Advanced Communication Manuals
The Advanced Communication manuals train you for different speaking situations that Toastmasters can encounter outside the club environment.
There are 15 Advanced Communication manuals each of which includes five speech projects. The individual projects focus on a single, specific theme to help Toastmasters improve their communication skills in a particular area.
The chart below lists the titles of the Advanced Communication manuals. For details about the projects in the manual click on the title. The presentation time for some speech projects may include additional segments for such activities as question-and-answer periods.
You can order either individually or the complete library of Advanced Communication manuals online. You may find a printable list of all the advanced manuals here.
Presentation of two Advanced Communication manuals can help fulfill the requirements for the Advanced Communicator Silver (ACS),Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) or Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG) awards.
The Entertaining Speaker
Entertaining speakers are always in demand. Projects address preparing and delivering an entertaining speech, finding good stories and anecdotes to include in speeches, using humor, incorporating drama into presentations and presenting an after-dinner speech. (order manual)
1. The Entertaining Speech
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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2. Resources for Entertainment
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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3. Make Them Laugh
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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4. A Dramatic Talk
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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5. Speaking After Dinner
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Time: |
8 to 10 minutes |
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Speaking to Inform
Informational speeches are one of the most common types, so most likely you will be asked to present one sometime. This manual contains information about organizing an informational speech, tailoring your speech to the audience, conducting a demonstration, presenting a report and delivering a speech about an abstract subject. (order manual)
1. The Speech to Inform
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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2. Resources for Informing
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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3. The Demonstration Talk
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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4. A Fact-Finding Report
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes for the speech, plus 2 to 3 minutes the question and answer period |
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5. The Abstract Concept
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Time: |
6 to 8 minutes |
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Public Relations
Everyone benefits from the ability to present a good public image. Projects cover preparing a speech that will generate a favorable attitude toward you and your product, company or service, presenting a positive image of yourself and your company or organization on a radio talk show, persuading an audience to accept your viewpoint, addressing a hostile audience and communicating with the public during a crisis situation. (order manual)
1. The Goodwill Speech
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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2. The Radio Talk Show
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Time: |
3 to 5 minutes for the presentation, plus 2 to 3 minutes for questions and answers |
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3. The Persuasive Approach
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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4. Speaking Under Fire
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Time: |
3 to 5 minutes for the presentation, plus 2 to 3 minutes for questions and answers |
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5. The Crisis Management Speech
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Time: |
4 to 6 minutes for the presentation, plus 3 to 5 minutes for questions and answers |
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Facilitating Discussion
Group discussions are common, and this manual provides instruction in facilitating the most common types of discussions. Learn about moderating a panel discussion, facilitating a brainstorming meeting, leading a problem-solving discussion, handling challenging people during discussions, and helping a problem-solving group achieve a consensus. (order manual)
1. The Panel Moderator
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2. The Brainstorming Session
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within the allotted time? |
3. The Problem-Solving Discussion
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4. Handling Challenging Situations
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5. Reaching a Consensus
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Specialty Speeches
Speakers are often called upon to give different kinds of talks. This manual contains information about giving the most common ones, and it covers impromptu talks, preparing inspirational speeches, selling a product, reading out loud and introducing a speaker. (order manual)
1. Speak Off the Cuff
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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2. Uplift the Spirit
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Time: |
8 to 10 minutes |
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3. Sell a Product
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Time: |
10 to 12 minutes |
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4. Read Out Loud
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Time: |
12 to 15 minutes |
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5. Introduce the Speaker
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Time: |
The duration of a club meeting |
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Speeches by Management
Managers encounter a variety of speaking situations in the work environment. This manual offers instruction in giving briefings, providing feedback, persuading and inspiring an audience, convincing an audience to accept change, and delivering bad news. (order manual)
1. The Briefing
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Time: |
3 to 5 minutes for speech, plus 2 to 3 minutes for question period |
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2. Appraise with Praise
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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3. Persuade and Inspire
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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4. Communicating Change
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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5. Delivering Bad News
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes for speech |
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The Professional Speaker
Professional speakers can give a variety of presentations to a variety of audiences. This manual offers guidance in preparing and presenting a keynote address, an entertaining speech, a sales training speech, a seminar and a motivational speech. Includes information about marketing yourself as a professional speaker. (order manual)
1. The Keynote Address
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Time: |
15 to 20 minutes, longer if club program allows |
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2. Speaking to Entertain
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Time: |
15 to 20 minutes, longer if club program allows |
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3. The Sales Training Speech
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Time: |
15 to 20 minutes, longer if club program allows |
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4. The Professional Seminar
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Time: |
20 to 40 minutes |
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? What were they? |
5. The Motivational Speech
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Time: |
15 to 20 minutes, longer if club program allows |
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Technical Presentations
Presenting technical information in a way that doesn't bore the audience is challenging. Learn how to prepare technical briefings, design and present a proposal, talk about a technical subject to a nontechnical audience, present a technical paper and enhance a technical talk with the internet. (order manual)
1. The Technical Briefing
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In your opinion, was this speech interesting?
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Was the technical material suitable for the interests and knowledge levels in the audience?
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Did the speaker state his/her main message at the onset of the briefing?
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Did the points and support data contribute to understanding and acceptance of the main message?
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Was the technical material presented in a concise, logical manner?
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Did the speaker’s delivery enhance the overall presentation effectiveness?
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Time: |
8 to 10 minutes |
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2. The Proposal
(EXCELLENT / SATISFACTORY / SHOULD IMPROVE rating system)
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Was the speaker’s main message clearly stated in terms of audience benefits?
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Did the speaker clearly and logically support his/her main message?
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Was the proposal appropriate in intent for the audience?
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Was the proposal organized according to the"inverted pyramid" method?
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Did the speaker effectively deal with audience questions?
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During Q and A, did the speaker respond in a way that supported the main message?
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How effective were the visual aids?
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Was the speaker’s delivery as effective and convincing as his/her content?
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Time: |
8 to 10 minutes for speech, plus 3 to 5 minutes for question period |
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3. The Nontechnical Audience
(EXCELLENT / SATISFACTORY / SHOULD IMPROVE rating system)
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Topic selection (interesting, relevant)?
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Absence of complexity (easy to understand)?
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Opening (attention-getting)?
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Organization (clear, logical)?
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Support material (examples, comparisons that clarify and simplify)
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Transitions (smooth, easy to follow)?
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Language (simple, without technical jargon)?
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Responses to audience (questions answered simply and directly)?
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Visual aids (bold, simple, visible, smoothly handled)?
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Delivery (vocal variety, body language, etc.)
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Time: |
10 to 12 minutes |
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4. Presenting a Technical Paper
(no rating system)
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Did the speaker discuss only the highlights of the technical paper or article during the verbal presentation?
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Was the presentation tailored for the audience’s interests and knowledge levels?
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How did the speaker make the presentation interesting?
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What evidence indicated that the speaker prepared diligently for this project?
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How effective were the speaker’s visual aids and the way they were used?
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What presentation strengths does this speaker have, as displayed during this speech?
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In your opinion, how could the speaker improve his or her delivery in subsequent speeches?
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Time: |
10 to 12 minutes |
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5. Enhancing a Technical Talk with the Internet
(EXCELLENT / SATISFACTORY / SHOULD IMPROVE rating system)
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Were extra materials on hand for those who needed them?
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Did the presentation’s subject matter appear to be well coordinated with the pre- and postcommunications?
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Did the recommended websites adequately support and/or enhance the speaker’s main message?
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Did the electronic communications include enough pertinent material? What could have been added?
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Did the electronic communications avoid unnecessary overlap? What could have been deleted?
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Did the speaker effectively deliver the in-person portion of the presentation?
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Did the speaker discuss the pre- or post-talk communications in a smooth and prepared manner?
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Were the visual aids well designed and well presented to coordinate with the pre- and post-communications?
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Please rate the overall effectiveness of the presentation.
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Time: |
12 to 15 minutes |
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Persuasive Speaking
Successful people know how to influence and persuade others to accept their ideas, products or services. Projects cover selling a product, making "cold calls," preparing a winning proposal, convincing an audience to at least consider your side of a controversial issue or subject and persuading listeners to help bring a vision and mission to reality. (order manual)
1. The Effective Salesperson
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Time: |
8 to 12 minutes |
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2. Conquering the"Cold Call"
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Time: |
10 to 14 minutes |
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3. The Winning Proposal
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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4. Addressing the Opposition
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Time: |
7 to 9 minutes for the speech, plus 2 to 3 minutes for the question and answer period |
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5. The Persuasive Leader
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Time: |
6 to 8 minutes |
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Communicating on Video
Video presentations require special preparation and attention to details. Learn how to present an editorial, appear as a guest on an interview program, be the host of an interview program, conduct a press conference and use video to train. (order manual)
1. Straight Talk
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Time: |
3 minutes ±30 seconds |
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2. The Talk Show
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Time: |
10 minutes ±30 seconds |
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3. When You're the Host
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Time: |
10 minutes ±30 seconds |
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4. The Press Conference
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Time: |
4-6 minutes, plus 8-10 minutes for Q&A |
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5. Training On Video
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Time: |
5-7 minutes, plus 5-7 minutes for video playback |
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Storytelling
A good story enhances your speech and makes it memorable. This manual offers instruction in telling folk tales, personal stories, stories with morals, emotional stories and stories about historical events or people. (order manual)
1. The Folk Tale
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Time: |
7 to 9 minutes |
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2. Let’s Get Personal
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Time: |
6 to 8 minutes |
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3. The Moral of the Story
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Time: |
4 to 6 minutes |
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4. The Touching Story
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Time: |
6 to 8 minutes |
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5. Bringing History to Life
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Time: |
7 to 9 minutes |
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Interpretive Reading
Reading words written by someone else requires a special set of skills. Projects include reading stories, poetry, monodramas, plays and famous speeches. (order manual)
1. Read a Story
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Time: |
8 to 10 minutes |
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2. Interpreting Poetry
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Time: |
6 to 8 minutes |
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3. The Monodrama
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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4. The Play
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Time: |
12 to 15 minutes |
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5. The Oratorical Speech
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Time: |
8 to 10 minutes |
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Interpersonal Communication
Everyday life presents challenging communication situations. Topics in this manual include conversing with ease, negotiating, handling criticism, coaching someone to improve performance and expressing dissatisfaction effectively. (order manual)
1. Conversing With Ease
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Time: |
10 to 14 minutes |
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2. The Successful Negotiator
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Time: |
10 to 14 minutes |
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3. Diffusing Verbal Criticism
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Time: |
10 to 14 minutes |
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4. The Coach
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Time: |
10 to 14 minutes |
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5. Asserting Yourself Effectively
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Time: |
10 to 14 minutes |
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Special Occasion Speeches
Special events present special speaking opportunities. This manual provides instruction in giving toasts, speaking in praise/giving a eulogy, "roasting" someone and presenting and accepting awards. (order manual)
1. Mastering the Toast
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Time: |
2 to 3 minutes |
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2. Speaking in Praise
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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3. The Roast
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Time: |
3 to 5 minutes |
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4. Presenting an Award
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Time: |
3 to 4 minutes |
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5. Accepting an Award
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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Humorously Speaking
Every speaker benefits from using humor. Learn how to begin a speech with a humorous story to get listeners' attention, end a speech with a humorous story, use humorous stories and anecdotes throughout the body of your speech to emphasize points, incorporate jokes into presentations and prepare and present an entirely humorous speech. (order manual)
1. Warm Up Your Audience
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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2. Leave Them With a Smile
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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3. Make Them Laugh
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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4. Keep Them Laughing
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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5. The Humorous Speech
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Time: |
5 to 7 minutes |
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