Tutorial for Grammarian

From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)

Tutorial for Grammarian doc

You are scheduled to be the Grammarian for the first time at next week's club meeting. The Grammarian's role is one of the most important in a Toastmasters meeting because it is the Grammarian who helps us improve our language skills. It is also one of the most challenging roles as it is one of the best ways to improve listening skills. To prepare effective feedback, you must listen to each speaker at the "word" and "phrase" levels. If you find that you have "missed" what the speeches were about, that is normal and does happen often to good Grammarians. That's okay.

The Grammarian has three tasks: Word of the Day, Ah Counter, and Grammarian. Some clubs call this role the "WAG"

• The first job is to provide a Word of the Day and write down who uses it. Choosing a Word of the Day is an art. The purpose is to introduce a word that we can work into our speeches and, therefore, into our vocabulary. It should be challenging but not impossible or esoteric. If you can, choose a word that fits with the Toastmaster's theme for the meeting. Before the meeting starts (i.e. gavel down), print or write the word in LARGE letters on the whiteboard. If you think it is too large, it is probably just right. Then write down the part of speech (n for noun, etc.) and the definition(s).
• The second job is to listen to each speaker for detracting speech habits and write them down. This includes filler words such as "ah," "uh," "um," "you know," "like," "well" and "basically." This also includes excessive use of connector words like "and," "so," and "but" to string sentences together rather than pausing and starting a new sentence. Some people have a distracting "pet word" that they use over and over. Some people make distracting verbal noises such as smacking their lips together. Some people have a problem with false starts like "I - I," The Grammarian's job is to listen for problems like these and bring them to the speaker's attention so they can improve the next time.
• The third job is to listen for the proper use of the English language – both grammatical problems that need to be corrected as well as colorful vocabulary or particularly effective use of language that the Grammarian wants to compliment.

When the Toastmaster introduces you at the beginning of the meeting, come to the white board and introduce the Word of the Day that you have prepared. Pronounce the word, define it, and use it in a sentence. Then encourage the speakers to incorporate the Word of the Day into their speeches. If any visitors are present, give a brief description of your job as Grammarian (to note uses of Word of the Day, Ah's an other unneeded fillers, correct and incorrect grammar usage) before you take your seat.

As you listen to each speaker, make good notes that you can use when giving the Grammarian's report at the end of the meeting. You may find it helpful to make a table of things you are listening for, and make an entry for each speaker. Put speakers on the rows and column heads for each type of filler word, word of the day, grammar, etc. This document, offers one such useful table:

• Balcones Toastmasters Grammarian Worksheet pdf

When the General Evaluator calls on you to give your report near the end of the meeting, report who used the word (and whether or not they used it properly), and report on detracting speech habits and English language usage by speaker. The report should be around 2 minutes, so you will probably have to be selective on what you report.

You can find more information on the role at:

• p68 Competent Communicator manual - Grammarian
• p69 Competent Communicator manual - Ah-Counter

Also grammarian roles can fulfill part of the Competent Leadership projects #1, #2, #3, and #4. Bring the Competent Leadership manual and ask another participant to evaluate you for one project, if you are interested.

Good luck in your first assignment as Grammarian!