Um/Ah/Filler Words Counter
The role of Um/Ah Counter in Toastmasters is important in helping other members identify when they use those filler words (“um”, “uh”, etc) in a speech.
The Um/Ah Counter keeps track of the filler words and sounds people use while they speak. The most common of these are: ah/uh, um, er, like, okay, so, but, and well. Speakers tend to use these while they are thinking of what to say next or while they are nervous. Often speakers are unaware they are using filler words! Helping our fellow Toastmasters be aware of their filler words is the first step in them being able to speak without them.
Write down everyone’s names, then try to pay attention to the words they are using when they speak. Every time you notice a filler word or sound being used, mark it on the worksheet beside their name. This process takes some time to get used to. Sometimes the Ah Counter will be so engrossed in the speech, they forget to keep track! Don’t worry if that happens, just try your best to catch all that you can.
You will also have to pay attention to the context in which the filler word is being used. “Ah” and “Um” are unnecessary. Other words like “and”, “but”, “so”, and “well” can be used without being distracting, as long as they are not used in excess. Sometimes they are needed, sometimes they are not, it depends on the sentence. Whether or not each usage will count as a filler word is up to you. Was it distracting? If they removed that one word, would the sentence still make sense? Did they start the sentence with that word? If you answer yes to any of those questions, it’s probably a filler word. If they are using the word to transition between thoughts, it might not be a filler.
At the start of the meeting explain what you will be doing. Stand up and say a sentence or two, something like “I will be keeping track of the filler words used by all speakers during the meeting, and report back how each of us does at the end of the meeting” (followed by a few examples of filler words) is enough.
Go through your list of names and tell each person their count and what their filler word(s) were.
Paying attention for those filler words can be hard at first, but once you get used to it, you might start noticing them everywhere, in the news or at work.
The role of Um/Ah Counter in Toastmasters is important in helping other members identify when they use those filler words (“um”, “uh”, etc) in a speech.
The Um/Ah Counter keeps track of the filler words and sounds people use while they speak. The most common of these are: ah/uh, um, er, like, okay, so, but, and well. Speakers tend to use these while they are thinking of what to say next or while they are nervous. Often speakers are unaware they are using filler words! Helping our fellow Toastmasters be aware of their filler words is the first step in them being able to speak without them.
Write down everyone’s names, then try to pay attention to the words they are using when they speak. Every time you notice a filler word or sound being used, mark it on the worksheet beside their name. This process takes some time to get used to. Sometimes the Ah Counter will be so engrossed in the speech, they forget to keep track! Don’t worry if that happens, just try your best to catch all that you can.
You will also have to pay attention to the context in which the filler word is being used. “Ah” and “Um” are unnecessary. Other words like “and”, “but”, “so”, and “well” can be used without being distracting, as long as they are not used in excess. Sometimes they are needed, sometimes they are not, it depends on the sentence. Whether or not each usage will count as a filler word is up to you. Was it distracting? If they removed that one word, would the sentence still make sense? Did they start the sentence with that word? If you answer yes to any of those questions, it’s probably a filler word. If they are using the word to transition between thoughts, it might not be a filler.
At the start of the meeting explain what you will be doing. Stand up and say a sentence or two, something like “I will be keeping track of the filler words used by all speakers during the meeting, and report back how each of us does at the end of the meeting” (followed by a few examples of filler words) is enough.
Go through your list of names and tell each person their count and what their filler word(s) were.
Paying attention for those filler words can be hard at first, but once you get used to it, you might start noticing them everywhere, in the news or at work.