Table Topics Contest

To present a 1 to 2 minute impromptu speech in an interesting and meaningful manner. Contestant will have no prior knowledge of the topic.

• All Toastmasters who are members in good standing, in a club in good standing are eligible to compete.
• The following are ineligible to compete in this contest: Incumbent International Officers and Directors; District Officers whose term expires June 30; International Officer and Director candidates; Immediate Past District Governors; District Officers or announced candidates for July 1.
• Toastmasters who are members in more than one Club and who meet all other eligibility requirements may compete in more than one club contest. However, no contestant may compete in more than one Evaluation Contest per level, at any level above the club.
•  A contestant must be a member in good standing of the Club, Area, Division or District being represented when competing in a speech contest at the next level.
• In those Areas with four Clubs or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Club may compete in the area contest. In those Divisions with four Areas or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Area may compete. In Districts with four Divisions or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Division may participate in the District contest.

• The only preparation is practice during the regular Club meeting portion of Table Topics.

• Areas and Division fairly, two counters and two timers are appointed. These appointments will be as far as is practical at Club levels, but required for Area through District and Regional levels of this contest.
• Before the contest, contestants and the contest sergeant at arms are briefed on the rules by the contest chairman. Judges, counters and timers are briefed on their duties by the Chief Judge. Contestants will then draw for their speaking position with the contest chairman.
• If a contestant is absent from the briefing, the alternate speaker, if present, may be included in place of the primary contestant. When the contest Toastmaster is introduced, if not present, the primary contestant is disqualified and the alternate officially becomes the contestant. Where the primary contestant arrives and makes this known to the contest chairman and has all required paperwork in good order prior to the introduction, and missed the briefing, disqualification shall not occur and the primary contestant may speak in the drawn order, but waives the opportunity of a briefing.
• All contestants will speak from the same platform or area designated by the contest chairman with prior knowledge of all the judges and all the contestants. The contestants may speak from any position within the designated area and are not limited to standing at the lectern/podium.

TIMING  
• Upon being introduced, the contestant shall proceed directly to the speaking position. No attempt to communicate with the audience shall be made via sound or action prior to the first word of the speech, at which point timing and judging shall begin.
• All presentations shall be from one (1) to two (2) minutes in length. A contestant will be disqualified if s/he speaks less than 1 minute or longer than 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
• The green light will be turned on at 1 minute and remain on for 30 seconds. The amber light be turned on at 90 seconds and remain on for 30 seconds. The red light will be turned on at 2 minutes and remain on until the reading is concluded. No audible device, such as a buzzer, shall be used for the overtime period.

•  Any sightless contestant may request and must be granted a form of warning signal of his or her own choosing, which may be an audible device. The contestant must provide any special device required for such signal.
• In the even of technical failure of the signal, a speaker is allowed 30 seconds extra overtime before being disqualified.
• Disqualification's for reason of time may be announced, at the discretion of the contest chairman, although it is not recommended.

Eye Contact: Direst and comprehensive during the opening and transition.

Clear Communication: Conveys mood or idea.

Vocal Variety: Tone. Pitch. Pace. Pause.

Use of Voice: Articulation. Enunciation. Vocal Quality.