Summary:
4 unconventional tips for Toastmasters table topics, and 11 engaging questions that you can ask. Video below.
Table Topics: Guaranteed to be awesome or terrible, every time.
Several people said they really enjoyed the way I hosted the Table-Topics session of my Toastmasters meeting. I’ll share what I did differently.
1. Start with a story related to impromptu speaking.
I could have opened with “The purpose of Table Topics is to give everyone an opportunity to practice thinking on their feet” — but every member knows that, so why not start with something entertaining instead?
My brief story engaged and motivated people, and I received the meeting’s Spark Plug Award for enthusiastically getting everyone involved in Table Topics.
2. Instead of distributing the Table Topics questions on slips of paper, read a topic aloud and then choose a speaker.
This allows members to fully listen to people’s speeches without being distracted by thoughts of their own topic. It also ensures that members attentively listen when I read a topic, because they don’t know who I might call on next.
The suspense of who I would choose next was entertaining and lead to some funny reactions when people are picked for a given topic such as, “Have you ever had a crush on a friend’s boyfriend or girlfriend… Wilson?”
3. Choose questions that members have an opinion about and that are of interest to everyone.
Some questions aren’t interesting or don’t elicit emotion nor strong opinion — “What is your favorite gardening tool?” Yawn.
4. After each person speaks, make a brief remark on the speech.
Some of my remarks got laughs, some were compliments to the speakers. People said that my remarks were entertaining and provided smooth transitions between the speakers.
But I encourage you to make comments between the speakers only if your meeting’s time permits it. Sometimes it’s better just to read the next topic.
Some engaging Table Topics questions that you can ask:
- Should cell phones be permitted in schools?
- If you could afford to not work anymore, what would you do for fun?
- What is the most thought-provoking book you’ve read?
- What is your favorite TV show and why should we watch it?
- Until what age would you like to live and why?
- Are you the same person you were as a child or are you much different?
- What’s the longest you’ve gone without sleep? Tell us what happened.
- What is something you spend a lot of money on?
- Did you ever have a crush on a friend’s boyfriend or girlfriend?
- Talk about a song that means something to you.
- Is a messy desk the sign of a creative person or a lazy person?
I apologize for the grainy video, but the audio is clear.
What’s your favorite way to do Table Topics?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Question nine — ”Did you ever have a crush on a friend’s boyfriend or girlfriend?” — could make some people uncomfortable.
As the Table Topics Masters, I didn’t ask this question to anyone at random, but rather I chose a Toastmaster who has previously demonstrated a terrific ability to delight audiences with his candid, personally-revealing stories.
When I asked him question nine last night, he was voted the best Table Topics Speaker!
Very good point! everyone at a Toastmasters meeting already knows what Table Topics are, do they need reminding:o) To give an example of successful impromptu speaking is far more helpful.
I agree also that it is far more helpful to give speakers questions that are topical and/or emotive. I know someone that has a messy desk… it drives me NUTS. It would be far easier to talk about that than tell you what I would do if I found a meteor in my garden that gave me special powers.
Noel