Tips sharing by Division S speech contest champion

In Tampines Changkat toastmaster club, we walk among giants and titans who are always selfless in helping fellow toastmasters grow.
One of our old guards, DTM, Lee Jinhwui of Tampines Changkat toastmaster club has recently done our club proud by emerging as the champion of Division S table topics contest and the 1st runner up for international speech contest. We are so fortunate as a member of tampines Changkat toastmaster club to have them with us.

For the benefit of fellow toastmasters, Jinhwui has kindly volunteered to share some strategies on winning speech contests. Following is the question and answer by Lee Jin Hwui on developing contest-winning speech.

1) How do you remember your speech? Any techniques involved?
Memorising scripts has been a real challenge for me. I find it difficult to recall the lines whilst simultaneously protraying the corresponding emotions, thus running a higher risk of the speech being delivered in a mechanical way.

I use mindmaps instead. I start with the broad overall structure of the speech and the message for the audience. Thereafter, I pen down key words which triggers my thought flow on each point. Therefore, instead of memorising scripts, I memorise key points.

There are many programmes and youtube clips available on how to create and use mindmaps.

2) How many times did you rehearse your speech ?
As many times as possible. Practice always increase your confidence. =)

3) How long did you take to prepare ?
I wrote my script in over one weekend.

4) Did you use the same speech for club, area and division contest ?
Yup. My script was gradually fine-tuned with feedback from the folks in Tampines Changkat and Tampines Changkat Advanced Toastmasters.

5) Your speech was very touching. What is the secret in evoking the audience's emotions?
Focus on the finer aspects of things in life, such as filial piety, rising from the ashes of ruin, uncontiditional love between two people. The possibilities are endless. More importantly use personal stories, the originality helps.

6) Any other advice you can give to fellow toastmasters ?
Public Speaking is a skill which builds on momentum. Once you get going, always stay the course and ride on the momentum.

Always be ready to explore different topics and speaking styles.

Free yourself from all limiting beliefs. Your capacity to deliver a world-class specch is no less than the current luminaries in the public speaking world.

Most importantly enjoy every second of your public speaking opportunities


Thank you JinHwui for the valuable sharing on developing contest winning speech! I hope members have benefited from this. To learn more, do visit our club at Tampines Changkat CC on every 1st and 3rd thursday of the month and you will be on your way to becoming a contest winner just like Jinhwui in no time.