As a new Toastmaster, your dues provide you with all the materials you need to start giving speeches immediately! The Basic Manual contains information on the first 10 speeches each Toastmaster completes in order to achieve the certification of Competent Toastmaster (CTM).

Each speech in the Basic Manual focuses on a particular aspect of speaking, as described below.

1. The Ice Breaker (scheduled for 4 - 6 minutes) To begin speaking before an audience; to help you understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development; to introduce yourself to your fellow club members.

2. Speak With Sincerity (scheduled for 5 - 7 minutes) To convince the audience of your earnestness, sincerity and conviction on a subject you thoroughly understand; to confront and control any nervousness you may have.

3. Organize Your Speech (scheduled for 5 - 7 minutes) To organize your thoughts into a logical sequence that leads the audience to a clearly defined goal; to build a speech outline that includes an opening, body and conclusion.

4. Show What You Mean (scheduled for 5 - 7 minutes) To learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech; to explore the different ways of using body language; to develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement.

5. Vocal Variety (scheduled for 5 - 7 minutes) To explore the use of voice volume, pitch, rate, and quality as assets to your speaking; to achieve a pleasing natural voice quality when speaking.

6. Work With Words (scheduled for 5 - 7 minutes) To select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly; to avoid lengthy words and sentences and jargon.

7. Apply Your Skills (scheduled for 5 - 7 minutes) To bring together and apply the communication skills you have learned in the preceding projects; to organize your speech in a logical manner, following on of the suggested outlines; to research the facts needed to support your speech; to make a personal evaluation of your progress.

8. Add Impact to Your Speech (scheduled for 6 - 8 minutes) To learn the value of props in speaking; to learn how to use props effectively in your presentation.

9. Persuade with Power (scheduled for 6 - 8 minutes) To present a talk that persuades the audience to accept your proposal or viewpoint; to achieve this persuasive effect by appealing to the audience's self-interest, building a logical foundation for agreement, and arousing emotional commitment to your cause.

10. Inspire Your Audience (scheulded for 8 - 10 minutes) To understand the mood and feelings of your audience on a particular occasion; to put those feelings into words and inspire the audience, using all the techniques you have learned so far.