Hello,
I am new to the art of memory. I am having problems with remembering and speaking regarding topics that are in the PowerPoint presentation. I get nervous and anxious and frustrated when I see people watching me. I don’t recall anything and forget basic information about the subject.
Dont put many words on your slide. Use visuals to demonstrate your points.
Use a MP in your mind and think of your talking points. Talk casually but passionately.
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Hi. You could write it by hand to practise. And practise in front of the mirror or recording your voice or make video. Dont think that People is watching. Think you are explaining only to one person.
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Thank you! I will work on the topics and keep them short. I will also practice them in front of the mirror. English is my second language. Now, I don’t convert languages before I speak, but it is hard to speak without thinking in my head. Do you think it is because I am anxious with presentation or I need to work on vocabulary?
I know the words but can’t remember when I speak.
Hi. I dont understand. your presentation is in english? More Vocabulary could help. And practise that entirely at home simulating you are in front of People. that gives confidence. you Can use mnemonics too. To remember keywords.
All tips given until now are good.
I want to add another point: presentations in another language are hard.
Because, when we are stressed, our language abilities are one of the first things to fly out the window. So we feel it very keenly when we have to speak in a second language while stressed (it adds a significant cognitive burden).
For example, when I speak English in an informal setting my prononciation has become really good. But as soon as I’m stressed (like I would be during a presentation), my language abilities diminish and the prononciation of words and sentences that I have acquired well (but aren’t completely automatic yet) now need an conscious effort. And it takes up precious brain power I would use to remember the presentation or think about how to say things if I’m improvising a bit, etc. Of course, usually my reflex is to concentrate on what I say, instead of how to prononce it, but the stress of having my prononciation regress, and the questions popping up in the background (did I say that word right? didn’t that sentence sound weird?), add to the overall stress.
So to prepare for this difficulty, it’s good to do prononciation drills (ideally everyday 5-10 min). The point is to acquire the muscle memory for words and sentences (from your presentation and the most common set phrases). The more you drill, the more you’ll be able to prononce them easily and without thinking - which you’re going to need during your presentation, when your brain is going to be really busy with other things.
Another random tip: when you repeat your presentation beforehand, do it entirely without stopping, from beginning to end. Take note of the places where you feel the least secure and repeat these slides or transitions. It’s important to have an interesting beginning, to be able to start well and get the attention of your audience. BUT don’t make the mistake of training only the beginning (or the parts you like best), otherwise you risk getting stuck in the middle.
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