How to Make Cue Cards

Small, light-colored note cards make great cue cards.

Whether you're planning on giving a speech or looking for a study aid, you can create cue cards as a way of reminding yourself of necessary information. These cue cards won't contain all of the information you need, just enough to help you remember what you have studied or memorized so that you can speak better and remember information faster.

Things You'll Need

• Note cards
• Light-tip pen
• Dark-tip pen
• Information outline

Instructions

Making Cue Cards

1. Write an outline of your speech or study guide. Include all the main points you need to cover, along with any supporting details or information.

2. Go through each of your main ideas and write them in dark ink across the top of your cards, one idea per card. Write on only one side of each card.

3. Flesh out your main ideas by writing short, supporting ideas below them in bullet-point format on each card. These should be simple phrases or even single words written in lighter ink. Each bullet point should be a mental key that will help you easily recall what you've memorized. Make sure there is plenty of white space around your writing, so that you can see the words clearly.

4. Number each card in the left-hand corner.

5. Rehearse your speech or review your study materials using only the cards, to make sure that you have covered all necessary areas of information.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are studying or speaking on more than one topic, consider using different colored cards for different topics.

• Instead of alternating light and dark ink, try using different colored ink or highlighters.

• If you're writing your cards for a speech where there are time limits, make sure you are able to meet those time restrictions when you rehearse. Remove or add cards as needed.

References

• Write Out Loud: Making Cue Cards