1. Evaluation Contest Prep
Renee Yao
President of Women L.E.A.D. Toastmasters
1st place Fall Fusion Evaluation District Contest Winner
Content credit: Abhijeet Joshi, Dennis Dawson, Stewart Murrie
July 2021
2. Agenda
• Evaluation Contest Overview
• How to win evaluation
contests?
• How to evaluate effectively?
• What to evaluate?
• How to Practice?
4. Why have Toastmasters Evaluation Contests?
• To encourage development of evaluation skills and to recognize the
best as encouragement to all.
• To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient
evaluators who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.
5. How a Toastmasters Evaluation Contest Works?
Test Speaker
Contestants
Prep
(5 mins)
Contestants
Deliver
Evaluation
(2-3 mins)
Judges Score
The contest cycle begins each year at the local club level.
Winners then proceed to area, division, and district level contests.
8. Ballot Deep-Dive
Don’t miss this. It’s 15 points!
Short & Concise.
Is it structured? Does it have focus?
Was it positive, specific, helpful?
Did the evaluator make the speaker
feel heard, motivated?
Download the ballot down and follow along:
https://womenleadtm.com/meetings/regular-
meeting-be-in-the-present-moment/
9. How to stand out?
• Memorize it
• Eye contact
• Smile
• Stage presence
• Time qualification
• Unique insights
11. How to Evaluate Effectively
During the speech
• Pay attention
• Take notes ( write down key
words/golden nudges)
• Observe the audience ( facial
expression, movements, attention
span)
• Empathize ( does it relate to you
or your loved ones?)
During the evaluation:
• Give specific examples
• Do not summarize the speech
• Do not rewrite the speech
• Do not evaluate the person or
their objective
• How it affects you
• Use a structural approach (see
next slide)
12. Template
Intro + how it relates to me
Body
1) Good 1 example + specifics (why + how)
2) Good 2 example + specifics
3) Improve 1 example + specifics
4) Improve 2 example + specifics
5) BEST example
Summary
1) Good 1
2) Good 2
3) Improve 1
4) Improve 2
5) Best
Conclusion + what action it drove
1. Tell them what you will tell them.
2. Tell Them.
3. Tell them what you just told them.
13. How to take notes?
• https://toastmasterscdn.azureedge.net/medias/files/department-documents/speech-contests-
documents/1177-evaluation-contestant-notes.pdf
Key message: XXX
Improvement
Positive
Golden Nuggets – 1
Golden Nuggets – 2
Golden Nuggets – 3
15. Evaluations To AVOID!
Not genuine praise
False Praise
Evaluation
Only praise
Whitewash
Evaluation
Only crisicim
All-Criticism
Evaluation
More details here: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-evaluation-3-modified-sandwich-technique/
16. Modified Sandwich Method
• Sandwich Layer: Bread
Evaluation Element: Praise – strengths exhibited by the speaker
• Sandwich Layer: Condiments
Evaluation Element: Areas for improvement – where can the speaker
improve
• Sandwich Layer: Meat, cheese, vegetables
Evaluation Element: Specific suggestions – how can the speaker
improve
More details here: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-evaluation-3-modified-sandwich-technique/
17. What to evaluate
Vocal Variety Gesture Pauses Content
Energetic Tone Props Opening / Closing Comfort
Audience awareness Clarity Preparation Call to Action
18. “ I ” Statements
“I” Statements Use to
I heard…
I felt…
I noticed…
Make simple observation
I liked…
I loved…
I enjoyed…
Reinforce positive impact
I was confused by…
I didn’t understand…
I disliked….
Point out detracting moments
I wanted to know…
I like to see…
I love to hear…
To make speech more effective
19. Example
Something Speaker Did Effectively Somethings Speakers Can Do to Make it More Effective
1) I saw your preparation stood out. There were no
false starts or repetition
I heard your voice was monotone. There were no lows
and highs. You can project your voice more and have an
energetic tone
2) I felt I was totally engrossed in the story. I was
waiting for what is going to happen next.
I saw no emotions on your face. Emotions connect with
the audience and increase authenticity.
3) I heard the repeated use of the word Grit. This left
a mark on me. I realized I also have the grit to go
through the tough times.
There was no message for the audience or call to action.
You can say that everyone has the grit to go through the
tough times. If we do not give up and stay with the tough
times we will overcome it.
20. Don’ts
Opening:
• You Drew Us In
• That was a great speech!
• I love your speech
• Wow. What a wonderful
speech
Feedback:
• Use the Stage
• Stand up and Speak
• Superlatives
• Rambling
21. How to be Specific?
• “Gestures were poor.“
• “Gestures were limited in the first half of the speech.“
• “Gestures were limited in the first half of the speech because the
speaker gripped the lectern.“
• “Gestures could have been improved in the first half of the speech. By
removing her hands from the lectern, she could more easily make
natural gestures.“
22. How to evaluate “bad” speeches
• Calm down
• Respect that all speakers came from different background
• You are not here to judge, but to help!
• Think that you are providing feedback to your younger sibling or
mentee
• Focus on the good part
• Select two things max for improvement & really show how it can be
done
23. How to evaluate “perfect” speeches
• Calm down
• Ask Hard Questions:
• How did it make you feel?
• What was the speaker feeling?
• What was the message?
• Was it organized?
• Why was it impactful?
• At a party, how would you describe this speech?
• If you were to do this speech, how would you do it differently?
• Did the bold choices in the speech work?
25. Evaluation In Meetings vs. Evaluation Contest
SIMILARITIES
• Practice
• Talk to the speaker, not the
audience
• Give actionable, empathetic, and
insightful feedback
DIFFERENCE
• PRACTICE (with winning
mentality)
• It’s a speech
• Structure
• Show finesse
• Entertain
• Know the ballot!
26. How to Practice
• Go to regular toastmasters meeting and participate in evaluations regularly.
1-2 weeks before the competition
• Buddy Up
• Look up Toastmasters YouTube Videos
• Every day listen to 1-3 speeches
• Time yourself - 5 minutes
• Take notes, memorize, present
• Compare notes with your buddy
A dozen speeches later – you will find the pattern and see insights never seen
before.
