How to Rehearse

Many people say they don't know how to rehearse. Many others ask, why they should? They think once they've written the speech it's ready for delivery. What they don't realize is rehearsing can make an ordinary speech extraordinary.

Think about it. Writing is only part of the process. It's delivery that completes it.

If you've sat through ho-hum presentations finding your finger nails more interesting, the odds are the delivery was less than polished. The content may have been excellent. It may have been well researched but because the speaker lacked basic delivery skills, the entire speech was compromised. That is why you need to know how to rehearse.

How you deliver makes the difference. This is how you reach and communicate with your audience. You owe it to them and yourself to communicate with confidence!

Get Ready to be Extraordinary Now

It's time to make a critical decision. What you decide will have an impact on how you rehearse and deliver your speech.

Make a choice between:

• Reading your speech from a word-for-word script (This is where you have EVERYTHING you are going to say fully written out.)



• Using cue or note cards on which you have written the headings of your main ideas in order and the key words associated with each of them.
  (Cue cards are easily made from small index cards. They are numbered to keep them ordered. Generally one card is used per main idea. The key words and phrases are clearly written on each. You speak covering each topic and the transitions between them from memory.)



• Committing your entire speech to memory. In this option you have neither cue cards or a script.

There are Positives and Negatives for all Three Options

Using a full word-for-word script can be positive as it acts as a safety net for a nervous or first time speaker. The downside is reading.

When people read they tend not to be making eye contact with their audience. And neither is their voice being projected out to reach them. Instead it's focused downward toward the page. If the script is in their hands, then they're not free for gesture and there is always the temptation to mask or cover their face with it. If a stand is use to place papers on, then it's between them and the audience, creating a barrier.

There are ways around it.
The first is to place the stand to one side instead of directly in front.
The second is make sure the stand is at your eye-level height to ensure easy upright reading. (You won't be bending down and therefore presenting the top of your head rather than your face to the audience.)
Another is to make sure the script is easily read.
(A mess of scribbled notes doesn't cut it! If you lose your place, you'll be struggling to find it. So type it up in a clear good sized easy to read font, double space and number your pages before printing out.)

If full scripting is your choice, make a clear,clean copy of your speech before going on to 'How to Rehearse'

Cue Cards*

The positives for using cue cards are they are smaller than a full size script and therefore can be held unobtrusively in one hand. Because you are not using a stand, you're not blocked off from your audience. This means you are free to meet them. You can use a lot of eye contact and direct your speech where you wish. And because you're not following a word-for-word script, you're freer to be more spontaneous.

The downside of cue cards is apparent if they haven't been prepared properly. They won't be in order and therefore you run the risk of getting muddled. If they're not clear and easily read, you run the same risk. The other major negative is what happens if you stumble in remembering how you linked your ideas together.

If cue cards are your choice, you'll need to prepare them before you go on to How to Rehearse.

How to Prepare Good Cue Cards

Get a pack of small index cards from your stationer or cut clean pieces of cardboard to a size that fits comfortably in your palm.

For every major part of your speech you will need one cue card.
Eg. Introduction = 1 card, Main Idea One = 1 card, Examples (Research) for Main Idea One = 1 card...and so on.

Go through your speech notes and take the MAIN IDEA HEADINGS from each section. Only write down enough to jog your memory. If you have specific names of people, places or processes to remember be sure to include them.

Make sure you space your notes on your cards and write clearly. Another useful tip is to color code with a highlighter separating Main Ideas, Examples and Links. A Main Idea Heading might be orange, the examples blue and all your links, green. The benefit is your eyes will find them more quickly if you have to search for them.
Number each card to keep them in the correct sequence.
Do not be tempted to try and write your entire speech out in very little writing! It will set you up for difficulties.

Prepare and practice with one card to get your system fail proof before you do the whole of your speech.

Once you have the full set completed, make a hole in the top left hand corner of each of the cards. Thread through a piece of string long enough to make a loop and knot it securely. This will keep your cards together and enable you to flip them easily. (Saves a lot of embarrassment if you drop them!)Now you are ready to go to 'How to Rehearse'.

If you need more information about preparing and using cue or note cards you'll find a full page devoted to them here. How to prepare and use cards cue cards.

* The term cue card comes from theatre. A cue for an actor is a signal to begin speaking, or enter, or do some action.

Memorizing Your Speech

The positives for committing your speech entirely to memory is that you meet the audience completely free of notes. You can gesture, adlib etc where you wish, provided ofcourse, that you can keep yourself on track.
While this option is good for speakers used to being in front of people, in can be daunting for a novice. It is also difficult to pull off with certain styles of speech. For example, if you are giving a complex business presentation which includes the breakdown and analysis of large chunks of data, this would be risky. So think carefully and wisely before making the decision to go solo. Styles of speech most suitable are eulogies, wedding, retirement speeches...the type which includes personal story telling. Here it can work brilliantly although you do need to keep in mind over-learning can make delivery wooden.

If memorizing your speech is your choice, pay particular attention to expressiveness when it comes to 'How to Rehearse'.

How to Rehearse Tips

• Run through your entire presentation as though it was the real thing.



• Wear the clothes you'll be wearing for the event so you can be sure you feel comfortable and that they're not restricting in any way.
  There's a personal grooming checklist here



• Set up your stand if you are using one in a similar position to the one you'll use on the day.



• If you are using any electronic equipment for example a michrophone be sure to rehearse with it.
  Can't make up your mind whether to use the podium michrophone or attach one to your lapel? The pros and cons of both are discussed here.



• If you can present to a friend or a member of your family, do it! Their feedback could provide in valuable last minute suggestions. Tell them exactly what you want feedback on before you start. Ask them to take notes during your speech to give to you after it's finished.



• Do not STOP if you falter. Keep going.



• When you're done make any minor adjustments you need to and then you're finshed with 'how to rehearse' because YOU ARE READY.



• Remember to ENJOY yourself!

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