Speech Rehearsal

You should do both of the following types of rehearsal:

• Mirror Rehearsal

• Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror. Watch yourself carefully.

• If you'll be using notes for the actual speech, use them during the rehearsal. (If not, not!)

• Be sure to time each rehearsal.

• Do at least four mirror rehearsals, but not more than six.

• Each time you rehearse, vary the wording of the sentences at least a little.

• If you're using notes, make a new notecard for each mirror rehearsal.

• Never do two mirror rehearsals in a row, and never do more than two on a single day.

• Audience Rehearsal

• Rehearse your speech in front of an audience. (One or two people is not an audience! An audience is three or more people.)

• Make the audience as similar as possible to the real-world audience you'll be addressing.

• Tell them what the assignment is and ask them to look for specific things you're concerned about.

• Have the audience members take notes about what they like and how you could improve.

• Have an audience member time each rehearsal.

• If you'll be using notes for the actual speech, use them during the rehearsal. (If not, not!)

• After the rehearsal, discuss the speech out loud with the audience. Welcome their comments!

• Do at least four audience rehearsals, but not more than six.

• If at all possible, rehearse in front of a different audience each time.

• If you can't change the audience, at least change the seating arrangement.

• Each time you rehearse, vary the wording of the sentences at least a little.

• If you're using notes, make a new notecard for each audience rehearsal.

• Never do two audience rehearsals in a row, and never do more than two on a single day.

If you have access to the relevant technology, you should also do either or both of the following types of rehearsal:

• Audiotaped Rehearsal

• Set up a tape recorder and record your mirror and/or audience rehearsals.

• Don't hold the microphone in your hand, unless you'll be holding one during the real speech.

• After the rehearsal, listen carefully to the tape and note areas which need to be worked on.

• Videotaped Rehearsal

• Set up a video camera and tape your mirror and/or audience rehearsals.

• Don't look directly into the camera. Look at the mirror or the members of the audience

• After the rehearsal, view the tape and note areas which need to be worked on.

Be careful not to do the following type of rehearsal:

• In-Your-Head Rehearsal

• You're most likely to do this when driving or occupied with otherwise-boring tasks.

• Don't! If you do in-your-head rehearsal, you'll memorize your speech, and you don't want that!

• It's okay to think about your speech. The idea here is to avoid rehearsing it mentally.

• When you find yourself rehearsing inside your head, start singing out loud to distract yourself.

 

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