Table Topics Special
How to become a table topics champion by Karin Weidlich (Munich Prostmasters)
1. Always be listening and always be thinking
2. Connect with your audience: be positive - Smile - Look them in the eye.
3. Pick a structure:
Thank the introducer, Address your audience, repeat the question (slowly).
4. Opener:
Attention grabber, Visual, Story, question.
5. Main body A-B-C:
A) Like/Dislike:
You agree with the question or disagree. This is an immediate emotional response.
B) Three Things/ Number of things:
This is a step by step approach and shows strong structure.
C) Ask the audience:
Pass the question on to select members of the audience for a 10-15 second comment then just repeat them as your own. Nice and easy.
6. Strong closing:
Call to action; quotation; sum up key points;
repeat opening lines (?top and tail? method).
NEVER END WITH A THANK YOU to the audience but turn back to the TME.
Some of us immediately put the newly gained knowledge into practice. Those who prepare for the contest will find a lot of useful inspiration in the following speech resumes:
Emotional, witty and strong at using imagery:
Ella Ananina: She clearly stated that she, as a foreign worker and without any voting right, had nothing to do with the outcome of the German elections and this would hardly affect her as an individual; but she worried about the German voters. Why? From a spectator?s view, Germany is subject to the ?theatre effect?. When everybody rises to see what?s going on at the front, nobody can see anything. We, the Germans, would be better off, if only one stands up to find out whether there is land in sight.
Pro-and-cons structure, leading to a clear statement:
Ingrid Genau managed to act as the perfect spokeswoman for the US President when she was asked whether New Orleans should be rebuilt or not. She first raised two arguments for rebuilding, namely to save the unique character of the city, particularly the French quarter and to give people back their homes. However, her arguments against rebuilding were stronger: It would cost too much money and the risk for the city to be flooded again is too high. Her conclusion: Rebuild it at a safer location. This is called decision-making within less than two minutes. Sounds quite easy!
