Whether you are delivering legal info, giving a eulogy / wedding toast, or doing a broadcast segment, there are times when you will be reading from a script.

The key is to treat the script as a map rather than a cage.

5 tips to stay connected with your audience while sticking to your script ➡

1️⃣  Master the “scoop and deliver” technique. Instead of your eyes glued to the page, try to “scoop” a phrase with your eyes, then lift your head to “deliver”. To that point, make sure you scoop up the first couple of sentences and the last couple of sentences of your script.

2️⃣  Format your script to be “glanceable” vs. a standard block of text

• Use a large font (14pt or 16pt) so you don’t have to lean in.
• Double or triple space between lines to avoid losing your place.
• Never break a sentence across two pages. This prevents those awkward mid-thought pauses while you’re flipping paper.
• Bold the “anchor” words in each paragraph so you can find your spot instantly.

3️⃣  Use a highlighter, pen or emojis to mark performance cues and avoid appearing like a monotone robot

• Write [PAUSE] to… well, pause!
• Add smile emojis 😎 and eyeballs 👀 to remind yourself to smile and have eye contact.
• Underline, bold and enlarge words that need extra emphasis.
• Write “SLOW DOWN” for complex info.

4️⃣  Use gestures to unlock your voice. When you read, you tend to freeze your body. Physical movement drives vocal inflection. Even if you are holding a script or standing behind a lectern, use your free hand to gesture. Moving your body helps you act out the meaning of your words, which makes your tone more engaging.

5️⃣  Internalize the “why,” not just the “what”. Don’t just practice the words, annotate the intent behind each section. Synthesize your concepts into a few words and add that into the margins of your script.

💡  BONUS TIP – Don’t staple your manuscript if it’s more than one page. Number each page (what if the pages fall on the floor before you begin 😬) and slide each page across the lectern as you go from one page to the next. You avoid banging your hand on the mic, and revealing the pages you are about to read.

💡  2nd BONUS TIP – If you read from an iPad or iPhone make sure it’s charged up!

Visual created with AI assistance.