Toastmasters Area 35 - Training,Ideas,Education

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

District 70, Northern Division, Area 32

Port Stephens - blue water paradise

Table Topics Ideas

Introduction

It is always exciting to try new ideas in Table Topics yet it is sometimes difficult for the Table Topics master to come up with something different. Here are some ideas which may assist.
- Ian Schleter

Examples of Topic Sessions

a) Speak for and against

Objective - practice in flexible thinking. The speaker must speak in favour of the topic until the buzzer operates, and then immediately speak against the topic until the end of the allotted time. (Eg. timing could be 45 seconds for and 45 seconds against.)

b) Following Instructions

Objective - To give instructions. Drawing objects. Place a card on the lectern with simple pictures or words on it. The speaker then describes the object without using gestures or naming the object and everyone attempts to draw it on a piece of paper. At the end the members show what they have drawn or printed.
Identifying descriptions. Place a picture from a magazine on the lectern. The speaker must describe it without saying what it is. Everyone writes their guess on a piece of paper.

c) Reading aloud

Objective - To practice reading on request Speakers are asked to read in an impromptu manner. Can use instructional material, poems etc.

d) Let's imagine - Famous people

Objective - To use imagination. Speakers are asked to imagine they are famous people in the past coming back to life. They are to comment on life as they find it. There are many variations on this theme - eg. speakers to be given inventions and asked to sell them to prospective buyers.

e) Using imagination with simple objects

Objective - To use imagination. Speakers are given a simple object and asked to describe how many uses they can imagine for it. Eg. string, paper clip, keys etc.

f) Telephone Topics

Objective - To practice using a telephone. Speakers are asked to carry on a conversation with an imaginary person to explain a situation, sell a product etc. Using two telephones conversations can be arranged between two speakers.
g) 'Man in the street' interviews"

Objective - Practice using a microphone. Use a portable cassette recorder to conduct 'man in the street' interviews. The interviews can be played back after the meeting. Alternatively, conduct interviews as members arrive at the meeting and playback during the topic session.

h) Ceremonial Occasions

Objective - Making formal speeches. (Use pairs of speakers) Examples:

* One speaker presents a gift, then a second responds.
* Farewell to member moving interstate.
* Toast to bride and groom.
* Introduce a speaker to meeting.
* Vote of thanks to speaker.
* Speech to works christmas party.

i) Miming Topics

Objective - To encourage use of gestures. (Use pairs of speakers) One is asked to pretend he has lost his voice. He is given a piece of paper with a note asking him to convey a message or find some information from the second speaker.

j) Improvisation Skits

Objective - Acting a part. (Use pair of speakers) One speaker plays the role of a particular person. Second speaker has another role and is given a piece of paper defining a task he has. The audience and first speaker does not know the task. Eg. The first speaker is editor of local paper. Second speaker must persuade him to publish an article about Toastmasters.

k) TV Talk Show Interviews

Objective - To practice interviewing. Use pairs of speakers sitting in chairs at front of room. One speaker is host of a TV show. The other speaker is introduced in a role and has to be interviewed. The session is best when all interviews have a common theme. Eg. Use Guiness Book of Records and introduce each 'guest' as the holder of a particular world record."

Other Topics

Topics Master makes an uncompleted sentence. Speaker has to complete sentence and talk on subject.
Topics Master outlines a theme. First speaker must stop immediately on the buzzer (even in mid-sentence) and next speaker carries on. Members take turns around room.
Members speak on headlines from newspapers.
Topics Master cuts advertising articles from newspapers, the speaker goes to the lectern, looks at the article and tries to sell the product to the audience.
Topics Master runs a parliamentary practice session with members moving and seconding motions, amendments, speaking for and against etc.
Members to speak on subjects saying whether true or false.

Subject Selection

The following subjects are listed only as a guide in order to help in the selection of a topic.

CURRENT AFFAIRS - Employment, migration, unions, multinationals, economics, royalty, environment, Army, Navy, Airforce, drug abuse, cost of living, pollution.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS - Christmas, Easter, St. Valentine's Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, taxation time, International Years.

POLITICAL - Local council, State and Federal Government, the budget, personalities, international politics.

TRANSPORT - Motor vehicles, road accidents, road laws, aeroplanes, ships.

EDUCATION - Schools, Technical Colleges, Universities, adult education.

INTERESTS - Sport, hobbies, travel, cars, computers, food, adventures.

ENTERTAINMENT - TV programs, movies, song titles, commercials, dancing.

CULTURE - National pride, fairy tales, proverbs, well known sayings, love, marriage, weddings, superstitions, the opposite sex, music, poetry, opera, drama

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

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Please phone 02 4982 6822
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Training in Communication for
better Listening, Thinking and Speaking

Table Topics Ideas

Please phone 02 4982 6822 for further information on Toastmasters

Training in Communication for better Listening, Thinking and Speaking

Please phone 02 4982 6822
for further information on Toastmasters

Training in Communication for
better Listening, Thinking and Speaking