# Welcome to Public Speaking!

While this is primarily a handbook for members of Toastmasters, the principles here will help you become better at speaking no matter which platform you choose.

If you're not a Toastmaster, you may be looking for the following essays:

{% content-ref url="self/fear" %}
[fear](https://toastmasters.vaibhavguptawho.com/self/fear)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="self/choose-speech-topics-easily" %}
[choose-speech-topics-easily](https://toastmasters.vaibhavguptawho.com/self/choose-speech-topics-easily)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="self/how-to-structure-speeches" %}
[how-to-structure-speeches](https://toastmasters.vaibhavguptawho.com/self/how-to-structure-speeches)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Why make a handbook for Toastmasters?

Toastmasters is a long-standing organization, and as with any organization that lasts long, it has its own culture, jargon, and insider information.

It can be confusing to have a ton of information thrown at you, and while there are several resources, guides, and training materials for all that you can accomplish in Toastmasters, I didn't find a consolidated effort.

**More importantly, I didn't find one that resonated with me.**

I've been in Toastmasters since 2016, and I've learned a lot in that time. I've also trained a whole lot of people in whatever I've learned. For your benefit, I've consolidated that experience here.

This is your handbook to getting everything you want out of Toastmasters. It's a culmination of all that I have learned, and everything I continue learning. I hope you use this to go from beginner to badass in your own way.

## Why is this called The DIVA handbook?

![ Beyoncé has famously reclaimed the word "diva" to mean someone who is a hustler.](https://623947256-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LoVNa1UjrKlr9lnY67-%2F-MJB4vR4ozbXt8Co2dN6%2F-MJB88GUq7jD1mOKLFuF%2Fbeyonce.jpg?alt=media\&token=1bf1e328-1fcc-4fc6-8222-3da582d6b5c2)

70% because **DIVA** is a play on **DIVision A**, my jurisdiction in 2019-2020 as District 92's Division A Director.

But also 30% **because Divas are fierce, confident, and self-assured**, 3 traits that we could use a lot more of. I hope you find your authentic, confident, and badass self in Toastmasters, and if this handbook helps even a little, it has done its job.

## How Complete is this Handbook?

I've removed a number of articles that were incomplete or not good enough. Anything you can see in the navigation is good enough to use. Articles with asterisks (\*) are coming in the next update.

Eventually, this page will have a function-based table of contents. The content is divided into sections according to which entity benefits along with you.

* **THE SELF** is purely for you and your understanding of fundamentals.
* **THE CLUB** is your first foray into leadership, learning how to manage your club.
* **THE COMMUNITY** is for when you're ready to step out of your club and start getting involved with higher leadership.
* **THE CONTESTS** are for when you're ready to compete against the best, and try to make a name for yourself as an expert speaker.

You can get into these in any order you like. This categorization is simply my recommendation.