When children first learn to ride bikes, theres logic to following a particular sequence of events:

1.   Big Wheel or Tricycle 

2.   Two-Wheeler with Training Wheels 

3.   Remove the Training Wheels 

4.   Increase the size, speed and features of the bike in proportion to the ability of the child 

In the same way, Toastmasters International designed the Basic Communication & Leadership manual to graduate new members through the steps of becoming a Competent Toastmaster.   

Speeches 1-4 step the new member through getting up in front of an audience and improving the mechanics of developing their presentations.

Speeches 5-8 enhance the mechanics by adding visual and auditory impacts to increase effectiveness. 

Speech 9 is the first measurement focused more on the audience than the speaker by addressing persuasiveness. 

Finally, Speech 10 measures all the skills of the previous projects with two objectives: 

1.   measuring the speakers ability to inspire the audience, and 

2.   recognizing the speakers ability to incorporate all nine elements of effective speech development.