Timer Role
Why do we do the Timer role?
- To respect the audience's attention span. Studies have shown that a good answer to a job interview question is about a minute, which is the minimum for Toastmasters Table Topics. In a similar way, 5 minutes is a good attention span for a basic speech (although those studies were done before social media and short video reels).
- To respect our fellow Toastmasters. In Waikiki we have had some speakers who were great to listen to but went long over time. As great as they were, it was telling them that their extra time was taking time from other people speaking that day (or making everyone stay late) that finally changed that behavior. A lot of time, people don't even realize this.
- Toastmasters contests are very strict on time, so it is good practice.
Important parts of the Timer role
- Where you sit is important for this role. The row facing the speaker is the best place to sit so the speaker can see you. A speaker may not look off to the side as part of their natural eye movement.
- If someone is going over time, please understand that you have permission to stand up and hold the timing light up. You should not feel uncomfortable about this. Remember the point above, that the speaker is taking time away from other people. Also remember that speakers are thinking of so many things that they often do not even notice the timing light unless you call attention to it by standing up.
- Wait a minute after the red light shows before doing this.
- If that doesn't work, the Club President should step in.
In giving the timer report
The timer report is great for combining. You can note how many people easily met the timing requirements, how many were close, etc. People often only need the detail if they were close to the timeframe (either way: if they were almost over or if they were over by a little bit).
If you want to work on your timing
- One key is putting less in your speech. Mark some things in your speech as expendable and cut them if you are running over time. Or cut content and save it for a later speech.
- Another thing that happens is that you go 'off script' and extemporaneously put in more detail than you had planned. Some people who speak well do this and end up repeating themselves a lot. You spend too long getting to your next point and everything backs up as a result. Some things that help here:
- Time the sections of your speech as well as your whole speech. Know when you should be getting off your opening section, first point, second point, etc.
- Practice the transitions between sections of your speech. Sometimes you repeat yourself while you are trying to remember what the next part of your speech is. Remembering your transition helps with this.
- If you find yourself going into too much detail, you can limit yourself to one section for detail.
- Pick the most important supporting point for your speech - often the first or last point - and go into detail there.
- For each of your other supporting points make a strong but short summary. During your speech you can determine whether to use the regular version or the summary version of these points.
