Reading a speech or using notes to deliver a presentation or in any form of spoken business communication comes with both pros and cons. Some argue, that it’s the best way to ensure that you don’t miss out on important things while others say it is a bad practice as it’ll show that you’re not confident. Here, we dive into the world of business communication and see the benefits and possible dangers of reading a speech or using notes, which are as listed below:
Benefits
You can personally gain more confidence as even if you forget what exactly you want to speak, you’ll still have a note to refer back to.
Saves the time as it takes a lot of those to rehearse for the speech. Like in the popular talk show ‘TED’ most of the speakers actually go through a rigorous training process which stretches to several weeks. This time would be saved as one can just speak with the help of the notes or read the speech.
Can ensure that the content delivery is as per the requirement.
Reduces the chances of any errors.
Ensures that the speech or presentation is completed within the allocated time, without notes, it’s pretty easy to dwell around and go over the time quite easily (Williamon, 2000).
Possible Dangers
No or little opportunity for interaction: Reading a note will give the presenter a lot less time to focus on the audience as the concentration will be on the notes at hand. It’ll be like reading out a bedtime story instead of it being like a conversation with the audience. If it’s just reading, the presenter can rather send the speech in the emails instead of doing the presentation itself. The presenter can rather memorize it instead of using the notes which enables him/her to emphasis on certain keywords while also taking a break and engaging the audience.
Unable to maintain eye contact: Audience might think the person isn’t real as the presenter will have very little opportunity to make eye contact with the audience, not helping to pass on the beliefs (Beebe, 1974).
Inability to read the audience: One won’t be able to look at the audience mood to adjust accordingly. But by reading a speech, the person will be more focused on the paper itself to ensure that a line doesn’t go missing. And, while doing so if certain people in the audience are offended and don’t follow the presenter, it’s not possible to get them back.
Shows that you don’t have that leadership skills to perform under pressure while demonstrating the skills one poses.
References
Beebe, S. (1974). Eye contact: A nonverbal determinant of speaker credibility. The Speech Teacher, 23 (1).
Williamon, A. (2000). Memorize to OR to not Memorize?. American String Teacher, 50(2).
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Reading a speech or using notes to deliver a presentation or in any form of spoken business communication comes with both pros and cons. Some argue, that it’s the best way to ensure that you don’t miss out on important things while others say it is a bad practice as it’ll show that you’re not confident. Here, we dive into the world of business communication and see the benefits and possible dangers of reading a speech or using notes, which are as listed below:
Benefits
Possible Dangers
References
Beebe, S. (1974). Eye contact: A nonverbal determinant of speaker credibility. The Speech Teacher, 23 (1).
Williamon, A. (2000). Memorize to OR to not Memorize?. American String Teacher, 50(2).