Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.

Help me prepare and run the exercise below. First ask for my participant count, time, setting, access needs and intended result. Check these against the stated limits. Use the supplied rules and materials. Explain any proposed changes before using them, and label them as adaptations. Do not invent source claims or require personal disclosure. Give me one step at a time when I say start. I manage the people, physical activity and clock; do not claim to observe the room. Ask me what happened before choosing a next step.

Reference revision: 06054b2fa7c05e723f6bcb865dee45b5ea7b9736f07d37964ccf830c52f0aa86

# If Then

Pairs take turns exchanging prompt and reaction sentences using an 'If...,' and 'Then...' format to practice quick thinking and conversational listening.

**Time:** 10 minutes. UWT suggested 10-minute structure based on source 5-to-15 minute band
**People:** 4 to 24. Pairs (one trio if group size is odd)

## Choose this exercise

**Purpose:** Exchange responsive cause-and-effect statements in pairs to warm up spontaneous verbal interaction.
**Use it when:** Use at the start of a meeting or workshop when you need an energetic, low-stakes warm-up where everyone speaks right away.
**Skip it when:** Skip when participants need a reflective silent start or when the session requires formal, deliberate technical alignment.

## Materials and tools

- No special materials.

## Before participants arrive

1. Clear enough space for participants to stand or sit facing a partner.

## Say this to open

Find a partner. One of you will start by offering a simple premise that begins with the word 'If'. Your partner immediately responds with a consequence that begins with 'Then'. For example, Person A says, 'If you leave your umbrella on the bus,' and Person B says, 'Then you will get soaked walking home.' Keep the statements light and spontaneous. Person A gives three different 'If' prompts in a row, then you swap roles.

## How to run it

### 1. Set up pairs and demonstrate (2 minutes)

Group participants into pairs. If there is an odd person, form one trio. Explain the mechanic and demonstrate one neutral example with a volunteer. Person A offers an 'If...' prompt, Person B completes it with 'Then...'. Answer any procedural questions before starting.

### 2. Run round one (3 minutes)

Person A delivers three distinct 'If' statements. Person B answers each with an immediate 'Then' statement. Once Person B has answered three times, switch roles: Person B offers three 'If' statements, and Person A answers each with 'Then'. In a trio, Person A prompts B, B prompts C, and C prompts A, doing two prompts each.

### 3. Run rapid-fire round (3 minutes)

Instruct pairs to alternate after every single sentence instead of batching three at a time. Person A says an 'If', Person B says 'Then', then Person B immediately offers a new 'If', and Person A resolves it with 'Then'. Continue alternating until time is called.

### 4. Brief reflection (2 minutes)

Call the room back together. Ask one or two reflection questions to the whole group, taking three to four voluntary responses.


## Debrief questions

- What made it easier or harder to respond quickly without overthinking?
- Did your answers lean toward realistic logic or wild imagination, and what prompted that shift?

**Finished output:** Every pair completes multiple rapid exchanges of 'If... Then...' narrative prompts.

## Remote

Place participants into breakout rooms in pairs (or one trio) for 6 minutes to run rounds one and two. Regroup in the main room for the 2-minute debrief.

## Hybrid

Pair in-person participants with in-person partners. Pair remote participants with each other in dedicated breakout rooms. Conduct the demonstration and the final debrief using the shared main room audio.

## Access and participation choices

- Participants may pass or ask for an alternate prompt by saying 'Next'
- Participants can complete exchanges via typed chat in virtual settings if speaking aloud presents a barrier
- Physical seating is welcome; standing is not required

## If the session gets stuck

**Participants freeze trying to think of clever or funny ideas.**

Remind everyone that everyday mundane sentences work best. Direct them to start with everyday household objects or tasks.

**One partner dominates or turns statements into lengthy monologues.**

Remind the room to keep each contribution to a single, complete clause.


## Sources and adaptation

Observed in Playmeo, where it is attributed to Mark Collard.

The core mechanic of pairs taking turns completing 'If...' and 'Then...' sentences is preserved from Mark Collard's Playmeo listing. UWT added the 10-minute timeline breakdown, an explicit demonstration script, a trio rule for odd numbers, an alternating second round, and structured debrief questions.

[Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/ice-breakers-get-to-know-you-games/if-then)

[Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/ice-breakers-get-to-know-you-games/if-then/)

Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/creative-icebreaker-activity-for-building-imagination-if-then/