Delivering a Speech off Notes

When delivering a speech in front of an audience, it is best to go off of notes. From many experiences of having to give speeches myself, I find that when I step behind that podium, my heart often races and my mind goes blank. Even if my mind doesn't go blank, it often travels through all the topics so fast, that I forget where to start. Going off of notes will keep your mind calm and controlled, and your speech will remain organized with proper transitions and engaging starters. 

In "Effective Public Speaking is All About Control," Dan Carrison emphasizes on note-management and states: "Note-management is crucial. If you write your notes in long sentences, you are apt to read them, which can make you lose contact with the audience. If the notes are on index cards, you are likely to hold them, which will restrict natural hand gestures" (6). Using note cards to deliver a speech not only helps you maintain an engaging speech, but also keeps your hands from the obnoxious hand movements that causes you to look more like a composer than a professional speaker.  Carrison further instructs readers to only keep one note card on hand, because "if you shuffle the cards you could lose your place. So it’s best to have a one-page outline on the podium with key words in large type" and "If you are thoroughly familiar with your material, those key words will evoke paragraphs in your head" (6).

Overall, effective speakers are well prepared speakers, and notes are crucial to have during the process. While delivering a speech, notes keep your thoughts organized and your mind calm and collected.

Works Cited

Carrison, Dan. “Effective Public Speaking is All About Control.” Industrial Management 57.2 (2015): 6. Business Source Complete. Web. 8 June 2015