Saturday, April 4, 2020

What kind of questions should you ask? For Impromptu speeches. In life.

Many schools and universities have debating socieities or Toastmasters International clubs. The latter are holding contest online now and through the summer, culminating in the grand international contest, held this year in Paris. You can see previous years' contest winners online on Youtube.

My experience is that if you ask practical questions, you are more likely to get useful answers. You will get a practical answer if you ask, Would you invest in property now, why or why not?
You could ask another question such as, "Would you recommend starting your day with doing exercise or checking your bank balance and stocks and shares. Why?"

If you ask abstract questions, such as, "Which is better health or wealth,  You often get waffling answers. Beginners don't know where to start. Some people run out of ideas half way.

Yes or no questions in real life are known as closed questions. The other person answers yes or no and does not continue. An open ended question gets a longer reply.
 However, a beginner might find it easy to answer the yes no question and then continue.

So a table topic of impromptu speech contest could start with, Do you agree with capital punishment or not. Expalin why.

Useful Websites
Toastmasters International Find a Club

About the Author
Angela Lansbury is president of Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters club. Meeting the first wednesday evening and third Saturday afternoon.




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