Club 3836

As an evaluator you main objective is to help the speaker.  So, you must demonstrate that you are truly interested in both the speech as well as the speaker’s speaking abilities.  Your challenge is to point out both the strengths and the weaknesses of the speech you’ve just heard in a helpful and sincere manner.    You want the speaker to come back to the lectern and continue to grow and improve.

Take into consideration the speaker’s individual needs, goals, sensitivities and experience level.   You may want to contact the speaker ahead of time to ask about concerns regarding the speech or the speaker’s speaking abilities.  Pay attention to the speaker’s goals for self-improvement and watch for symptoms of fear or insecurity.  Offer reassurance and encouragement if necessary. 

Put yourself in the position of the speaker.   Advanced speakers sometimes forget what it was like when they first started and heard their first or second evaluation.  As an evaluator, your job is to describe the effects the speakers speech had on YOU.  Use words such as “I believe…,” “I suggest that…, “ or “My reaction was …” or use the evaluators mantra when forming the evaluation – “What I saw What I heard What I felt” and you’ll maximize you evaluation skills.

Remember your main purpose is to help and encourage the speaker.  Your evaluation must focus on the speaker’s delivery rather than on the speaker as a person; this allows an environment for growth and learning, so encouraged in every toastmasters club.  Remember:  “Evaluate what the speaker does – not what the speaker is.”  

As evaluators do your best to listen, take notes, present your opinion and then sit down.  Your evaluation needs to encourage and inspire the speaker to speak again.  It’s a three step process – give honest and sincere praise, provide positive reinforcement to any improvements and give helpful direction when necessary.  Always end your evaluation on an upbeat note.  When self-esteem is allowed to flourish, the speaker feels accomplished, accepted,… and motivated to continue.