Looking for fun ways to spark conversations in your public speaking community? Our 'This or That' templates are designed to make participation easy, even for shy members. Start building a more active, connected group with quick-fire choices everyone can answer.
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This or That prompts lower the barrier to participation by offering simple, binary choices. Members can jump in without overthinking or worrying about crafting a perfect response, which is especially helpful in public speaking spaces where anxiety can be common. The playful format encourages spontaneity and helps members relax, building a sense of camaraderie and fun.
Psychologically, people are more likely to engage when the commitment is small and the stakes are low. These prompts create a positive feedback loop, as even lurkers see others responding and feel comfortable joining in. Over time, consistent engagement with easy prompts helps foster trust, confidence, and a sense of belonging within the community.
Stage fright or stage excitement - which describes you best?
💡 Example: "Stage fright or stage excitement - which describes you best? I am mostly excited!"
Do you prefer speaking to small groups or large audiences?
💡 Example: "I prefer speaking to small groups!"
Slides or no slides when presenting - which do you choose?
💡 Example: "Slides or no slides when presenting? I love slides."
Impromptu speaking or prepared speeches - what is your style?
💡 Example: "Impromptu speaking or prepared speeches? I prefer prepared!"
Start with a joke or a question - how do you open your talks?
💡 Example: "I always start with a question."
Do you love rehearsing or winging it on stage?
💡 Example: "I am all about rehearsing!"
Standing or sitting when presenting - what is your preference?
💡 Example: "Standing or sitting when presenting? Standing for me."
Do you prefer TED Talks or panel discussions?
💡 Example: "I love TED Talks."
Practice in front of a mirror or with friends - what helps more?
💡 Example: "Practice with friends helps me more."
Do you prefer using a microphone or projecting your voice?
💡 Example: "I prefer using a microphone."
Q and A at the end or throughout your talk - what do you prefer?
💡 Example: "Q and A at the end works best for me."
Do you script every word or just use bullet points?
💡 Example: "I use bullet points."
Hand gestures or still hands - what is your style on stage?
💡 Example: "Hand gestures all the way!"
Do you prefer live events or virtual presentations?
💡 Example: "I prefer live events."
Audience questions or no interruptions - what do you like more?
💡 Example: "Audience questions keep it lively!"
PowerPoint or flip chart - which do you like for visuals?
💡 Example: "PowerPoint is my favorite."
Short and sweet or detailed and thorough - what is your talk style?
💡 Example: "I am all about short and sweet."
Do you prefer storytelling or facts and data?
💡 Example: "Storytelling for the win!"
Opening with a quote or a personal story - which grabs your attention?
💡 Example: "I love a good personal story."
Do you like using props or going prop-free?
💡 Example: "Going prop-free feels easier."
Rehearse alone or with feedback from others?
💡 Example: "Feedback from others is best for me."
Do you prefer time limits or open-ended talks?
💡 Example: "Time limits help me focus."
Speak first or go last in a lineup - which would you pick?
💡 Example: "I like speaking first to get it done."
Do you prefer formal attire or casual dress for speaking?
💡 Example: "Casual dress for comfort."
Audience participation or just delivering your message?
💡 Example: "Audience participation makes it fun."
Do you prefer to memorize or improvise your speech?
💡 Example: "I improvise most of the time."
Eye contact with audience or looking above heads?
💡 Example: "Eye contact every time."
Do you like morning or evening speaking slots?
💡 Example: "I love morning slots."
Speak from a podium or walk the stage?
💡 Example: "Walking the stage keeps me energized."
Do you prefer workshops or keynote speeches?
💡 Example: "Workshops are my jam."
Practice with a timer or go by feel when rehearsing?
💡 Example: "I always use a timer."
Do you prefer applause or quiet feedback?
💡 Example: "Applause feels great!"
Share a funny story or a serious fact?
💡 Example: "Funny stories are my go-to."
Do you prefer interactive polls or audience open mics?
💡 Example: "Interactive polls are so fun."
Use humor or keep it strictly professional?
💡 Example: "Humor is my secret weapon."
Do you prefer to tell a personal story or share a quote at the end?
💡 Example: "I end with a personal story."
Use visuals or rely mostly on words?
💡 Example: "Visuals help me make my point."
Record and review your talks or skip the playback?
💡 Example: "I always review my recordings."
Do you prefer hosting or being a guest speaker?
💡 Example: "I love hosting events."
Engage with audience after the talk or let your words stand?
💡 Example: "I always chat after the talk."
Pick one: nerves before speaking or calm confidence?
💡 Example: "I usually feel nerves before speaking."
Do you prefer telling jokes or sharing inspirational messages?
💡 Example: "Inspirational messages are my favorite."
Post one 'This or That' question at a regular cadence, such as weekly or biweekly, to keep the engagement steady. Encourage all members to participate by tagging or mentioning new members, and reply to answers to keep conversations flowing. You can use these templates as icebreakers before virtual events, or as standalone posts to keep your feed lively between more in-depth discussions.
These templates work well across all platforms. On forums, pin your prompt for the day or week. On social media, use colorful graphics or poll features for added visibility. In chat apps, post during active hours and use threading for replies. Adapt the format to suit the norms of your platform, but keep the question front and center.
Focus on widely-experienced scenarios in public speaking, such as 'improvised responses vs. scripted presentations.' These comparisons resonate with members' real-world anxieties and experiences. Follow up by asking members to share their strategies for coping or preferences, creating a supportive environment for discussing challenges unique to public speakers.
Absolutely! Contrasting specific presentation styles like 'storytelling vs. data-driven' or 'humor vs. authority' helps members reflect on their strengths, preferred techniques, and areas for improvement. These prompts can lead to deeper discussions about when to use each style, audience engagement strategies, and tailoring content for different settings.
Include prompts that reference different stages of the public speaking journey, like 'memorizing every word vs. speaking from bullet points' or 'small group talks vs. large conference keynotes.' This invites both beginners and experts to share insights, fostering connection across experience levels and providing peer support.
Pose specific Q&A-related prompts, like 'field questions as they come vs. reserve Q&A for the end,' to spark debate about audience interaction best practices. Encourage members to share their experiences with audience engagement, managing disruptions, and how their approach changes based on talk format or audience size.
Yes! Technology is a critical topic in public speaking. Use prompts like 'prefer speaking on stage vs. presenting via Zoom' or 'slides with animations vs. static visuals.' Ask members to discuss adaptation strategies, technical mishaps, and tips for maintaining audience connection across different platforms.
Prompts contrasting rehearsal styles ('practice alone vs. with a peer,' 'record and review vs. live feedback') surface popular preparation routines. After the initial vote, follow up by asking members to share rehearsal tips, time management hacks, or how they handle nerves, transforming a simple choice into an actionable, resource-sharing thread.
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