DISTRICT 21 TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

2009 FALL CONFERENCE

BETTER SPEECH
EVALUATIONS WITH THE
G.L.O.V.E. AND MODIFIED
SANDWICH TOOLS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009

Brian Chow, ACG, ALB

Area Governor 12

Email: brian@mytoastmasters.com
Web: MyToastmasters.com
 Better Speech Evaluations with the G.L.O.V.E. and Modified Sandwich Tools

TOOL 1
G.L.O.V.E.: WHAT TO FOCUS ON DURING EVALUATIONS

GESTURES:
• Body movements
• Facial expressions
• Eye contact

LANGUAGE:
• Word choices and usages
• Sentence structures
• Grammar

ORGANIZATION:
• Introduction, body and conclusion
• Clear, smooth transitions
• Clear speech purpose

VOICE:
• Vocal variety:
1. Pitch: monotonous or range of notes
2. Tone: emotions into words
3. Rate: fast or slow
4. Volume: soft or loud

ENTHUSIASM:
• Demonstrate positive energy?
• Harness any nervous energy?

Sources: http://www.toastmastersnorthshore.org/news/2005_06/newsletter23.htm
http://www.babble-ontm.org/files/EffectiveEvaluationGuideline.doc

Brian Chow, ACG, ALB Page 2 of 6

Email: brian@mytoastmasters.com Web: MyToastmasters.com
 Better Speech Evaluations with the G.L.O.V.E. and Modified Sandwich Tools

TOOL 2
MODIFIED SANDWICH: HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR EVALUATION

BASIC SANDWICH:
1. Bread: Praise: strengths exhibited by the speaker
2. Meat: Areas for improvement: where can the speaker improve
3. Bread: Praise: strengths exhibited by the speaker

o The critique is sandwiched between two positive comments.

o Good, basic formula for novice speech evaluators

MODIFIED SANDWICH:
1. Bread: Praise: strengths exhibited by the speaker
2. Meat: Areas for improvement: where can the speaker improve
3. Condiments: Specific suggestions: how can the speaker improve

ADVANTAGES OF THE MODIFIED SANDWICH:

1. More emphasis on “specific suggestions” for improvement
2. More relaxation on the order of the ingredients for a more natural and authentic approach

TIP ON USING THE MODIFIED SANDWICH:

• Avoid too much of one ingredient, or the evaluation will be too critical or too positive

Source: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-evaluation-3-modified-sandwich-technique/ (Andrew Dlugan is

the editor and founder of Six Minutes at sixminutes.dlugan.com.)

Brian Chow, ACG, ALB Page 3 of 6

Email: brian@mytoastmasters.com Web: MyToastmasters.com
 Better Speech Evaluations with the G.L.O.V.E. and Modified Sandwich Tools

COMBINING THE 2 TOOLS

G.L.O.V.E. & MODIFIED SANDWICH

Praise Areas for Improvement Specific Suggestions

Gestures:
• Body movements
• Facial expressions
• Eye contact

Language:
• Word choices & usages
• Sentence structures
• Grammar

Organization:
• Intro., body & conclusion
• Smooth transitions
• Clear purpose

Voice:
1. Pitch
2. Tone
3. Rate
4. Volume

Enthusiasm:
• Positive energy?
• Nervous energy?

Brian Chow, ACG, ALB Page 4 of 6

Email: brian@mytoastmasters.com Web: MyToastmasters.com
 Better Speech Evaluations with the G.L.O.V.E. and Modified Sandwich Tools

2 BONUS TIPS:
1. AN EVALUATION IS A SPEECH

An evaluation is just like any other speech: it should be a positive, short speech containing an introduction,
body and conclusion.

INTRODUCTION

• Capture the audience’s attention with an imaginative opening.

BODY

• Explain how you saw the speech and outline its basic objectives.
• Emphasize the positive points in the speech.
• Find something to praise by looking for improvements over the speaker’s previous delivery and
presentation.
• Offer only one or two constructive points for improvement.
• Be specific in your suggestions.
• Emphasize the speaker’s strengths and move into the conclusion.

CONCLUSION

• Conclude with a statement that will point out the value of the speech.
• Indicate an appreciation of the opportunity to evaluate the speech and an expectation for the
future.

Source: http://siglaptoastmasters.wordpress.com/2007/11/07/speech-evaluation-tips/

Brian Chow, ACG, ALB Page 5 of 6

Email: brian@mytoastmasters.com Web: MyToastmasters.com
 Better Speech Evaluations with the G.L.O.V.E. and Modified Sandwich Tools

2. PERSONALIZE YOUR LANGUAGE

WHEN EVALUATING A SPEAKER BE AWARE THAT IT IS ONLY YOUR OPINION:

 “I felt…”
 “It seemed to me…”
 “My reaction was…”
 “I would like to see…”

AVOID PHRASES SUCH AS:

 “You should…”
 “You must…”
 “Don’t…”

USE THE HOW TO APPROACH:

This is an excellent approach to remind ourselves to mention the suggestion on how the speaker could
improve:
• “I felt that my reaction would have been… if you had have…”
• “I believe that you would have accomplished your purpose more easily if you had have…”
• “My impression is that if you concentrate on… you would…”

Source: http://siglaptoastmasters.wordpress.com/2007/11/07/speech-evaluation-tips/

PRESENTER’S BIO:

Brian Chow, ACG, ALB, is the current Area 12 Governor, who serves seven clubs in the north half of Vancouver
Island and Powell River. He is a dual member of the Comox Toastmasters and Comox Valley Toastmasters
clubs. For both clubs, he is the Vice President of Public Relations.

Brian joined Toastmasters over two years ago in order to improve his communication skills. He can be
reached at brian@mytoastmasters.com or via his Area 12 web site at MyToastmasters.com .

Brian Chow, ACG, ALB Page 6 of 6

Email: brian@mytoastmasters.com Web: MyToastmasters.com