How long does it take you to write a speech for Toastmasters?  The process can be arduous and time-consuming.  Choosing a topic, doing hours of research, brainstorming for ideas, and then sorting through the main ideas to create some structure, before you finally sit down to write your speech.  

Then comes the challenging part.  Crafting a dynamic introduction, reinforcing your points with visuals and anecdotes, and concluding memorably. It can be a challenging and frustrating endeavour.

Well, what if I told you that you can say farewell to writer’s block and procrastination?  Let me introduce you to a revolutionary tool that will transform your Toastmasters speechwriting journey – artificial intelligence software, specifically ChatGPT. You can use ChatGPT to brainstorm speech ideas, create a structure for your speech, develop a catchy title, and even get it to evaluate your speech before you present it at your club.  How good is that?

 BRAINSTORMING

Imagine having a brainstorming session with a brilliant friend who never runs out of ideas.  With ChatGPT, you can do just that. Using a prompt such as, “I’m working on a speech about [   ].  Can you suggest some ideas to include in the speech?”,  ChatGPT will flood you with creative suggestions.  In fact, it will provide more than you can include in a 5 to 7-minute Toastmasters speech so I suggest that you choose the two or three suggestions that resonate with you and that will fit your speech time limits.

STRUCTURE

Once you have chosen your ideas, organising them into a coherent structure is vital.  By prompting, “Can you provide me with a clear structure that includes the key points and sub-points?”, ChatGPT will seamlessly organise your content.

INTRODUCTION

You know that an attention-grabbing hook and dynamic introduction are essential in immediately captivating your audience.  You could ask ChatGPT, “Can you create a dynamic hook and introduction that will grab the audience’s attention?”  If you are not completely happy with the suggestion, you can click Regenerate and it will offer another compelling option.

BODY

The body of your speech is where your main argument unfolds.  To enhance your main points, you could ask ChatGPT,  “Can you recommend eye-catching visuals that would enhance my slides?”  You can incorporate these visuals alongside your own personal anecdotes and real-life examples to create a powerful speech.

CONCLUSION

A memorable conclusion is key to leaving a lasting impression.  And what do you want the audience to do with the information you provided in your speech?  You could ask ChatGPT,  “Can you create a memorable conclusion and include a call to action?”  Again, if you are not completely happy with the suggestion, click Regenerate until you find the perfect conclusion for your speech.

TITLE

Crafting an intriguing title can pique your audience’s interest even before you start speaking.  Challenge ChatGPT with,  “Can you create 10 catchy titles for this speech?”   Choose the one that resonates with you and sets the stage for your talk.

EVALUATION

Before presenting your speech to your Toastmasters club, you can have it evaluated by ChatGPT.  Copy and paste your speech with a prompt like, “Can you give me feedback on this speech: [copy & paste your speech]?”  Use the feedback to refine your content further.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Remember, while ChatGPT is incredibly helpful, it’s not flawless.  Take the time to critically evaluate the suggestions and correct any errors.

Secondly, do NOT just copy and paste the information it provides.  Your speech is your voice.  Your audience does not want to hear generic information supplied by artificial intelligence.  Blend ChatGPT’s assistance with your personal anecdotes and real-life examples to create a genuine connection with your audience.

So, fellow Toastmasters, let ChatGPT be your partner in crafting your perfect speech.  Not only will it save you a lot of time but it will provide you with a lot of invaluable ideas and inspiration as you travel on your Toastmasters speechwriting journey.

~ Tom Wilde is a member of Alpha Toastmasters Club