

Instead, if you have a ‘script’, turn it into notes that you can talk from, and glance at only occasionally. Reading from a paper forces you to look down, instead of speaking to the audience. Spoken language is less formal and wordy than written language, so reading makes you sound stiff and will dampen any sense of energy or spontaneity in your performance. Speak, don’t readĭon’t simply read your talk, word-for-word, from a paper. Practice standing and speaking so that you get used to delivering a talk before you have to give it to your audience. It will also help you to know your material well, which makes it easier to remember and stay on point.

It will help you keep to a time limit and will allow you to try out various techniques in a low-pressure environment. Try some of the following the next time you give a presentation.
