Speaking Without Notes

By Diane Moore

If you watch polished, professional speakers you may notice that most of them seem to make their presentations with few notes, and some may not use notes at all. Nervous speakers tend to write out a script, then stand at a podium and simply read their notes to the audience, but this approach can lead to boredom for both the speaker and the listeners.

To wean yourself from relying too heavily on notes during your presentations:

• Don’t try to memorize your presentation word-for-word. While memorizing your opening and closing might be helpful, break everything in between into chunks that each develop one point. If you can’t remember all of the points, write them down on one card or sheet of paper in large block letters so that all you have to do is glance down at this outline to remember what you need to talk about next.
  
  
• Use visual aids. Overhead transparencies, flip charts, or PowerPoint® presentations can contain the necessary “prompt points” to remind you of what you want to say next. Rather than using an exact script for each point, try to remember generally what you want to say about each thing.
  
  
• Poll the audience. Ask them a question such as, “How many of you have bosses who sometimes disappear without telling you where they are going or when they’ll be back?” The audience will enjoy participating and seeing how many others raise their hands, and you will get a break from having to fill up every moment of your presentation with your own words.
  
  
• Break up your talk with activities. Unless you’ve been asked to make a formal speech, look for natural spots to insert short activities that audience members can do in two or three minutes, such as talking to the person next to them about their views on a particular subject. While participants are performing the assigned activity, you will have a chance to glance at your outline to remind yourself of what you want to say next.
  

For more useful articles on career management and enhancing performance in the workplace, visit The Office Professional Web site.

Published in Networking Today, September, 2002.