I often get asked about whether or not a presenter should have a script for their talk. My answer is typically that it’s always useful to WRITE the script, but not always helpful to use it. Why would you do all that work just to throw it away?
The act of writing the script forces you to think about what you want to say on every slide of your talk. You have to think through the transitions between topics and how you want to wrap up. By writing out a script, you clarify and crystallize what you want to say. That’s why it’s such a valuable process.
Delivering your talk is a different situation. For some people, having a script is a security blanket. Knowing they can read their lines takes the pressure off. For others, reading from a script takes away from their delivery; they can seem stilted or stiff, which makes for a very boring talk. Of course, there are specific situations in which scripts are very handy (for example, if you’re using a teleprompter.) In general, I always suggest practicing with your script and then deciding if you need it. For many of the speakers I’ve worked with, writing the script and practicing with it enables them to ditch it; it’s a tool to internalize their words and then say them more naturally when on stage.
For myself, I like to completely script the beginning of my talks, so I know exactly how to get started. Typically, once I get going, I find the words flow easier. Do you like to have a script when you present or do you generally just wing it?
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