Penn students may know how to throw toast at a football game, but when it comes to weddings, many are clueless.
At a wedding not too long ago attended by Fox Leadership founder Robert Fox, a Penn State student gave a toast that far outshined another given by a Penn student.
Promising not to let this travesty continue, Fox began a semesterly seminar on the ancient art of toasting for Penn students.
The event is intended to be a "fun, non-threatening way to practice public speaking," Fox Leadership Associate Director Chuck Brutsche said. He lauded the program for its student leadership and friendly environment.
"Toastmasters" Jessica Rosenbaum, a College sophomore, and Kelly Schaefer, a Wharton and College sophomore, took control and led 14 toasting novices on an informal and laid back sojourn into the world of toasting.
Critiquing and commenting on the neophytes' toasts, which were given on such eclectic topics as Facebook.com, large sunglasses and AIM away messages; the toastmasters gave some interesting tips for would-be toasters:
n Be confident: Nobody likes a wimpy toast. Make it emphatic, even if you don't know what you are talking about.
n Make eye contact: Be sure to engage your audience; don't focus on just one part of the crowd or stare at the ceiling. The rafters don't care how good your speech is.
n Know your audience: Talk on the level of your audience and about something they would like to hear.
n Tell a joke: Nothing can warm up a crowd quite like a well placed joke. But be careful what joke you tell and where you tell it. The elderly might not find that joke about Alzheimer's disease as funny as you do.
n Use voice intonation: A toast with dramatic highs and lows really captivates your audience. Unless you're Ben Stein, a deadpan monotone voice makes for a boring toast.
n Don't bring anything with you when you stand to speak: Crumpling a piece of paper while you speak may make you feel better, but it also makes you look stupid. Use your hands for non-verbal communication.
n Finally, and most importantly, be sure you actually toast during your toast: Nothing takes the bite out of a great speech like forgetting to tell the audience why you're talking to them.
Attendees seemed very satisfied with the event.
College sophomore Simon Cartoon, a self-admitted speaking aficionado, enjoyed his time with the toastmasters.
"It's a useful thing to know when you're rich and famous," he said.
College freshman Alli Blum was pleased with the "very relaxed, very comfortable" environment.
Hopefully, Penn students will no longer be trumped by their Penn State counterparts after attending this seminar.
