Table Topic Ideas: The Impromptu Debate

Due to a last minute agenda change at our January 18th club meeting, we lacked a prepared Table Topics Master. Thankfully, club member Jocelyne stepped up and provided just what we needed to keep the meeting going- an Impromptu Debate Session.

First, she divided the meeting room audience into two teams and then provided topics like "Should cell phones be banned from cares?" and "Should the death penalty be abolished?" With such interesting topics, the audience participated enthusiastically.

Since this impromptu debate session was such a success, here are some very basic guidelines if you wish to hold or participate in such a session during a future club meeting.

For the Table Topics Master/Debate Master
As the one who will run this sessions, you'll need to

1. Find and supply suitable debate topics. Topics can be current issues or even questions about general philosophies and ideas. The topic must be interesting and appropriate to the audience.
2. Decide which team is "For/Affirmative" and which has the "Against/Negative" stance on the given topic.
3. Keep track of the time for this session. If possible, give the meeting timer a guideline to follow.

For the Table Topics Speaker/ Debate Participant
No matter which side of the debate you have to speak for, the content of your debate speech must contain three parts.

1. Assertion: The major point of your argument
2. Reasoning: Explain why you believe your position is right
3. Evidence: A fact relevant to the topic that supports your reasoning.

If you wish to argue against the opposing teams' statement, take the main point of their argument and show that it doesn't make sense.

Of course, there are many more rules and guidelines on how to run a debate session. If you're interested in learning more, have a look at the Debate Handbook provided by Toastmasters International. You can read one of the older versions of the Debate Handbook here.