Presentation Mastery Pathway Levels and Projects

Barbara Lowe, DTM
Toastmasters Pathways - Presentation Mastery Pathway Levels and Projects
1

This path helps you build your skills as
an accomplished public speaker. The
projects on this path focus on learning
how an audience responds to you and
improving your connection with
audience members. The projects
contribute to developing an
understanding of effective public
speaking technique, including speech
writing and speech delivery. This path
culminates in an extended speech that
will allow you to apply what you
learned.
Presentation Mastery
Barbara Lowe, DTM
Toastmasters Pathways - Presentation Mastery Pathway Levels and Projects 2

Presentation Mastery
Barbara Lowe, DTM

1. Mastering Fundamentals
•Ice Breaker
•Evaluation and Feedback
•Researching and Presenting
Levels and Project Types
Barbara Lowe, DTM

2. Learning Your Style
• Understanding Your
Communication Style
• Effective Body Language
• Introduction to Toastmasters
Mentoring
Barbara Lowe, DTM

3. Increasing Knowledge
• Persuasive Speaking
Elective Projects (choose 2)
• Deliver Social Speeches
• Using Presentation Software
• Connect with Storytelling
• Creating Effective Visual Aids
• Using Descriptive Language
• Connect with Your Audience
• Make Connections Through Networking
• Focus on the Positive
• Inspire Your Audience
• Prepare for an Interview
• Understanding Vocal Variety
• Active Listening
Barbara Lowe, DTM

4. Building Skills
• Managing a Difficult Audience
• Create a Podcast
• Building a Social Media Presence
• Write a Compelling Blog
• Manage Online Meetings
• Question-and-Answer Session
• Public Relations Strategies
• Manage Projects Successfully
Barbara Lowe, DTM

5. Demonstrating Expertise
• Prepare to Speak Professionally
• Reflect on Your Path
• Lessons Learned
• Moderate a Panel Discussion
• Ethical Leadership
• Leading in Your Volunteer Organization
• High Performance Leadership
Barbara Lowe, DTM

Project
Ice Breaker
This foundational project is designed to introduce you to your club and the skills
you need to begin your Toastmasters journey.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to introduce yourself to the club and learn the
basic structure of a public speech.
Overview Write and deliver a speech about any topic to introduce yourself to the
club. Your speech may be humorous, informational, or any other style that
appeals to you.
This project includes:
 A 4- to 6-minute speech
Barbara Lowe, DTM

Project
Evaluation and Feedback
This project addresses the skills needed to give and receive feedback. You will
learn about giving, receiving and applying feedback.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to present a speech on any topic, receive
feedback, and apply the feedback to a second speech.
Overview Choose any topic for your first 5- to 7-minute speech. After your speech,
carefully review your feedback.
At a different club meeting, present a 5- to 7-minute speech in which you
incorporate feedback from your first speech. You may choose to present
the same speech again or a new speech. Your second speech should
reflect some or all of the feedback from your first speech. Finally, after you
have completed both speeches, serve as an evaluator at a club meeting
and deliver constructive feedback about another member’s presentation.
 Incorporating feedback from your first speech into a second 5- to 7-minute speech
 Serving as a speech evaluator
Barbara Lowe, DTM

Project
Researching and Presenting
This project addresses topic selection strategies, suggestions for research and
methods for producing a well-organized speech.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to learn or review basic research methods
and present a well-organized, well-researched speech on any topic.
Overview Select a topic that you are not already familiar with or that you wish to learn
more about. Be sure your topic is narrow enough to be an effective 5- to 7-
minute speech. Research the topic and begin organizing the information,
as described in this project. Practice your speech and continue to refine its
organization. Present your speech at a club meeting.
 Researching a topic
 The Research Worksheet
 The Speech Outline Worksheet
Barbara Lowe, DTM

Project
Understanding Your Communication
Style
This project focuses on recognizing your preferred communication style and
understanding how your style impacts your interactions with others.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to learn about different communication styles
and identify your primary style.
Overview Complete the Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire to help
you identify your style. Deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting
about your communication style and its impact on your professional and/or
personal relationships. If you are uncomfortable discussing your
communication style, you may speak about the communication styles you
have encountered and how they impact you. Your speech should not be a
report of the content of this project.
 The Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire
Barbara Lowe, DTM

Project
Barbara Lowe, DTM
Effective Body Language
This project focuses on how to recognize body language used when speaking
publicly and how to use gestures to enhance speech content.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to deliver a speech with awareness of your
intentional and unintentional body language, as well as to learn, practice,
and refine how you use nonverbal communication when delivering a
speech.
Overview Prepare a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic that lends itself to expression
through your movement and gestures. Video record your presentation and
get feedback from your mentor or another reviewer before speaking to your
club. If you do not have access to a recording device, perform your speech
in front of a mirror and make
adjustments before your scheduled speech.
13

Project
Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring
This project introduces the value of mentorship and the Toastmasters view of
mentors and protégés.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to clearly define how Toastmasters envisions
mentoring.
Overview Write and present a 5- to 7-minute speech about a time when you were a
protégé. Share the impact and importance of having a mentor. This speech
is not a report on the content of this project.
Barbara Lowe, DTM
14

Project
Barbara Lowe, DTM
Persuasive Speaking
This project focuses on helping you to develop and support a viewpoint, and
identify the most appropriate type of persuasive speech for your topic.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to understand the types of persuasive
speeches and deliver a persuasive speech at a club meeting.
Overview Choose any topic that lends itself to speaking persuasively and prepare a
speech. Present your 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting. If your vice
president education approves a non-club event or group, your evaluator
must be present for your speech.
 The Persuasive Speech Outline Worksheet
15

Elective Project
Deliver Social Speeches
This project addresses the skills needed to compose a speech for a social
occasion including a toast, eulogy, an acceptance speech and a speech praising
an individual or group.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice delivering social speeches in front
of your club members.
Overview Develop two different social speeches—each 3 to 4 minutes—and present
them at two separate club meetings. You may choose any two types of
social speeches that appeal to you or that you would like to practice.
 The Social Speech Basics resource
 Two 3- to 4-minute speeches
Barbara Lowe, DTM
16

Elective Project
Using Presentation Software
This project addresses the use of presentation software—from identifying topics
that benefit from the use of technology to effective slide design and presentation.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to introduce or review basic presentation
software strategies for creating and using slides to support or enhance a
speech.
Overview Select a speech topic that lends well to a visual presentation using
technology. Use the content of this project and your own research to help
you develop your slides. Give a 5- to 7-minute speech using the slides you
developed. Your speech can be humorous, demonstrative, or
informational, and it may include stories or anecdotes.
 Developing presentation slides
Barbara Lowe, DTM
17

Elective Project
Connect with Storytelling
This project addresses storytelling techniques and descriptive skills to help make
every speech relatable and interesting.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice using a story within a speech or
giving a speech that is a story.
Overview Choose an established story, a story about your life, or a fictional tale of
your own creation. Deliver the 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting.
Barbara Lowe, DTM
18

Elective Project
Creating Effective Visual Aids
This project addresses effective methods for choosing the best visual aid for your
presentation along with the creation and use of each type.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice selecting and using a variety of
visual aids during a speech.
Overview Choose a speech topic that lends itself well to using visual aids. Create at
least one but no more than three visual aids to enhance your presentation.
Deliver your 5- to 7-minute presentation at a club meeting.
 Creating one to three visual aids
Barbara Lowe, DTM
19

Elective Project
Using Descriptive Language
This project addresses the difference between literal and figurative language
along with how to determine when to use each to create vivid descriptions.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice writing a speech with an emphasis
on adding language to increase interest and impact.
Overview You may speak on any topic. Develop a 5- to 7-minute speech describing
the topic in detail and present it at your club meeting.
Barbara Lowe, DTM
20

Elective Project
Connect with Your Audience
This project focuses on different audience types and how to address them
effectively.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to connect with
an unfamiliar audience.
Overview Develop a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic that is unfamiliar to the majority
of your audience. Because you
deliver this speech in your Toastmasters club, you are familiar with the
audience members’ preferences and personalities. Selecting a topic that is
new or unfamiliar to your club members will allow you to practice adapting
as you present. As you speak, monitor the audience’s reaction to your topic
and adapt as necessary to maintain engagement.
Barbara Lowe, DTM
21

Elective Project
Make Connections Through Networking
This project focuses on how to network effectively and understanding the
importance of being a professional ally to people in your network.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to develop and practice a personal strategy
for building connections through networking.
Overview Prepare for and attend a networking event. After the event, present a 5- to
7-minute speech to your club. Your speech can include a story or stories
about your experience, a description of what you learned, or a discussion
on the benefits of networking. Your speech may be personal to you or
informational about networking.
If you attend a non-Toastmasters event, you must sign the Project
Completion Form and give it to your vice president education.
 The Prepare to Network resource
 Attending a networking event
 The Project Completion Form
Barbara Lowe, DTM
22

Elective Project
Focus on the Positive
This project addresses strategies for improving your personal interactions by
understanding the impact of your attitudes and thoughts on daily interactions.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice being aware of your thoughts and
feelings, as well as the impact of your responses on others.
Overview Keep a daily record of your moods and attitudes for a minimum of two
weeks, noting when you feel positive or negative, your successes and
efforts, and three things for which you are grateful. Record and evaluate
any changes in your behavior or the behavior of those around you. At a
club meeting, share some aspect of your
experience. You may choose to schedule a 2-to 3-minute report or a 5-to
7-minute speech. After completing your speech, submit your signed Project
Completion Form to your vice president education to indicate you
completed the journal.
 Recording your daily moods and attitudes for a minimum of two weeks
 A 2- to 3-minute report or a 5- to 7-minute speech
Barbara Lowe, DTM
23

Elective Project
Inspire Your Audience
This project addresses how to present a speech in an enthusiastic and inspiring
fashion to establish a strong rapport with your audience.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice writing and delivering a speech
that inspires others.
Overview Select a topic with the intent of inspiring your audience and prepare a 5- to
7-minute speech for your club.
Barbara Lowe, DTM
24

Elective Project
Prepare for an Interview
This project addresses the skills you need to identify and speak about personal
strengths and present yourself well in an interview of any type.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to present
yourself well in an interview.
Overview Determine which type of interview you would like to practice, such as a job
or expert interview. Prepare by reviewing your skills and abilities. Complete
the resources in the project and give them to your interviewer before your
presentation. You determine which member of your club interviews you,
but your interviewer must be someone other than your evaluator. In a 5- to
7-minute role-play presentation at a club meeting, practice answering
interview questions to promote your skills, abilities, and experience.
 The Identifying Your Skills Worksheet
 The Interviewer Instructions resource
 A 5- to 7-minute role-play interview at a club meeting
Barbara Lowe, DTM
25

Elective Project
Understanding Vocal Variety
This project addresses the importance of vocal variety when giving a speech and
provides activities to develop and nurture its use.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice using vocal variety to enhance a
speech.
Overview Learn or review the importance of vocal variety. Use the exercises in this
project to improve your vocal variety skills. Then, present a 5- to 7-minute
speech on any topic at a club meeting. The primary focus of the evaluation
is your vocal variety.
Barbara Lowe, DTM
26

Elective Project
Active Listening
This project covers the difference between hearing and listening, and steps for
exploring the ways listening helps build strong, lasting connections.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to demonstrate your ability to listen to what
others say.
Overview At a club meeting, fulfill the role of Topicsmaster. As Topicsmaster,
comment on each speaker’s Table Topics® speech to demonstrate your
active listening skills. For example, you might say, “Thank you. That was a
compelling opinion on the benefits of gardening. I understand you feel
strongly that everyone needs to spend some time doing something they
love.”
 Serving as Topicsmaster at a club meeting
Barbara Lowe, DTM
27

Project
Barbara Lowe, DTM
Managing a Difficult Audience
This project covers common behaviors of difficult audience members and how to
address each behavior in a calm, effective and professional way.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to address
audience challenges when you present outside of your Toastmasters club.
Overview Prepare a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic of your choosing. You may
write a new speech or use a speech you presented previously. You will be
evaluated on the way you manage audience disruptions, not the content of
your speech. Before your club meeting, send the Role Play Assignments
resource to the Toastmaster and vice president education. As you present
your speech, respond to different types of difficult audience members that
disrupt you. The process of speaking and responding to audience
members will take 12 to 15 minutes.
28

Elective Project
Create a Podcast
This project addresses the skills you need to develop a podcast, create
interesting content and organize a cohesive program. You will learn how to
record and upload it to the internet.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the skills needed to
organize and present a podcast.
Overview Use this project and your own research to create a podcast. Record a
minimum of 60 minutes of content. You are free to divide the episodes as
you choose. Each separate episode must be at least 10 minutes, but may
be longer if it fits your topic and style. After you record all content, play a 5-
to 10-minute segment in your club. Introduce the segment in a 2- to 3-
minute speech.
 Recording 60 minutes of podcast content
 A 2- to 3-minute introduction speech
Barbara Lowe, DTM
29

Elective Project
Building a Social Media Presence
This project addresses how best to use different types of online communication.
You will create and maintain an online profile to promote yourself or an
organization.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to apply your understanding of social media
to enhance an established or new social media presence.
Overview Use this project and your own research to build a new social media
presence or enhance an existing presence. You may focus on a personal
goal (such as connecting with old friends or promoting a blog) or on a
professional goal (such as promoting a business or organization). Use the
tools you identify as best for you and your purpose. After you achieve your
goal, deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech to your club about your results,
experience, and the benefits of social media. Submit the Project
Completion Form to your vice president education to receive
credit for completing the project.
Note: With the vice president public relation’s approval, you may choose to
create a social media presence for your Toastmasters club.
 Establishing or enhancing a social media presence
Barbara Lowe, DTM
30

Elective Project
Write a Compelling Blog
This project addresses the basics of developing a compelling blog and
successfully engaging a readership.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to review or introduce the skills needed to
write and maintain a blog.
Overview Post a minimum of eight blog posts in one month. Your blog may be new or
one you have already established. You must receive approval from the vice
president education to blog on behalf of your club. Deliver a 2- to 3-minute
speech at a club meeting about the impact of your blogging experience.
You may choose to have your blog evaluated by members of the club.
Submit your signed Project Completion Form to the vice president
education to receive credit for this project.
 Maintaining a blog and posting at least eight times in one month
 The Blog Evaluation Form
Barbara Lowe, DTM
31

Elective Project
Barbara Lowe, DTM
Manage Online Meetings
This project addresses how to effectively conduct online meetings and webinars,
prepare and organize necessary visual aids, and lead with confidence.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice facilitating an online meeting or
leading a webinar.
Overview Conduct a 20- to 25-minute online meeting with fellow Toastmasters or a
20- to 25-minute webinar with visual aids for fellow Toastmasters. You
determine the topic of your meeting or webinar. Research and use
software that best fits your needs and geographic area. Invite your
evaluator to participate in the online meeting or webinar. If you complete
your assignment with non-Toastmasters, you must receive approval from
the vice president education and invite your evaluator to attend.
 The Online Meeting Agenda resource
 The Online Meeting Basics resource
 Planning and conducting a 20- to 25-minute online meeting or webinar
32

Elective Project
Question-and-Answer Session
This project addresses how to prepare to answer questions and provide
information clearly, concisely and with confidence.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to learn about and practice facilitating a
question-and-answer session.
Overview Select a topic of which you are particularly knowledgeable. Prepare and
deliver a speech on this topic, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Together, the speech and question-and-answer session must be 15 to 20
minutes. Use your time effectively to ensure both segments are completed.
Barbara Lowe, DTM
33

Elective Project
Public Relations Strategies
This project focuses on how to promote awareness of an organization, formulate
a public relations strategy and use various public relations tactics.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to effectively use
public relations strategies for any group or situation.
Overview Create a public relations plan for a real or hypothetical group or situation. If
it involves your club, it must be hypothetical unless you communicate with
the vice president public relations and club president. Share your plan in a
5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting. This speech is not a report on the
content of this project, but an example of how you will or might apply what
you learned.
 Creating a public relations strategy
Barbara Lowe, DTM
34

Elective Project
Manage Projects Successfully
This project focuses on skills needed to effectively manage a project, develop
rapport with stakeholders and cultivate strong relationships with a team.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice developing a plan, building a
team, and fulfilling the plan with the help of your team.
Overview Form a team of three to four people and choose a project. Create a plan for
your project and present the plan to your club in a 2- to 3-minute speech.
Work with your team to complete your project. Present a 5- to 7-minute
speech about your experience. This speech may be humorous,
informational, or any type of speech that appeals to you. It should not be a
report about the content of this project, but a reflection of your experience
applying what you learned.
Note: When considering projects to complete, refer to future projects on
your path. You may be able to use the assignment in this project to help
you prepare for the completion of an upcoming project.
 Building a team
 Creating a project plan
 The Project Plan resource
 A 2- to 3-minute speech about your plan
 Completing the plan with your team
 A 5- to 7-minute speech about your experience
Barbara Lowe, DTM
35

Project
Barbara Lowe, DTM
Prepare to Speak Professionally
This project is designed to help you define the attributes of professional speakers
and apply that understanding to your own skills as a speaker.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to practice developing and presenting a
longer speech.
Overview Write and present an 18- to 22-minute keynote-style speech. Exemplify the
point of view or message you would convey as a professional-level
speaker. You may choose to use visual aids if they fit your speech and
your style. Your speech may be humorous, informational, or any style that
appeals to you and supports your speech content. If you receive advance
approval from the vice president education, you may present your speech
to a nonToastmasters group.
 The Speech Outline Worksheet
 An 18- to 22-minute keynote-style speech
36

Project
Reflect on Your Path
This project is designed to give you an opportunity to share your experience at
the end of your path.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to reflect on your growth during the
completion of an entire path.
Overview At a club meeting, present a 10- to 12-minute speech to share your
experience completing your path. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on
how far you have come, summarize the skills you have learned and
developed, and to celebrate your achievements. Your speech can be
humorous, informational, or any style that that appeals to you and supports
your speech content.
 The Your Toastmasters Journey resource
Barbara Lowe, DTM
37

Elective Project
Lessons Learned
This project addresses how to identify the discussion points of a large group
meeting, encourage a culture of contribution and voicing opinions, and facilitate
productive discussion that yields results.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to learn about and apply the skills needed to
run a lessons learned meeting during a project or after its completion.
Overview Facilitate a lessons learned meeting for a team with which you are
completing or have completed a project. This meeting is separate from
your regular Toastmasters meeting. Organize and facilitate a discussion.
Record the results into a document you and your team members can use
to facilitate the current project or future projects. If you haven’t already,
give team members an opportunity to complete a 360° evaluation of you as
a team leader. (Use the 360° Evaluation resource.) Finally, present a 5- to
7-minute speech in your club about the lessons learned meeting or your
leadership experience.
 Facilitating a lessons learned meeting
 Documenting the results of the lessons learned meeting
 The 360° Evaluation resource
 The Lessons Learned Response Log
 The Metrics Log
Barbara Lowe, DTM
38

Elective Project
Moderate a Panel Discussion
This project addresses the skills needed to successfully moderate a panel
discussion and how to be an effective participant on a panel.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to apply your skills as a public speaker and
leader to facilitate a panel discussion.
Overview Plan and moderate a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion. The panel
discussion can be on any topic and may take place at a club meeting or
outside of Toastmasters with the approval of your vice president education.
Toastmasters who participate as panelists do not receive credit in
Toastmasters Pathways. When you have the opportunity, volunteer to act
as a panelist for another member completing this project.
 Planning and moderating a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion
 The Panelist Basics resource
Barbara Lowe, DTM
39

Elective Project
Ethical Leadership
This project addresses the importance of recognizing the effect of decisions that
impact ethics, best practices for making ethical decisions and developing an
ethical framework.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to develop a clear understanding of your own
ethical framework and create an opportunity for others to hear about and
discuss ethics in your organization or community.
Overview Define an ethical framework for yourself. To do this, you may need to
complete personal research beyond the contents of this project. Then,
organize and moderate a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion about ethics,
followed by a question-and-answer session. If you have never facilitated a
panel discussion, review the
“Moderate a Panel Discussion” elective project.
 The Ethical Framework resource
 Organizing and moderating a panel discussion as well as a question-and-answer
session
Barbara Lowe, DTM
40

Elective Project
Leading in Your Volunteer Organization
This project focuses on the skills required to lead in a volunteer organization and
the importance of recognition and reward in motivating volunteers.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to apply the skills needed to successfully lead
in a volunteer organization.
Overview Serve in a leadership role in Toastmasters or another volunteer
organization for at least six months. You may complete this project based
on your employment, but a volunteer organization is preferable. Ask
members of the organization to complete a 360° evaluation of your
leadership skills. Create a succession plan to aid in the
transition after you leave your position of leadership. After your six-month
term, deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to reflect on your
personal experience.
 Serving in a volunteer leadership role for a minimum of six months
 Conducting a 360° evaluation of your leadership skills
 Creating a succession plan
 The Succession Plan resource
Barbara Lowe, DTM
41

Elective Project
High Performance Leadership
The focus of this project is to design and complete a project with well-defined
goals, lead a team and be accountable to a guidance committee.
Purpose The purpose of this project is to apply your leadership and planning
knowledge to develop a project plan, organize a guidance committee, and
implement your plan with the help of a team.
Overview Select a project to complete with a team of at least three other members.
Form a guidance committee and meet at least five times through the
duration of the project. Deliver a 5-to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to
introduce your plan and vision. After you implement the plan, deliver a
second 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to share your experience
developing and completing your plan.
 Selecting, leading, and completing a project with a team
 Forming and meeting with a guidance committee at least five times
 The Guidance Committee Introduction resource
 The Meeting Agenda resource
 The Project Plan Overview resource
 The Project Plan resource
 The Vision Plan resource
 The Event Planning Worksheet
 Two 5- to 7-minute speeches
Barbara Lowe, DTM
42

Barbara Lowe, DTM
43

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