Cheat Sheet

So in a few minutes we’re actually going to deliver our presentation and practice it on video it’s a big moment and it’s really the most important element of this whole training.

But before we do I want to make life easier for you now in school I would never ever suggest you cheat.

It’s not the right thing to do it’s not ethical it’s not moral.

Plus if you get caught penalties are severe but when you are giving a presentation a talk doesn’t matter if it’s to your scouting troupe.

Doesn’t matter if it’s to a school family.

I do recommend that you have a cheat sheet.

Now by that I mean just a single sheet of paper that’s got some notes big bold letters not whole sentences not whole paragraphs.

Because here’s something I guarantee you.

That’s true.

It’s true of students in every first grade class.

It’s true of students in college.

It’s true of adults who are 85 years old.

And here’s the big truth.

Human beings can’t stand it when someone reads to them.

Because when you read to them your voice goes flat monotone there’s no eye contact.

The facial expressions are flat and you’re sort of ignoring the audience.

And audiences just don’t like that.

So I recommend do not ever read when you’re giving a presentation.

Now of course there are exceptions.

If you are quoting Patrick Henry or any other famous author and you want to get it just right.

Well certainly it’s fine to glance down and read if your teacher requires you to read then by all means do what the teacher ask but when it’s up to you I want you to do what’s easier for the audience not what’s easier for you because here’s the thing.

All great public speakers know of any age.

It’s not about you.

It’s about the audience and getting them to understand you and to do what you want.

So you’re asking your parents for an increase in allowance.

It doesn’t really matter what’s easy for you to read.

What matters to you is Are your parents hearing this understanding it.

Are they persuaded and are they then going to do what you want.

So it’s never just about the words if it were just about the words you could send an e-mail or just type or hand write a note and hand it to someone.

There may be times when that’s enough.

But the beauty of talking to people public speaking if there’s more than one person in the room is it puts a spotlight on an idea and it shows people you think this is important.

And that’s why it’s really critical to focus on your audience and to get them to understand you care about them.

Understanding your ideas.

And that’s why reading is just never a good idea.

Now some of you may say hey I’m just a kid I’m nervous I’m scared I might leave something out.

I want to get it just right.

So I’m going to read it.

You know I hear those very same excuses from 50 year old business executives men women you name it.

And the result is always the same when they read they put the audience to sleep.

Nobody has a good impression of them.

And it just didn’t work.

So my recommendation to you is unless your teacher requires you to read something word for word.

Anytime you’re speaking anytime you’re presenting don’t read have notes have it have a cheat sheet but limited to a single sheet of paper write down any important number any fact any date that’s really important that you’re afraid you might forget.

But beyond that you need to be looking at students looking at your teacher looking at your parents looking at people in your scouting troupe or in your civic organization when you’re speaking.

If you do that you’ll come across as much more comfortable more believable and they’re much more likely to do whatever it is you want them to do or at least understand the ideas you’re talking about.

So that’s your homework.

Now come up with a one page cheat sheet for your presentation that we’re going to practice soon.