Using Notes

USING NOTES

by Jill Bremer, AICI, CIP

Bremer Communications

Should you memorize your presentation or use notes? I vote for notes, because only the most gifted speakers can go without. Sheets of paper or index cards? I have my clients use paper for a variety of reasons.

I believe presentations should be written out word-for-word. Relying on outlines, key words or "mind maps" often leaves you searching for words instead of connecting with your audience.

Your script should be formatted in such a way that it communicates quickly to your eyes. How do you do that? Use a sans serif font like Franklin Gothic in a font size no smaller than 16-point. Group thoughts together into paragraphs with line spacing at 1½ lines. Double-space between paragraphs/thoughts. Mark your dramatic pauses with slash marks. And don't forget to number the pages. Forgetting to do that guarantees you'll drop your script on the way up to the lectern!

You can't over-rehearse your speech. The more you practice, the less you'll rely on your notes and the more familiar you'll become with how your speech looks on paper. So even if you lose your thought, you'll know where to look. The goal is to completely memorize your opening and closing remarks with your eyes off your notes 90% the rest of the time. Dog-ear the bottom of one corner of each page for easy grabbing. Don't staple the pages together. Paperclips are fine, but remove them before you get up to speak.

When you get to the lectern, lay out the first two pages side by side. As you reach the end of page two, slide it to the left on top of page one. Don't flip the papers over. Look up at the audience as you slide the page. Your eye contact with them will keep the focus off of the movement.

Notes are an important tool in your speech preparation. And if you do it right, they'll never get in your way.

Jill Bremer, AICI, CIP, owner of Bremer Communications, offers training, consulting and coaching in professional image development, communication and presentation skills. Her clients include Oracle, Abbott Labs, W.W. Grainger, U.S. Department of Energy and the National Association of Realtors. She can be reached at 708-848-5945 or at www.bremercommunications.com