Okay, you have a structure.  By what do you put into that structure - what do you say?

That's the beauty of Table Topics: as long as it is what you think and feel, it can't be wrong.  Well, maybe there are a few things you shouldn't say but you probably already know what they are and wouldn't say them.  Nevertheless, there are some tips:

Don't censor out anything.  A number of our members do improv.  A key improv principle applies here: say "Yes, and".  That is, say 'Yes' to whatever your brain comes up with and 'and' to add to it.

That doesn't mean you should always use the first thing that comes to mind.  You know how you can't stop thinking about something until you say it?  It helps to mentally 'say' your first idea so another idea can come up and join the first one.

It's helpful to think of at least two things.   That way, you have at least two approaches to the topic.

If your mind goes blank, some things might help:

• Sometimes your brain is thinking of too many things.  Usually the gist of the question is in the first or the last part.  It may help you to summarize that part of the question into one word.  If someone were to say that word to you and you had to respond with the first word that then popped into your mind, what would that word be?
• Many of the questions are about your life.  In thinking about an example of something in your life you can think about the 'first or the worst' (hopefully two different times but maybe not) and their opposites: the most recent and the best.  
• Sometimes, like in a job interview situation, it helps to have some points you want to hit prepared beforehand.  You can get some ideas from the theme of the meeting or the word of the day.

Once you have an idea or two, pick one and start talking.  Don't wait to figure out the whole story before you start to speak.  Somewhere in your subconscious, your brain has already made the association between the question and your idea.  You just need to keep talking to make the connection.

It's common that while you are answering table topics, the perfect answer comes to you.  At some point, something will click.  Resist the urge to blurt it out right away!  That thought will likely make a great ending to your table topic - and the best table topics have great endings.  Now that you have it, build up to that ending so you can finish on a high note.

Table topics can be like Zen: sometimes what makes a good table topics answer is what you don't say.  If you need to fill time, then by all means include as much detail as you need to get you there.  But if you are in green light territory and you've reached a good point, it might be time to conclude.  You can leave the 'but there are some glaring exceptions to what I said' or 'but there are some situations where that might not apply' for after the meeting.