Some topics to practice with

Something a little different tonight. I want to give you all the opportunity to use your powers of description and your imagination. So no news stories or topical issues you’ll be glad to hear. I’ll also try to call on the person before I give the subject so you can get over the shock. They won’t provide much in the way of 2^nd replies but feel free to raise your hand if you wish. I hope to have a least one for everyone in the audience. 

For most of us our earliest attempts at using our creative abilities was our school days writing little half page essays. Those of you with small children may still be writing essays. 

1. But first, can I ask you what your earliest memories of school are?

Now for the essays them selves: 

1. What would you have written for Lá Cois Trá or A day at the seaside.
2. Your essay is Amach Faoin Aer or Going on a picnic.
3. Tell us all about A Day You Spent On A Farm.
4. Your essay tonight is Mo lathenta saoire or My holidays.
5. What did you do on your school tour.

All right, primary school is over and the Inter Cert beckons. 

1. You are Ireland’s first astronaut and have just returned from a visit to the space station. Write an A4 page on your experience. 
2. Garda John. You’ve just finished a foot patrol in Cork city on a Friday night. Make you report to the Sargeant.
3. I’m from Toastmasters TV. the roof has been blown off your house. Can you tell us what happened starting your essay with “It was a dark and stormy night”.

Ok you’ve all passed your exams. So we’ll have some real life situations.

1. You’ve been on a weekend away with the girls. Where did you go and what did you do? 
2. You’ve been on a weekend away with the lads to your home place. Where did you go and what did you do? 
3. It’s now 5 years since you won €100m on Euromillions. How has it changed your life.
4. You Aunt Mary has invited you to stay for the weekend. You can’t stand her and your partner thinks she’s smelly. You are writing her a letter making lots of excuses as to why you can’t come. So staring with Dear Aunti Mary make your excuses.
5. ITV did a special live news link from the Antarctic all last week. They even interviewed Tony Blair live from the Antarctic about Global Warming and the environment. To finish up the series the reporter introduced the producer, the cameraman and all the crew. He also introduced a penguin that had being hanging around the crew all week. If the penguin could speak what would he have told us.
6. Taoiseach as you start on your second term in office, what are your thoughts?
7. starting at the front door, take us on a tour of your house.
8. You have been at the top of your game for many years now and your achievements will be remembered for many years to come. What has been the secret of your success.
9. You are communicating by email with someone from another world and they have just asked you to describe your body, inside and out. Reply
10. This is the date of your dreams. Your partner is all you ever wanted. Tell us all about it from beginning to end in two minutes and within the bounds of good taste.