020 Voices
P. 26
JUST WRITE
I’m a Toastmaster
I Talk - I Don’t Write!
Ken Coomes, DTM
Okay, so you’re a talker. You know three to four ends. And every good ending brings closure to
Toastmasters who have written something worth the content of the speech (substitute story here),
reading, and three to four dozen Toastmasters but also leaves you wanting more.
who don’t write, but they give excellent speeches. We’ve already begun addressing that third
Let’s look at three main synergies between common element between good
speaking and writing. speeches and good writing—
One of the key qualities of top-notch speakers they both engage the audience.
is telling a good story. It doesn’t matter if they If you’re listening to a speech
are competing in a Tall Tales contest, the that hasn’t drawn you in, it’s
International Speech contest, or giving a speech easy to start making notes,
for their home Club. The best speakers are good reminding yourself of the
at telling a story. When you sample a book by an feedback you want to offer. If
author you haven’t read before, what leads you to you’re reading a book with the
keep on reading? A good story. Even the easiest same sense of being a distant
and most pleasant non-fiction author tells a good observer, you’ll probably put
story. If there is no story, reading the book is a it down and choose something
chore at best. else to read.
Can you think of another important trait See? You’re already working
all really good speeches have in common? towards being a good writer.
Something you learned when you first began You’ve been calling it speech
speaking in Toastmasters? I’m talking about writing or preparation, but it can
structure. Good speeches have an opening, a be much more. And it doesn’t
body and a conclusion. The same is true for stop with the speeches you
good writing—no matter the genre—in fiction plan. You can learn more about
and non-fiction alike. Just like good speeches, the writing and speaking when you
opening draws you in, catches your interest— listen to other people present.
engages you. The body carries you on a journey If they have a strong opening,
with the author, making you want to know how notice how you were drawn in;
the story (substitute speech here, if you like) consider using a similar opening
26 ONE COMMUNITY
