Table Topics Master

ROLE

• Lead the Table Topics section of the meeting

• Prepare/ask 7-10 impromptu speech topics/questions

• If possible, relate the topics/questions to the theme of the day for consistency

• Keep the topics fairly simple and attempt to have a few questions that call for humor

SAMPLE SCRIPT

"Thank you, Mister/Madam Toastmaster.

Good evening, fellow Toastmasters and guests!

Table Topics is our way of practicing impromptu speaking—thinking on your feet and expressing your thoughts clearly without preparation. It helps us learn to quickly organize a short speech with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

This is also a great opportunity for members who don’t have a speaking role on the agenda to participate—and guests are welcome to join in too!

Here’s how it works:

• I will introduce a topic and then call on someone to respond.

• You will have 1 to 2 minutes to speak.

• You are encouraged to use the Word of the Day in your response.

Timing signals are as follows:

• Green at 1 minute

• Amber at 1 minute 30 seconds

• Red at 2 minutes—please wrap up when you see red.

Let’s get started!

[You can introduce the table topics with your own mini speech about the topic if you want... Ask Your Questions and either call on participants or ask for volunteers……….]

Mister/Madam Timer, did all of our participants qualify?

Now, take this time to vote for your favorite Table Topics Speaker using the ballots. [Give a recap of all those who qualified and what they spoke about]

I now return control of the meeting to the Toastmaster.

Mister/Madam Toastmaster

[Shake hands with the Toastmaster; go back to your seat]