REMEMBERING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY? pot

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC NÔNG LÂM THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH PRESENTATIONAL SKILLS By Vo Van Viet LECTURE 2 REMEMBERING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY? Techniques for Remembering Speech Material  The four most common methods of remembering speech and presentation material are the following: 1. Memorizing 2. Reading from complete text 3. Using notes 4. Using visual aids 1. Memorizing • Perhaps the most difficult method of the four methods, memorizing is the technique many novice speakers start off with, because they are under the impression that this is how all speeches are prepared and delivered • The most polished speakers forget their words halfway through 1. Memorizing (cont.) • I actually do not recommend memorizing your speech. • Although the outcome can be very effective, memorizing a speech word for word and then delivering it requires a lot of preparation and practice 1. Memorizing (cont.) • First you must write or type out the speech. Since most people do not write the way they speak, this creates and immediate problem. – For example, the use of gestures and proper voice inflection in conjunction with a memorized speech tends to be very flat and unengaging. – Even if you are successful in using gestures and a lively tone of voice, it's entirely possible that you will forget portions of your speech. 1. Memorizing (cont.) • With memorizing, mental blocks are inevitable, and it is not a question of "Will you forget?" but "when you will forget?" Can you memorize a speech? Yes. Should you memorize a speech? I don't recommend it. Speakers who rely strictly on memorization are setting themselves up for failure. 2. Reading from Complete Text • Most people dislike listening to someone read a speech or presentation, even if the speaker makes a concerted effort to maintain eye contact with the audience. 2. Reading from Complete Text (cont.) • Your audience is just likely to end up saying,"If all he is going to do was read his speech, I could have read it myself." 2. Reading from Complete Text (cont.) Following are the reasons I believe people read speeches poorly: • The speaker loses normal voice inflection because they lose touch with the ideas behind the words. • The test being read is usually not written in the manner and style of spoken language. Too often speakers write their speeches in "business language" that is often very difficult to read, much less listen to. [...]... handouts - Make sure you bring enough for everyone, and always have extras I recommend keeping a copy of your handouts for two reasons First, you have a copy to refer to during your presentation Also, if you are using an overhead projector and it breaks or the bulb burns out and you don't have a replacement or time to change to bulb, you can refer to your handouts without stopping the flow of your speech 4... Text (cont.) • Pay attention to your voice inflection -To sound natural you need to rehearse often, checking yourself for pauses Ask yourself if your written words sound the way you would speak them Tape yourself and listen to your own voice Note where changes need to be made with your voice inflection Try not to over inflect your voice or it will become distracting to your audience 2 Reading from... • Review 2 - Darken the picture or turn you back to the television so you cannot see yourself but you can hear your voice Record on your notepad things you liked and disliked about your voice; for example listen to how you phrase your words and the inflection in your voice 2 Reading from Complete Text (cont.) • Review 3 - Turn down the sound and just watch yourself • Review 4 - Watch the tape again... with the audience To maintain eye contact with the audience and read text effectively takes a lot of practice You have to take in several lines at a time and keep your place You are very likely to find yourself losing your place every time you look up to speak to the audience 2 Reading from Complete Text (cont.) If reading is absolutely necessary, here are some suggestions to make your reading sound... the lectern to hide behind, and this restricts the use of your body If the notes are in your hand, you won't gesture as often Using Notes (cont.) • Practice using your note cards - Practice helps you analyze your note cards For example, if you find yourself reading from your note cards too much, reduce the amount of written text on your cards Using Notes (cont.) • In some cases it's best to draw a... words out loud As you' re practicing your speech, read it out loud several times so you can hear your tone and voice inflections The more you practice reading, the more comfortable and familiar with the words you become Using this approach makes it easier to read your speech and for the audience to listen to it 2 Reading from Complete Text (cont.) • Annotate your text Give yourself cues for emphasis... diagram on your note cards Sometimes a simple drawing is all you need to jog your memory 4 Using Visual Aids • Simple visual aids effectively serve as headings or subheadings on your topic and allow your audience to visually see what you are discussing Create meaningful headings, and practice using only these headings as your cues 4 Using Visual Aids (cont.) • Choosing the right visual aid for you presentation... your notes are easy to read Using Notes (cont.) • Remember to number your note cards! - Just in case you drop them • Include quotes, statistics, and lists - Don't include whole paragraphs of text Using Notes (cont.) • Leave your notes on the lectern or table as you' re speaking and move away occasionally - Don't be afraid to move away from your notes and get out of your comfort zone Too many speakers... your text Give yourself cues for emphasis in the margin of your text For example, numbers are the easiest target words to say slowly and with emphasis You want to emphasize each syllable of any number word For example, if you have the word "fifty" in your speech, and it appears as 50, make it a note in the margin so you say "fifty" when you get it 2 Reading from Complete Text (cont.) • Use gestures... busy making sure they read the text correctly, they fail to communicate effectively with their body One strategy is to double space your typed text This leaves room for you to jot down notes and cues about which words to emphasize and gestures to accompany certain sentences, points, or key messages 2 Reading from Complete Text (cont.) • Videotape yourself. I still videotape my speeches and presentations, . Viet LECTURE 2 REMEMBERING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY? Techniques for Remembering Speech Material  The four most common methods of remembering speech. cannot see yourself but you can hear your voice. Record on your notepad things you liked and disliked about your voice; for example. listen to how you phrase