Your new task is to memorise your presentation (you may wish to edit your presentation to make it easier to recite).
Before moving on to the final stage, you should be able to recite your presentation out loud without looking at the script. Remember, that it doesn't need to be word-for-word 'perfect'.
Before starting, please see the resources below:
Memorisation tips
Simplify Your Script
If it’s hard to remember, it’s probably too complicated. Strip your content down to its essentials. A clear, simple message is easier to memorise — and easier for your audience to understand. Avoid the common mistakes (too many words, too many syllables, too much subject-specific jargon, too many concepts, facts, figures, etc).
Simplify Your Slides
If you have multiple slides, aim for one key idea per slide - and little, if any, text. Keep visuals clean and focused on reinforcing your message, not distracting from it. If you are only permitted to have one slide, try to visualise the broader theme.
Don’t Fear Going Off-Script
Your audience doesn’t have your notes — they won’t know if you change a few words or even forget entire sections. Aim to communicate the main ideas clearly, not recite every detail word-for-word.
Understanding > remembering
Know your content inside out. When you truly understand your points, you can explain them naturally, even if you forget your exact phrasing. Understand the broader context and have a clear purpose for your presentation.
Create a Logical Flow
Structure your talk like a story: a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use transitions like “first,” “next,” and “finally” to stay on track and guide your audience.
Use Visual Cues
Visual triggers like cue cards can help you recall what’s next. Even a few keywords can be enough to jog your memory. You may not need them but just having them can be reassuring.
Practise Out Loud (A Lot)
Reading silently won’t cut it. Speak your presentation aloud, multiple times. It builds rhythm, confidence, and helps you catch clunky phrases before the big day.
Record and Replay
Record yourself and listen while commuting or exercising. Hearing your own delivery helps lock in timing, tone, and key transitions. It is easier to remember a viewed experience.
Use Memory Tricks
Try mnemonics, acronyms, or mental images. Link each key point to a vivid picture or emotion — it makes recall faster and more reliable. A small logo or some letters in the bottom corner of a slide won’t distract the audience and it could provide an invaluable reminder for you. If you continue to struggle, try to simplify further, and then try the loci/memory palace method.
Ultimately, it’s a win-win, a well-rehearsed, simple presentation, with a clear purpose and logical story arc will not only be easier to remember, it will result in a much more engaging and impactful presentation.
Draw your presentation
To ensure that you go above and beyond word-for-word memorisation, try drawing a simplified version of your presentation. Summarise each key point as an image rather than words. Think of it like drawing a map that plots out a rough journey. Imagine taking your audience on that journey and showing them various key aspects along the way. You can use our Sketch Pad app below:
What should I do with my hands when presenting?
(we included this as it is a frequently asked question)
Gestures can help to convey your message but they can also become distracting. To help you strike the right balance, we have outlined a couple simple dos and don’ts.
Don’t fold, fidget, or flail
Folding your arms can make you look defensive, untrustworthy, and disinterested. Fidgety fingers and flailing arms can be distracting.
Don’t hide your hands
Clutching the podium traps your hands and creates a barrier, both literally and figuratively. Step away and let your gestures breathe. Similarly, hands in pockets suggests secrecy or nervousness. Let your hands free to paint your message visually.
Do keep your hands relaxed
Keep your hands relaxed at your sides when pondering your next point. This is your neutral zone, a safe haven before launching into expressive hand movements.
Do use purposeful gestures
Broad gestures can illustrate large concepts or trends. Imagine yourself painting your message in the air. Precise, controlled movements can emphasise specific details or punctuate important points. The key is make sure your hands mirror your message.
Remember that less is more so avoid repetitive or overly dramatic gestures that can overshadow your message. And don't force unnatural movements. Your gestures should feel authentic and reflect your personality. Record yourself rehearsing to further refine the correct balance.
Once you have written and memorised your script, it's time to train.