When you are the Word Master and Grammarian

Being grammarian is truly an exercise in expanding your listening skills. You have two basic responsibilities: first, to introduce useful new words to members, and second, to comment on the use of English during the course of the meeting.

Prior to the meeting:

· Select a “Word of the Day”. It should be a word that will help us increase our vocabulary- a word that can easily be incorporated into everyday conversation but which is different from the way we usually express ourselves. An adjective or adverb is suggested since they are more adaptable than a noun or verb, but feel free to select your own special word.

· In letters large enough to be seen from the back of the room, print your word, the part of speech, and a brief definition. Prepare a sentence or two as an example of how to use your word.

· Prepare a brief explanation of the duties of the grammarian for the benefit of the guests.

Upon arrival at the meeting:

· If the dry erase board and pen are available in the club’s file cabinet, print (in large letters) your word, the part of speech, and a brief definition.

· Place your visual aid at the front of the room where it can be seen by all.

During the meeting:

· When introduced by the Toastmaster, announce the Word of the Day, state its part of speech (noun, etc.), define it, use it in a sentence, and invite anyone speaking during any part of the meeting to use it.

· Briefly explain the role of the grammarian.

· Throughout the meeting, listen to everyone’s word usage. Mark on your list any awkward use or misuse of the language (incomplete sentences, sentences that change direction in midstream, incorrect grammar, malapropisms, etc.) with a note of who erred. Write down who used the Word of the Day (or a derivative of it) and note those who used it correctly or incorrectly.

· When called on by the general evaluator during the evaluation segment, stand by your chair and give your report. Try to offer the correct usage in every instance where there was a misuse instead of only explaining what was wrong. Report on creative language usage and announce who used the Word of the Day (or a derivative of it) correctly or incorrectly. In the event you didn’t hear someone that used the word ask, “If any one used the word of the day that you missed”. Your report should normally be no longer than one and a half minutes.

After the meeting:

· Put the dry erase board and dry erase marker back in the file cabinet.