Table topics I wrote in October 2019 for the Toastmasters Club, Toast of Berkeley
At every Toastmasters meeting, one section is dedicated to Table Topics. The Table Topics Master for the evening proposes a list of topics and randomly assigns one to each participant. Usually, all the topics are based on a common theme, selected by the Table Topics Master. Each participant, who was unaware of the topic until that moment, must improvise a 1-2-minute speech. It’s always engaging and fun to improvise and to listen to others do the same. I love creating lists of topics and seeing how people improvise on them. Here is one of my lists of topics.
Select one of the following absurd objects and sell it with your own words to the Toastmasters audience.
- Electric stone/rock
- Wheel-less bicycle
- Screenless laptop
- 5 pounds of lost keys
- Windows 95 printed manual
- Miniature cage for ants
- Cat allergic to rats and mice
- New tickets for last year’s baseball games
More ToastMasters Table Topics Ideas
ToastMasters Table Topics Ideas: Workplace Little Problems
At the Toast of Berkeley Toastmasters Club, a Table-Topics-Master presented practical scenarios that highlight common workplace dilemmas. Participants were encouraged to select a topic such as approaching a professional for collaboration, negotiating authorship on a paper, and addressing personal boundaries with colleagues, fostering communication skills in a supportive environment.
ToastMasters Table Topics Ideas: THE BEST Salesperson EVER
On August 13, 2019, the author created Table Topics for the Toast of Berkeley Toastmasters Club, themed “The Best Salesperson Ever.” Each participant had two minutes to pitch various items, including a private helicopter, a Caribbean island, and an engagement ring, showcasing their persuasive skills in a fun and engaging format.