
In the previous post I gave 7 example Table Topics questions primarily for use in contests. Some were great, and some were not so great. Here is my analysis. Please leave your own comments below.
1. You wake up to find yourself on a desert island. The sun is setting on the horizon. You don’t have long before you are going to be engulfed in complete darkness. You have no idea who you are or what you are doing here. What do you do?
Bad! – This question takes too long to ask. The question is too detailed. It seems like an episode of Alias or 24. It is not likely something that many people have given much thought too, except maybe Tom Hanks.
2. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Great! – A simple question, easy to ask. I have yet to find one person that doesn’t like at least 1 animal. The answer will tell us something about the person.
3. In the TV show Heroes, characters in the show have different “super powers.” If you were on the show, what super power would you have and why?
Bad! – There’s an unnecessary reference to a TV show. Not everyone will have seen the show. Take out that reference and just simply ask people what super power they would like to have and why.
4. Your daughter’s pet hampster died today. Your daughter is going to be distraught. It is your job to break the news to her. What do you tell her?
Bad! – Don’t play with people’s emotions. Don’t ask a question that someone might not want to answer in a contest situation.
5. You have inherited $1M. What charitable organizations do you donate to and why?
Bad! – This is almost a great question. My problem with the question for a contest situation is that the charitable piece is unnecessary. Why limit the creativity of the contestants? Let them run wild with how they want to spend the money.
6. What is your favorite olympic sport and why?
Great! – This is almost bad! Some people detest sports. Still, it would be difficult to avoid the olympic games this year. It would be trivial to turn the question around if you didn’t like sports. The question is short and simple.
7. You are 14 years old. Your Dad just came home from work to find out that you haven’t completed your schoolwork. What is the most far-fetched excuse you can come up with as to why you haven’t done it?
Bad! – Too many criteria. Why make the assertion that you are 14 years old? The contestant may feel compelled to think of something that happened when they were 14. The whole setup is unnecessary. Having the Dad character is not needed.
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