*** When Memorization in Public Speaking is Good

By Nancy Daniels, The Official Guide to Public Speaking
The official guide to Public Speaking

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While I am certainly not an advocate of memorization in public speaking, the one time when I urge my students and clients to know their material word for word is in their opening statement, opening paragraph or opening lines. This is the one time throughout your entire delivery when you want to be flawless.

The most difficult part of a speech or presentation is the beginning; and, while many people tell me that they ‘warm up’ after the first 5 minutes, your audience is not sitting there, waiting for you to compose yourself: they are not going to give you those 5 minutes. Instead, they will judge you the moment you open your mouth to speak. That being the case, it is to your advantage to really know your opening which is only possible if you have memorized your first 3 or 4 lines.

Am I asking that you deliver a perfect presentation? Absolutely not.

There is no such thing as perfection in public speaking or in any other type of live performance. Perfection is subjective. What constitutes perfection in public speaking? There is, however, the goal of doing the best job that you can do. If you make an occasional mistake, so be it. All the greats – performers, athletes, musicians, broadcasters, actors, and even Presidents – make mistakes. And when it happens, they move on. They do not allow it to affect the rest of their performance.

Because you are judged the moment you open your mouth to speak, however, the value of knowing your opening from memory is priceless since your nervousness will be greatest (for most) when you first address your audience.

If you can begin your speech or presentation without error, you stand a much better chance of having more control over the rest of your delivery. And, a smooth opening that grabs your listeners’ attention immediately will bolster your confidence. An opening replete with mistakes will not.

Asking your audience a question or opening with a joke, an anecdote, a brief story, or a quote are all excellent means of capturing the attention of your listeners. Memorize it and you have just gained a tremendous advantage.

Remember, your goal is not to deliver a flawless performance: your goal is to speak to your audience with enthusiasm, with humor, with knowledge and with joy. A strong opening delivered with confidence and assuredness can make those goals a reality.