5 Ways To Memorize A Speech Without Sounding Like Robots

Good speakers usually sound like words come out of their mouth effortlessly, but they probably memorized and practiced it a thousand times. In this article, I’m excited to share 5 tips on how to memorize a speech.

Though over-reliance on verbatim memorization can lead to an artificial-sounding speech, this article shows you the right way to memorize a speech without sounding like a robot. This way, you’ll become a master at public speaking.

Giving a good speech is always a product of effort. If you’ve ever had to give a presentation, chances are high that each time you practised, you said it differently and still keep to the key elements of the speech. With this, it is clear that the key to memorizing a speech isn’t to get each word and sound like a robot but to remember the principal elements.

See the table of contents below.

Should I Memorize a Speech?

Speaking in front of a large group of people can be frightening or nerve-racking for some people. Public speaking, on the other hand, does not have to be so terrifying.

When you know your speech by heart and don’t have to rely on a slideshow or note cards, your self-esteem will skyrocket. For this reason, it is important you know how to memorize your speech quickly. This goes a long way to boost your confidence and enhance your general presentation.

According to inc.com, if you wish to render an amazing speech, you need to be familiar with what your talk is about. Your talk needs to be second nature.

A speech can be done anywhere between formal and informal, depending on the occasion.

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5 Ways To Memorize A Speech Without Sounding Like Robots

Good speakers aren’t entirely superfluous. They only pay value to the inevitability of practice. If the speech is not in your memory, then you are back to reading notes. Here are the 5 key ways to memorize your speech without sounding like robots.

1. Write it out

The first step in the process is to simply write down your speech. Many people prefer to write the entire speech. Others are more likely to create a chart of their speech style. Whichever you feel works best is how you should write your speech.

For me, I like to break things down into the main points I want to clarify, and then back up each major point with many details. 

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2. Practice your speech

Practice they say makes perfect. After writing down your speech, letter, or outline, the next step is to practice. In this process, you are expected to start pronouncing it word by word and reading it aloud. What this does for you is, it gives you the best rhythm, flow, and pattern for each word in the speech.

While going through and practicing your speech, feel free to change things as needed. The key to remember here is that you are laying the groundwork for your great speech.  At this point, it’s a work in progress, as you put the essential pieces in place.

3. Do not learn the speech word for word

Learning the speech word for word might be counterproductive. Since it is your speech and story, let the expressions from mastery of the speech come naturally, in line with the outline. This storytelling outline can be divided into parts of an essay: an introduction, key paragraphs (that can be broken down as your topics), and a conclusion. That’s how to memorize a speech without sounding like a robot.

4. Visualize and create a memory for it

The use of visuals creates a lasting picture. Now that you have a basic outline of your speech, allocate each mental picture point.  For example, you can create a mental picture of growth metrics if you want to talk about your company’s growth.  This will help you grasp the idea better and express yourself flawlessly.

The use of imagination makes you see the story in your mind or even the people you are talking to. This gives you the confidence to lay the right emphasis that will help convey the message.

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#5 Recite before someone

Reciting your speech is the best way to practice presenting it. If you can get someone you trust his or her judgment to listen to you recite, the better. If, for some reason, you can’t get someone, then don’t worry; your mirror can do the job.

To get the best results with reciting, read your speech at least once after writing it. This way, your brain gets hold of the information twice. First during the writing and, secondly, during the reading. It will, therefore, stick to your memory.

Since the speech is now in your memory, it’s now time to commit it. This is exactly what reciting will do. You can recite your speech as much as you can.

According to a study by psychologytoday, talking out loud about what you are studying helps you remember it. As you recite your speech, it is being re-produced by your brain. The stored information is first of all retrieved. Your brain then puts that information into spoken words and coordinates the necessary bodily functions to generate speech. Amazing, right?

FAQs On How To Memorize a Speech

How long does it take to memorize a speech?

It depends on the length of your speech. If you have solid compression, you should be able to memorize 100 words a day. And if you’re talking about memorizing a speech verbatim, this typically involves a lot of skill and will take a bit longer. 

Can I memorize a speech in one night?

Perhaps you can. If you’re memorizing a 20-minute speech, you should be able to memorize the entire thing by the following day.

Does memorizing improve memory?

This means that memorizing improves our memory. How Does Our Brain improve during gaining new knowledge? Researchers claim that learning and memorizing causes changes in the brain structure.

Can I memorize a speech in one night?

It depends on the length of the speech. If you’re memorizing a 20-minute speech, you should be able to memorize the entire thing by the following day.

Conclusion

So much goes into public speaking. Those refined flawless speeches you hear from great speakers are borne out of dutiful diligence to practice. Mastering the art of public speaking is a process that involves practising, refining, and analyzing what you are doing to get the best possible feedback.

I hope you find this article helpful.

References

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