Comments on: Scripts: The root of all presentation evil!

By: Ellen Finkelstein

Ellen Finkelstein — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 21:50:16 +0000

I agree with Jeff. I guess I have a different definition of “script.” A script is where you write out what you will say and you use it to practice. Without one — and it can be full sentences or just notes, depending on how fluidly your speak — you don’t know how long your talk will take. So I teach to plan, then write the script, then speak it out, recording and timing it. Then you edit. When it’s right, you create your slides and practice with them. After the 4th or 5th practice, you don’t need the script. Then, you’re ready to present and can pay attention to your slides and most importantly, your audience.

By: Ellen Finkelstein

Ellen Finkelstein — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 04:07:11 +0000

A script doesn’t mean that you either read or memorize it. It just means that you wrote down what you were going to say. Then, you can practice from it, time it and record it and make necessary adjustments — is it too short or long? Does it make sense? Do I say “you know” too often? Does it meet the audience’s needs? It’s just a starting point. Once you’ve gone over it several times, then you can easily depart from it, make adjustments as needed, and respond to the audience. It becomes a firm foundation on which you can freely build. So I think I just have a slightly different definition of the word “script.”

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:36:03 +0000

Not sure I fully agree! … If you LEARN your script, indeed like an actor, then you don’t need to read and can focus on the audience. Having a script diffuses the nervousness + you can plan transitions between slides which makes the presentation more fluid.