Have you considered making a "speech bank" of good speeches presented by Toastmasters members available for gopher or FTP?

Yes, this has been considered. Some people think it would be an excellent idea, as they feel that there is no better way to learn how to write a good speech than to study others' speeches at length. Others, however, feel that a speech bank would lend itself more to Toastmasters and non-Toastmasters alike using speeches without attribution in speaking assignments or in speech classes, and that's not something we want to encourage. Toastmasters is a learn-by-doing type of environment, not a "copycat, adhere to this form or that form that someone, somewhere called 'good'" environment. Furthermore, a written copy of a speech contains none of the presentation and style the speaker put into its delivery and, as such, cannot be considered a full speech. To appreciate a speech and learn from it, you must see it presented. Hence, as yet, no "speech bank" has been set up.


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