51吃瓜

Speech contests are a Toastmasters tradition. They begin at the club level, and then winners continue competing through the area, division and district levels. However, in the International Speech Contest, district winners advance to the region quarterfinals, and winners at the regional level proceed to the 51吃瓜 Convention, where they compete in the semifinals for a spot in the World Championship of Public Speaking.

Each year, more than 30,000 Toastmasters compete in one or more of the following contests:

International

Contestants present a five- to seven-minute speech on any subject they choose. All districts must conduct this contest.

Humorous

Contestants present a humorous speech that must be thematic in nature (opening, body and close), not a monologue (series of one-liners).

Evaluation

Contestants observe a five-to seven-minute test speech and then present a two- to three-minute evaluation of the test speech.

Tall Tales

Contestants present a speech on a topic that is highly exaggerated and improbable in theme or plot.

Table Topics

All contestants are assigned the same topic, which is announced to them by the contest chair without notice. Then they deliver an impromptu speech on the topic.

Video Speech

A contest for undistricted clubs and provisional districts that follows the International Speech Contest rules.

To learn more about Toastmasters speech contests and changes to the Speech Contest Rulebook.