example toastmasters speech

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Toastmasters Speech # 1: Ice Breaker Speech

So you just joined Toastmasters and you need to do your Ice Breaker speech. Where do you start? 

In this article, you’re going to learn powerful ways to organize, rehearse, and deliver your speech so that it resonates with your audience. 

• What is the Ice Breaker Speech? 
• Why is the Ice Breaker Speech Important? 
• List of Topics to Get Started Immediately 
• How to Structure the Ice Breaker 
• Rehearsal and Delivery Tips to Stand Out 

What is the Toastmasters Ice Breaker?

The Ice Breaker speech is the first speech you give at Toastmasters. It’s the speech that introduces you to the rest of the members in that Toastmasters network. 

It’s often nerve-racking for people because they need to speak to a group of people that they don’t know.

But by following the advice of this article, you’ll learn how to do your very best on it and stand out from the rest. 

Ice Breaker Speech

Why The Ice Breaker Speech Is Important

This is one of the most important speeches that you’ll give at Toastmasters because it sets the foundation of who you are in everyone’s mind. 

Coming in, most of the members will know very little or nothing about you. This is the first time you share with them who you are, what your interests are, what you believe, and much more that’s either verbally or non-verbally said through your energy and body language. 

That’s just the reality of the Ice Breaker speech and this is the perspective that will last in their minds for a while until it slowly changes over time as they know you more. 

Now, with all of that said, it doesn’t mean you should be trying to do a perfect job with a flawless speech. That likely won’t happen, considering you’re there to work on your speaking skills. Most of the members will have empathy and understanding of where you’re coming from when you present because they had to do an Ice Breaker speech too. 

So, yes this speech is important but it also is okay to make multiple mistakes with it because it’s your first speech to the group. Plus, if you don’t do too well on it then you can only go up from there!

Just do the best you can, prepare how you can, and use this article as your guide.

List of Topics to Get Started Immediately

Now if the topic (you!) feels too broad and overwhelming, here’s a list of topics to narrow the scope and get you started: 

• Deep dive into a passion/hobby and why it’s important to you
• A common theme throughout your life
• How you got into your career
• Why you decided to start doing public speaking
• Family background and origin
• Challenges that you’ve overcome throughout your life
• Accomplishments you’re proud of
• Favorite travel experiences
• Different odd jobs you’ve done

How To Structure Your Ice Breaker

Now you’re ready to go. You’ve decided on a topic (or even a few) and you need to structure your speech. 

At a high-level, I recommend using what we call “The Arc” structure at Magnetic Speaking to section your speech into 3 parts. Generally, the 3 parts look like this: 

• Background – Talk about the background and history of how you relate to the topic 
• The Moment – Zoom into a specific moment that changed things or was significant in some way 
• From That Moment to Today – From that moment, move towards where you are today 

By using this framework, it makes it easy for the audience to understand the different pieces and ensures that you don’t try to cover too many narratives at once. 

Example: let’s say I was talking about why I decided to start doing public speaking. Here are some notes I would make to get started: 

• Background – Was always shy, hated speaking in front of groups, avoided presentations in my career, manager told me to start working on it but wasn’t really doing much 
• The Moment – Had someone else present a project I worked on for 6 months and I felt horrible about passing up the opportunity! Realized I needed to get better. 
• From That Moment to the Present – Started a leadership training, decided to join Toastmasters, say yes to presentations and that’s why I’m here today. 

After breaking the speech up into 3 parts like that, you just have to fill in the gaps with the details you want to add. This approach should make it less daunting! 

6 Rehearsal And Delivery Tips To Stand Out

1. Rehearse section by section

With the structure and content set, you want to nail your delivery. What you might do is look at your whole script and try to memorize the whole speech. This is a recipe for overwhelm. 

Instead, practice iteratively. Take the first part (the background) and practice that until it feels comfortable. Then practice the second and third parts before putting it all together. 

The benefit of practicing this way is that by the time you are practicing the last part, you already feel comfortable with the first 2 parts! This will boost your confidence as you approach the big day. 

2. Visualize your audience when practicing

This tip is simple and effective. By visualizing your audience when practicing, you’re familiarizing yourself with the environment you’ll be speaking in. Amazing studies have shown that your body will react to visualizations that your mind creates, so you can get some of those nerves out in the comfort of your own home. 

If you’re on a video call, then imagine you’re on that video call. The benefit is still the same. 

3. Speak to one person at a time

Imagine a sea of people looking at you. That’s what most people think of when they think of public speaking. But as we say at Magnetic Speaking, there is no such thing as public speaking, it’s just multiple 1-on-1 conversations. 

When you’re delivering the speech, focus on one person at a time. Deliver a piece of your message to that person and then move to someone else. You’ll feel less nervous (like it’s a personal conversation) and each person in the audience will feel like you’re speaking to them (because you are!). 

4. Slow Down

When doing your speech, you may feel nervous and that’s totally normal. Just be aware that when people get nervous they tend to go too quick with their speech and zoom through it as fast as possible just to be done with it. 

Instead, take a few deep breaths before going up there. Deep breathing will help shift your body from a nervous state to a more relaxed state. 

5. Modulate your voice

When people have a speech written and planned, they can get into their heads because they tend to try and remember exactly what they had written out which can cause a monotone speaking style. 

Being monotone is when there’re no fluctuations in tonality, word pronunciation, energy, or other delivery skills that engage people. 

Being monotone can be seen as boring, which can lose your audience’s attention. Instead, speed up your pace or drastically slow down your pace for emphasis at certain points of your Ice Breaker. 

Something else people do when nervous is they don’t ever slow down when speaking. They just talk as fast as possible to try and keep the group’s attention. I know I’ve been guilty of this. 

However, that only creates anxiety in the audience because they feel like they’re on a merry-go-round carousel that is only going quicker. 

Instead, you need to let there be empty space, dead air, and silence at certain points in your Ice Breaker speech to let the audience gather their thoughts, catch up to what you’re saying, and process all the information. 

Pausing can also be used to build up moments. For example, if your speech was about an experience you had, you could use pausing like this:

“Then I went to the lion exhibit. They were amazing animals because I felt the power from each roar, saw the striations of their muscles, and when the big one looked me right in the eyes… [pause]… I had lost my breath for a moment as I realized how insignificant my body compares to these creatures.”

To summarize, the Ice Breakers speech at Toastmasters is the first speech you give to that group. It’s the first time the members will get to know more about you and it’s your first chance to practice your presentation skills. 

Everyone there knows that the Ice Breaker is nerve-racking and no one expects you to knock it out of the park; or else why would you be there?

When going into your ice breaker speech just remember to trust yourself, slow down, and do the best you can without beating yourself up afterward. 

To see the ice breakers speech in action click here .

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 Toastmasters body language speech topics

60 vocal variety and body language speech topic suggestions.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

The fifth of the seven Level Two: Learning Your Style projects in Toastmasters International is "Effective Body Language".  Its main goal is to help a speaker become more aware of, and to effectively use, the power of body language.

Obviously some speech topics have more potential than others when it comes to deciding what you’ll talk about to fulfil the project’s purpose. What are they? And how do you choose the right one?

What's on this page

• What makes a good body language topic
• Choose a personal story
• Once upon a time: 20 topics from our youth
• 20 grown up body language speech topic suggestions
• Lessons from life: 20 slices of truth topic ideas
• About Toastmasters vocal variety and body language speech projects
• Further vocal variety and body language resources

What makes a good body language topic?

Body language is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as the conscious and unconscious movements and postures by which attitudes and feelings are communicated.

Therefore the very best speech topic you could choose is one that you are genuinely and sincerely interested in, even passionately so. The more feeling you have, the easier it will be to work on drawing out, refining, and amplifying your body language to enhance the delivery of your speech.

(Please note: These topics also suit the third project of Level One: Mastering Fundamentals: An Introduction to Vocal Variety and Body Language. Body language and vocal variety work side by side. To be effective, each must complement the other.) 

Return to Top

 Choose a personal story for the project

Personal stories work well. We can all recall events that are indelibly etched in our minds. We will always remember the sight, the sounds, maybe a smell, the feelings wrapping them around, who was there, the words that were spoken... The before and, the after.

Because what we’re sharing is meaningful to us, the gestures, the body language, we use as we retell the story will be natural: without conscious orchestration. This makes the delivery authentic and effective. Our words and our actions are in harmony.

Once upon a time time... 

The majority of these story ideas belong to our youth.

• How I learned to ride a bike
• My first day at school
• Family celebrations: birthdays, Christmas or its equivalent...
• The arrival of a baby sister or brother and what it meant
• Sibling rivalry: the good, the bad and the ugly
• My favorite childhood foods
• Things I learned I could get away with as a child
• The object (toy, book, piece of clothing or sports gear...) I most valued and why
• My idol or hero as a child or young person
• How I first learned about death
• My first friendship
• My favorite childhood fantasy
• The imaginary monsters that waited in the shadows to get me
• Who, and what, I wanted to become when I grew up
• My favorite hobby or sport as a young person
• The place I felt safest as a child
• My favorite places to visit as a young person
• The rooms, streets... I remember most clearly
• When I was a child I always wondered about..., or was puzzled by...?
• My earliest memories

 Story suggestions from our grown up adult lives

Firsts are often frequently and vividly remembered experiences that could be become the basis of a speech.

• My first job interview
• My first job
• My first date
• The first car I owned
• My first driving lesson
• My first Toastmaster’s speech – the story of getting ready to give, and giving, my Ice Breaker
• My first international travel
• The first time I realized I was completely out of my depth
• The first time I felt really proud of myself
• The first time I knew I was liked/loved for being exactly who I was
• The first time I saw my new-born child
• My first real home
• The first time I realized I was different in some way from the people around me
• The first time I went to hospital
• The first time I heard...{name of band playing, name of person speaking, singing, laughing, crying, shouting, or name of instrument: guitar, piano, drums, saxophone... etc.} I knew that...
• The first time I was completely lost for words
• The first time I questioned the rights and wrongs of a situation
• The first time I felt betrayed by someone I had looked up to
• The first time I was publicly acknowledged for doing something well
• The first time I realized how fortunate or lucky I was to be me

Lessons from life

Slices of personal truth served with a side of humor and grace on a bed of well seasoned story telling skills! ☺

Use your own experiences to show as well as tell what you have learned.

• How I recovered from knowing I was not the most physically beautiful person in the room
• What I’ve learned through years of people watching
• How the body language for friendliness is universal – eg. a smile goes a long way
• The truth behind power posing: how to, why to and when to
• How I learned to recognize fear in myself, and challenge it
• Body language gestures that do not translate well across cultures and cause misunderstandings
• How to tell when your child is lying and what to do about it
• How becoming aware of our habitual unconscious gestures and what they convey is empowering
• The most powerful words I know: Yes, no, mother, father, love, money...
• My most embarrassing experience
• How to tell who is the most well-regarded or influential person in a group
• The top tell-tale signs of anger that would be helpful for people to recognize before it was too late
• What does a feeling look like? Learning to read and communicate with non-verbal people
• Does fake it until you make it really work?
• How I learned I was not good at pretending to be someone I’m not
• How I learned I was going to recover from having my heart broken despite the pain
• How our habitual body language, (how we walk, stand, sit, use our faces...), impacts on our mental and physical health
• How seeing yourself giving a presentation on video is challenging but really helpful
• That the best things in life truly are free
• The one that got away: the job, relationship, fish...

Toastmasters vocal variety and body language projects

* In 2021 Toastmasters altered several Pathway p rojects. An introduction to vocal variety and body language became the third project of four in Level One: Mastering Fundamentals.

In Level Two: Learning Your Style, the project ' Effective Body Language' deepens the foundation work done in Level One, while vocal variety is revisited in Level Three: Increasing Knowledge.

Prior to the introduction of Pathways working with body language was the fifth project of ten required for the Competent Communicator award. It was called: Your Body Speaks.   

Further body language and vocal variety resources 

Onsite resources.

• 125 examples of narrative speech topics  - more great prompts to help you find the perfect personal story to share
• The vocal aspects of speech delivery - 9 features of effective speech delivery (which includes vocal variety)
• Why is eye contact important?  Information about eye contact with activities for teaching and practicing it
• Characterization techniques for effective storytelling in speeches : exercises to develop compelling body language and voice 
• Teach yourself body language : becoming aware of and working with our habitual unconscious body language and gestures to increase the effectiveness of our speech delivery

Offsite Toastmaster resources

• An Introduction to Vocal Variety and Body Language : Level One: Mastering Fundamentals, Toastmasters International, pdf
• Effective Body Language : Level Two: Learning Your Style, Toastmasters International, pdf

Other onsite resources for Toastmasters

Four themed sets of 20 table topic questions : Christmas, music, life-lessons and thought-provoking topic ideas. There's a printable for each set, plus an overview of table topics: its benefit, how a Toastmasters table topics session is run, what makes a good topic, the value of feedback, and more. 

Master your icebreaker for Toastmasters : a thorough step by guide, with examples, going from selecting a topic, writing and rehearsing, through to delivery. With an example icebreaker speech.

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Toastmasters Speech Ideas to Inspire Your Next Speech

Are you having a hard time finding the perfect toastmasters speech ideas? Is mind blanking every time you try to come up with a good topic? If you’re already racking your brain trying to figure out what to say in your next toastmasters speech, then read on!

As a toastmasters veteran , I have compiled some of the most interesting and inspiring toastmasters speech ideas so you can get some inspiration and be the star of the show. From the funny to the informative, these ideas will ensure your next toastmasters speech is one that your audience will remember. So get ready to fire up your speech-making engines and let’s get inspired!

Creative Topics for Toastmasters Speeches

When it comes to Toastmasters speech ideas, creativity is the name of the game. There are numerous creative topics from which speakers can choose when crafting their next big presentation. These topics range from humorous stories to strange historical facts and outlandish theories about why the world works the way it does. The best creative topics for Toastmasters speeches evoke vivid images in the listener’s mind and challenge them to think critically about the subject at hand. Some particularly effective topics of this type include: exploring the difference between fantasy and reality; sharing a story about an out-of-this-world experience someone has had; discussing what it means to be an outsider; recounting a dream that seems irrational but has come true; or pondering how life might be different if certain mythical creatures were real. These creative topics for Toastmasters speeches help engage listeners by appealing to their own creative spirit and get them thinking in new ways. Another interesting approach for creative topics for Toastmasters speeches is telling stories from history that contain humorous or tragic elements. Tales of famous figures such as King Arthur or Joan of Arc can capture people’s attention while also provoking thought as they consider how history shapes our present. Similarly, reflecting on memorable moments in one’s own life that highlight strong emotions such as regret or happiness can resonate well with listeners who may have experienced similar events in their own lives. No matter what type of creative topics for Toastmasters speeches one chooses to address, any good speech should strive to bring the listener along on a journey of imagination and contemplation. By engaging listeners in this type of dialogue, presenters are sure to captivate their audiences and create memorable presentations. Ready to take a look at using Debate and Persuasion within a presentation? In the next section we’ll explore different ideas on how debate and persuasion can enhance your next speech.

Debate and Persuasion Ideas

A great way to engage your audience and hone your public speaking skills is to offer up a topic that invites debate and persuasion. You can challenge the audience by asking them to take a side on a subject and then defending it with evidence. Make sure not to make any sides of the argument right or wrong but instead craft your speech around why each point of view is valid. Some classic topics for debate and persuasion are: Should the minimum wage be raised? Should taxes be lowered or increased? Should we have stricter gun control laws? Does prayer have a place in public schools? Are parents too protective of their children? Should animal testing be allowed in scientific research? Whatever you decide, ensure all arguments come from reputable sources and use facts wherever possible. To make your speech more memorable, consider introducing something personal about yourself that ties in with the issue at hand. Maybe your stance changes when talking about something with an emotional connection, such as sending troops into a foreign country, or censorship on public media. This helps humanize the situation, showing your audience the perspectives of both sides of the debate. It also lends greater resonance to the conclusion you draw – ensuring it will stick in your audience’s minds long after your speech has ended.

Making Your Speech Memorable

It can be difficult to make sure your speech stands out in the minds of your audience. To make your speech memorable, it is important to create a unique viewpoint and present interesting context for your message. Consider adding anecdotes, stories, jokes , or life lessons that your audience can relate to. This will help you highlight your key points and keep the audience engaged. You can also use a more sophosticated memorandum such as strong sound effects, visual aids , or dramatic pauses throughout your speech. For example; beginning with statistics that shock the audience and grabbing their attention before transitioning into a personal story – this could be especially effective if the topic is about change management. Furthermore, winding up with an engagingly inspiring moral at the end of the talk could make it even more memorable by providing a lasting impression of transformation. Nevertheless, when using these tools it’s important to remember not to overuse them or rely too heavily on these memory aids as they can distract from the content of your speech and may cause confusion for your audience.

Relevant Stories

Telling a relevant story can be an effective way to add color and context to any topic. Stories humanize ideas and can illustrate major points in ways that are more persuasive than simple facts and figures. When well-told, stories can make information memorable, draw out emotions from the audience, and make presenters stand out from the competition. Stories should always be carefully chosen for relevance. If your story does not fit in with the central point of your speech, it will come across as off-topic and tedious. It’s often best to choose stories that have personal significance rather than trying to tell any generic example. Additionally, remember to check the length of your story against the total time allotted for the talk. Longer stories must be cut short or used sparingly if a speaker wants to avoid overwhelming their audience. It is also important to find a balance between humorous and serious stories. Lightening up the mood can be beneficial at times unless overused; then it can become distracting or even unprofessional. Always strive to use stories that relate directly to your Toastmaster speech while also offering something special in terms of style or emotion. By considering these key points when choosing relevant stories for your Toastmaster speech, you can create an engaging experience for your audience that will leave a lasting impression. Moreover, these storytelling abilities will come in handy for just about any other public presentation you might tackle in the future.

Predictions and Emotional Reactions

Predictions and emotional reactions are great ways to get audiences engaged in a discussion. By making predictions up front, you can challenge the audience to think critically about what would happen if your prediction is correct. Similarly, eliciting an emotional response can enhance an audience’s engagement with your speech. When used thoughtfully and intentionally, predictions and emotional reactions can create interest around a topic by giving it a personal or real-world context. However, predictions and emotional reactions should be used cautiously as too much of either can lead to a tired or unmotivated audience. Furthermore, stirring strong emotion for the wrong reasons could lead to misunderstanding or arguments instead of thoughtful dialogue. When utilized responsibly, predictions and emotional reactions can enrich a speech and give it greater meaning. With the right tone and approach, they can provide context and pay off in the end to create a lasting impact on listeners.

Speeches with Meaning

Speeches with Meaning provide a unique opportunity to offer insight and commentary on current events. These types of speeches ask speakers to first identify an important issue or problem, then outline potential solutions or ways to address it. Speeches of this variety demand careful research and extensive knowledge of the topic. By thoroughly examining particular issues—such as racism, education disparities, and healthcare reform—public speakers can develop powerful arguments that can move audiences. When crafting a speech with meaning, it is important for public speakers to think beyond the surface level material. They must be able to effectively capture and dissect aspects of their topic in a way that offers fresh perspectives. A successful speech of this kind requires finding out what makes this specific issue urgent, why it is currently facing opposition, how people are affected by it, and any new developments concerning the issue. Speakers may also choose to debate both sides of an argument in speeches with meaning. Through exploring different angles or points of view on a subject written or oral debate can compel audiences to engage in thoughtful reflection on the topic at hand. Debating various sides of an argument may also provide public speakers with different ways to address pressing issues as well as potential solutions for resolving them. Ultimately, researching for and writing a meaningful speech provides public speakers with an opportunity to create a lasting impression on their audience. To ensure that speakers thoroughly understand the message they are trying convey, they should practice delivering their speech time and time again until they deliver it confidently and fluently enough to truly make an impact within their audience.

How to Find Interesting Facts

Finding interesting facts is a crucial step in preparing to give a Toastmasters speech . Start by identifying the key elements of your speech—such as the main point, audience, and the time allotted for speaking—which will help you determine what types of facts are most relevant. After that, it’s important to conduct thorough research to find reliable and accurate information. Look for sources such as books, online journal articles, industry experts, and interviews. Once you collect all of this data, you can easily organize it into categories or points on which you will base your speech. When selecting facts for inclusion into your speech it is important to stay objective without leaving out any crucial details. It can be tempting to pick only those facts which support your point of view but it’s important to include facts from both sides of the argument if you’re debating a topic. This not only allows the audience to understand both sides but also makes your argument more convincing if backed up with evidence about why one side outweighs the other. Additionally, keep your audience in mind when selecting facts and make sure they are appropriate level for them to understand and engage with your presentation. Now that you have identified interesting facts for your Toastmasters speech, it is time for the next step: tips for preparing to give a Toastmasters speech!

Tips for Preparing To Give a Toastmasters Speech

Preparing to give a Toastmasters speech can be a daunting task. It’s important to take the time to plan, organize and practice your speech. Here are some tips for getting ready: Research Your Topic: Before you can effectively address any topic, it is essential to do your research. Take the time to understand both sides of an argument – if applicable – and think about the facts and perspectives that each side holds. This will provide you with more to discuss during the speech and help inform your audience. Organize Your Thoughts: Once you have researched, start organizing the information in a logical fashion. Many Toastmasters speeches focus on objectives or points that will be addressed throughout the presentation. Make sure everything builds towards a clear statement or idea that resonates with the audience. Use visual aides when needed to break up sections of your talk and make it more engaging for the listener. Practice Public Speaking: The best way to become comfortable with public speaking is practice, practice and practice some more! No matter what level of experience Toastmasters have, there is always room for growth and improvement when it comes to speaking publicly. Practice your speech in front of a mirror, record yourself speaking, or practice in front of friends or family who can provide helpful feedback afterwards. Use Humor: A little bit of humor can really engage an audience and breathe life into any topic. If used correctly, this type of self-deprecatory humor can be an effective way to lighten up the mood in a presentation and also make it memorable for listeners. Be Prepared for Anything: As a public speaker, you should be prepared for anything that might occur during your delivery— including questions from the audience or technical glitches like malfunctioning audio visual equipment . If possible, rehearse answering questions from various sources so you feel comfortable responding on the spot during your presentation. End Strongly: Endings are often forgotten but they should stick firmly in the minds of listeners just as much as introductions and main points throughout a Toastmasters Speech. Summarize key points made in the speech at the conclusion or leave audience members with something thought-provoking; ending with something powerful will often leave an impression long after you’ve left the podium

Common Questions Answered

What are some tips i should keep in mind when researching toastmasters speech ideas.

When researching Toastmasters speech ideas, it’s important to remember a few key tips. First, make sure you have a clear and focused goal in mind. Take the time to think about what kind of message you want to convey and who your target audience is. This will help ensure that your research and speech are both tailored to their needs. Second, keep an open mind when researching potential ideas. Explore different angles, even if they may be outside of your comfort zone. The best speakers are those who can take an unexpected spin on a topic to make it unique and interesting. Third, use reliable sources to support your research. Look for authoritative websites and reputable books so you know your information is accurate and up-to-date. Make sure to also check out existing Toastmasters speeches for inspiration—seeing how others have approached similar topics can be very informative! Finally, use the resources at your disposal such as Toastmasters clubs or online forums for assistance in honing your idea. Finding people who can offer insight and feedback on your topic can be invaluable when it comes to creating a successful speech.

Questions are a great way to engage an audience and draw out interesting dialogue during a speech. They can be used strategically throughout the course of a speech to ensure each point resonates with the audience, furthering their understanding of the material at hand. Questions can pose reflections on past experiences, stir up curiosity about future outcomes, or even encourage participation in group exercises. Asking questions also helps to keep your audience active and attentive, rather than allowing the energy level to dip while you’re speaking. In addition to encouraging active participation among attendees, effective questions can have them thinking deeply about the content presented and make meaningful connections that they may not have otherwise made.

How can I find the best topic for my Toastmasters speech?

Finding the best topic for your Toastmasters speech can seem daunting at first, but by following a few simple steps, you can easily choose an inspiring and engaging topic to present. First, consider what topics appeal to your interests and strengths as a speaker. What topics do you find most interesting or are passionate about? Also think about topics that would compliment your personal experiences and stories; this will make it easier to craft a speech with natural enthusiasm. Once you’ve narrowed down some potential topics, consider the needs and interests of your audience. Keep in mind that the content should not only be relevant to them but also challenge their current way of thinking about the subject matter. It’s also important that you tailor the message depending on their age group, profession, background and culture. This will help ensure that your speech resonates with them. Finally, make sure to choose an interesting angle to explore with your topic. Doing a bit of research beforehand can help you uncover utterly unique aspects of your chosen topic which will make it more engaging. By considering both yourself and your audience when choosing a topic for your Toastmasters speech, you can be sure to present something captivating and inspiring!

What topics could I use for a Toastmasters speech?

For a Toastmasters speech, topics could range from personal experiences to lessons learned to humorous anecdotes. Depending on the level of difficulty and content desired, you could discuss anything from self-improvement tips to leadership advice. If you’re looking for an entertaining speech, consider telling a story with a moral lesson, or provide some humorous observations about life. If you’re going for something more serious and educational, try exploring current events and social issues. Additionally, timely topics like health trends and technological advancements are great sources of inspiration, as well as publishing books or producing movies that talk about the same important topics in your community or industry. The beauty of Toastmasters speeches is there is no one-size-fits-all approach; people have the freedom to explore virtually any topic they want. So get creative and think outside the box – find something meaningful and inspiring that resonates with you; Chances are your audience will appreciate it too!

What resources can I use to find sample topics and ideas for my Toastmasters speech?

There are a variety of resources available to help find sample topics and ideas for a Toastmasters speech. The most obvious one is the Toastmasters’ website itself, which is filled with great information about upcoming topics, samples of speeches from other members, and how-to articles about crafting effective speeches. In addition, there are many websites that contain extensive lists of possible Toastmasters speech ideas, such as Pro Speech Writer, which offers numerous ideas categorized into different categories. There are also plenty of books available specifically devoted to speech writing and speaking in general. Other helpful resources include blogs dedicated to giving tips on presenting and public speaking, such as https://icebreakerspeech.com. Not only do these sites have useful advice on crafting persuasive presentations, they also have tons of inspiring examples of past speeches written by successful presenters. Finally, if you need some assistance coming up with creative speech ideas that are tailored for a specific audience or occasion, there are even professional speechwriting services available online that specialize in customized scripts for all kinds of occasions .

Toastmasters Speeches

This free resource of sample Toastmasters speeches has tips, techniques and examples of topics and ideas for writing your speech or presentation.

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Toastmasters Speech 4: How to Say It

Do you write your speeches with encyclopedic diction?

Do you draw your speechwriting inspiration from legal documents?

Technical writing, essays, financial reports, and legal writings all have their place — but none of them belong in your speechwriting .

Speeches which use simple, conversational language are more enjoyable to listen to, easier to follow, and more likely to be remembered.

The fourth Toastmasters speech project guides you to use simple, but descriptive language in your speeches. This article of the Toastmasters Speech Series examines the primary goals of this project, provides tips and techniques, and links to numerous sample speeches.

• The Ice Breaker
• Organize Your Speech
• Get to the Point
• How To Say It
• Your Body Speaks
• Vocal Variety
• Research Your Topic
• Get Comfortable with Visual Aids (coming next)
• Persuade with Power
• Inspire Your Audience

Why is This Speech Important?

The aims for this speech project focus on your selection of words and phrases:

• Choose words and grammar which communicate clearly.
• Choose words and grammar which appeal to the senses.
• Eliminate jargon.

Tips and Techniques

1. choose descriptive or story-based topics.

Any topic can work, but to flex your speechwriting muscles, choose a topic which lends itself to vivid descriptions. Speeches based around stories or experiences will challenge you to select words and phrases to transport your audience from their chairs to the setting where your speech takes place.

2. Use Sensory Language

Make your audience see what you see, feel what you feel, taste what you taste, smell what you smell, and hear what you hear. In short, draw upon all five senses to create a completely immersive description. Transport your audience to a movie theatre by describing:

• Sight: the dizzying special effects of the martial arts scene
• Smell: the wafting aroma of buttered popcorn
• Sound: the booming surround-sound effects which made you jump from your seat
• Taste: the sweet licorice Twizzlers which melt in your mouth
• Touch: the claustrophobic squeeze of your knees pressed into the seatback in front of you

3. Use Repetition Wisely

Repetition of phrases throughout a paragraph, and repetition of sentences throughout your speech make your speech memorable. Wrap your speech around a signature phrase.

4. Avoid Topics About Words or Language

I often see Toastmasters choosing topics for project 4 which are about words or some other aspect of language, like poetry or figures of speech. For example, both Barren Words and Metaphors (by Oleg) and Swearing (by Andrew E. Scott) are very interesting speeches with language themes.

However, I recommend against choosing this type of topic. Rather than talking about words , let the focus be on your use of words , phrases, and grammar. Similarly, for project 5 (your body speaks), you should choose a topic that allows you to use your body , not a topic that is about body language . Further, in project 8 (get comfortable with visual aids), you will learn more by using visual aids to enhance your message rather than talking about projectors or flip charts.

What I Did for Speech 4

I wanted to choose a topic that would allow me to employ sensory words, so I elected to speak about my recipe for barbecued hamburgers.

The title of my speech was Recipe for Love, although it came to be known by its signature phrase (“the Meat, the Method, and the Merge”).

Speech Organization

The speech was organized quite simply around the burger preparation process:

• Introduction — I introduced the topic by placing it in the context of things which had been said the previous week and were thus familiar to the audience.
• The Meat — Preparation of the burger patties
• The Method — Cooking the patties
• The Merge — Combining the patties with the bun, “fixings”, and condiments
• Conclusion — Quick summary which restated the signature phrase in the speech.

Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical devices employed in this speech:

• Alliteration : “ t asty t ips”, “ b rilliant b arbecued b urgers”, “the m eat, the m ethod, and the m erge”, “ p ersonally p repared p atties”, “ m anufacturing a m outhwatering m asterpiece for your m ate”
• Repetition : “the meat, the method, the merge” was used throughout the speech

Sensory words and phrases

I deliberately crafted the speech so that it would appeal to all five senses:

• Sight — “could cause flames to shoot up, enveloping your burgers”, “pleasing cross-hatch pattern”, “feast for the eyes as well as the palette”
• Smell — “The spiced butter will start to percolate through the meat and will release aromas that will make you the envy of the neighborhood”
• Sound — “you’ll hear the pleasing crackle of the barbecue”
• Taste — “spicy butter mixture”, “crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, onions with pop, sweet pickles, chili peppers, smoky bacon”
• Touch — “take each patty in the palm of your hand, and press down forming a valley”, “massage the patty into a pleasing thickness and shape”

Topic Ideas for Toastmasters Speech 4

The Impossible Task by Sara Piaskowy (written)

• Alliteration : “The task seems impossible, insurmountable, the idea is incomprehensible!”, “Sometimes it is staccato, sometimes smooth”
• Repetition : “smell” repeatedly (see below), “Now I LOVE mangos. Love in capital letters L.O.V.E. mangos.”; “I have learned how…” used in three consecutive sentences; “Burkina Faso has…” in four consecutive sentences near the conclusion.
• Simile : “the time like sand slipping through the hour glass”, “hit you like a brick wall”, “the strength and intensity of the heat makes you feel like the sun has come unhinged and is on a trajectory path headed straight towards you”
• Metaphor : “colors that can lift even the saddest of moods”
• Sight — “a river of motos zooming past”, “Ruffles and feathers and zigzag hem lines”
• Sound — descriptions of music, “when there is no music… the sound of the language is what is entrancing”, “sing song, up and down, loud and soft quality to what I hear”
• Touch — descriptions of dry, reddish dust everywhere; extreme heat
• Smell — “there are several types of smells; there are rancid smells, urine smells, the smell of garbage, a body odor smell, dried fish smells, and don’t forget the smell of exhaust or the unpleasant odor of burning plastic which somehow wafts through your house unannounced.”
• Taste — mangoes and other fruits, rice with red sauce, etc.

1, 2, 3… Full stop! by Shrilatha Putthi (written)

• Repetition — “3-speech Toastmaster” is repeated many times in the speech; “nightmarish nightmare”
• Similes — too many to list (how many did you find?). Many go culturally beyond my North American roots, but one must remember that Shrilatha’s audience would be quite familiar with these cultural references.
• Alliteration — “tormenting truth”; “fun and frolic”; “gloriously grand gold”
• Triad (several are alliterative too) — “dejected, disgusted, and devastated”; “enjoyment, excitement, entertainment”; “I was, I am, and I will be…”

Get Your Motor Running by Karen Woodson (video)

• Simile : “hit me like a ton of bricks” [0:57]
• Sound : “and then the powerful statement ‘Gentlemen, Start your engines’ is announced over the loud roar of the audience” [1:25]
• Sight : “a night race when the lights reflect off the shiny paint” [2:25]; numerous references to flags of different colors flying
• Triad : “bone-jarring, teeth-gnashing, wheel-spinning crash” [4:05]
• Alliteration and Triad : “covered in confetti and either champagne, coca-cola, or gatorade” [5:55]
• Another descriptive phrase : “as the rubber burns… roar of the engines… only during ‘cautions’ do the crowds relax enough to sit down” [3:35];

The House on Silver Spring Lake by Leena Oh (video)

The opening paragraph embodies the goals of this project wonderfully. Fifty-nine words, and Leena uses sensory phrases which draw upon all five senses :

Imagine waking up in the morning, the sun streaming through the pine branches into your bedroom window (sight) . You hear birds chirping (sound) , and woodpeckers tapping for their breakfasts (sound) . It’s chilly, so you try to stay in the warmth of your covers (touch) as long as possible, but you can’t resist the smell of breakfast and coffee (smell) drifting up from the kitchen.

Further, note that of those 59 words, only three have more than two syllables: imagine, woodpeckers, and possible.

More Examples of How to Say It

Here are a few more sample written and video speeches which may provide inspiration for you.

Written Speech Examples

• The Brain is Our Universe by Edwin Vinas Edwin provides a detailed analysis of his goals for the speech, and the audience reactions he hoped to provoke. This analysis includes a review of the rhetorical devices he employs.
• My Uncle Dinny by Séamus McInerney Filled with sensory phrases. e.g. “ We would have tea stretched out before the cream coloured range. I can still smell the turf fire and hear the big clock ticking as it always did. “
• The Greatest Thing I’ve Done by Noryfel Bien The opening is especially strong for two reasons: 1) It darts through a series of descriptive experiences that are easily visualized. 2) It uses repetition effectively. “ I haven’t ” and “ I’m not ” are used multiple times before the key transition phrase “ I am a teacher ” which leads into the body of the speech.
• Are you getting the most out of your chocolate by Lu The choice of topic allows numerous taste, smell, and touch sensory phrases.
• Fueling the Cooking by Les Aquino
• Apocalypse Now by Nitesh Luthra
• You’re What You Eat for Your Breakfast by Amit Bhatnagar
• The Key to Understanding Me by comment dit-on

Video Speech Examples

• How to Keep a Conversation Going by Jason McGarva
• People Who Have Inspired Me by Pa Toastmasters member
• Why Skill Based Play is Good by Paul Miller
• Unknown by Capital Communicators member
• Kindergarten by Michelle Cohen
• Say Cheese by Sherry Lu
• Our Motivations by Eric Brown
• Unknown by Deepak Mittal
• Unknown by Daniel Habedank
• China is My Future by Beau
• The Decline of the U.S. Dollar by Elie Ishag
• Goodbye by Zeki Yimdirim
• How to eat during the holidays by Mary Ann
• The Art of Communication by Shenequa Mitchell
• The Language of Play by Emilie Staryak
• Profits of the Journey by Rosetta Ishag
• So Many Topics, So Little Time by John Armstrong
• The Endangered Species Act by Elizabeth Guzman
• Where Words Can Lead You by Arnie Buss
• Unknown by Tom Wilson

Next in the Toastmasters Speech Series

The next article in this series examines Toastmasters Speech 5: Your Body Speaks .

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27 comments.

This article is chock full of excellent resources and examples. VERY informative. Do you have something in the archives similar to this about speaking humorously?

Wow! Talk about in-depth analysis!

I love your website. There is so much wonderful content and outstanding information here.

Great place to start finding information for any Toastmaster out there.

Love the in-depth content that you havce hear. Anyone wanting to know what Toastmasters is all about and what each speech entails can learn a lot from these articles and your site!

Keep up the good work

hi, i made a post about ur blog… thanks again..ur on my blog roll

Hey Dlugan, Great stuff!

This is a blog-post on my Project 4 speech. http://blog.kaushikgopal.com/2008/09/nightmarish-nuisance.html

In the actual speech, I tamed the use of some words, and gave more emphasis on my vocal rendition and body-language(Although we have future projects concentrating on these, I believe “How to Say it” greatly does constitute of these factors as well)

It is very helpful to see so many resources listed at one place. Thanks for putting it together..Appreciate it!

BTW, Where can I find a text or a video of your speech “Recipe for Love” (”the Meat, the Method, and the Merge”). This would be very helpful too..

Regards, Krishnaveni Krishnarajah

Hi! Your website is brilliant! I shared it with some Toastmasters here in Brunei. It makes a great supplement to the CC manual!

My Project 4 speech was an informative speech Daffodils. I thought it was an apt topic since our club is called “Daffodils Toastmasters”. This gave me opportunity to use lot of rhetorical devices based on William Wordsworth’s poem on Daffodils “I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud” http://toastmasterspeeches.blogspot.com/2009/03/project-4-speech-daffodils.html

This is a great subject topic which has helped me understand the purpose of the CC speeches. I have used a lot of the information on your site and have done very well so far. I do hope that you get the rest of the CC speeches up to help others. I am on CC#7,8, and 9 coming up, so I imagine they will be behind me though I expect to find a lot of helpful information regardless! Thanks!

Veru useful! Thanks a lot for your feedback. Romina

Excellent site for anyone in Toastmasters or looking to improve communications skills. I have used the site during my 10 cc speeches and the tips have been a tremendous help. Best wishes

I’m listening to the hum of the bus as I’m on my way to see my brother and the thought occurred to me to write my next Toastmasters speech but I didn’t have my manual. I’m glad I found this, it is very inspiring! I feel like I have all the tools to write an awesome speech. Thanks!

I’m doing my Speech 4 soon, this is a great site and you have given me some good advice. Hopefully you’ll write articles for speeches 8,9, and 10 before I do mine 🙂

I just finished Speech 4 at my Toastmasters Club. I used the description of what you did for speech as the model. I wrote the inital speech and then added the repetition, Rhetorical Devices and Sensory words and phrases during the editting process. It was my best speech so far. Thank you.

This website is really useful for the in depth analysis, quality speeches to present.

Regards Pranath Ch

Thank you for your guides and a lot of speeches as an example. I’m member of Toastmaster club in english in México and your page is very helpful. Recently I lost my job and I feel very sad, sometimed I have been thinkining could be better to die, but TM and to be interested in improve my communication skills gave me strong to see a nice path.

I know this is not the end of the times and when I read you fight trying to avoid the suicide you teach me other way to think in the best things of the life. Thank you for the hope and I’ll be waiting for the speeches 8, 9 and 10 of TM.

Warm regards,

Hello June, I hope you were joking with even the thought of suicide. Please reach out to someone for help. I beg this of you.

This was very helpful. I’m on speech 4 now and was struggling to find a topic. Thank you for sharing this!!!

Thanks Andrew. That was really helpful.

This series is fantastic. I joined Toastmasters 6 weeks ago and am about to prepare speech 3. I was all set to discuss the difference between alliteration and assonance when I read this. Now I will store that one for another time and change this one to a descriptive tale. I’ll discuss a trip to France or Italy, I think. Your blog has helped my first two speeches and I’m sure will continue to do so in the future.

I mean that I’m preparing speech 3 but already thinking about 4.

Your website is soooo helpful. I just wanted to say thank you for all your great work! I’m working on my CC at the moment and the detail you contribute is great!

Many of these topics overlap with my website. http://www.believeinyourpurpose.com

Hope you will enjoy it as I do yours:)

thank you for very inspiring articles, looking forward to many more.

Excellent tips. Thanks!

Hi, I would appreciate speech evaluation tools as well as pointers for creating speeches.

Very inspiring! Thank you very much!

Thank you Andrew. I have bookmarked this site. I also joined TM last November and your site very useful towards my preparations. Well done keep it up.

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Updated Toastmasters Speech Series: Your Guide to the First 10 Speeches | "Public Speaking in Singapore" — Apr 25th, 2011

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ICE BREAKER SPEECH SAMPLE (TOASTMASTERS)

The icebreaker speech sample will help anyone worried about doing their first speech.

The first time you get a chance to do a speech in front of a crowd is a huge challenge. Especially if your audience is new to you. The amount of pressure you feel will be multiplied. Usually, when you are doing the first speech to a crowd, it is called an “Icebreaker”.

In this article, I will briefly talk about the icebreaker speech. I will share an icebreaker sample speech for you to get started.

What is an Icebreaker speech?

Icebreaker speeches are designed to help both the speaker and the audience to get to know each other. This can help you to break the ice between you and your audience.

When you join the Toastmasters Club you have to do an icebreaker speech. Usually, after you join the club, you will be assigned to a senior member (mentor) and also you have to select a pathway program.

I chose the “Presentation Mastery” pathway program. Usually, that is the recommended program if you are a new member. So in this program, they have guided steps for you to get ready for your icebreaker.

What are the objectives of an Icebreaker speech?

The main objective of doing an icebreaker speech is to introduce yourself to the other members. At the same time by completing the icebreaker speech, you will learn how to prepare and structure a public speech properly.

You have the chance to establish yourself as a member of the club. By sharing your personal stories and your goals you can form a good relationship with your club members. Remember you need your member’s help to be a great toastmaster. They are one of the important parts of your success.

Icebreaker Speech Sample

This is the first speech I delivered as a Toastmaster . I was nervous and I made a lot of mistakes. But I will share the whole speech as it is without any changes.

Fortunately, I won the best-prepared speech award for my speech. But after I got the evaluation I realized I included too much information here. Because of that, I had to speak dast to finish within the allocated time. So If you are going to read this speech make sure to structure your speech to finish within 4 to 6 minutes.

Enjoy my icebreaker speech sample.

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 in any other style that appeals to you. 

Time 4- to 6-minute

Title: Saying It’s ok

Dear Toastmaster of the day and my fellow Toastmasters let me start this icebreaker by giving you a challenge. 

I hope you have a good memory.  So, I challenge you to remember my name by the end of this speech. And I’m going to say it only twice. 

The other day when I went to the clinic to get vaccinated, I had to wait in front of the nurse at the reception for a few minutes. She was beautiful in her pink uniform. First, she looked at me, and then she looked at the application I wrote. And I knew she was struggling to say my name. 

Then she started calling my name. 

” ke……..heru…….wa……raga..” 

She looked like a foreigner who tried to read Japanese for the first time. 

So I smiled and said.”It’s ok. Don’t worry. Its Kehelwala Gamaralalage Kalinga Nirosh”

As a Sri Lankan, I have a pretty fantastic, long name. When I`m introducing myself to foreigners, especially to beautiful Japanese ladies, I repeat my name several times. I consider it a fortune.  It gives me a chance to interact with people more

I was born and raised in Sri Lanka. Although I like eating spicy foods, when I moved to Japan I fell in love with Somen. My first introduction to Japan was Kyokushin karate. As a small kid, I watched my brother practising karate.  For a while, I thought Japanese people always greet each other with “oss”. 

The first time someone punched me in the face I didn’t tell It’s ok/Daijoubu desu. I Said some nasty things. and I went home and said to my father I’m not going back. My father is a tough man. He was working as a military officer.  He holds my shoulders. And said “It’s okay to get punched in the face. Because that’s how life works. But it’s never ok to quit.” 

The next day I punched the bully without any fear. Unfortunately, my mom got mad at me for getting into a fight and my father got scolded for giving bad advice.

Anyway I started to say “It’s ok” to challenges and

At the age of thirty, I got a chance to study abroad. I chose Japan. leaving my family and home was one of the hardest decisions I made. But I said to myself “It’s ok”.

living in a foreign land without your family and friends is difficult and it’s a challenge. 

But I like challenges. I usually watch TED talks and inspirational speeches. When I watched Toastmaster Dhananjaya Hettiarachchis’s speech it motivated me to challenge myself. 

So I decided to join a Toastmasters club and sent emails to several clubs. I got two replies. One was short and the other one was long. I read the long email and decided to join that club. During the first meeting, I tried to find someone looks like me. But I was the only foreigner. At the end of the meeting, they held a chat time and asked me so many questions.

So I asked myself “Am I ready to join this club? I am the only foreigner here. I can’t speak fluently”

But I said to myself “It’s ok。”

My fellow Toastmasters, here I am, doing my first Icebreaker in front of prestigious members of this club and I feel happy. This was possible because I decided to say “It’s okay” to the challenges I faced.

This life is full of challenges. But by saying it’s ok to your worries, to your negative feelings you can turn those challenges into opportunities. No matter which age we are or which background we are from let’s make our life more colorful by saying it’s ok.

As for the challenge, I know some of you couldn’t remember my name. For that, I say It’s ok. Because we have enough time to get to know each other. And I thank you all for making me feel welcome in this club. 

Over to you Toastmaster of the Day.

Icebreaker speech is the chance to introduce yourself to your audience. It helps anyone to break the ice between them and their audience. In Toastmasters, you can follow the icebreaker assignment. It will help to structure your icebreaker speech properly.

Icebreaker is the best opportunity to make a great impression. So grab the attention of your audience, share your life story, and tell them your goals.

Here I shared my first speech. This Icebreaker speech sample will help you to get an idea. If you need any other information leave a comment below and subscribe to our newsletter.

Good luck with your icebreaker speech. You can do this. Be brave. Speak without fear .

Check out these 3 Icebreaker Speech Examples for you to get more comfortable with the idea of doing your own.

6 thoughts on “ICE BREAKER SPEECH SAMPLE (TOASTMASTERS)”

I’m looking forward to learning more….

Thanks Barbara. Good luck on your public speaking journey.

Thanks Rithu.

This help me a lot!

Thanks. Keep working towards your public speaking goal. Good luck. 

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