Finding ways to spark meaningful discussion around articles can be tough for public speaking communities. Our curated article conversation templates help you inspire thoughtful engagement, encourage learning, and transform passive readers into active contributors.
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Article conversations invite members to move beyond passive reading and actively process content, which deepens understanding and retention. By reflecting on key takeaways or debating controversial points, members form opinions and learn from each other's perspectives. This shared exploration fosters a sense of belonging and keeps the community vibrant.
In the context of public speaking, discussing articles helps members analyze techniques, share personal experiences, and challenge conventional wisdom. Prompts that encourage reflection or debate not only drive engagement but also help participants grow as speakers and critical thinkers.
After reading this article on storytelling, what stood out to you most?
💡 Example: "After reading this article on storytelling, what stood out to you most?"
The author claims nerves are an asset. Do you agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "The author claims nerves are an asset. Do you agree or disagree?"
Has anyone tried the vocal warm-up techniques mentioned here? Share your results.
💡 Example: "Has anyone tried the vocal warm-up techniques mentioned here? Share your results."
What is one tip from this article you will apply in your next speech?
💡 Example: "What is one tip from this article you will apply in your next speech?"
This article suggests practice trumps talent. How has practice shaped your speaking?
💡 Example: "This article suggests practice trumps talent. How has practice shaped your speaking?"
Agree or disagree: Humor is essential in public speaking, as argued here?
💡 Example: "Agree or disagree: Humor is essential in public speaking, as argued here?"
Which of the speaker's body language tips was new or surprising to you?
💡 Example: "Which of the speaker's body language tips was new or surprising to you?"
Would you recommend this article to a beginner? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Would you recommend this article to a beginner? Why or why not?"
The article discusses handling tough questions. How do you prepare for Q and A?
💡 Example: "The article discusses handling tough questions. How do you prepare for Q and A?"
If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?"
What is one thing you disagree with in this article?
💡 Example: "What is one thing you disagree with in this article?"
The article lists common mistakes. Which one have you made before?
💡 Example: "The article lists common mistakes. Which one have you made before?"
What real-life example can you add to support or challenge this article's points?
💡 Example: "What real-life example can you add to support or challenge this article's points?"
On a scale of 1-10, how useful was this article for your speaking journey?
💡 Example: "On a scale of 1-10, how useful was this article for your speaking journey?"
Summarize the main takeaway from this article in one sentence.
💡 Example: "Summarize the main takeaway from this article in one sentence."
What advice from the article would you give to someone nervous about public speaking?
💡 Example: "What advice from the article would you give to someone nervous about public speaking?"
Did anything in this article change your mind or confirm your beliefs?
💡 Example: "Did anything in this article change your mind or confirm your beliefs?"
Pick a quote from the article that resonated with you. Why?
💡 Example: "Pick a quote from the article that resonated with you. Why?"
Would you change your speaking style based on this article? How?
💡 Example: "Would you change your speaking style based on this article? How?"
What is missing from this article that you wish the author had included?
💡 Example: "What is missing from this article that you wish the author had included?"
Have you faced a challenge similar to the one described here? Share your story.
💡 Example: "Have you faced a challenge similar to the one described here? Share your story."
What is one question this article leaves you with?
💡 Example: "What is one question this article leaves you with?"
Do you agree with the author's definition of a successful speech? Why or why not?
💡 Example: "Do you agree with the author's definition of a successful speech? Why or why not?"
How does the advice in this article align with your own speaking experiences?
💡 Example: "How does the advice in this article align with your own speaking experiences?"
Which resource or tool from the article have you found most useful?
💡 Example: "Which resource or tool from the article have you found most useful?"
What would you add to this article to make it even more helpful?
💡 Example: "What would you add to this article to make it even more helpful?"
Share your favorite public speaking article and tell us what makes it great.
💡 Example: "Share your favorite public speaking article and tell us what makes it great."
How would you summarize this article to a friend who fears public speaking?
💡 Example: "How would you summarize this article to a friend who fears public speaking?"
Did this article inspire you to try something new in your next talk?
💡 Example: "Did this article inspire you to try something new in your next talk?"
What is the boldest claim made in this article? Do you buy it?
💡 Example: "What is the boldest claim made in this article? Do you buy it?"
If you could rewrite one section of this article, what would you change?
💡 Example: "If you could rewrite one section of this article, what would you change?"
What is the most controversial point made in the article?
💡 Example: "What is the most controversial point made in the article?"
Has this article changed how you think about preparing for a speech?
💡 Example: "Has this article changed how you think about preparing for a speech?"
What would you ask the community after reading this article?
💡 Example: "What would you ask the community after reading this article?"
Share a time when advice from an article helped you succeed as a speaker.
💡 Example: "Share a time when advice from an article helped you succeed as a speaker."
Do you think the article's tips are timeless or tied to trends? Why?
💡 Example: "Do you think the article's tips are timeless or tied to trends? Why?"
What would you like to see covered in future public speaking articles?
💡 Example: "What would you like to see covered in future public speaking articles?"
How do you practice a technique mentioned in this article? Any tips?
💡 Example: "How do you practice a technique mentioned in this article? Any tips?"
Which audience engagement tip from the article would you try first?
💡 Example: "Which audience engagement tip from the article would you try first?"
Do you find the article's advice realistic for all speaking settings?
💡 Example: "Do you find the article's advice realistic for all speaking settings?"
What is your biggest takeaway from this article?
💡 Example: "What is your biggest takeaway from this article?"
To use these templates, select a relevant article or editorial and pair it with a prompt that fits your community's mood or goals. Summarize the main points or highlight something provocative, then paste the template into your post. Tag or mention members to encourage replies. Rotate through different prompts to keep discussions fresh and ensure all voices feel welcome.
On all platforms, keep your article summaries concise and make your conversation starters visually distinct. Use formatting like bold or italics for questions if available. Encourage replies by tagging members or using reply-to-thread features. Adjust tone to match the platform's culture, whether professional or casual.
Choose articles that focus on causes and management of speech anxiety, such as fear of forgetting lines or nervous body language. Use the template prompts to ask members to share personal experiences or strategies, fostering peer support. Encourage follow-up conversations on how the group applies these techniques in their own practice sessions.
Look for articles analyzing famous speeches or contrasting different persuasive strategies. Use the conversation template to prompt members to identify and critique the use of ethos, pathos, and logos, and discuss which techniques resonate most in specific speaking scenarios, such as motivational talks versus technical presentations.
Share articles that break down or review public speeches with a focus on vocal delivery. Guide discussions using the template to have members analyze what worked well and what could be improved, encouraging them to apply these vocal techniques in their own speaking practice and share progress updates in follow-up threads.
Select articles that dissect storytelling frameworks or spotlight speeches featuring strong narratives. Use the templates to prompt analysis of elements like structure, emotional hooks, and audience engagement. Encourage members to share how they incorporate similar storytelling strategies in their club speeches and solicit constructive feedback.
Choose well-moderated articles that present multiple viewpoints on cultural sensitivity. Frame conversation prompts to focus on learning and respectful debate, such as asking members how they adapt content for diverse audiences or avoid common pitfalls. Remind members of community guidelines to ensure a constructive and inclusive discussion.
Absolutely. Share articles evaluating effective and ineffective uses of visual aids in real speeches. The template can prompt members to discuss what made slides or props impactful, and invite them to share their own presentation materials for group critique, focusing on clarity, engagement, and alignment with their spoken message.
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