Top Ten Tips for Terrific Table Topics
Chris Cox February 2007 Christopher.i.cox@ntlworld.com
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Acknowledgements & apologies
Douglas Adams Simon Bragg Andrew Cook Teresa Dukes Liz Judson Rudyard Kipling Spinal Tap
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Contents
Tips for beginners
Tips about structure
Tips about content
Exercises
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Tips for beginners 1.
DON’T PANIC!
2.
Buy time
3.
Go with the first little idea that comes into your head
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Tips about structure 4.
Express an opinion, right at the start
5.
Remember the rule of three
6.
Remember the six honest serving men – What, Why, When, How, Where & Who
4.
Know when to stop
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Tips about content 8.
Prepare something in advance
9.
Draw on your own experience
10. Be eccentric
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Special bonus tip 11. Keep doing table topics
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Exercises
Which famous person would you most like to have dinner with?
Answer this in the style of: – The rule of three – The six honest serving men (What, Why, When, How, Where & Who) – Something eccentric
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Summary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
DON’T PANIC! Buy time Go with the first little idea that comes into your head Express an opinion, right at the start Remember the rule of three Remember the six honest serving men Know when to stop Prepare something in advance Draw on your own experience Be eccentric Keep doing table topics
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