Toastmasters International hosts a variety of speech contests annually, providing members with opportunities to develop and showcase their public speaking skills. These contests typically begin at the club level, with winners advancing through Area, Division, and District competitions. The ultimate goal for participants in the International Speech Contest is to reach the World Championship of Public Speaking®.
The types of speech contests offered by Toastmasters include the International, Humorous, Evaluation, Tall Tales, Table Topics®, and Video Speech Contests. An Online Speech Contest is also available, allowing participants to compete remotely. Each contest type has specific rules and objectives designed to challenge different aspects of public speaking. For instance, the International Speech Contest requires contestants to deliver a five- to seven-minute speech on a topic of their choice, while the Table Topics® Contest involves impromptu speaking on a given subject. The Humorous Speech Contest focuses on thematic humor, and the Evaluation Contest assesses a participant's ability to provide constructive feedback on a test speech. The Tall Tales Contest encourages exaggerated and improbable narratives. The Video Speech Contest is specifically for un-districted clubs and provisional Districts and does not advance beyond the club level.
Preparation is a critical factor for success in Toastmasters speech contests. According to Andrew Dlugan of Six Minutes, preparation is the most critical discriminator between those who win and those who do not. The judging criteria for these contests are typically broken down into three main categories: Content, Delivery, and Language. Content accounts for 50% of the score, focusing on speech development, effectiveness, and value. Delivery makes up 30%, assessing physical presence, voice, and manner. Language accounts for the remaining 20%, evaluating appropriateness and correctness.
To excel in a Toastmasters speech contest, contestants are advised to craft compelling content that resonates with a broad audience, as universal themes often perform well. Incorporating humor can enhance a speech, even in contests not specifically focused on humor. Practicing the speech extensively, seeking feedback from others, and making improvements at each level of competition are also crucial. Contestants should aim for "magic moments" that make their speech memorable and ensure a strong, positive conclusion. The mindset of delivering an important message to the audience, rather than solely focusing on winning, can lead to a more passionate and effective performance.
The official rules for these contests are outlined in the Speech Contest Rulebook, which is updated annually. For example, the 2024-2025 rulebook was in effect from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and the 2025-2026 rulebook will be in effect from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.These rulebooks provide detailed guidelines for all aspects of contest administration, from contestant eligibility to judging procedures. Contest officials, such as the Contest Toastmaster, have specific roles, including briefing contestants, managing the speaking order, introducing speakers, and ensuring proper timing and ballot collection.
The most recent information available as of today, 2025-08-13, indicates that the Speech Contest Rulebook in effect is the 2025-2026 edition, which governs the International, Evaluation, Humorous, Table Topics®, Tall Tales, and Video Speech Contests from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
