In Toastmasters meetings, the "Word of the Day" is a designated word introduced by the Grammarian at the beginning of the meeting, with the aim of expanding members' vocabulary and encouraging its use throughout the various speaking segments. This role is an integral part of the meeting structure, designed to enhance language skills, critical listening, and overall communication effectiveness among participants.
The Grammarian, sometimes referred to as the "Word-of-the-Day Master," is responsible for selecting a word that is uncommon but not overly obscure, and one that members can realistically incorporate into their speeches and impromptu remarks. The chosen word should ideally be easy to pronounce and understand, and have a high probability of being used in real-world conversations, even if not commonly. Adjectives and verbs are often preferred over nouns due to their versatility in application. For instance, words like "auspicious," "euphoria," "audacious," or "ebullient" are examples of suitable choices.
Before the meeting, the Grammarian prepares by selecting the word, its phonetic spelling, part of speech (e.g., noun, adjective, verb), and a clear sentence demonstrating its correct usage. This information is often shared with the Toastmaster in advance to be included in the meeting agenda. During the meeting, when introduced, the Grammarian announces the word, defines it, uses it in a sentence, and challenges all speakers to use it. They also provide a brief explanation of their role for the benefit of guests.
Throughout the meeting, the Grammarian actively listens to all speakers, noting who uses the Word of the Day (or its derivatives) correctly or incorrectly. This observation helps members become more conscious of their word choices and encourages active listening. At the end of the meeting, during the evaluation segment, the Grammarian delivers a report, highlighting instances of the word's usage and providing feedback on creative language use, grammatical accuracy, and any mispronunciations or awkward phrasing.
While some clubs may refer to it as the "Word of the Week" to encourage its continued use beyond a single meeting, the core purpose remains the same: to enrich vocabulary and improve language proficiency. The Word of the Day can also be aligned with the meeting's theme to provide a cohesive learning experience. Resources for finding suitable words include online dictionaries like Dictionary.com or Oxford Dictionaries, or personal word lists compiled from reading. The effectiveness of the Word of the Day is measured not just by its announcement, but by its actual incorporation into members' language, fostering a habit of expanded vocabulary and more precise communication.
