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| Toastmaster Table Topics |
Table Topics in Toastmasters clubs are a long-standing tradition designed to develop members' impromptu speaking skills and their ability to organize thoughts quickly. This segment of a Toastmasters meeting provides participants with an opportunity to speak extemporaneously on a given topic, typically lasting one to two minutes.
The core purpose of Table Topics is to enhance confidence and spontaneous speaking abilities. It challenges members to think on their feet, articulate their ideas clearly and succinctly, and respond effectively to unexpected questions or themes. This practice is crucial for improving communication and leadership skills.
The Table Topics session usually takes place after the prepared speech presentations in a Toastmasters meeting. The Toastmaster introduces the Topics master, who then briefly explains the Table Topics segment before calling on respondents at random. The Topics master is responsible for selecting topics in advance that encourage speakers to offer opinions and for facilitating the session. They should aim for topics that are easy to understand and allow for growth, rather than those that are overly complex or require specialized knowledge.
To keep the session engaging, Topics masters often employ creative approaches. These can include:
- Using physical props: Bringing in a bag of items (e.g., a rotary phone, abacus) and asking members to describe them, or even blindfolding participants to describe objects by touch.
- Story-based topics: Providing large photos for members to explain the story behind, or giving participants random words to weave into a narrative.
- Follow-on topics: Where subsequent speakers build upon the response of the previous speaker on the same topic.
- Speed Table Topics: A rapid-fire approach where each participant responds to a numbered topic for a shorter duration, typically no more than a minute, ensuring wider participation.
- "Sell Something" scenarios: Asking participants to pick an advertisement or item and "sell" it to the club members, stretching their comfort zones.
- Historical or thematic topics: Focusing on specific themes, such as Toastmasters history, or demonstrating actions like casting a fly or playing an instrument.
The Topics master plays a vital role in ensuring a successful Table Topics session. They prepare a sufficient number of prompts, often 15 to 20, placing each on a separate card. They announce time limits clearly, typically 1 minute for green, 1 minute 30 seconds for yellow, and 2 minutes for red, with a 30-second grace period. When calling on speakers, it's customary to prioritize members over guests, and to call the participant first before revealing the topic. For guests, particularly those new to public speaking, Topics masters often provide very easy, low-pressure topics to ensure a positive experience.
Table Topics are not just about speaking; they also help members develop organizational skills, time management, and facilitation abilities. The impromptu nature of the exercise helps individuals overcome presentation anxiety and become more comfortable speaking spontaneously. Many Toastmasters clubs even host Table Topics contests to further hone these skills.
