6 Great Tips For Using Notes For A Presentation.

Have you ever set off on a journey, convinced that you know where you are going and then having taken a wrong turning, realised that you have also failed to take your route map with you? Result? A feeling of panic! Notes for a talk can be likened to a route map of a journey. So, when you are travelling (and assuming that you haven't left it at home) you use your map as an aid to navigate. If you have a good idea of where you are going this doesn't mean that you are constantly looking at it, that shouldn't be necessary, but if you are unsure of your direction, - your route map is there to 'put you back on track'. These days , of course, GPS or 'SatNav' aids are frequently used, - but the same principles apply. In making the best use of your carefully researched and assembled notes you may find the following tips helpful;

1. Make your notes very brief. They should only be pointers or guides. When navigating you only want to spend the shortest time possible actually looking at your map.

2. Make them easily accessible. If using paper based notes use generous spacing between them with subheadings or bullet points. (See point 5 below). How frustrating is it when you are trying to check one of those enormous multifold maps and you can't even find which section you are currently in?

3. Limit the number of notes. Your thorough preparation should have given you a reasonable amount of confidence, so remember, your notes are there as an aid, not as a script. (We're talking here of an extemporaneous talk as opposed to a scripted talk that is read verbatim or word for word). If your 'notes' are actually the script you will be tempted to read them instead of referring to them.

4. Your notes must be clear and easily read. Use a sensible size typeface which you will be able to read in possibly unfavourable lighting conditions. Ambiguity can cause a loss of confidence and a feeling of panic if they don't say what you expect to see. For example a road name or highway number that is unclear is no help at all!

5. Develop a system of differentiating important points, quotations, statistics, questions etc. Roads on a map are identified by colour code, towns of varying sizes are shown by different sized print for their names and points of interest are indicated by symbols. Do the same with your notes, use coloured type, embolden or perhaps underline, use your own symbols (but make sure their meaning is very obvious in case of a 'mind gone blank' moment). Use main points and then subpoints or even Bullet points as a quick reference.

6. Keep your notes well organised. Some people prefer to have their notes in a book or on sheets of A4/A5 paper, many prefer to use cards, for example index type 4x6 (100 x 150mm) cards. Whatever method, make sure each page or card is titled and numbered, similar to the way a map is organised with alpha-numeric grid squares. If the worst happens and you drop your notes, (yes, it's happened to me), at least you can re-assemble them and continue. Incidentally your audience will expect you to have notes, so don't go overboard trying to hide them. On the other hand, avoid waving them about when using gestures, it is very disconcerting.

If using a Powerpoint or other form of slide based presentation only show those points which you wish your audience to make special or written notes from, avoid using them as your own prompt and remember to take the slides down again after they have served their purpose, otherwise you risk losing your audience and your continuity.

When using a rostrum or speakers stand, ensure that it is set up for the right height and angle for comfortable viewing well before you begin your presentation, also make a point of checking out the lighting so that you can actually see your notes.

If you utilise the above points you will be confident that you can find your way and be able to enjoy your journey, i.e your talk or presentation, with little problem and reach your destination or your conclusion without getting lost.

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