Home » Resources » How To Take On The Grammarian Role At Toastmasters

How To Take On The Grammarian Role At Toastmasters

The role of Grammarian at a Toastmasters meeting is an important role. If you have been selected to perform the role of Grammarian and you’re not sure what it entails, you need this article.

In the next ten minutes or so you’ll learn exactly what’s expected of you as a Grammarian at a Toastmasters meeting. Keep reading for all the information you need to successfully perform the role of Grammarian.

What Do You Have To Do As A Grammarian At Toastmasters?

The role of the Grammarian at Toastmasters is important because it helps members to improve their grammar and their vocabulary. If you have been asked or have volunteered to be the Grammarian at your local Toastmasters you will be required to perform three main tasks, which are;

1. Introduce new words to all meeting participants and listen to the language and grammar being used by speakers throughout the event.
2. Take note of the language and grammar used by all speakers and note all technical errors like; unfinished sentences, grammatical mistakes, mispronunciations, mixed metaphors and the like. 
3. Give a report at the end of the meeting (when invited by the Toastmaster).

You should also introduce a “word of the week” which will help members to increase their vocabulary. You should display the word and give a short definition of the word and examples of how it should be used in a sentence.

You should then make a note of any member that uses this word either correctly or incorrectly during the meeting.

How To Perform The Role Of The Grammarian At Toastmasters

Below is the exact order of how to be a Grammarian at a Toastmasters meeting. You need to;

Choose A Word Of The Week

This needs to be done before the meeting begins and should be entered onto the Easy Speak website so that all club officers can see it before the meeting goes ahead. As soon as you enter the room, you should display your word of the week in an easily visible place.

In fact, you should display your word of the week in two places, prominently as members and guests enter the room, and at the back of the room where it can clearly be seen by speakers.

When choosing a word of the week, you will be expected to introduce it to members and guests.

This should be done by giving a definition of the word and two examples of how to use it.

Give A Short Introduction To Your Role

At the start of the meeting you will be invited by the Toastmaster to give a brief, mini speech about the role of the Grammarian, what you will be doing during the speeches and also introduce your word of the week. Remember to keep an eye on the time as you will be expected to conclude your speech within an allotted time period (typically three minutes).

Example Of The Grammarian’s Opening Speech

Your introductory speech should be short and to the point. It should be something along the lines of;

Mister/Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters and guests, as Grammarian it is my responsibility to pay close attention to all of the evening’s speakers. I will be listening closely to the language used and will record any misuse of the English language and any outstanding quotes, words or sayings.

It is also my duty to introduce this week’s word of the week which is [whatever word you have chosen]

Which means [give a brief description of the word].

This word can be used like this [give two examples of the correct way to use the word of the week]

Each speaker is encouraged to use the word of the week if possible in their speech.

Towards the end of the evening I will give a report on grammatical usage and the use of the word of the week when asked to.

Thank you Mister/Madam Toastmaster.

Listen & Record All Speeches Throughout The Event

You will need to listen closely to what’s being said during each and every speech and make notes from a grammatical perspective. You will need to refer to these notes at the end of the event to give your report.

You should pay particular attention to any use of the word of the week and give honest feedback on the way it, along with all other words were used throughout the individual’s speech.

Grammar & Language Checklist

As well as tracking the use of your chosen word of the week, you should also pay attention to how speakers are using language more broadly. Here’s a useful checklist of what to look for when evaluating grammar and vocabulary;

• Subject-verb agreement
  For example “She go to work” should be “She goes to work.”
• Tense consistency
  Did the speaker jump between past, present, and future without reason?
• Sentence structure
  Incomplete sentences or run ons.
• Pronunciation
  Mispronounced words or overly regional or slurred speech.
• Filler words
  Overuse of “um”, “uh”, “you know”, “like” etc.
• Repeated crutch words
  Phrases like “basically”, “so”, “literally”, “actually”
• Misused idioms or metaphors
  Like  “We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it”
• Strong vs. weak word choices
  Encourage vivid, precise language over vague terms.

Report On The Events Speakers

Towards the end of the evening you will be asked to give a report on how speakers performed from a language point of view. You will use the notes that you made throughout the evening to record the good, the bad and the best parts of members’ speeches and use of language.

It is vital that you have made accurate notes during the event’s speeches because you will be expected to give honest and helpful feedback on every speech made.

It’s equally important to deliver your feedback in a way that is constructive and supportive. Remember, your goal is to help others grow, not to critique for the sake of it.

Tips For Supportive Feedback

Here are a few pointers on the correct way to perform your role as the Grammarian;

• Lead with positives
  Start your report by pointing out effective, elegant, or creative uses of language.
• Avoid being overly critical
  Focus on patterns instead of isolated mistakes.
• Use a light tone
  A little humour or a warm tone helps keep the mood supportive.
• Don’t single people out unless you’re praising them
  Group generalisations can be easier to digest.
• Frame things as learning points
  Use language like;
  • “One way to improve might be…”
  • “Something we could all keep in mind for next time is…”
    

Example Of Closing Speech By The Grammarian

Thank you Mister/Madam Toastmaster,

I’m back with my report.

During today’s meeting we witnessed some fine use of the English language from our speakers;

Thomas used the words [whatever words were used that impressed you]

Sarah used words like [words that you were impressed by]

John used the following metaphor [whatever John said]

David used some excellent vocabulary including [some of David’s impressive vocabulary]

There were also some incorrect pronunciations as well [list any examples]

And finally, I am pleased to announce that the word of the week was used 3 times this evening by Bill, Jane and Fred.

That’s all from my report. Thank you.

One thing to make a note of is the reports made by the speech evaluators. Be sure not to duplicate any comments they might have made concerning language.

How To Stay On Time As A Grammarian

To keep the meeting flowing smoothly, manage your Grammarian duties within these rough time limits;

Before The Meeting

You should take around 5 to 10 minutes to choose your word and another 10 to 15 minutes to print your signs and prepare your definitions.

During The Meeting

Your introductory speech should take around 2 to 3 minutes. You should then write notes on the individual speeches as they happen. It’s useful to just write bullet points. Then your final report should take around 2 to 3 minutes.

It’s a good idea to write down the speaker’s names in order as they’re introduced so you can track your feedback clearly.

Coordinate With Other Toastmasters Roles

To make the most of your Grammarian role, it helps to connect briefly with other club members before the meeting. You should coordinate with;

• The Toastmaster Of The Day
  Confirm when you’ll be introduced for your role and report.
• The General Evaluator
  Agree on boundaries, usually they cover general speaking quality, while you focus more specifically on grammar and vocabulary.
• The Timekeeper
  Make sure you don’t go over time during your two speeches.

Get Your Own Feedback

The idea of feedback is to help us to grow and you can ask another member to give you feedback on how well (or poorly) you performed the role of Grammarian. You should ask that person before the evening starts so that they can watch your performance more closely.

Write Up Your Report

Since as the Grammarian you have made a full and detailed note on all speakers throughout the evening, it makes sense for you to write the meeting report for the club’s website. But it’s best to check first as this could be someone else’s duty.

If that is the case, you should hand over your notes to help them with their report.

How To Choose A Word Of The Week

When considering a candidate for word of the week, you should keep in mind that the word you choose should be useful to other members. Don’t choose some outdated archaic word that’s not used anymore or a slang word.

Most Grammarians tend to go for adverbs or adjectives because they are most suitable for slipping into everyday sentences. However, you can choose any type of word that you prefer. 

You will then need to print the word out in large letters on two separate pieces of paper that can be clearly read from all around the room. You will also need to prepare a brief definition of the word and include two examples of it being correctly used in a sentence.

If you’re struggling to choose a word, here are some good examples to get you started:

Word	Definition	Example Sentence
Eloquent	Fluent or persuasive in speech	He gave an eloquent argument in favour of the proposal.
Resilient	Able to recover quickly from setbacks	Our team was resilient despite early losses.
Succinct	Brief and clearly expressed	His explanation was succinct and easy to follow.
Vibrant	Full of life and energy	She has a vibrant personality that lights up the room.
Astute	Having sharp judgement or insight	He made an astute observation about the market trends.

You should avoid obscure or overly academic words. Aim for something useful, everyday, and fun to say.

Why Have A Grammarian At Toastmasters?

To the public speaker, language is a tool and using it in a more skilled way makes us better speakers. The Grammarian will point out the good, the bad and the best uses of the English language.

This will give the speaker a better way to communicate their points when speaking in public at future meetings and work events.

What You’ll Gain By Taking On The Role Of Grammarian At Toastmasters

While the Grammarian role is all about supporting others, it also offers valuable rewards for the person performing it. Here’s what you can expect to gain from performing the role of the Grammarian;

Improved Listening Skills

As a Grammarian, you’ll learn to listen actively and with intention. Over time, you’ll develop a sharper ear for details in language, something that will enhance your ability to evaluate, coach, and even deliver better speeches yourself.

Improved Vocabulary & Grammar

Choosing a new word each week and studying how others use language helps reinforce your own understanding of grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. You’ll expand your linguistic toolkit just by doing the Grammarian role well.

Improved Note Taking & Reporting Abilities

The Grammarian role trains you to take concise but useful notes and turn your observations into a short, structured report. These are transferable skills for professional settings, especially in leadership, HR, education, or communication roles.

More Confidence In Public Speaking

As a Grammarian you’ll deliver two mini speeches (your introduction and your report) without much time to rehearse. Doing this regularly builds comfort with impromptu speaking which is an essential Toastmasters skill.

Get A Greater Appreciation Of Language

Possibly the most rewarding part of the role of a Grammarian is how it increases your appreciation for the wonder and flexibility of language. You’ll start noticing great turns of phrase, clever metaphors, and powerful word choices everywhere you go.

Taking on the Grammarian role is an opportunity to grow as a speaker, listener, and communicator. Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned Toastmaster, every meeting offers something new to learn.

Mastering The Grammarian Role At Toastmasters

Taking on the role of Grammarian at Toastmasters is more than just listening for mistakes, it’s about helping fellow speakers grow in their use of language, while sharpening your own skills in the process. With preparation, attention to detail, and thoughtful feedback, you can turn this supportive role into one of the most rewarding contributions at any meeting. 

Enjoy the opportunity, stay positive, and have fun with language. You’re not just a Grammarian, you’re a language coach for the night.

Frequently Asked Questions