If Then

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.

Group arrangement: Pairs (one trio if group size is odd)

Timing: UWT suggested 10-minute structure based on source 5-to-15 minute band

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.