In Toastmasters meetings, a Grammarian is a designated role focused on improving members' grammar, vocabulary, and overall language usage. This role is crucial for enhancing communication skills within the club by providing constructive feedback on both effective and ineffective language use during speeches and other meeting segments.
The Grammarian's responsibilities encompass several key areas, starting with preparation before the meeting. A primary duty is to select a "Word of the Day" that is challenging yet accessible, encouraging members to incorporate it into their speech. This word should ideally be an adjective or adverb, as these are often easier to integrate into natural conversation. The Grammarian prepares a definition, usage examples, and visual aids (such as large printouts of the word) to display prominently during the meeting. They also prepare an introduction to explain their role and introduce the chosen word.
During the meeting, the Grammarian actively listens to all speakers, noting both exemplary language use and areas for improvement. This includes identifying grammatical mistakes, mispronunciations, incomplete sentences, malapropisms, and filler words like "ums" and "ahs". Beyond errors, they also highlight effective rhetorical devices such as alliteration, anaphora, similes, metaphors, and hyperbole, celebrating powerful and vivid language. The Grammarian tracks the usage of the Word of the Day, noting who uses it and whether it's used correctly. Some clubs, like UGA Griffin Campus Toastmasters, even use "jazz hands" to celebrate correct usage of the Word of the Day, making the learning process more engaging.
At the end of the meeting, the Grammarian delivers a comprehensive report when called upon by the Toastmaster or General Evaluator. This report details observations on grammar, vocabulary, and the Word of the Day usage. When addressing errors, the Grammarian aims to offer the correct usage rather than simply pointing out what was wrong, fostering a supportive learning environment. The most effective Grammarians adopt a holistic approach, focusing on how language contributes to the speaker's overall message and providing positive feedback to encourage growth. This role not only sharpens the Grammarian's own listening and analytical skills but also contributes significantly to the communication development of all club members.
