Introduction

You are no doubt familiar with the expression – practice makes perfect. In my opinion practice equals progress, not perfection, and recommend focusing on excellence instead.  The question to ask yourself is “what can I do?” to get better next time I speak. One answer to that question is rehearse your presentation.  Rehearsal is crucial for delivering a confident and compelling performance. While it might seem tempting to simply read your notes silently, research and experience show that saying your speech out loud is considerably more effective. In this post, we’ll explore the reasons why speaking out loud enhances your practice and prepares you for success.

Several years ago I had the good fortune travel with a seasoned professional speaker hear her speak.  On the way she said, “I’ve got to put the words on my lips, I hope you don’t mind I practice while we drive.” Of course, I didn’t, and I’ve remembered that phrase, “put the words on my lips” ever since. It wasn’t until a client of mine asked me why it made a difference that I did some research. Here is what I found.

Engaging Multiple Regions in Your Brain

Rehearsing your speech out loud engages these areas of your brain:

• Motor Cortex: Controls the movement of your mouth, lips, and vocal cords.

• Auditory Cortex: Processes the sound of your voice and provides feedback.

• Memory and Recall Centers: Strengthen memory retention through multi-sensory engagement.

If you simply read your presentation silently you miss out on this thorough brain workout. Reading without speaking the words primarily involves the visual and language processing areas. When all eyes are on you, you want the muscle memory speaking out loud offers.

Reinforcing Memory and Retention

An Olympic gold medalist dedicates extensive hours to perfecting their sport. These hours are essential for developing muscle memory, the ability of our body to perform a specific action without conscious thought or intention. The cognitive processes of learning a sport and giving a speech are similar. Anytime we learn a new skill it takes time, energy and effort. Practice is repeating what you’ve learned over and over.  It is the repetition that wins the gold.  The combination of speaking, hearing, and articulating words aids in reinforcing the information in one's mind. Winning athletes do both, they practice and visualize. Adopting the practice of verbal rehearsal proves to be more effective than depending solely on visual memory through silent reading.

Auditory Feedback Is Powerful

Many people say they dislike the sound of their voice. The first few times they hear a recording of their voice; their inner critic comes alive. One way to silence the critic and call forth the champion is to embrace the unique quality of your voice. It is your voice, embrace it. Remember in the entire history of life on earth, there will never be another individual exactly like you!

When you listen to the words you are speaking out loud you receive immediate feedback. You can use this feedback loop to fine-tune your delivery, pacing, and intonation. Silent reading lacks this auditory component, making it harder to identify and correct errors.

Boosting Confidence and Taming Anxiety

Speaking your speech aloud is a powerful confidence booster. As you familiarize yourself with the sound of your own voice and the flow of your presentation, anxiety naturally subsides. This active practice mirrors the real-life speaking experience, making you feel more prepared and significantly less nervous come presentation time.

Mastering Your Delivery: Voice and Body Language

Out loud practice allows you to refine your vocal delivery – mastering intonation, volume, and pacing. You can also hone your body language, ensuring your entire presentation, not just the words, is polished and captivating. Silent reading simply cannot provide the opportunity to perfect these vital aspects of your delivery.

The Power of Out Loud Practice: A Winning Strategy

While silent reading may seem more convenient, practicing your speech aloud offers undeniable advantages. From engaging multiple areas of your brain to building unshakeable confidence and perfecting your delivery, speaking your speech out loud is the key to truly effective practice and achieving presentation success. So, the next time you prepare for a speech, remember the power of out loud practice – it will make a world of difference.