Being Grammarian is truly an exercise in expanding your listening skills.  You have two basic responsibilities.  The first is to introduce a new word to the club; the second, to comment on the use of English during the course of the meeting.

The grammarian is present to point out obvious and not-so-obvious mistakes in word usage, grammar, and pronunciation.  This applies to all meeting participants except guests.

Prior to the meeting:

Select a Word of the Day.  If the Toastmaster has a theme, you may want to choose a word that stays with the scheme of the meeting.  It should be a word that will help us increase our speaking vocabulary a word that can easily be incorporated into everyday conversation but which is different from the way we usually express ourselves.  Sometimes the word may be one that we understand when we read it, but which we dont use in speaking.  Sometimes its a useful word we havent even seen before.  Or sometimes its a word which we tend to use incorrectly.  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.

Print you word on the flip chart, large enough for all to see.  Print the pronunciation, part of speech (adv., adj., etc.), and a brief definition.  Prepare a sentence as an example of how to use your word.  Cover the word, so it will not be discovered early.  Make sure the flip chart can be clearly seen by all.

Prepare a brief explanation of the duties of the Grammarian for the benefit of the guests.

Upon arrival at the meeting:

Make a list of everyone present.

During the meeting:

When you are introduced, prior to Table Topics, stand by the flip chart and announce the Word of the Day, state its part of speech, define it, and use it in a sentence.  Request that anyone speaking during any part of the meeting 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, etc.) next to the appropriate name.  Write down who used the Word of the Day and if they used it correctly or incorrectly.

When called on by the General Evaluator during the evaluation portion of the meeting, 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 correctly or incorrectly.