Quotations

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Compare participant assumptions against authentic statements on a given theme by composing and evaluating concise, credible claims.

Use it when: Use at the start of a workshop to surface baseline views on a topic, or near the end to synthesize key themes through memorable aphorisms.

Skip it when: Skip when the subject requires precise empirical data or technical policy rather than thematic, reflective principles.

Group arrangement: Teams of 3 to 5 participants, or individuals if under 6 participants.

Timing: Based on the 14-minute game plan in Thiagi GameLetter (August 2009) plus a 2-minute debrief extension.

Materials and tools

• One 4x6 index card per team
• One pen or pencil per team
• One pre-written card containing a genuine quotation not shown on the handout
• One copy of the Quotations Reference Handout per person
• A countdown timer or stopwatch

Before participants arrive

1. Select a core theme (for example, Diversity and Inclusion).
2. Prepare the reference handout containing 10 to 20 authentic quotes on the topic.
3. Write one additional authentic quote with its author on a dedicated index card that matches the team blank cards.
4. Distribute blank index cards and pens to each team table.

Say this to open

Every team will compose a short statement on today's topic that sounds like a famous quotation. Your goal is to write something convincing enough to trick other teams into voting for it. I will shuffle your cards together with one real quotation from history. You will listen, then vote on which one is the true quote.

How to run it

1. Brief teams and examine models 3 minutes

   Distribute the reference handout. State the opening script. Direct teams to spend 2 minutes reviewing the examples on the handout to notice style, brevity, and tone.

2. Draft fake quotations 5 minutes

   Instruct each team to draft one original aphorism on their blank card. It must sound credible and authoritative but must be written in their own words without an author name. Stop writing at the 5-minute signal. Collect all cards, add the pre-written genuine quote card, and shuffle them.

3. Read all submissions 2 minutes

   Read each card aloud in random sequence without revealing authorship or origin. Tell participants to listen quietly, take mental notes, and refrain from calling out or indicating choices.

4. Conduct the voting poll 3 minutes

   Reread the cards in the exact same sequence. After reading each statement, ask for a show of hands from anyone who thinks that card is the genuine quotation. Count hands and write the vote tally on the back of each card. Participants may vote more than once if undecided.

5. Tally scores and reveal the authentic quote 2 minutes

   Announce the vote count for each team-authored card. Award each team 1 point per person they fooled. Announce the team with the most points. Next, read the genuine quote card, reveal its true author, and ask everyone who voted for it to raise their hands. Acknowledge those spotters.

6. Debrief common themes 1 minutes

   Pose one debrief question to the whole room. Take two quick participant observations comparing the fake quotes to the genuine quote.

Debrief questions

• What stylistic clues made a statement sound like an established, historic quotation?
• What core ideas appeared in your invented quotes that were also present in the authentic ones?

Finished output: A set of peer-generated thematic statements scored by plausibility, paired with identified common principles.

Remote

Run via video meeting. Break participants into breakout rooms of 3 to 4. Each team submits their fake quote via direct private message to the host. The host pastes all anonymized quotes plus the real quote into a shared numbered document or digital poll. Participants vote individually using the poll or chat.

Hybrid

In-room teams submit written cards. Remote teams submit via private message to the facilitator, who transcribes them onto matching cards. The facilitator reads all entries aloud to both audiences. Voting occurs by raised hands in room and virtual hand-raise reactions online.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may contribute ideas orally while a teammate writes.
• Any participant may choose not to raise their hand during the voting stage without consequence.
• Written text should be read aloud clearly twice to support auditory learners and visual accessibility.

If the session gets stuck

A team writes a quote that is too silly or an obvious joke.

Remind them during the drafting step that the goal is to win points by tricking other teams into believing it is genuine.

Participants recognize the authentic quotation immediately.

Select a lesser-known quote during preparation rather than widely recognized slogans.

Terms used here

• Framegame: A training structure whose rules and format remain constant while the subject matter can be replaced.
• Pseudo-quotation: An invented statement crafted to mimic the rhythm, gravity, and tone of an established quote.