Good evening fellow Toastmasters and guests.
Making a Difference
Tonight, I want to talk about making a difference. The quote I just shared – “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference” – is a great reminder of this. It’s so easy to focus on the material things in life, but we should never forget the power of making a difference in someone else’s life.
My Story
To give you some background, this quote has a special place in my heart. I recently volunteered at a local soup kitchen, and the experience changed my life. It was a humbling experience. It was there I met Margaret. She was a single mother of three, and she was struggling to make ends meet.
I wanted to do something to help her and her family, so I decided to buy them groceries. It was a small gesture, but Margaret was so touched by the gesture. She thanked me for the groceries and for taking the time to care. It was then that I knew I had made a difference.
The Power of Kindness
This experience was a great reminder of the power of kindness. All it takes is one small act of kindness to make a difference in someone’s life. It could be something as simple as a smile, a listening ear, or a kind word. And these small acts of kindness can have a huge impact.
Positive Impact
People often say you have to be rich or famous to make a difference, but that’s not true. Every single one of us has the power to make a difference in someone else’s life. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your resources are. All that matters is that you are willing to take the time to care and to make a positive impact in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let’s never forget the power of making a difference. It’s easy to make a buck, but it’s a lot tougher to make a difference. We all have the power to make a positive impact in someone else’s life. Let’s challenge ourselves to do just that.
Thank you.
Feedback for the Speaker
Strengths:
1. Content: The speaker’s speech is focused and centered around the theme of “making a difference”. The speaker shares a personal story to illustrate the power of kindness, and provides an inspiring conclusion which encourages the audience to challenge themselves to make a positive impact in the world.
2. Purpose: The speech purpose is clear and well-defined as the speaker focuses on the power of making a difference through small acts of kindness. The powerful quote at the start of the speech helps to set the tone and provides an anchor for the rest of the speech.
3. Structure: The speech has a clear structure that follows a logical sequence from introduction, body, and conclusion. The speaker uses a story-telling technique to bring the speech content to life.
4. Language: The speaker uses simple and concise language which is easy to understand. The speaker also uses rhetorical questions to engage the audience.
Areas of Improvement
1. Message: The speaker’s message could be strengthened by providing more concrete examples of how to make a difference. For example, the speaker could provide examples of small acts of kindness, such as volunteering at a local charity or offering to help an elderly neighbour with their groceries.
2. Language: The speaker could use more variety in the language used. For example, the speaker could use more descriptive words to help the audience to visualise the story being shared.
3. Public Speaking Techniques: The speaker could also benefit from using more public speaking techniques, such as vocal variety. By changing the tone, pitch, or speed of the voice, the speaker can create more interest and engagement with the audience.
Overall, the speaker has presented a well-structured and inspiring speech on the power of making a difference. The speaker has used effective content and structure to deliver a clear message to the audience. With some improvements to the language and public speaking techniques used, the speaker can further enhance the impact of the speech.