A Public Speaking Tip

Dr. Jody Natalle
Department of Communication

Most public speaking instruction encourages speakers to record speaking notes on 3 X 5 notecards or sheets of notebook paper in a black folder. Don't do it! A 5 X 8 plain index card is your best bet. Why? The larger card is big enough to handle a quotation or other facts that need to be read for accuracy. You can highlight key points in yellow and actually see them as you glance down at the card during the speech. You will only need a couple of cards of that size rather than a whole stack of 3 X 5 cards that can be dropped, or a folder where the sound of the turning pages can be picked up by the podium microphone. If you move away from the podium as you speak, the cards are more portable than a folder. Finally, 5 X 8 cards allow you to hold on with both hands, thus eliminating extraneous gestures or other nervous hand activity. If you are speaking in front of a television camera in a studio with lights, use blue 5 X 8 cards to avoid glare bouncing off the cards. Good luck on your speech!