Organizing and

Delivering a
Memorized Speech
z
 z

 Think of a song that you have memorized by heart. This song

may have created a great impact on you and inspired you to
see life positively or helped you get up after a failure. Choose a
stanza, chorus, or refrain— whatever is most important to you.
Deliver the lines in class as if they were part of a speech. Make
sure to vary the volume, rate, and pitch of your voice when
delivering the excerpt. Focus on appropriate facial expressions
and gestures during the delivery.
 z
MEMORIZED SPEECH

 A memorized speech requires you to commit the speech

to memory so that you do not bring your notes when
delivering it. As with the manuscript speech, you also run
the risk of sounding mechanical during a memorized
delivery. For this reason, keep your memorized speech
short and work harder on your facial expressions and the
tone of your voice.
 z
When should you memorize?

 Since memorizing can be very tough and

mechanical, it is best that you memorize short
speeches for special occasions. A memorized
speech works best for the introduction of a
guest, acceptance of award or recognition, toast,
eulogy, tribute.
 z
Disadvantages of the Memorized Speech

 You might forget what you are supposed to say. Long pauses can create a very
awkward moment between you and your audience.
 You might memorize the speech mechanically. This can result in a very
unnatural delivery.
 You might focus on content. Consequently, groping for the right words might
make you look uptight and stiff.
 You might be too tied to remembering your script. This will give you no chance to
pay attention and respond to audience feedback.
 z
Advantages of Delivering a Memorized
Speech
 You do not need notes anymore. Since the speech is memorized, you do not
have to worry about when to read and when to glance at your audience.
 You can plan gestures, facial expressions, and movement. When you know the
speech by heart, it will be easier for you to work on nonverbal communication.
 You can concentrate on visual aids and props. A memorized speech will help
you focus more on your props if you have any.
 You will feel more confident. If you know that you have committed the speech
to memory, you will not be anxious about running out of words or not knowing
what to say.
 z
Tips in Memorizing a Speech

 Break it down! You cannot memorize a speech in

one sitting. If your speech has four paragraphs,
you should focus on one paragraph at a time.
Once you have memorized the first paragraph,
focus on the next one.
 z
Build it up!

 After memorizing the speech in snippets, you

need to put them together. Recite the first
paragraph and move on to the second. After this,
recite the first and second paragraphs and move
on to the third. The next thing you know, you
have completed your speech.
 z
Speak out!

 Do not memorize the speech silently.

When you recite your speech over and
over while memorizing it, your brain
multitasks and aids your memory
retention.
 z
Identify keys!

 Identify a key point in every

paragraph. Even if you miss out
some of the words in the actual
speech delivery, you can easily
expound on the key points.
 z
Have a break!

 After memorizing some parts of your

speech, take a break for some hours or for
a day. After this, recite the speech again.
This will test how well you can recall what
you think you have memorized.
 z
Record and listen!

 Record yourself delivering the

speech and listen to it over and over
again. Like a song, the speech will
get stuck in your head.
 z
Use note cards!

 Write one key point on one note card.

Bring these note cards wherever you go
and take them out whenever you have
extra time to memorize, especially
during idle times of the day
Identify if the following are good or bad topics for a
z
memorized speech.
 The Origin of Alphabets
 A New Beginning: A Retirement Speech
 Welcoming the Freshmen
 The First Woman Astronaut
 A Birthday Wish
 Chemical Warfare
 A Toast for Forever: A Best Man’s Speech
 Goodbye Grandpa: A Eulogy
 The Story of Human Rights
 The Reality Show Phenomenon