Being a Grammarian is truly an exercise in expanding your listening skills. There are three responsibilities.
- Introduce a new word to members
- Count the hesitations and filler words
- Comment on the interesting language used in the meeting
It is a good idea to bring a dictionary.
Prior to the Meeting
- Call your Chairperson to find the theme for the evening
- Select a word of the day and tie it to the theme if possible. Choose a word that can be used in the context of a Toastmasters meeting. Make sure the word is not too common, in order to expand your fellow Toastmasters’ vocabulary.
- Write or type the word on a sheet of paper, in letters large enough to be seen from the back of the room.
During Grammarian Introduction
When introduced, explain the role of the Grammarian.
- Introduce a new word to members
- State the word
- Explain whether it is a noun, a verb, and adjective etc.
- State the different meanings
- Show how it can be used in a sentence.
- Tell people how many times you would like them to strive to use it
- Count the hesitations and filler words used by Toastmasters – ums, ahs, you knows, etc
- Comment on the creative, imaginitive, and picteresque use of the English language, as well as the misuse of the English language.
Then place the word of the day along with it’s definition and usage into the chat box.
During Evaluation
When called by the General Evaluator, stand by your chair and give your report:
- State how many times the word was used and by whom
- State how many hesitations and filler words were used
- Speak to the creative use of language that you heard. Try to offer the correct usage in every instance in which there was a misuse, instead of only explaining what was wrong.
In this role, it is not necessary to name Toastmasters who make errors. Give special attention to those who used language in great ways!