Script: Ah Counter

When introduced by the Toastmaster, please state the following:

“Greetings Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and guests.

The purpose of the Ah-Counter is to note words and sounds that are used as a “crutch” or “pause filler” by anyone who speaks. During the meeting, I will listen for overused words, including and, well, but, so, and you know.
I will also listen for filler sounds, including ah, um, and er.
I will also note when a speaker repeats a word or phrase, such as “I, I” or “This means, this means.”

At the end of the meeting, I will report the number of times that each speaker used these expressions and how they used them.

Thank you, Mr./Madam Toastmaster.”

Use this Check-list to record fillers:
https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/ah-counter-script-and-log

Reference Materials:
1. Counting on the Ah-Counter
https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2021/june/counting-on-the-ah-counter

2. Like, Um, How Do I Stop, Ya Know, Using Um and Ah?
https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2017/september-2017/umah

3. An Empty Tradition?
https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2018/mar2018/an-empty-tradition

4. Drop Those Crutches
https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2019/feb/drop-those-crutches

5. So, What's So Bad About So?
https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2020/aug/toolbox-so-whats-so-bad-about-so

6. CUTTING OUT FILLER WORDS
https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/articles/cutting-out-filler-words