When we are asked to prepare a speech for a social, business or work situation, many people do not know where to start. How do they get the words that they are expected to say from their mind and heart onto paper in a structured format? How then do they get these words from their heart and mind into their mouth so as to say them to their audience without forgetting them or embarrassing themselves (or indeed the audience!)? Do they read it out or memorize it? All relevant questions for many! Let\’s focus on the latter i.e. your speech delivery and how you plan to remember it as you stand in front of your audience. Should you read it out word for word? Should you memorize it completely? Should you have key words to remind you? Taking the first option – Should you read it out word for word? If you observe speakers at seminars / speaking events / on TV, many have some form of notes in front of them. Many indeed have their complete speech in front of them, where they read it out word for word. The speech script can be on paper, a Laptop, Handheld device or a rolling script (like you see our politicians use). These speakers have the speech rehearsed many times, even though they know they will be reading it out. Reading a speech from a prepared script is perfectly acceptable as long as the positive connection and rapport between the speaker and the audience is not effected and remains. Taking the second option – Should you memorize it completely? We all envy the people who can get up in front of an audience and speak freely about a chosen subject, topic, item where words and content just simply seem to flow from their mouth. How can they do this so naturally and just talk \’off the cuff\’? When you analyse these people, most times the subject they are talking about is well-known to them i.e. they are experts in the field, they are working in the area or they have a deep interest in it. Not many people can actually speak off the cuff about something unless they have one of these traits. If they don\’t; they will could feel uncomfortable, they could talk some nonsense or worse they could talk for a long time. Memorizing a speech without some form of notes in front of you is not advisable. Taking the third option – Should you have key words to remind you? If you do not wish to read out your speech, then Yes, you should have key words in front of you to remind you of what you had planned to say and in what order. These key words are sourced from your main script of your speech. And yes, your complete main script should be written down on paper, detailing everything you want to say, cover, mention, all structured correctly, flowing from a start, to a middle to an end. Use pointer cards to write these key words down on, number the cards, only write on one side of the card. Know what each word is about and means, and that it will simply prompt / remind you of what to say around that word / statement. When it comes to public speaking do have some notes in front of you, the audience expect it…
