Using the Word of the Day

    * This tip is geared toward Toastmasters* members, but can be useful for other types of speakers who want to integrate new words into their vocabularies.

In many Toastmasters clubs, a Word of the Day (WOD) is selected for each club meeting. Often, using the Word of the Day (WOD) is required for all members who participate in the Table Topics portion of the meeting. Members who don’t use the WOD are not eligible to win the much coveted Best Table Topics ribbon!

How does one remember to integrate a new word during the high-stress situation of speaking off the cuff? Here are a few tips:

1. As soon as you see the WOD, think of a sentence in which to use it. The sentence can be an introductory or closing sentence (general in nature) or it can be specifically related to the night’s theme.
2. For those who continually forget to use the WOD, it is helpful to use it RIGHT AWAY when responding to the Table Topics question. If you wait, you’ll likely get caught up in the moment and it will slip your mind.
3. Try to use the WOD earlier in the meeting as well, such as in your response to the introductory question or in your role introduction. This way, you’ll warm up to using the word and it will be more natural to use it in your Table Topics response.

If you like the Word of the Day, try using it the next day as well. That will increase the likelihood of the new word being integrated into your vocabulary. Just think… one day you might be rattling off “$10 dollar words” with ease!

Source: Debbie Roes, Pacific Beach Toastmasters

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