By Janani Pitawala
At precisely 5pm on the 5th of January, 2025, the Gavel Club members gathered for an insightful workshop led by Distinguished Toastmaster Yasir; an alumnus of the University of Moratuwa and a former Speech Olympiad champion. DTM Yasir’s vast experience as an engineer and accomplished public speaker set the stage for an inspiring session aimed at encouraging participants to take part in the upcoming Speech Olympiad.
DTM Yasir began by detailing his own Speech Olympiad journey, sharing personal anecdotes about the crafting of his winning speech. Drawing from his life experiences, he demonstrated the power of storytelling, emphasizing how every speech should reflect the speaker’s unique perspective while maintaining a universal appeal. This, he explained, was essential for engaging an audience and ensuring that the message communicated with people from all walks of life.
A central theme of the workshop was the importance of taking that initial step—beginning the speech. DTM Yasir highlighted that the hardest part for many aspiring speakers is starting, but once that first sentence is written, the path to crafting a powerful speech becomes clearer. He encouraged the participants to push beyond their hesitation and dive into the creation
Beyond simply writing, DTM Yasir discussed the importance of identifying the initial message of the speech. “What message you are going to communicate to your audience?” he asked. He urged everyone to consider the message carefully, ensuring it is clear and relevant. Additionally, the title of the speech should be universal, a theme that many can relate to, he explained. This broad appeal increases the probability of connecting with a variety of viewers, making the message impactful and memorable.
Another important aspect that focused on was concluding the speech. DTM emphasized the importance of a strong, memorable conclusion that ties back to the beginning of the speech. He called it as “360 approach”. It involves starting with a central theme or idea and revisiting it at the end, leaving the audience with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
DTM Yasir shared his unique approach to crafting a story within a speech. He advised starting with the problem (the challenge or obstacle) and then intensifying the narrative. The speaker should depict how the problem intensifies, illustrating its significance. Following this, the turning point should appear, introducing the solution and the actions taken to resolve the issue. Finally, the results of these actions should be revealed, completing the cycle of storytelling and giving the speech its full effectiveness.
Finally, DTM Yasir explained the importance of the speech’s accessibility. While it is essential to have a rich vocabulary, the language used should remain simple and understandable. The key to effective communication, is clarity, speaking in a way that ensures the audience fully grasps the message without feeling overwhelmed by complex language. In conclusion, the workshop offered invaluable guidance for all those preparing for the Speech Olympiad. DTM Yasir’s experience, passion, and expertise served to ignite a spark within the attendees, motivating them to embrace the challenge of public speaking.
