How to Be a Good Grammarian in Toastmasters

At Toastmasters meetings, the grammarian provides feedback about what is said.

Ralph C. Smedley started the Toastmasters Club in 1924 as a way to help young members of the YMCA in Santa Ana, Calif. Deciding that the young men needed training in public speaking, he formed Toastmasters as a social club where they could learn in a supportive atmosphere. Toastmasters still upholds this goal, giving members an opportunity to provide feedback to one another in roles such as the grammarian. A good grammarian pays close attention to members' word usage, grammar and vocabulary, and introduces new or unusual words to the membership.

Things You'll Need

• Flip chart, poster board or blackboard
• Pen and paper, or grammarian's log

Instructions

1. Choose a word of the day a few days before your meeting, if your club does this.

2. Write your word and a short definition on a flip chart, poster board or blackboard in print large enough to be seen by members in the back of the room.

3. Compose a sentence illustrating the ways in which your word is used.

4. Compose a short description of a grammarian's duties for the enlightenment of all guests.

5. Put your visual aid at the front of the room before the meeting starts.

6. Bring a pen and paper to take notes or, if your club has a grammarian's log, ask the sergeant-at-arms for it.

7. Take your place after you are introduced and state the word of the day. Give its definition and part of speech, then use it in a sentence.

8. Request that other members who are speaking at the meeting use your word of the day.

9. Describe the grammarian's duties succinctly.

10. Listen to all members' language during the meeting. Make notes of misuses of language such as incomplete sentences and incorrect grammar. Note the names of those who make the errors.

11. Jot down the names of those who use the word of the day and whether they use it correctly.

12. Give your report when you are called on by the general evaluator during the evaluation portion of the meeting.

13. Cite instances of misuse of language and give constructive examples of correct usage.

14. State instances of language used creatively, which members used the word of the day and whether their usage was correct or incorrect.

15. Present your report to the treasurer following the meeting if your club collects fines for language infractions.

References

• Toastmasters International: Grammarian, the Syntax Sentinel