Your job as grammarian is to draw attention to use of language during the meeting. You can comment on any words addressed to the whole meeting by anyone: prepared speech, table topic, evaluation or announcement.
Make the role your own
Be ready to announce at the beginning of the meeting what you are intending to pay attention to. For example, some people mention hesitations and use of ‘um’ and ‘er’ or lazy words like ‘nice’. Others praise original use of words and phrases, and highlight expressions that helped them to visualise what the speaker was talking about. It is better if you make positive comments as well as pointing out shortcomings so that you contribute to the general helpful atmosphere of the club.
Word of the day
It is traditional, but not obligatory, to choose a word of the day. If you and the Toastmaster are particularly well organised, this will reflect the theme for the evening. The idea is to challenge speakers to slip your word in whenever they see the opportunity. It adds a bit of fun and may increase our vocabulary! Write your word in big, clear letters on two pieces of paper and bring them with you (as well as some sellotape or blu-tack).
On the night
You will have a minute or so to introduce your approach at the beginning of the meeting and explain your word of the day. When you have made your announcement, stick one copy of your word up where the audience can see it and the other where the speakers can see it.
As part of the general evaluation towards the end of the meeting, you will be invited to give your report in two to three minutes.
A day or two later – blog please!
Please log on to the website and write about the evening. There is no need for a formal, blow by blow account of every speech, just give us your impressions, praise a few people maybe, or mention something you learned. You can just give your grammarian’s report, it’s up to you. The purpose of this is to keep the blog fresh so that visitors to our website can see that we are a lively club and that hold regular, varied meetings.
Enjoy it and if you have any questions, contact the VP Education.