Strategies to Memorize your Speech

This week, you should be practicing the delivery of your speech, committing it to memory. It is ok to have note cards when you give your speech, but it is not ok to read from your note cards.

Follow the following strategies to practice your speech:

1. Read it aloud from start to beginning
2. Stand up and deliver your speech to a mirror or wall, looking up at a focal point at key moments.
3. Record yourself giving your entire speech and listen to it again and again.
4. Have a pen/pencil handing when you practice, making quick marks in the margin of lines that need attention.
5. Write directions about vocal delivery on your speech text to remind you how to say the line and when to pause.
6. Some people like to write their speech our by hand again and again as a method to memorize. This works well if you are a visual learner.
7. Say your speech to your parents, to a sibling, and/or to a friend. Say it from start to finish without interruption.

Keep track of how many times you say your speech from start to finish. Compete with your friends!

Time yourself giving your speech. It should be 4-7 minutes in length.

Good luck!