Objective: Boost speakers’ self-esteem; provide positive suggestions for improvement.

Before the meeting: Contact the speaker you are evaluating several days before the meeting. Review the manual exercise objectives. Inquire about any additional, personal objectives the speaker may have. Ask what kinds of specific suggestions the speaker would find helpful in your evaluation report. Arrive at the meeting early and get the speaker’s manual to make your written evaluation. Take a seat opposite the speaker. If necessary, change seats during the break so you are facing the speaker when you present your oral report.

During the meeting: From your seat or at the lectern (whichever best gives you a clear view of the speaker you are evaluating), read the speaker’s objectives including timing instructions when called upon to do so by the Chair prior to the formal presentation. Listen attentively. Record your impressions. Prepare an oral report.

Evaluate the speech according to the specific objectives given. Don’t expect beginning speakers to have advanced skills. Make your evaluations personal. Reflect on what comments helped you when you gave a similar presentation.

An effective evaluation is like a hamburger:
• A soft bun of praise or commendation for one thing done well.
• A patty of meat or substance containing one or two things that could be improved upon next time.
• The other half of the soft bun of commendation and praise for something done well to wrap up.
 Avoid the following shortcomings of a poor evaluation:
• Saying everything was “nice” or “excellent” (explain why something worked for you).
• Paraphrasing the speech and regurgitating it back to the audience (who heard it perfectly well the first time).
• Giving too many examples or suggestions for improvement and exceeding the 3-min target time (simply say you will discuss additional points with the speaker after the meeting).

No speaker ever “fails” a speaking exercise in the Toastmasters program. If you believe the speaker has not met the objectives, state why and suggest how they could be met at another time with another audience. It is up to the speaker to decide whether or not to take your advice.

Time: 2-3 min.