President's Tip of the Week

Table Topics: The Most Practical Toastmasters Application
(1/28/09)

Think about it… is most of the communication you do throughout the week part of a prepared, rehearsed speech, or is it impromptu? For the sake of time, as Table Topic Master, we don’t always describe the situations in which we would use this application or the benefits of participating as well as we could, so allow me to briefly do that now.

The Table Topics exercise was developed to specifically provide members with the opportunity to practice these impromptu communication skills. There are many applications for this exercise, including job interviews, social settings, getting into the elevator with the CEO of your company, responding to coworkers and salespeople, and so much more.

The goal of Table Topics is to present your ideas concisely in a sensible, organized mini-speech with a clear opening, body, and conclusion. If you can incorporate into your speech a response to previous Table Topics speakers, you’ll be giving your critical thinking skills an even greater workout.

Here are some techniques you can use to make your Table Topics response more effective:

Participating in Table Topics on a regular basis allows you to become more “fluent” in impromptu speaking and will help you to “become the speaker and leader you want to be.”

...But you have to attend regularly to participate regularly!

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/NewMember/TryTableTopics.aspx?css=print