Before you can learn how to be a better table topic speaker, you must first learn what not to do. If you can learn this, you’re well on your way to fooling people (and eventually yourself) into thinking you’re a good table topics speaker.
What not to do:
1. Don’t ask the table topics master to repeat the question.
This shows desperation and also that you weren’t listening the first time. The best way to get through table topics is to appear confident even if you don’t feel it.
2. Delaying tactics/ Waffling.
Delaying topics usually used are things like “Hmmmm, why war is bad, that’s a very interesting question, I’m glad you asked me that, it’s a question that I’m thought about many a time and have come up many theories which of course are too many to deal with in one short speech….” You’re not fooling anyone, we can see what you’re doing and we’re not impressed, don’t waste our time and yours, remember CC project 3 – Get to the point!
3. Rambling.
And I repeat, no rambling. Just like evaluations and prepared speeches a table topic speech is exactly that, a speech. Show organisation and structure. Beginning, middle and end. Structure – opening, point, point, point, conclusion.
4. Showing your ignorance
We don’t want to see someone get up here and say “I don’t know, whatever, I don’t know what to say”. We don’t need to know that, we already that you know nothing but we want you to prove us wrong, to convince us that this is something that you are capable of discussing. Surprise us!
5. Green card syndrome
One second we have a table topics speaker in front of us, the next the green card appears and the speaker has disappeared into thin air, the table topics master is standing with hand outstretched and the speaker has magically reappeared in their seat. Again a very obvious move, try to stay on the stage for longer, aim for the yellow card or even the red, push yourself that little bit further.
Utrecht TM
Club president
Peter
Dermot
ZoriZ
adebusoye
Excellent rules. For each of these rules I can imagine circumstances where they could be broken.
Suppose you get the question: If you had to miss one of your five senses and could choose which, what sense would you choose and why?
I guess I would start that answer with getting real close to the table topics master and ask to repeat the question.
I wouldn’t want to break more than one rule at a time though..
It’s important to know the rules first, then once you’re comfortable with them you can decide which one’s you want to break, it’s more effective that way!
[...] What not to do [...]