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Grammarian

The syntax sentinel

Before the Meeting One benefit of Toastmasters is that it helps people improve their grammar and word use. Being grammarian also provides an exercise in expanding listening skills. You have several responsibilities: to introduce new words to members, to comment on language usage during the course of the meeting, and to provide examples of eloquence.

Several days before the meeting, select a "word of the day" (if this is done in your club):

It should be a word that will help members increase their vocabulary a word that can be incorporated easily into everyday conversation but is different from the way people usually express themselves. Adjectives and adverbs are more adaptable than nouns or verbs, but feel free to select your own special word. Print your word, its part of speech (adjective, adverb, noun, verb) and a brief definition in letters large enough to be seen from the back of the room. Prepare a sentence showing how the word is used.

Also, prepare a brief explanation of the duties of the grammarian for the benefit of the guests.

At the Meeting Before the meeting begins, place your visual aid at the front of the room where everyone can see it. Also get a blank piece of paper and pen ready to make notes, or get a copy of the grammarians log, if your club has one, from the sergeant at arms.

When introduced:

Announce the word of the day, state its part of speech, define it, use it in a sentence and ask that anyone speaking during any part of the meeting use it. Briefly explain the role of the grammarian.

Throughout the meeting, listen to everyones word usage. Write down any awkward use or misuse of the language (incomplete sentences, sentences that change direction in midstream, incorrect grammar or malapropisms) with a note of who erred. For example, point out if someone used a singular verb with a plural subject. One in five children wear glasses should be one in five children wears glasses. Note when a pronoun is misused. No one in the choir sings better than her should be No one in the choir sings better than she. Write down who used the word of the day (or a derivative of it) and note those who used it correctly or incorrectly. When called on by the general evaluator during the evaluation segment: Stand by your chair and give your report. Try to offer the correct usage in every instance of misuse (instead of merely announcing that something was wrong). Report on creative language usage and announce who used the word of the day (or a derivative of it) correctly or incorrectly. After the meeting, give your completed report to the treasurer for collection of fines, if your club does this.

How to be the Grammarian in Toastmasters

Posted November 18, 2011 by charuzu in English Language, Toastmaster Speeches. 2 Comments

The role of Grammarian is probably the least understood role in a Toastmasters meeting. So why do we do it and how do we prepare for the role?

The Grammarian gives feedback on our use of language praise for our wonderful rhetoric as well as encouragement to overcome bad habits like saying umm, err and OK.

You will benefit from taking on the role because you have to listen carefully and be prepared to comment on what you have heard. The mission of Toastmasters is to help us learn the art of speaking, listening and thinking. The Grammarian role helps you become a better listener. Responsibilties

The Competent Communicator Toastmasters manual describes the responsibilities on page 68 and 69. There are two main purposes - Introduce new words (Word of the Day) to members and

to comment on the use of English during the course of the meeting. Lets explore the different parts of the role: Word of the day

Before the meeting, choose a word of the day. It should be a word that will help members increase their vocabulary as well as easy to incorporate into everyday conversation. Hopefully it will be a word that improves your communication skills.

Adjectives are a good choice If someone said the restaurant was good what does that say to you? Was the cuisine authentic and fresh? Were the waiters pleasant, courteous or attentive?

Also consider verbs to help us enrich our vocabulary. For example, instead of saying I left the room observe the differences in meaning betweeen I raced out of the room and I crept out of the room.

During the meeting take note of who used the word of the day and how it was used. During the Meeting

Listen carefully to the speakers word usage and take notes. Make sure you have plenty of paper and a pen available as well as the Macquarie Dictionary (our club has a copy) . Write down any awkward usage of English. You may need to refer to the dictionary to check meaning or pronunciation. Make notes for presenting in your report. Word of the Day. Note who used it and comment on how it was used. Filler Worlds. Keep note of who said umm, Ah, OK and other filler words. There is a Toastmaster role called Ah-counter but we have incorporated this role into Grammarian. Sometimes speakers arent aware of saying these words and this is where your feedback is useful. Keep a tally so when you give your report, you can say Charles said three Umms and one OK. Rhetorical Devices Take note of of rhetorical devices used by speakers. For those of you who have bad memories of English at school and cant tell the difference between a metaphor and a malapropism refer to the notes linked at the end of this article. Rhetorical devices add vitality and color to your speeches and help you make more more impact as well as pleasurable to listen to. There are many rhetorical devices and I only have time for a few examples. Rhetorical devices built on sound add a colourful poetic flavour to your speech.

Alliteration repeats the same sound at the beginning of nearby words What my Wife Wanted. Assonance repeats the same vowel sound in nearby words How Now Brown Cow. Rhetorical devices involving repetition of words include anaphora where a word or phrase is repeated in successive clauses or sentences. In his Stanford Commencement Speech of 2005 Steve Jobs said Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish. There are rhetorical devices which change word meanings. Metaphor is when two unconnected things are compared Life is a Highway. Similes are the same as metaphor but using the words like or as Forrest Gump said Life is like a box of chocolates. Dont feel overwhelmed! You dont have to report on every rhetotical device. Just pick one or two examples of what you heard in the meeting and comment on them. Presenting your report The final part of your role is to present your report usually in 2 or 3 minutes. Briefly explain the role of the Grammarian so the audience knows why you are speaking. Report on the use of Word of the Day, naming the people and comment on their usage. Report on the Ums, Ahs and other filler words by giving a count for each person. Then report on the language which you heard. The role of Grammarian is both rewarding and educational and will help you become a speaker as well as a better listener. Volunteer to be the Grammarian at a meeting, learn and grow. Purpose: The Grammarian has two main roles: 1) to present the membership with the opportunity to learn a new word and use it in their daily conversation, and 2) to comment on the use of English during the meeting, including misuse of words, incorrect pronunciation, (ab)use of clichs, and poor sentence structure, as well as any interesting, unusual or particularly effective uses of speech. Before the Meeting: Choose a "word of the day" that will help the membership increase their vocabulary, a word that will be easily incorporated into everyday conversation, but different from the way they usually express themselves. Prepare a sentence as an example of how to use the word, and make sure you are comfortable using the word yourself. Prepare a brief but thorough summary of your role as Grammarian that explains your role in the program to visiting guests. You can expect a call from the General Evaluator, confirming your role. As you Arrive at the Meeting: In letters large enough to be seen from the back of the room, print the word, the part of speech and a brief definition on at least one of the easels. Ideally, the word will be visible to both

speaker and audience. However, try not to display the word in a position where the audience would find it distracting to any other portion of the meeting (e.g., taped to the lectern). During the Meeting: When called upon by the Toastmaster, stand at your seat and briefly explain your role(s). Introduce the word of the day and encourage all in attendance to use it in their remarks. Throughout the meeting, listen carefully to all of the speakers and make note of grammatical errors or exceptional uses of language. Also keep track of the members who use the word of the day (or a variation of the word) in their speaking roles, how many times they use it, and whether it is used properly. Near the end of the meeting, the General Evaluator will ask you to report your findings. Stand beside your seat to give your report, which should not exceed 1-2 minutes. It is okay not to read out all the names on your list. If you mention a grammatical error or mispronunciation, be sure to offer the correct form. However, avoid lengthy explanations of fine points of grammar. Also, do not apologize for your own limited knowledge of grammar. Everybody is learning. If in doubt about a point, ask someone. This will help everyone. When you are finished, return control of the meeting by saying, "Madam or Mr. General Evaluator," and take your seat.

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