2 TRUTHS AND A LIE
Equipment: None
Time: 15-20 minutes
Brief Description:
People write down two truths about themselves and a lie. Then
introduce the three "facts" to the rest of the group who tries to guess
which one is a lie.
• A different kind of get-to-know-you activity which is engages and
challenges each group member in a fun way
• Particularly useful as an icebreaker, e.g. can be used as an opener for a
workshop/conference.
• For large groups (e.g., 30+), it is best to split into smaller group sizes.
• Hand out cards or paper and pens (or if participants bring their own, that's
fine)
• Explain that in this activity each person write two truths and a lie about
themselves and then we will try to guess each other's lie. The goal is to: a)
convince others that your lie is truth (and that one of your truths is the lie)
and b) to correctly guess other people's lies.
• Allow approx. ~5+ minutes for writing 2 truths & a lie - this isn't easy for a
lot of people - there will some scribbling out, etc. The slower people will
probably need to be urged along to "put anything you can think of"
down. Allocate 5-8 minutes, but you will probably need to urge people
along.
• Announce that we will now walk around and chat to one another, like a
cocktail party, and ask about each other's truths and lies. The goal is to
quiz each about each statement to help determine which are the truth and
which is the lie, whilst seducing other people into thinking that your own lie
is a truth. At the end we will cast our votes and find out the truth.
• Emphasize that people should not reveal their lie, even if it seems others
might have guessed.
• Allow min. 10-15 minutes of conversation time.
• Gather together in a circle. Start with one person who reads their three
statements aloud (to remind everyone). Then read the statements again,
stopping to allow a vote for each one. e.g., "I am Turkish. Who thinks that
is a lie? [Vote] I am vegetarian. Who thinks that is a lie? [Vote] I have a
metal pin in my right leg. Who thinks that is a lie? [Vote]. OK, my lie was
"I am vegetarian."" The facilitator will need to help each person out,
especially initially until the basic format is understood. The facilitator may
add drama and reinforcement, etc. for correct guesses, tricky statements,
etc.
• The exercise can be run competitively, e.g., count up how many correct
guesses of other people's lies and take away the number of people who
correctly guesses your own lie. Highest score wins (honesty counts!).