I like to be so familiar with what I am speaking about that I don't have to read it. But I do bring an outline so that I can refer to that if I feel that I might be forgetting a few keypoints or to help me get back on track if I need to.

I really don't enjoy listening to speeches where the person is obviously reading the material in front of them. I like it when people just talk to the audience from their experience or from the heart. I tend to get more out of it. I am usually bored to tears when they are reading and not engaging the audience because I feel if someone's eyes are cast down at their paper that they are not relating or connecting to the other people in the room. So I think if they are not that interested in what they are talking about then I am not either. If someone is really knowledgeable or passionate about their topic then they don't need to read off the page. It can be nerve wracking for the speaker to talk off the cuff but I promise you it comes off so much better to the audience. I would rather see someone with nerves talking to me eye to eye than hiding behind a piece of paper.

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Source(s):
personal experience

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