How to Memorize Speeches Fast

Many speakers keep an outline of their speech on their podium.

Students are required to write and deliver speeches throughout their academic education. After graduation many students will then pursue careers which will also require them to give speeches on a fairly regular basis. Speeches are simply a fact of life for some. Ideally, you'll always be given ample time to prepare your speeches ahead of time. Unfortunately, this won't always be the case and you may be required to give a speech at the last minute. In these instances, it's important to stay focused and memorize your speech in the most efficient way possible.

Things You'll Need

• Note-cards

Instructions

1. Break the speech up into more manageable segments. If your speech is five paragraphs long, work on one paragraph at at time. If your speech is about three different topics, work on one topic at a time. Breaking the speech up into smaller portions will make the task less overwhelming and help you memorize it faster.

2. Assign a mental image for each of the segments. The image should be something that makes you remember what that segment is about. For example, if your speech is about the metamorphosis of butterflies, the first segment could be an image of a caterpillar, the second a cocoon, and the third a butterfly. Each time you're reading and reciting the segment, visualize that image in your mind.

3. Memorize each section independently from the others. Begin by reading the first portion and continue reading and reciting it over and over again until you have it down. Remember to keep the mental image you assigned to each section in your head as you memorize each of the sections. Once the first section is memorized, move to the next. Repeat this process until you have each section of your speech memorized.

4. Put the speech together. Start by reciting the first section immediately followed by the second. After you're used to reciting the first two together, add the third, then the fourth, and so on and so forth. Continue with this method until you can recite all of the sections continuously in order. Whenever you get lost and forget your place, recall the image you assigned to that section and that should help you remember the words.

5. Practice reciting your speech out loud. By speaking out loud, you will add an additional element of memorization to your speech because you won't only be thinking and visualizing it, but you'll now be hearing it as well.

6. Write key points for each section down on note-cards. Refer to these note-cards during your speech if you do forget your place and need a reference to get you back on track.

References

• Collegethrive: Memorize That Speech
• The Accidental Communicator: How To Use Your Mental TV To Memorize A Speech (or Anything)