Can or should a speaker use notes—yes or no? The answer no one
wants to hear is, “It depends,” but that is the answer. The variables
include the location, the room set-up, and the length of the presentation.
If you are in a Toastmasters speech contest, for example, you will
always lose points for even potentially distracting the audience with
paper or note cards in your hands. If you are speaking from a lectern,
it makes sense to have notes to reference. Notice that I said “reference,”
not “read verbatim.” Even if you stand on the stage away from the lectern,
you can always slowly move back when you need to reference
some material or begin the transition to a new subject. Some speakers
like to use smaller note cards. Notecards are fine as long as they are
not too distracting or become a focal point. A lot of the reaction from
the audience is contingent on how much and how often you use your
notes. If you have a teleprompter, that is a different story, but it is still
important to give the impression to your audience that the words are
flowing and not being read.
Most speakers tend to shy away from full-size paper since it typically
makes noise when shuffled and can be cumbersome. I have
heard of having an outline on a poster board or flip chart visible to the
speaker but not to the audience (in the back of the room or off to the
side). In fact, although I mentioned above not to use notes if in a contest,
I once wrote a discreet keyword that I kept forgetting on a prop
(that could not be seen). Ironically, I never once referenced it in the
middle of the contest, but knowing it was there boosted my confidence
level. What’s important is that the audience gets your message without
the notes getting in the way. Never become fully dependent on, and
read directly from, your notes (if you use them). However, you may be
surprised to hear that most experienced speakers do use some form
of notes for presentations typically over ten minutes. If you have prepared
your presentation correctly, and you use your notes effectively,
the presentation becomes more about bringing messages, stories, and
facts alive than, “Did I say the exact words verbatim from the sheet or
notes in front of me?”
Thomas B. Dowd III’s books available in softcover, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only):
- Now What? The Ultimate Graduation Gift for Professional Success
- Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance
- Displacement Day: When My Job was Looking for a Job…A Reference Guide to Finding Work
- The Transformation of a Doubting Thomas: Growing from a Cynic to a Professional in the Corporate World
- From Fear to Success: A Practical Public-speaking Guide received the Gold Medal at the 2013 Axiom Business Book Awards in Business Reference
- The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood
See “Products” for details on www.transformationtom.com. Book, eBook, and audiobook (From Fear to Success only) purchase options are also available on Amazon- Please click the link to be re-directed: Amazon.com
