Toastmasters International WCPS Semifinal 2- Review- Shayak Chandra
Contestant 1: Akili E Atkinson
Speech Title: Heads or Tails
Starts with tossing a coin and asks if Luck is a flip of a coin, would you say heads or tails? That's an interesting question to put at the start.
Confident body language. Put facts and research about luck in her speech which I think substantiated her message. To be honest I don't find her personal story very compelling but the message resonates with me and I am sure with a lot of people. Also, I expected a stronger premise building before giving out the message. Although I don't expect it to be Chris Nolan's movie but everything was too predictable.
Best Part: When she puts up a thought-provoking question: How many times have we confused our talent with luck?
Message: You control your future based on your own actions.
Salient Features: Very confident body postures and a great vocal variety while she displays some characterization. Tying back the conclusion with what she started- Tossing the coin.
Rating: 6.8/ 10
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Contestant 2: Josef Victor Chiongbian
Speech Title: It does not matter
This contestant truly enjoyed what he said and I think that's very important.
An interesting start with a conversation with his dad. The speech title repeats itself again and again as a common reply from his dad "It does not matter". Storytelling could have been stronger. He was furious at his dad and suddenly one day his dad tells him that what matters is where you finish and then it becomes a bridge between both of them. I was expecting a better incident to happen.
Message: Doesn't matter where you start but what matters is where you choose to finish.
This speech reaffirms my personal belief and so personally it touched a separate chord of mine.
Salient Features: Great poise while characterization. Facial expressions were very emotive. Has a good sense of humor. Brilliant repetition of speech title towards the conclusion.
Rating: 7/ 10
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Contestant 3: Lauren D. Meritt-Taylor
Speech Title: Walk in your purpose
A good speech but not a great one and I will tell you why.
Firstly am afraid but probably her height, which she mentioned in her speech, was the reason why she delivered her speech sitting on a chair. I would have taken all efforts to position my camera in a way where I can stand and deliver the World Semi-Final Speech. But let me not be judgemental as I am also unsure about any last-minute technical challenges that she might have faced and that may have left her to feel unfortunate.
But she maintained a very positive smile throughout her speech.
The protagonist in her speech was her husband who found ways to do what he loves. The speech title "Walk in your purpose" comes unexpectedly which I felt could have come in a better way.
The use of prop is not very significant and does not add enough value to the speech however there was a great opportunity for her to put that same prop in a remarkable way as the speech was asking for it.
The loop of the speech for some reason remains incomplete for me. I wanted to know what change did the girl bring in herself when the next time she entered a room full of people who usually judged her based on her height.
Message: She shared 3 Ps that can help someone make time for something that they love in the midst of expectations and responsibilities. Plan. Pursue. and Push through.
I felt the message was a common one and these 3Ps can be found on the internet.(Sorry to put it this way) I want to hear something that I cant google.
Salient Features: Positive smile throughout, Good sense of the 4P's of vocal variety(Pitch, Pace, Pause, and Power)
Rating: 5.8/ 10
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Contestant 4: Lindy MacLaine
Speech Title: The slice you left behind
There is a fire that is burning inside Lindy and she brought that fire with her on stage. The fire of her passion.
Started with a rhetorical question: Passions are powerful! When did you first discover yours?
She has a lovely voice and she sings a song at the start- I could have danced all night, I could have danced all night and still have begged for more.
Amazing storytelling skills. Depicts a personal story where she received discouragement in her childhood from her Grandmother, Dance Teacher, and brother.
She had my heart when she put across a beautiful metaphor of looking at an emergency exit when you let go off your passion and reside in a smaller, darker world.
The x-factor of great speakers is that they are able to provide you an alternate story if you have an alternate problem. And that's exactly why she is my favorite. Have a look at her speech to know what I am talking about here.
Message: The slice that you left behind- Imagine the unexpected magic that will spark when you reclaim it. Passions are powerful. Its time to reclaim your lost passion.
Salient Features: Advanced Storytelling techniques, Mindblowing screen presence with unique one-way audience interaction, Multi-sensory speech elements.
Rating: 9/ 10
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Contestant 5: Mark Tannen
Speech Title: What I Really, Really Want!
One of the speeches that made me feel that the world is still beautiful and sometimes the smallest things that we can give to others turn to be the biggest things. I want to thank the speaker for restoring my faith.
Starts with a song that can catch your attention. Funny facial expressions and brilliant humorous punch at the start. He displayed the power of the pause in humor.
A story about how his mom gifted him a trip to an orphanage in Banglore, India and how it impacted his life
Message: Conversation, Time, and Respect are the greatest gifts you can give to anyone. If you focus on what you can give, you might be surprised to find what you really, really want. (*WOW*)
Salient Features: Humorous, Confident, and a message that can urge you to introspect.
Rating: 7.5/ 10
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Contestant 6: Maureen Zappala
Speech Title: Pushing your envelope
Rating: 7.2/ 10
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Contestant 7: Kenny Ray Morgan
Speech Title: The Question
If you need an advice or two on how to dress for your speech, learn it from Kenny! I think the dress complemented his speech to a great extent.
Starts with a very intriguing study which says that when two strangers meet, the first thing they see is color, second gender, and finally appearance.
The crux of his speech: "Do you judge a book by its cover"
He talks about his agony which he experienced on several occasions(the body of his speech ) and also brings George Floyd in his speech which I am sure helped strike a chord with many based on the recency of the event occurrence.
In my opinion, at times his stage dramatics might have diluted the words and its subtle meaning that he intended. A bit more poise can add magic to his speech.
His end was literally magical where he demonstrated that only if you open the book and not judge by its cover, you may find a blooming flower inside it.
Salient features: Powerful dress-up, Reiteration of the prop, Innovative conclusion
Rating: 6.5/ 10
And here comes my Top 2 for this set:
1. Contestant 4- Lindy MacLaine
2. Was tough between Contestant 5- Mark Tannen and Contestant 6- Maureen Zappala but I would go for Contestant 5
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