Memorizing vs. Notes in Public Speaking

Video Transcript

"We are here to learn about public speaking. Ladies and gentlemen thank you very much for having me. My name is… today we are talking about memorization versus notes. So let us compare using notes versus trying to memorize.

#1 It is okay to use notes. Even Martin Luther King had notes I think. Nobody will be upset if you glance down every once in a while.

#2 If you try to memorize word for word, you will lose your spot; going blank is not good.

#3 Try to memorize key modules or stories. You can script certain stories kind of like jokes, and then extemporize in between each particular point.

#4 Last key is: too polished equals not approachable. If everything looks perfect, if you never have any notes, and is all right here, and if everything is perfectly scripted just like this…you are going to look like Al Gore. That is not approachable. So you have to decide for yourself, am I going to memorize every little thing or may be have some notes to glance at? Think of it this way. Your speech should be organic. My friend Larry says a good speech is like jazz, it just happens. Consider that, and you will be sure to find the difference between memorizing and scripting to have an amazing speech."