Minor Speaking Roles
Inspiration, Tonic, Soapbox, Highlights
Inspiration
The Inspiration usually is placed at the beginning of the meeting as the first speaking role. It is usually 2 minutes, and sometimes 3 minutes.
There is no set format for this role. The intention is to start the meeting with something interesting and positive. The subject can be anything you choose.
Here are some suggestions.
- Tell us about something that happened to you - a brief story. It can be very recent, or from a long time ago.
- Tell us about something you read, or something that someone told you about.
- Tell us about an inspirational person you know or knew, or you have read about.
- Tell us about an inspirational, or interesting, film or play or piece of music or piece of art you have experienced.
- Be adventurous. Past successful Inspirations have involved physical activities like a relaxation exercise.
Practise effective communication skills. Think about your stance, eye contact as you look around at the audience, vocal variety and gestures.
Tonic
The Tonic is placed between the Table Topics and the Table Topics Evaluation. It gives a brief opportunity for the Evaluator to arrange their notes.
The time is usually 2 minutes. Sometimes it is only 1 minute.
The suggestions above for the Inspiration apply to the Tonic. Perhaps the word Tonic suggests a slightly sharper edge in presentation than Inspiration.
Practise effective communication skills. Think about your stance, eye contact as you look around at the audience, vocal variety and gestures.
Remember, you only have a short time - two or sometimes one minute.
Soapbox
The Soapbox usually is placed at the end of the prepared speeches.
The time is usually in the range of 1 or 2 minutes. Often it is 90 seconds.
The idea is to present something that you feel strongly about. Often it will deal with a controversial subject.
Speak as if you are standing on a box in a public place like a park or a square. A haranguing style is appropriate.
Practise effective communication skills. Think about your stance, eye contact as you look around at the audience, vocal variety and gestures.
Highlights
The Highlights are placed at the end of the prepared speeches before the Evaluation of the Evaluators.
The time is usually in the range of 2 or 3 minutes.
The intention is to review the meeting by selecting notable phrases or expressions or even activities.
There are no right or wrong selections. It's a personal response.
Select one such phrase, expression or activity and nominate that as your personal highlight or phrase of the night. Announce that at the end of your presentation.
Sometimes the review is conducted as a Listening Skills exercise. Instead of naming who said a phrase or expression, ask the audience who said it. Sometimes you might ask for anybody from the audience. Sometimes you might nominate a specific person. Remember that the object of this Listening Skills exercise is to enhance the meeting review process. It is not to prove people were not listening properly.
Practise effective communication skills. Think about your stance, eye contact as you look around at the audience, vocal variety and gestures.