Designing and Performing Writing

Writing to be remembered

Page contents:

A memorable introduction
Signpost language
Simple and memorable visuals and language
Scripted writing
Notes

Getting and keeping the attention of listeners may require you to use different strategies than the ones you generally employ when writing for a reading audience. When you present, aim to be remembered rather than simply heard.

A memorable introduction

Remember that listeners, like readers, tend to remember beginnings and endings most readily, so work extra hard to make these elements memorable. Consider, for example, using a startling statement, opinion, or question; a dramatic anecdote; a powerful quotation; or a vivid image. Shifting language, especially into a variety of language that your audience will identify with, is another effective way to catch their attention. Whenever you can link your subject to the experiences and interests of your audience, do so.

Signpost language

Organize your presentation clearly and carefully, and give an overview of your main points toward the beginning of your presentation. (You may wish to recall these points again toward the end of the talk.) Throughout your presentation, pause between major points, and use signpost language as you move from one topic to the next. Such signposts act as explicit transitions in your talk and should be clear and concrete: The second crisis point in the breakup of the Soviet Union occurred hard on the heels of the first instead of The breakup of the Soviet Union came to another crisis point. . . . In addition to such explicit transitions as next, on the contrary, and finally, you can offer signposts to your listeners by carefully repeating key words and ideas as well as by sticking to concrete topic sentences to introduce each new idea.

Simple and memorable visuals and language

Simple, memorable visuals can help your audience focus on your points and on your presentation as a whole. Aim to give your listeners something relevant and interesting—but not distracting—to look at.

In your presentation text, avoid long, complicated sentences, and use straightforward sentence structure (subject-verb-object) as much as possible. Listeners prefer action verbs and concrete nouns to abstractions. You may need to deal with abstract ideas, but try to provide concrete examples for them. Memorable presentations often call on the power of figures of speech and other devices of language, such as careful repetition, parallelism, and climactic order.

Scripted writing

Even though you will probably rely on some written material, you will need to adapt it to be spoken rather than read. Depending on the assignment, the audience, and your personal preferences, you may even speak from a full script. If so, double- or triple-space it, and use fairly large print so that it will be easy to refer to. Try to end each page with the end of a sentence so that you won’t have to pause while you turn a page. In addition, you may decide to mark spots where you want to pause and to highlight words you want to emphasize.

Notes

Many writers prefer to speak from notes, which allow more flexibility than a full script. Follow these guidelines for using notes effectively:

In general, use one note for each point in your presentation, beginning with the introduction and ending with the conclusion. You may use index cards, or you can choose to print out slide notes featuring a thumbnail image of each slide.
Number each note so that you can quickly find the next part of your presentation if your notes are out of order.
On each note, include the major point you want to make in large bold text. Include subpoints in a bulleted list below the main point, again printed large enough for you to see easily. You can use full sentences or phrases, as long as you include enough information to remind you of what you have planned to say.
Include signpost language on each note so that you will be sure to use it to guide your listeners.
Practice your presentation using the notes at least twice.
Time your presentation carefully so that you will be sure not to go overtime. If you think you may run out of time, use color or brackets to mark material in your notes that you can skip. If your presentation is too long, move past the marked material so that you can end with your planned conclusion.

Video Prompt: Looking for the essential points (turning essay into media presentation)