. Notes are not a full script.

Notes should not contain the script of your entire presentation, typed out word-for-word, on
multiple pages. If you’re reading every word of the script, you’re usually not making eye
contact or using gestures because your attention is on the script rather than on the audience. If
you do look up at the audience, it will be almost impossible to find your place in the script
again. I’ve seen speakers flip through multiple pages, looking for their place, which flusters
them and distracts the audience. (These tips do not apply, of course, if you are using a
teleprompter, which would contain the entire script.)

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2. Write out your opening line and your message.

Instead of writing out every word, write out your opening line and your one-sentence
message—the point of your presentation. Yes, it’s OK to memorize these lines if you need to.
With practice, you should be able to deliver them without looking at your notes, but it’s good
to have them written out in case you get nervous. Having a strong opening will build your
confidence and make a good first impression on the audience.

3. Use keywords and phrases for major points and transitions.

For each section of your presentation, write out phrases or key words for each major point
and supporting material. Also, write out the transition to the next section. Separate sections in
your notes with blank lines, indentation, or whatever will signal to you to pause, regroup, and
then move on to the next section.

4. Write out your closing line.

Write out your closing line for the same reason that you wrote out your opening line—to
anchor your presentation and leave a good last impression on the audience. In your closing
line, restate your message and include your call to action.

5. Write your notes in large font.

The goal is for you to be able to look down at your notes and quickly find your place and the
relevant phrase, so the font should be large enough that you can do this easily. How large the
font should be depends on your eyesight, whether you use reading glasses, the lighting in the
room, etc.

6. Put your notes on cardstock.

Print your notes on standard printer paper, and then tape or glue them onto heavy cardstock
paper (found in any office supply store). Heavy cardstock won’t blow away if there if there’s
strong air movement from the fan or air conditioning vent. You can also hold the cardstock
with one hand and still read it while gesturing or holding the microphone with the other.

7. Size matters.
Ideally, the size should be a standard sheet of paper, 8½ X 11 (A4 size) or smaller. Use both
sides if necessary. If your notes don’t fit, then you have too many words in your notes.

8. Write in reminders.

Once your notes are attached to the cardstock, write out any reminders to yourself, like
“breathe” or “smile.” You can also draw out any graphics that you will use, for example, a
diagram that you will put on a flipchart.

9. Practice with notes.

It will be almost impossible to deliver an effective presentation with notes if you don’t
practice. The goal is not to memorize every word of your presentation, but to get comfortable
saying it a variety of ways and using your notes to remember the keywords, phrases, and
transitions.

10. Don’t write all your notes out on your slides.

Writing out all your notes on the slides that you present to the audience will be too much
material for the slides. Remember, you are the presentation; the slides are just visual aids. If
everything is written out on your slides, then why would we need you? (Those slides would
be impossible to read anyway.)

Used effectively, notes can be a part of a successful presentation. Following these

suggestions will help you remember the key points of your presentation so you can deliver
your message to your audience clearly and within the time limit.

TYPES OF NOTES
Now that I hope I've persuaded you to use notes, the next decision is what type of notes should you
use. That depends on the kind of presentation, your own personal style, and to a lesser extent, the
physical venue.
INDEX CARDS
3x5 or 4x6 cards work well as a way to remind yourself of the key messages of your presentation or
important facts, statistics and quotes. Because you can't write much on the small cards, they are most
effectively used as a prompt to keep you on track and jog your memory. This format is appropriate in
most situations, whether you're presenting from a stage in a conference center or from the head of the
boardroom table. [Hint: number the cards. In the unikely event that you drop them, you'll be glad you
did.]
8.5x11 SHEETS OF PAPER
This is not a format I recommend. This size is too large to be held comfortably in your hands. It also
provides room for way too much content, thereby tempting you to read from it. The place where this
format could work is when you have the sheets in a 3-ring binder and it sits on the table in front of
you, where you can refer to it periodically.
POWERPOINT NOTES
Using the notes field on PowerPoint can be effective, but there is a major shortcoming. It often means
that you have way too many slides; you've created slides to accommodate your notes, where you
might otherwise not have used a slide. [Click here to learn about the Presenter's View.]
Using the actual slides as your notes is something I strongly recommend against. Chances are it will
encourage you to put excessive text on each slide. As well, it will create a temptation to read off the
 slides, possibly even turning to the screen behind you, instead of focusing your attention on the
audience.
Here are some more great tips on creating notes from Olivia Mitchell at Speaking About Presenting.
HOW TO USE NOTES
Once you decide which note format is most comfortable for you, you now have to learn to use it so
that it supports your presentation rather than detracts from it.  When using notes you should:
1. Never write in full sentences. Simply jot down key phrases or headlines in bullet form. The
point of the notes is to jog your memory. They shouldn't be so complete that someone else could
pick them up and get the meat of your presentation.
2. Make sure your notes are easy to read, which means writing large enough and leaving lots
of white space.  
3. Learn how to interact with the physical cards, slides or paper. Don't shuffle the cards, don't
switch them from hand to hand, don't gesture with them, don't keep putting them in and pulling
them out of a pocket. Don't let cards or paper or computer screen obscure your face.
4. Remember it's OK to look at your notes...that's what you have them for and the audience
will be perfectly fine with it. But do so in a deliberate manner; don't glance surreptitiously at them
as if you're trying to make it seem that you're not consulting them. Break eye contact with the
audience, glance at your notes and absorb the next point, then re-establish eye contact with the
audience and deliver that section. The pause may seem particularly long to you, but it doesn't to
the audience. And it will give them an opportunity to process what you've just said.
5. Practice, practice, practice until you can use your notes smoothly and seamlessly.