The Toastmasters Educational presentations Moments of Truth & Creating the Best Club Climate both emphasise the importance of running exciting meetings with creative Table Topics sessions.
Some ideas for creative Table Topics:
The Switch
Choose topics which allow the speakers to take a definite stance – either Yes, definitely in favour, or No, definitely against.
Explain that the speaker must promote this stance with all the passion at their disposal.
At a suitable (or maybe embarrassing!) moment, you, the Topics Master, will call Switch! Whereupon the speaker must smoothly, stylishly and seamlessly promote the diametrically opposite point of view, with the same fervour as they began the topic
The Split
You all know how important command of language & vocal variety, body language & gestures are to ensuring your speeches have impact? And how Table Topics is all about dealing with the unexpected?
Here’s an approach which deals with all of those
Each Topic is to be answered by a team of two people
The Speaker describes the scene as vividly as possible – plenty of vocal variety and so on
And stands still, with no gestures or other movement
The Mover however adds all the body language, gestures, movement with purpose, to illustrate the Speaker’s description. And says not a word.
At the end of the Topic, the Speaker stands down & the Mover becomes the Speaker for the next Topic. The first Speaker can become the Mover in the last topic.
The Debate
As in The Switch, choose a question which lends itself to definite For and Against points of view.
Have two teams, with two or three speakers apiece.
These speakers take turns to eloquently persuade the audience to adopt their team's position.
This stage is followed by questions from the floor
And then a vote to decide the winning team
Mark their victory with prizes!
These Work!
And experience has shown that even the newest guest can participate whole-heartedly
If you would like to deliver one of these speeches, contact our VPE, Cheryn.
No comments:
Post a Comment