Table Topics Made Easy Presented by Distinguished Toastmaster

Table Topics Made Easy! Presented by Distinguished Toastmaster Peter Bunce 1

What's harder than giving a prepared speech? How about giving a speech without any preparation at all? In Toastmasters, this is called "Table Topics. " 2

Tips for Success in Table Topics (1) Listen (2) Pause (3) Confirm (4) Tell (5) End What? Source: Impromptu Speaking (Supply Catalogue Item #273) 3

Speech Development Structure, Organization, Opening, Body, Conclusion, and Smoothness - 30% Speech Development is the way the speaker puts ideas together so [that] the audience members can understand them. The Table Topics response is structured around a purpose, and this structure must include and opening, body, and conclusion. The response is supported by relevant examples and illustrations, facts and figures, if appropriate, and is delivered smoothly. Source: Table Topics Contest Judge's Guide and Ballot, Supply Catalogue Item Number 1180 4

Effectiveness Logic, Directness, Enthusiasm, Achievement of Purpose, Audience Response Effectiveness is the judge's subjective [determinations] of how the response came across. Where you, the judge, able to determine the speaker's purpose? Did the [answer] relate directly to the given question or topic? Was the response clearly and logically presented? Source: Table Topics Contest Judge's Guide and Ballot, Supply Catalogue Item Number 1180 5

What A Successful Opening Does (1) It gets the audience's attention (2) It introduces the topic (3) It helps the audience relate to the speaker's message (4) It takes five to ten percent of the total speech time 6

Opening Techniques You can. . . • Explain why the topic is important • Make a surprising statement • Create suspense or curiosity • Tell a story or anecdote • Ask a rhetorical question • Begin with a quotation • Refer to the occasion Source: Beginning Your Speech (Supply Catalogue Item #270) 7

The Table Topics Speech's Body Question 1: "What are the biggest challenges facing the future of Hong Kong's young people? " Your answer will be a "definition" speech. You could name and define some problems. This technique is frequently called "the problem-solving speech. " Source: North Star Level 3 Reading and Writing, by Laurie Barton 8

The Table Topics Speech's Body Question 2: "Are there any benefits to including ginger in your daily diet? Or does it have undesirable effects? " Divide your topic into pro and con. Argue both in favor and against eating ginger. Give specific reasons and examples. ibid. 9

The Table Topics Speech's Body Question 3: "What new efforts should be made to combat the avian influenza virus in Hong Kong and nearby provinces? " Divide your topic into cause and effect. "If we do this - - then this will happen. " 10

The Table Topics Speech's Body Question 4: "What makes you think that China and the United States are part of the same family? " Compare and contrast. How are the two nations alike? How are they different? Argue that their similarities are so great they both must be part of the same family. 11

The Table Topics Speech's Body Question 5: "How has Hong Kong changed in the last 20 years, and how do you think it will become 20 years from now? " Compare and contrast past, present, and future. What is still the same, what has changed, and what other changes can you predict for the future? Microsoft 1978 12

What A Successful Conclusion Does (1) It gives a feeling of closing (2) It reviews the main points (3) It makes an impact (4) It takes five to ten percent of the total speech time 13

Closing Techniques You can. . . • End with a quotation • Tell a story or anecdote • Create suspense or curiosity • Call for action • Ask a rhetorical question • Refer to the speech's opening • Summarize your main points Source: Concluding Your Speech (Supply Catalogue Item #271) 14

Remember Delivery and Language! Delivery and Language make up 45% of the points awarded on the Table Topics Judges' Guide and ballot. Physical - Appearance, Body Language, Speaking Area 15 points Voice - Flexibility, Volume 15 points Appropriateness - To Speech Purpose and Audience 10 points Correctness - Grammar, Pronunciation, Word Selection 5 points 15

Finally End on time! One minute minimum Two minutes thirty seconds maximum 16

What have we learned today? • Table Topics questions may seem difficult; • There are ways to make them easier to answer; • Keep the main things, which are structure and effectiveness; • In your Table Topics speech, include an opening, body, and conclusion; • Tailor your response technique to the type of question you receive for an on-target answer; • End on time! 17

The End 18