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How To Master Table Topics At Toastmasters

When you’re called upon to give an impromptu speech by the Table Topics Master during a Toastmasters meeting, it can seem really daunting. You’re going to have to stand up in front of all of the other members and guests at your club and give a talk that you’re not prepared for.

If the thought of giving an impromptu speech in front of others fills you with dread, keep reading. In this article we’ll share all of our top tips for impromptu speaking to help you to master the challenge.

How Does Table Topics Work At Toastmasters?

After the prepared speeches have finished the Table Topics usually begins. The Toastmaster will introduce the Table Topics Master who usually gives a short description of Table Topics and then calls on respondents in no particular order.

If called upon, you should express your thoughts quickly and clearly. The average duration of a Table Topics speech is around 1 to 2 minutes.

Secret Strategies For Mastering Table Topic Talks

The truth is that everybody feels at least slightly pressured when asked to give an impromptu speech. Here are the best ways to deal with that pressure. They include;

Don’t Let Fear Win

Stop listening to your head when it sends any negative thoughts your way. You know, thoughts like “you’re not good enough” or “you’re going to make a fool of yourself”. This is just nerves talking and all you need to do is simply push past those nerves. 

Take a deep breath and exhale for twice as long as you inhale until you feel slightly less panicked. You can also try to hold something cold in your hand as this acts as a thermoregulator and lowers your body temperature which has been caused by your raised blood pressure.

Winston Chutchill once said “If you’re going through hell, keep going” and that’s sound advice for giving an impromptu speech at Toastmasters. Remember everyone in that room has been exactly where you are and almost certainly felt exactly the same as you do now.

Toastmasters is a safe place to practice impromptu speeches because everybody in that room is there to learn the same things and will give you constructive advice once your speech has finished. Don’t look at your fellow members as critics, think of them as friends who will give you sound advice to help you improve.

Give Yourself Time To Collect Your Thoughts

Try to sit at the back of the room and walk slowly to the front. This gives you more time to try to formulate what you’re going to say. Then acknowledge the audience and repeat the question.

You can then just talk for a few moments about something that has a vague link to the subject or even something that has no connection at all. In no time at all you’ll get some inspiration and your speech will come.

Comment On The Question

To buy you some time to gather your thoughts, you can either repeat the question, or even compliment the question (“that’s a good question”). That gives you a good 10 or 20 seconds to formulate your answer.

Speak On The First thing You Think Of

Once you get an idea, no matter how small it is, start talking about it. Don’t dismiss it and hope that something better will come along. You need to use that first idea to free your mind for whatever will come next.

Remember There’s No Right Or Wrong Way To Answer The Question

If you go up to the stage with the mindset that you need to give the right answer, you’re giving yourself unnecessary pressure.  It’s not about right or wrong, it’s about communicating and presenting your thoughts in a calm and collected manner.

You can talk complete nonsense as long as it comes across as coherent.

Don’t Waffle

On reaching the stage, don’t get into a long introduction, start to answer the question immediately. Even if all you do at first is give an honest opinion of the subject. 

This is quite easy if the subject is something like “what’s your favourite holiday” but you can also do it for open questions too. If the subject was “talk about holidays” for example, you can start by mentioning the first holiday experience that comes into your head and build it up from there. 

Just grab that first little thought and run with it. Remember Table Topics Speeches are not about the right or wrong answer, they’re about getting you to speak without preparation.

Break Your Speech Down Into Three Parts

You can give your speech some structure by splitting it into three parts. Some call this the rule of three and it’s a very helpful way to structure your impromptu speech.

For instance, “the best holiday I ever had was in Cornwall and there are three reasons why” The beauty of this is that you don’t need all three at the start, mention the first reason and think of another two as you’re speaking.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how well this works and how often it can get your mind flowing in the right direction.

Keep In Mind What, Why, When, How, Where & Who

Rudyard Kipling called these “the six honest serving men” and they can be used to focus ideas in your mind. For example if asked “what was your favourite holiday?” You can start with Why you went there, followed by when did you go, how did you get there, where you stayed and who you met.

By looking for answers to these questions in your mind you automatically come up with the structure and material you need for your speech.

Don’t Ramble

Your speech should be short, sharp and to the point. Once you’ve given the main points don’t ramble through a long conclusion, just recap your answer and the main points and finish with a short ending and hand back to the Table Topics Master.

Do Some Prep In Advance

If you know the theme of the topic before you get asked to speak, you can form half an idea on where to go with it. When you get asked to speak you can slide your answer into the frame that you’ve already thought about.

Use Your Own Experiences To Formulate Your Speech

It can be difficult to think of things to talk about when the subject has been sprung on you. Try to think of any experiences you’ve had in your life that you could relate to this subject.

This not only makes it easier for you to answer the question, it also makes your reply more personal which is always going to be more genuine.

Don’t Necessarily Go With The Flow

The most successful Table Topics speeches are typically those where the speaker has gone away from what’s considered a conventional answer. Try to think outside the box and give an answer that nobody saw coming.

Or you could turn it into a comedy routine (if you can contrive a comedy speech on the fly). Or even speak as a character from your favourite film or book.

This will keep your audience’s attention firmly on you and also give you a break from conventional speeches.

Practice Makes Perfect

As with most things in life, the more you do it the better you become at it. By regularly practicing Table Topics speeches you will find it gets easier over time.

Plus as you get better at it, the more you’ll enjoy it.

What Will You Get Out Of Table Topics Speeches?

Undertaking the role of an impromptu speaker at Toastmasters helps you to improve your confidence, and impromptu speaking skills. It will help you to organise your thoughts quickly and respond to impromptu questions.

This skill can then be transferred to your work life and the next time you’re called upon to fill in for an absent colleague and give an impromptu speech, you won’t feel quite so intimidated.

Remember it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress. Each time you take on a Table Topic, you’re building real world skills that will help you in all areas of your life.

Common Table Topics Questions You Might Get

To help you practice, here are a few typical questions;

• “What advice would you give your younger self?”
• “If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?”
• “Describe your perfect weekend.”
• “What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned this year?”
• “If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?”

You can use these to rehearse your responses before you get to the meeting.

What to Do If You Get Stuck

If you’re called up to give an impromptu speech and your mind goes blank, try this easy formula;

1. Introduction
   Repeat or react to the question (“That’s an interesting question” or “I’ve often thought about that”)
2. Body
   Share a quick story, a personal experience, or three short points related to the topic.
3. Conclusion
   Summarise your main point and end on a positive, confident note.

How To Improve Your Table Topics Speeches

Here are a few brief tips to help you to do better when giving Table Topics speeches;

• Use body language
  Keep your posture open, use natural gestures, and make eye contact to connect with the audience.
• Play with your voice
  Vary your tone, pace, and volume to keep things lively.
• Tell mini stories
  A short story or real life example makes any answer more memorable.
• Add a little humour
  A light joke or a funny observation can put both you and the audience at ease.

Step Up, Speak Out, And Shine

Table Topics is more than just a Toastmasters exercise, it’s a chance to sharpen your quick thinking skills, boost your confidence, and find your authentic speaking voice. Every time you stand up to speak without preparation, you take another step toward becoming a more powerful, persuasive, and resilient communicator. 

You need to embrace the challenge, trust yourself, and remember,  the more you practice, the more natural and enjoyable it becomes. Your next great speech might just begin with one brave answer. 

As Zig Ziglar said “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”

SEE ALSO: 465 Toastmasters Table Topics Questions

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