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(rev. Mon 25 Jan 1999 -- material provided by Michael Jue)
Table Topics
For more on this and other assignments, see our Web site at https://members.tripod.com/~northroptm212 on the "Member Resources" page.
1. What is Table Topics?
- Insures the tradition that every member speaks at a meeting.
- Purpose: "think on their feet"
- Each speaker may be given an individual subject, or a choice of subjects may be drawn at random
2. How do I respond to a Table Topic Question?
- Every individual has personal speaking style.
- Paradigm ("example, pattern") can be used – for example, PREP = Point, Reason, Example(s), Point.
- Some Toastmasters will LIE when answering Table Topics question.
- Other Toastmasters will bend the topic to one that they do know.
- Remember to take three deep breaths (nobody remembers) prior to speaking.
3. How do I do the Table Topic Master assignment?
- see https://members.tripod.com/~northroptm212/assignments/topic.html for assignment description by Michael Kadrmas.
- Prior to meeting: theme? Do not repeat previous meeting’s Table Topics theme or ideas.
- Meeting assignees - first call on those not already doing an assignment
- Use questions that will inspire answer – not too long or complicated, phrased so that speaker knows exactly what is expected.
- Keep comments short.
4. How is a area, division, or district Table Topics contest different than that in a club?
- The same question is asked of all contestants, and is known to only the person preparing the question prior to the contest.
- All Table Topics contestants are kept outside of room prior to speaking.
- Contestants come into the room one at a time, and hears the question twice prior to answering.
5. Why we should be prepared with Table Topics "in-hand" at our own club, and when visiting other clubs?
- Keeps in line with the idea of the "hip pocket" speech – a presentation that can be presented anytime, anywhere, and with little or no advance warning.
- Helps the individual Toastmaster be more confident, having prepared Table Topics that can presented as needed
- Increases the individual Toastmaster’s self-esteem when filling-in for vacant assignment.
- Helps out when the assigned Table Topics Masters fails to perform the assignment for whatever reason.