When Public Speaking, Deep Six the 3 X 5s
When I was teaching at The New School for Social Research in New York, I saw a student step up to the lectern with her cards in her hand, bump the edge of the lectern, and drop her cards on the floor. They weren’t numbered. It was a while before she was able to begin, and when she did she was beet red and flustered.
Furthermore, 3 x 5s force you to write small, which makes them hard to read, which could cause you to display the 
top of your head while you speak.
If you write large letters, you can only get a few words on each card, so you’re constantly leafing through your pack.
And while you’re leafing, you’re holding your pack of cards so your hands are not able to gesture, making you look constrained and lacking in expression.
If you choose to use notes, here’s what I suggest.
- Rehearse until you only need bullet points, or an outline as a safety net.
- Put the bullet points on one or two pages, that can be spread out on the lectern.
- I like using a big piece of shirt cardboard from the cleaners to write my notes on.
- Use different colored markers to write, so your eyes can quickly pick up the info.
With this approach, your hands are free to talk, your eyes can connect with the audience, and they can see your face. Plus, you’re talking, not reading!
In the short term, reading a script is the safest strategy for the speaker, but in the long term, it’s the most dangerous, because your speeches may be seen as dull and pedestrian.
Warning! When the speech will become a public document, you must read it. But that’s another topic.
Sims Wyeth is a private speech coach in Montclair, NJ specializing in executive speech coaching and public speaking training in order to give accomplished people the knowledge and skill they need to become accomplished speakers. Learn more public speaking tips at www.SimsWyeth.com.
Tags: lectern, NJ speech training, ny presentation training, ny public speaking training, ny speech training, presentation skills nj, presentation skills training, presentation training, public speaking, public speaking tips, public speaking tips nj, public speaking training, rehearse, speech training
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