TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL District 70, Northern Division, Area 32 Port Stephens - blue water paradise

The Table Topics Session
"The session we love to hate"

1. Introduction One of the most exciting and challenging sessions during a Toastmasters meeting is the Table Topics session. This session is run by a different member each meeting who is known as the Table Topics Master. The Table Topics Master stands at the lectern and gives topics to members who have to speak for one minute on that topic. The Table Topics Session is aimed at procuring the best of Listening, Thinking and Speaking from the participants. It represents one of the most valuable, enjoyable and interesting aids and members always anticipate a stimulating session. The session must be featured by enthusiasm, variety, interest and the representation of an achievable challange to each speaker - harder topics to the experienced, easier topics to new members and guests. 2. Objectives: The use of variety in Table Topics programmes is the key to ensuring Club meetings begin in a sparkling fashion. Table Topics need to be stimulating, interesting, provocative, pleasurable and different. The two key points a Topics Master should aim to achieve are realism and variety. The T.T.M. should seek for topics that will bring out the best listening, thinking and speaking by the members. There is a need to seek fresh approaches and new ideas that will make the session exciting and challenging. Wherever possible the session should have an overall theme, a cohesive objectivity or a uniformity of style. This will make the session an entity in which members can readily perceive their own possible participation. This leads to a better performance. 3. Topic Selection. Selection and presentation of topics will be a rigorous test of your ingenuity and understanding of the principles governing the exercise. While some of the topics may possess a humorous vein, always have topics which are topical or on which Toastmasters could be expected to voice a considered opinion. Above all, achieve variety and realism, and remember funny topics don't get funny answers. It is important to play down your own involvement and to make members shine. Finally, check your topics by seeing if you could answer them well. 4. Topicsmaster Duties Provide a copy of the topics to each Evaluator before the session. Select topic speakers with care, attempting to match the subject and degree of difficulty with the background and speaking experience of the speaker. Ensure that any member without a programmed assignment receives a topic, then those members with less demanding tasks and finally provide topics to those performing the more demanding assignments. The Timer, and Topic Evaluators should always be warned if given a topic. If additional speakers are required the visitors may be asked, before the meeting commences, if they wish to participate, preference being given to Toastmasters from other clubs. 5. Presentation - Explain the objectives and procedure of the session. - Name Evaluators and explain the timing system. - Provide a concise and precise enunciation of the topic then announce the name of the person you wish to speak on the subject. - The speaker must never be in doubt as to the theme of the topic. - If the speaker is to adopt a specific attitude or approach this must be stated without ambiguity.

Suggested beginnings to topics are - "What is meant by.............." - "Explain the origin............." - "Answer the question........." - "Is it true or false................" - "Speak on the subject........."

6. Conclusion Table topics is an impromptu speaking session which can help build confidence, provide opportunities to learn to think while speaking. Toastmasters will find this a challenging and enjoyable session. 7. Further Information The Table Topics pamphlet, code 1315, and Patterns in Programming, code 1314, are valuable documents and are available from District Supplies. The 'How To' articles in The Toastmaster are a frequent source of ideas for Table Topics Sessions. - Prepared by Ian Schleter

Just click on the item that interests you in the list below.

Speech Preparation	Speech Evaluation
Speech Topics	The General Evaluator
Table Topics Session	Table Topics Ideas
Impromptu Speaking	Guide to Meeting assignments
Competition Ideas	The Humorous Speech
The Art of Debating	Resources Section

Training, Ideas and Education Section

Return to Homepage

---

Please phone 02 4982 6822
for further information on Toastmasters

---

Training in Communication for
better Listening, Thinking and Speaking

---