Many novice speakers write their talks and read them aloud, which audiences find boring. Others memorize their speeches and work without notes; but if they forget something, they often get lost completely and are unable to continue. The key to preparing notes for public speaking lies between these two extremes: the notes remind the speaker of things to say, but they don't tell the speaker how to say them.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Creating Notes for the Speech
Step 1. Write your speech
Build an introduction, well-organized paragraphs, effective transitions and a memorable closure. Pay attention to the structure of the sentences and the choice of words.
Step 2. Read your speech aloud and make changes
If you stumble upon a certain word or combination of words, choose alternative expressions that are easier to say. Listen to the rhythm and flow of your speech and make changes so that the reading goes smoothly from start to finish.
Step 3. Read the final version aloud
Highlight the keywords in each sentence.
Step 4. Try to recite the speech by heart
Stop whenever you don't know how to continue.
Step 5. Look at the transcript with the words highlighted
Try to remember what to say based only on the keywords you highlighted. If keywords don't help, find new ones.
Part 2 of 2: Transfer the Speech Notes
Step 1. Transfer keywords only to a sheet of paper or a floating tab pad
What to use depends on the situation in which you will have to give the speech and on your personal preferences.
Step 2. Use a sheet of paper (or 2 if there is enough space) if you will be speaking from a lectern
Put your notes on the lectern and occasionally take a look at your keywords. This will allow you to reach out to your audience most of the time you keep it busy.
- Do not use more sheets if there is no space on the music stand. The movement and rustle of turning pages during your speech will be distracting for the audience.
- When using note paper, organize your keywords so they make sense to you. It is advisable to number them, to list them under general headings or to use different colors. Write your keywords in large print to avoid having to bend down and squint to read them.
Step 3. Put keywords on flip cards if you are not going to be behind a lectern during your speech
The note card gives you something to hold on to while you speak, which is useful if you don't know what to do with your hands, however you won't be free to use gestures.
- Use 10 by 15 cm cards of light shade. These will not be conspicuous even though they have enough space to use large fonts.
- When using note cards, put the keywords of each paragraph or section on a card. Take a short pause to flip the card on the back of the stack, and this gives the audience a moment to prepare for the next part of your speech.
- Number your cards, so that you can put them back in place if you drop them.
Step 4. Write long quotes, complex statistics, or other information that needs to be precisely quoted on the notes
Read these word for word in your speech. In these situations, the audience will appreciate that you are taking the time to make sure you are accurate.
Step 5. Practice your speech using your notes
Since you haven't memorized it, the speech will be different each time, but it will feel more natural than a memorized speech.
- Use the notes you created for practice. If you practice from a track and then try to use a keyword sheet or card when giving your speech, you may probably get nervous.
- If you can't get your speech smoothly and complete it, make changes to your notes.
Advice
- If you are giving a speech in a situation where you need to thank or appreciate certain people, such as the event organizers, the president of a company or a guest of honor, write detailed notes with the names and titles of each. person. Include a phonetic spelling of any names that may be difficult to pronounce. This is the time it is advisable to depend on your notes to make sure you don't make any mistakes.
- Memorize parts of your speech to make it more effective.
