Speaking without notes
oral presentation - using notes |
One of the decisions you have to make before you give a presentation is how to remember what you are going to say. Experienced presenters use a variety of methods. On this page we outline the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is up to you to decide which is best for you.
Some presenters do not use notes at all. They just remember the outline of what they are going to say and talk.
Advantages: If you do it well, you will seem natural, knowledgeable and confident of your topic. You will also find it easier to establish rapport with the audience because you can give them your full attention.
Disadvantages: It is easy to lose your thread, miss out whole sections of your talk or to go over the time limit. People who speak without notes often fail to convey a clear idea of the structure of their ideas to the audience.
This is a high-risk strategy. A few people can present effectively without notes. If you are one of them, good luck!
Some experienced presenters write down every word they intend to say. They may read the whole script aloud or they may just use it as a back-up.
Advantages: You will find it easier to keep within the time limit. You are likely to less nervous and make fewer mistakes.
Disadvantages: It is difficult to establish rapport with the audience. You may sound like you are reading aloud rather than speaking to an audience. Listeners often lose interest in a presentation that is read aloud.
This is a low-risk strategy employed by many experienced non-native speaker presenters. If you use it, you will need to develop the skill of reading aloud while still sounding natural. Few people can do this effectively.
Many presenters write down headings and key points on cards or paper. They use them as reminders of what they are going to say.
Advantages: You will find it easier to establish rapport with the audience. Your presentation will be structured but you will sound natural.
Disadvantages: You may find it difficult to keep within the time limit. If your notes are too brief, you may forget what you intended to say.
This is a medium-risk strategy used by many experienced presenters and the one most often recommended. The disadvantages of note cards can be overcome if you practice your presentation before you give it.
Some presenters use their OHTs as notes. They use them like note cards as reminders of what they are going to say. Handouts and PowerPoint presentations can be used in the same way.
Advantages: It is easy to establish rapport with the audience because you are sharing your notes with them. You will sound natural and your presentation will seem well-organised.
Disadvantages: You may find it difficult to keep within the time limit. Your presentation may be dominated by your OHTs. Unless you are careful, you may find that you are talking to the overhead projector rather than the audience.
This is a medium-to-high-risk strategy. Used well, it can be very effective, especially by presenters who are used to speaking without notes.
The EPC web has been created by the ITIP team at the English Centre, The University of Hong Kong. Please email comments or questions to the ITIP team.