Table Topics Research Paper v2 (5th July)

© Gerald Ong, ACG, ALB – a personal opinion (Version 2)

Toastmasters Table Topics Contest:

Chief Judge’s style & their topics

5th July 2010

Gerald Ong, ACG, ALB

Modifications: Original Released 30th June 2010 2nd Version Released 5th July 2010 Disclaimer: This paper represents the author’s opinion and is linked to case studies done during the contest


Profile of The Authour:

Gerald Ong is an adventurous Toastmaster, whom have tried out

many different concepts in the Toastmasters Community to make

every individual thing outside of the norm. Being a member of

Toastmasters for 3 years, he has been enjoying the friendship of

the Toastmasters. He enjoys speaking on a regular basis in the

Australian Toastmasters Scene.

As of today, he has achieved the Toastmasters International of

Advanced Communicator Gold & Advanced Leader Bronze.

Having moved to Sydney to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in

Mechanical Engineering at the University of New South Wales,

Sydney, Australia since February 2010, he has gone into semi-

retirement from Toastmasters while maintaining contact with the

Singapore Toastmasters community at large.

In his free time, he devotes to further research in the

Toastmasters’ issues and many other areas of speaking. His

research areas include contest analysis and Appointment Holders

Analysis to liven the Toastmasters Scene in Singapore.

This publication is accessible online on his blog:

http://gotoastmastering.blogspot.com


1. Abstract: This research paper dissects the trends seen at the topics provided by Chief Judges during the Toastmasters Competition Season which takes place during the periods of January to June 2010. It looks from the beginning of the contest at the Club Level, preceding onto the Area Level, followed by the Division Level and concluding at the District Level. This is based at looking at all levels of the competition. It also includes the general style and distribution of table topics difficulty levels at all levels of the competition. 2. Introduction: Table Topics Contest is one of four competitions where Toastmasters compete annually against their own community to fight for the Top two or three trophies which are usually announced at every level. The purposes of the contest area: 1. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have

benefitted from their Toastmasters training 2. To encourage development of impromptu and/or extemporaneous speaking skills and to

recognize the best as encouragement to all. 3. Rules of the Table Topics Contest: All Contestants have to abide the following rules as explicitly stated in the Toastmasters International Rulebook 2010, Item 1171. This rulebook is available online on Toastmasters International Website. 4. Calculated Maximum Data in a Contest From the District 80 Council Report at Semi-Annual Convention 2010b, Table 1 shows the data of a contest within a District:

Level of Competition Value Clubs 235 (base)

244 (new clubs inclusive)

Areas 52 Divisions 10 District 1

Total 307 Table 1: Possible Data Available

a Speech Contest Rulebook 2010, Item 1171, pg.22, Toastmasters International

b Supplied by District Secretary 2009-2010, Kan Kin Fung, DTM


6. Available Data based on the Calculated Maximum Data From the Table Topics Contest 2010 held with District 80 in Appendix A, Table 2 shows the available sampling size:

Level of Competition Available/Supplied Clubs 19 Areas 18

Divisions 7 District 1 Overall 45

Table 2: Available Sampling Size As a result, the following percentages are tabulated as follow in terms of sample size:

Level of Competition % Sample Size Clubs 7.8%

Areas 34.6% Divisions 70% District 100% Overall 14.7%

Table 3: Available Sampling Size Due to the small selection sample size available for the Club levels, it is due to the lack of contestants to hold the contest or the data is not available on the club websites/newsletters. This makes more difficult to prove the accuracy of the data. As this is the case, we will take the clubs and areas topics as a whole for this research paper.

5. Levels of Competition: Every Toastmaster competes at the club level, before progressing forward to the Area Level, Division Level & District Level eventually. In accordance with Section 2 of Table Topics Contest in Rulebook 2010 on page 22, it specifically mentions that the winner of both clubs in different areas can only compete in one area. 6. Eligibility to Compete: In accordance with Section 3 of Table Topics Contest on page 22 of the Speech Rulebook 2010, every Toastmaster in a District will need to meet the following criteria in order to compete:

1. The club must be in good standing, meaning dues and membership current with Toastmasters International. If found ineligible, the contestant must be disqualified.

2. An individual must not be a judge if he is still competing. 3. Toastmasters must submit the Speakers’ Certification of Eligibility & Originality (Item 1183) 4. Each Contestant must be present to compete, failing which they are immediately disqualified. 5. As long as the Toastmaster is an incumbent or existing District Officer, the Toastmaster is

also ineligible to compete.


7. Selection of Topic before Contest: Usually the Contest Chairman picks up the topic from the Chief Judge and announces it to the contestants. Contestants are ushered outside the contest venue to a holding room and when it is their turn, they will be invited back to the competition venue. The timing of the speech will only begin at the first moment where they speak or move in the contest. Chief Judge provides the topics in a few of these scenarios: 1. In a bag of topics 2. Given 3 envelopes, choose 1 3. Give a envelope to the Contest Chairman 8. Length & Type of Topics given: In the District 80 2008 Table Topics Contest Video, it was noted in that year, the question “Are you smart enough?” was mispronounced as “Are you small enough” by the Contest Chair of the Competition. Though the topic was short, it was prone to being mispronounced. A check on the International Phonetic Alphabet confirmed this. “/smɑrt/” and “ /smɔl/” don’t pronounce the same. Though the mispronunciation was a minor issue, the length of the topic remain unaffected. This major impact may cause some contestants to slip through, but it can be overcomed by checking with the Contest Chair We have calculated the average based on the number of contest over the total word count seen as a whole, and look at the shortest and the longest topic. This is shown in Table 4

Total Number of Words over 45 contests 359 words Average number of words 7.97 ~ 8 words Minimum Word Count 3 words Maximum Word Count 18 words

Table 4: Word Count of Topics We have not been able to find a suitable length of topic due to the insufficient sample size at the clubs level. Throughout the course of this research, we are able to identify the type of topics given: 1. Quotations 2. Proverbs 3. Questions on Current Affairs Based on this general trend, it is noted that the quotes are the safest bet in a Table Topics Contest. Quotes allow contestants to go on a steady flow when it is able to give their stand. When questions are asked, it is usually based on their current knowledge of the situation, and their daily readings of the newspapers to stay in touch with the latest developments Proverbs are much easier to manage, though short. Once they don’t understand the meaning of the phrase, it is more prone to getting them to speak out of point.


9. Topics given at the contest: In accordance with Section 4 of Table Topics Contest on page 23 of the Speech Rulebook 2010, it explicitly states that the topic shall be of reasonable length, shall not require a detailed knowledge and shall lead to an opinion or conclusion. With reference to Appendix A, I personally felt that some chief judges overlook at this area. The topic is at the discretion of the Chief Judge to select or provide. For example, the topic given at Yio Chu Kang Toastmaster Club (TMC), was on current affairs about the Romanian Embassy Car Accident. If not for the intensifying media following, not many would know the topic. However, unless the contestants are following the media intensely, they will be put at a HUGE disadvantage. This may not be a good test of the contestant’s ability at table topics. Of course, there is no right or wrong way, just which is a better test of the contestant’s ability to react within that short time span In some cases, there are “oxymoron” topics given in the contest. This is not only difficult to comprehend, but also challenging for the contestants to appreciate the topic to give their point of view. Oxymoron is defined in the Dictionarycas “an expression that contains words with opposite meanings.” Though it may seem complicated at the start, it is actually easy to conquer the topic if it is given as a point of view. The possible mistakes are not making a stand in a oxymoron, which is deadly enough for the contestant. Oxymoron is very tricky to deal with, especially to new contestants. They need to be properly groomed in a contest environment to succeed well in the contest. “There is a spike in Rhetorical Questions as a Topic in the Contest in recent Table Topics in District 80 and other Districts across the world. In District 80 2010 Contest, the topic is “What’s the Question?” In District 80 2008 Contest, the topic is “Are You Smart Enough?” Both questions trigger the thoughts of using personal stories to succeed in winning the competition. In an experiment done in Australia on the 2010 Question, beginners are stumbled at the first instance using the shock and awe approach of delivering the topic. However, this is not the case in clubs based in Hong Kong & Macau; their topics are simpler, shorter and easier to manage. Also, quotes and proverbs were seen in quite a number of occasions in Singapore Table Topics Contests. Perhaps, this is due to the language competency of the clubs in the Asian countries, as compared to the Western Countries.

c http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/oxymoron


10. Personalities & Background of Chief Judges: Both Chief Judge in District Contest 2008 and 2010 are Immediate Past District Governors at the point of competition, both of which like to trigger the contestants’ mind and enjoy using inspiration quotes as part of their speeches and messages to the General Toastmasters Community in Singapore. As compared to the Chief Judge in Division A & B, the Chief Judge in this 2 Division contests decided in the bag of topics using a simpler topic. This may be the simplistic personality or language ability of the Chief Judge. The consideration of topics already given in past contest was not taken fully into account. Otherwise, had another topic be given, this would make the contest evenly spread out. At club contests, where Chief Judges are usually called in bigger numbers, their personalities are vastly different. Some prefer to be simple in approach, while others enjoy creating the contest as a challenge for all Toastmasters to follow. Thus, it is in line with the second objective of the Table Topics Contest, which states that, “To encourage development of impromptu and/or extemporaneous speaking skills and to recognize the best as encouragement to all.” 11. Anticipating the Chief Judges of their topics: In so many cases seen in this year’s contest, we are able to predict at a comfortable level of what topics they are going to come up. In relation to the Needs Analysis of the Financial Advisors Act in the Singapore’s Statues, we are creating the need for the contestants to accept and understand the topic before the contestant speaks at the first instance where the timing is taken at. From the pairing approach of topics and Chief Judges, we are able to identify a few judges that may not be suitable at some levels. Every level of contests demands a different standard of judges to create the “competition” factor in the contestants. This also includes pre-screening the Chief Judge ahead of the contest. Looking at Chief Judges & their topics with reference to Appendix A, it shows that the importance of the selection of Chief Judge at every level. This will be further elaborated in Point 12. 12. Choices of Chief Judges by Organizing Committees: At every Table Topics Contest, a Chief Judge is usually appointed, based on the availability to run the contest in supplying the judging panel & table topic. In such cases, the judging history of the Chief Judge was not properly taken into full account, prior to the planning of the contest. As a result, it has created an unbalanced topic progression flow from the Club Level to the District Level. This unbalanced progression flow create an element of surprise to the contestant. However, it has negative effect, which can cause contestants to prepare insufficiently for the contest. This is shown in Appendix A of the full list of topics.


13. Recommendations: 1. Consistency of Topics

It has been noted that there are some inconsistencies of the topics held in the competition, where a simple topic is given for an Area level & District Level competition. Everyone in the Toastmasters movement have to be aware of the dire consequences as a result of the varying standards through the contest levels. Maintain the progression flow of the standard of the topics in an upward direction. It will create a better impact to the contestants in their learning and be prepared in handling difficult table topic at the higher level, where the contestants are often being pushed to their breaking point.

2. Anticipation of Chief Judge’s topics

Through this research, every Toastmaster should be able to predict the Table Topic, provided by the Chief Judge if homework is done thoroughly and early by the contestants themselves. As such, once the Chief Judge is confirmed, it should be announced publicly via the website to the contestants and audience. The District Contest outline should also be published online with the list of appointment holders who helped ran the contest so that everyone can have a better idea.

3. Length of Topic: Based on the judges’ homework in choosing the topics early at the start of the contest season, the topics given have to be of a suitable length for the contestants’ mind to absorb. There is no recommended length to this, but more thoughts and careful decisive selection have to be done in the preparation stage.

4. Table Topic Evaluation:

This form of evaluation reinforces the contestants’ perception of the audience and their relevant opinion to make it more relevant and suitable to the audience. In a separate experiment conducted outside of this research, the effect of the evaluation has already helped table topics speakers to improve at a faster rate, as compared to the clubs without table topics evaluation.

Conclusion This study has shown the problems and the areas where we can work on to prepare well for the table topics competition. It has shown that there is a need to further understand the judges’ perspectives and their pre-selection of the topic. I sincerely hope that all recommendations can be further considered by the community at large. Many hours have been spent to understand the anticipation of the topics by the Chief Judge. In short, we hope that everyone would be better prepared for the contest when they take part.


References Bibliography: Speech Contest Rulebook 2010, Toastmasters International Speech Contest Manual, Toastmasters International District Council Report 2009-2010 Semi-Annual Convention, Macau District Council Report 2009-2010 Annual Convention, Bangkok Roles of Table Topic Speaker, Table Topic Master & Table Topics Evaluator, London Corinthians, London, United Kingdom, District 71 Acknowledgements: Toastmasters International District 80 Secretary 2009-2010, Kan Kin Fung, DTM for the council reports Chief Judges of the each Table Topics contest at every level Fellow Toastmasters of District 80 2009-2010 UNSW Professional Toastmasters Club Advanced Communicators @ UNSW Toastmasters Club

Appendices: Appendix A: District 80 Table Topics 2010 Appendix B: Role of Table Topic Master Appendix C: Role of Table Topic Speaker Appendix D: Role of Table Topic Evaluator


Appendix A District 80 Table Topics Contests 2010

Which Level or Club DD/MM/YYYY Topic Length Chief Judge

New Millennium Adv Contest 3rd March 2010 "A bad craftsman blame his tools", 5 Chia Choon Kiat, CL

Tampines Changkat 2010 “Life is a Roller-Coaster Ride” 4

SIM Students 2010 Diet with a conscience. Be a vegetarian. 7 Gabriel Leong, CC, CL

YMCA TMC, 21st March 2010 How do you feel about the Romanian Ambassador’s hit & run accident? Talk about reckless driving.

14 Angel Lucy Tan, DTM

Nee Soon South 2010 "What I don’t have enough in my life". 8 Tay Yiang Ping, DTM

Seagate TMC 4th Feb 2010 "Rome was not built in one day" 7 Mike Woon, CTM

Cheng San TMC 10 March 2010 “There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.”

10 Michael Wee, DTM

Queenstown TMC 17th Feb 2010 Do you believe that there is a silver lining behind every dark cloud” 13 Michael Wee, DTM

Bunoa Vista TMC 4th March 2010 “Time to Slow Down"

4 Chee Kim Loon, ATMB/CL

Ulu Pandan 2 March 2010 He who asks remains a fool for 5 minutes. He who does not ask remains a fool forever

18 Jerlynn Ang, CC, CL

Katong TMC Contest 18 March 2010 Intuition is the source of scientific knowledge 7 Lim Seh Leng, ACG

Lew Lian Gardens Mandarin Club 15 March 2010 Pros and Cons of Casino 5 Teh Kai Chong

Braddell Heights Club 1 2 March 2010 Wealth is more important than Health 6 Fernando Young,D TM

Queenstown TMC 17th Feb 2010 Do you believe that there is a silver lining behind every dark cloud” 13 Albert Lim, DTM

Braddell Heights Advanced 27th Feb 2010 "Enjoy Life, it is not a rehearsal". 7 Patricia Lum, DTM

Cotai 7 April 2010 A Funny Event 3 Not available

PAG 2010 It was the best of time. It was the worst of time 12 Not available

Macau Toastmasters 2010 Oh! I get pregnant! 4 Not available

Area H1 2010 Take it or Leave It 5 Not available

NUS Alumni Toastmasters 18th March 2010 Think you can, Think you can’t, either way you will be right 12 Not available

Area Z5 Contest 16 March 2010 Happiness is not getting what we want but in wanting what we have.

13 Koh Hock Seng

Areas U1 & U3 10th Apr 2010 best way to deal with opponent is tolerance

8 Ong Lye Sum, CC, CL

Area D2 Contest 10 Apr 2010 "Conquer or complain". 3 Tay Yiang Ping, DTM

Area S4 Contest 2010 “Age is just a number. Agree or disagree?” 8

Area S1 Contest 2010 School days are the best days of your life " 9 Andrew Whitney, CC, CL

Area A1 31st March 2010 "The cautious seldom err"!

4 Saddiq, CC, CL

Area A2 20th March 2010 Most people are resistant to change, but sometimes it's the only way to progress"

14 Albert lim, DTM

N.B: Some information may not be available at time of research conducted.


Appendix A District 80 Table Topics Contests 2010

Which Level or Club DD/MM/YYYY Topic Word Count Chief Judge

Areas U2 & U4 27th March 2010 if you want to give one thing to your child, what would you give 14 Nick French, CC

Area B4 27 Feb 2010 Leadership is the capacity to turn vision into reality. 9

Area B1 6 March 2010

A no is not a never. A never is not a forever 12 Jerlynn Ang, CC, CL

Area B2 6 March 2010

It's not who you know, it's who knows you. 9 Jerlynn Ang, CC, CL

Area B5 6 March 2010 In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” ~ Coco Chanel

10 Jerlynn Ang, CC, CL

Area D1 2010 "There is always a silver lining outside the black cloud", 10 Angeline Koh, DTM

Area D3 24th March 2010 'Money serves it's purpose only when it is used for people who need it.

13 Michael Wee, DTM

Area S5 27th March 2010 A winner makes commitments, a loser makes noises 8 Not available

Division A 17 Apr 2010 "I want to be a champion" 6 Tay Yiang Ping, DTM

Division B March 2010 "I want to be a champion 6 Tay Yiang Ping, DTM

Division Z Contest 17th Apr 2010 Today is the Tomorrow You Worried About Yesterday 8 Koh Hock Seng., ACB,

Division S Contest 17 Apr 2010 Failure is not missing the target but aiming too low 10 Daisy Neo, CC, CL

Division K 17th Apr 2010 your biggest investment" 3 Not available

Division U Contest 24th Apr 2010 "You are alone because you close the door " 7 Patricia Lum, DTM

Division D Contest 24th Apr 2010 "“Forgiveness is the oil for better relationship " 7 Albert Lim, DTM

District 80 30 May 2010 "What Is The Question?". 4 Goh Wei Koon, DTM

N.B: Some information may not be available at time of research conducted.


Appendix B

Role of Table Topics Master

Table Topics is an excellent way for members to develop impromptu speaking skills. It is, in effect,

delivering a mini speech, usually timed at between 1 – 1 ¼ - 1 ½ minutes.

Prior to the meeting

Keep the topics short and simple. Short because the more members we invite to take part in Table Topics,

the more members we are helping to develop impromptu speaking skills. Prepare about 12 topics but be

aware that, on the night, there may be time for more or less to be used.

If the meeting has a theme of the day (say put out by the Toastmaster), feel free to construct your topics to

stay within that theme. Ie think about the time of the year (Halloween, Guy Fawkes, Burn’s Night, Easter,

Christmas, etc).

On the night:

The trick is to stand near the door then, as people arrive, ask them if they would like to do a Topic. Stay

there until as near to 7:30pm as possible. Print off the form below for you to use.

Of crucial importance is the following: At all Toastmasters’ clubs worldwide, a particular protocol is

followed. That is that, at every meeting, all club members are required to speak. This could be delivering a

prepared speech, giving an evaluation, being a Timekeeper or taking part in the Table Topics’ session.

You will see on your seat a programme showing who is due to deliver a speech or who has been assigned a

functionary role. Thus, other members that come along on the evening, should be given priority to take part

in the Table Topics’ session.

There is a strict protocol of, in which order, members should be invited up to speak:

1. Members of Corinthians (who are not already on the programme).

2. Visitors who are members of ToastMasters but belong to other clubs.

3. Guests but only if that have said beforehand that they are happy to do a topic. Note though that guests

should never be asked up to speak ahead of a member of Corinthians or other Toastmasters’ clubs.

4. Members of Corinthians who are already speaking on the programme (ie only do this if audience

numbers are low and we’re struggling to find Table Topics’ participants). They should not be invited to

deliver a Topic before others listed in 1-3 above.

It is very important that people are invited up in the order above as, if Corinthians’ Members are not given

the opportunity to speak at every club meeting, we – understandably – get complaints.

When running the Table Topics’ session, it looks much more professional if this can be done without notes

or cards in your hand. If you feel comfortable doing this, then do the following:

§ Have a sheet with your Table Topics on it and write a member’s name next to each (following the

above protocol). Memorise your first Table Topic and the name of the member you will invite up to do this

Topic.

§ When the Toastmaster calls on you to stand up and deliver the session, stand centre stage, say the

Topic and the name of the person you are calling upon to do the Topic.

§ Stay centre stage, lead the clapping then, as the person approaches you, shake their hand and return to

your seat. The shaking of the hands is symbolic in that (a) at the beginning, you are handing over the stage


to the speaker; and (b) when they finish speaking, you shake their hand again to signify that you are re-

claiming the stage.

§ When the first speaker is speaking, memorise your second Topic and the name of the member that

you will ask to do this.

§ When the first speaker has finished, reclaim the stage, shake their hand (see above), lead the clapping

then, when the clapping has stopped, introduce your second speaker, etc.

§ When the last Topic has been delivered, hand back to the Toastmaster.

§ The total time for a Table Topics session is about 20 minutes. You will need to monitor time to make

sure that the session does not over run.


Appendix C

Role of Table Topic Speaker

Most of the talking we do every day – simple conversation – is impromptu speaking. Yet for

some members, Table Topics Speaking is the most challenging part of a Toastmasters meeting.

Table Topics continues a long-standing Toastmasters tradition – most members speaks at a

meeting. But it’s about more than just carrying on an anxiety-ridden tradition. Table Topics is

about developing the ability to organize your thoughts quickly and respond to an impromptu

question or topic.

Table Topics usually begins after the prepared speech presentations. The Toastmaster of the

Evening will introduce the Topics Master. The Topics Master will give a brief description of the

purpose of Table Topics.

The Table Topics Master will state the topic briefly and then call on a respondent. Each speaker

receives a different topic or question and participants are called on at random. The response

should last one to two minutes.


Appendix D

Role of Table Topics Evaluator

At the meeting:

All evaluators are expected to sit at the back of the room. This is to check that they can hear and see the

speaker clearly from the back of the room.

Being Table Topics’ Evaluator is one of the most challenging roles that a member can take on because, as

soon as the Table Topics’ session has ended, the Topics Evaluator is called to the front to deliver his/her

report. Consequently, there is not much room for thought!

However, beforehand, think about evaluations that you have received. What was good about them (or not!)?

How would you like to receive feedback and apply that principle to giving feedback to others.

Watch and listen to the speakers. What did they do well and what feedback could you give them that would

help them be even better? Best not to be 100% positive or 100% negative as neither approach is helpful.

Make notes on cards or big sheets of paper.

Think about key learning points from the projects that you have undertaken so far and notice if the speaker

does or does not do them ie such as speech organisation; right word selection; variety of pace and pitch of

delivery; body language, etc. As you progress through the manual, you will then look out for more points

when doing evaluations.

When called upon to do so, deliver your report. Speaking to time is a critically important life skill. It shows

that a speaker has respect for an audience. Consequently, whenever delivering a Table Topics’ Evaluation,

look at the time that you are allowed to deliver your report (ie up to 7 minutes). The trick is to then do the

following calculation:

7 minutes x 60 seconds = 420 seconds

420 seconds divided by, say, 10 Table Topics’ speakers = 42 seconds per speaker

Which means that, if using commend-recommend-commend, there is roughly 14 seconds per speaker to do

the following:

14 seconds Commendations

14 seconds Recommendation

14 seconds Commendations

If you follow this rule, you should finish pretty much on the red light.

Feedback should be supportive and warm, fair and honest.

Strive to deliver feedback in the third person. So say something like: ‘I felt that Pauline did this…’ rather

than in the second person as in (a) you did this; or (b) I felt that you did this…’. The third person is

preferable as everyone learns from an evaluation – not just the speaker - and it softens the blow of receiving

feedback.

Documents

Table Topics Research Paper v2 (5th July)