The Grammarian

What can you expect from taking up this role?

You can get three things out of being the Grammarian.

1. Prepare and practice a mini speech
2. Heighten your listening skills and your sense of language, and
3. Practice giving bad news. It is not fun to inform the other members about their mistakes. But we need to know to improve.

Why?

Language is our tool. Using it in more skilled ways can make us better speakers. The Grammarian will point out the bad, the good, and the best uses of the English language. He may also comment on the use of stylistic devices.

How To

1. Before the meeting: Choose a Word of the Day. Enter it on Easy Speak.
2. As with every other functionary role, we expect you to give a short explanation of what you will be doing at the beginning of the meeting. You have got 90 seconds to do so. This is a mini speech. Prep and practice, please.
3. It is also up to you to introduce the word of the night or the stylistic device of the night. Do so by giving a definition and two examples.
4. If you choose to introduce a stylistic device of the night, please make your choice known at least three days (Saturday) ahead of the meeting. To do this, send an email to the Toastmaster of the evening and the VP of Education. The email should include a definition and two examples. The Toastmaster of the evening will then forward the information to everyone that signed up for the evening. This will give them a chance to use the device in their speeches.
5. During the third part of the evening, you get three minutes to report on how we performed languagewise.
6. If your English is not perfect, you may single out one or two aspects to look out for. You needn’t know it all.
7. If you are a native speaker, avoid saying, “I’m so impressed by how non-native speakers use English!” This sounds patronizing. They would not be in an English TM club if they didn’t have a good level of English.

PS

Feedback helps us all grow. If you want feedback on your performance as Grammarian, give the PDF “Feedback for the Grammarian” to another club member to evaluate you. Or tell another member upfront that you would like their feedback after the meeting.