How can I memorize a presentation

How can I memorize a presentation

Anonymous

How can I memorize a presentation

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I have about a 5 minute presentation. I do not know it completely by memory as it is difficult to remember every thing word for word. Is it okay to read the presentation as long as I look up often?

Doctor

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If you can – learn the script. This will make things flow more naturally.

Many speakers read out their script – particularly at senior levels in government – autocue is the favorite, but many read from paper. Make sure that you still give the audience good eye contact.

If you are going to read the presentation, make sure that you have read it out loud at least four times. One of them in front of an audience – friends, family, colleagues. This will make sure that it flows well and gives you a chance for a few tweaks. Early on, I used to speak it into a tape recorder and play it back to myself.

Good luck – please let me know how it goes

p.s. What is the topic of the presentation?

Anonymous

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Hello.

I did not receive your response until this morning, but thank you for the good advice.

I was on track with what you said. I gave the presentation last night at a class that I am taking at the University. It is called “Managing Teams in Organizations.”

Specifically, my presentation was about the dimensions of collaborative power. As an example of collaborative power, I used the story, Geese Flying in V formation and talked about the lessons we can learn from their team approach to flying in V formation to accomplish a goal.

I read my script and gave eye contact often. The professor and the class said it was a very good presentation. However, I always feel so nervous and not completely conscious of what I say. When it’s over; I wonder if I left out something.

I meant to tape the presentation, but I was so nervous that I left it in my purse and forgot to turn it on. In preparation, I did speak my script into the tape recorder about six times, but when I spoke aloud (to myself/mirror) I could not remember the script – I stumbled and stuttered along the way. Reading the script with good eye contact helped a lot, but I would like to get to a point where I can learn/memorize my script so that I can present like a professional.

I have two more presentations coming up. One is on November 12. This is a book report/presentation that I have to summarize called quality without tears by Phillip Crosby, and the other is December 10 subject “Reducing Inter-team Conflict.” This is will be on chapter 13 from the book Team Building by William Dyer.

I don’t make presentations often. In my position, I may have to present about 3 or 4 times a year.

On occasion, I may have to speak in a staff meeting about the status of projects I have been working on and even then, I feel nervous. People praise me often that I have a good speaking voice, but I am so nervous about public speaking that it turns me off. I want to do better, so I’ll keep trying.

Thanks again for your advice.

Doctor

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Nerves are something that all presenters feel – we just have to learn how to harness that energy – just as an athlete does.

Generally speaking the more often that you get to speak – the easier it will become. If nerves are a problem then you may consider booking yourself onto a presentation skills class. It will give you the chance to practice in front of a tame audience.

In the mean while here are two techniques that you can use.

Visualization. Try to imagine a very happy time in your life. Close your eyes and imagine what it feels like, what did you see, what were the sounds that you heard. Now imagine the same feeling when you step down from the podium. I usually do this just before I walk on stage and it has a wonderfully relaxing effect.

Breathing. Breathing with your “tummy” is absolutely the best way to breathe – not just during a presentation but all the time! By using your diaphragm (the strip of muscle under your rib cage, above your tummy) to force air out of your lungs you are able to expel much more Carbon Dioxide and thus allow a lot more fresh oxygen into your lungs. The biggest problem with breathing when we are nervous is that our breathing becomes fast and shallow and we don’t breathe OUT properly before we breathe in. Consequently we are only ever just “topping up” with oxygen which can just add to the feeling of breathlessness. Try to push your breath out from your tummy and you will find that you are able to inhale a much larger amount of oxygen which will immediately have the effect of making you feel calmer and more relaxed! This type of breathing also encourages you to breathe slower and it will make you look a lot more relaxed (important if your audience are watching you!).

It is easy to do – practice in front of a mirror and you should notice your tummy actually going in and out as you breathe, RATHER than your shoulders going up and down!

Hope that helps!

Guest

hi

hi, reading the presentation before you go to sleep may help