The problem with full scripts: The more your speech depends on the specific sentences that you’ve already written, the more you’ll find yourself staring at the page in front of you instead of looking at your audience. Plus, you might memorize that script perfectly, and if you miss one sentence, you may lose your place. A full script can feel very safe, but a set of good speaking notes will be just as safe and allow you to communicate your message more freely.
With speaking notes, you still see the structure of your speech, and when you reach a particular section, it prompts you to talk about the next idea. However, the notes allow you to use different words and share that idea in a more natural way.
To create speaking notes, try simplifying the individual paragraphs of your full script into a word or two that reminds you of the key message in that paragraph. For example, instead of writing out what you want to say about your speech “topic,” you might write “topic” in quotation marks as a note to yourself. You might simplify an entire paragraph to one cue word: “one message,” “two examples,” “closing.”
If you’re having trouble moving from one topic to the next, then create note cues: “why it matters,” “example,” “next point”
It’s also helpful to create visual cues: underline key words that you want to emphasize, note times when you want to pause, and make specific notations on things you want to say at a certain point during your talk. For instance, you may want to write out “The next thing to consider is…” If your mind goes blank, you can glance at that note and use the cue to continue.
Once you’ve created a solid set of notes, set aside your full script, and start rehearsing your talk. Read a sentence from your notes, then explain that sentence aloud using your own words. It’s not necessary (or even helpful) to say the same sentence every time. You may say different things to explain your notes during your talk. The point is, your speech can be more manageable if you allow yourself to say different things as long as your key message and overall structure are still consistent. When you’re rehearsing, it will help to check whether you can maintain eye contact with your audience by looking at your notes more often and whether your notes are sufficient enough to share your message and finish strong.