Tips for memorizing presentations

If you have an important presentation coming up, you’ll want to impress your audience by proving you know what you’re talking about. Memorizing the ins and outs of your presentation will demonstrate that you’re an expert on the presentation topic. If you struggle with memorizing your presentation, these memorization tips and tricks can help.

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Memorization tip #1: Use repetition

Repetition is an excellent trick for memorization. Make sure to repeat the key points of your presentation. Using repetition will make it easier to reinforce the information in your memory and make it easier to recall once it’s time to present. Repeat the key points of your presentation out loud, handwrite them, or try both.

Memorization tip #2: Use visual aids

Adding visual aids like images, diagrams, or charts to your PowerPoint can help make it easier to remember the key points of your presentation. Visual aids are especially helpful if you’re a visual learner. Visual aids won’t just benefit you—they can make your presentation much more enjoyable to the audience. Audience members who are also visual learners will benefit from images, diagrams, and charts in your presentation.
It can be tempting to overload your presentation with graphics and images. Try to keep it down to one visual aid per slide. Otherwise, your presentation could become overwhelming to the audience, and you may confuse yourself by adding too many visuals.

Memorization tip #3: Break it down

A simple memorization trick is to break down your presentation into smaller chunks or sections. Breaking down your presentation into smaller pieces will make it easier to memorize and can help prevent you from becoming overwhelmed. It can also add more structure to your presentation.

Memorization tip #4: Practice makes perfect

This is probably the most obvious tip for memorization, but practice your presentation as much as possible. Practice running through your presentation alone first to build your confidence, then run through it with a friend, family member, or colleague to get their feedback. Practicing your presentation in front of other people can also help calm presentation anxiety.

Memorization tip #5: Record yourself talking

Record yourself going through your presentation. Then, you can listen to your presentation while doing other mundane tasks, like while you wash the dishes or commute to work. Listening to your presentation will help you memorize it. This memorization technique is especially helpful for auditory learners.

Memorization tip #6: Take breaks

While practicing your presentation is an excellent way to memorize it, don’t overdo it. Take short breaks to avoid burnout and refresh your mind so that it’s easier to focus when you get back to rehearsing your presentation.

Memorization tip #7: Use stories

Adding stories or anecdotes to your presentation can help you remember the key points of your presentation. Stories are also engaging for an audience. Stick to simple and/or authentic stories. If you make up a story just for the sake of your presentation, then it’ll be just another thing for you to memorize. Choosing a story from your actual life won’t require much recall. Additionally, stories with too many components will be harder to remember. Make your life easier by choosing an uncomplicated anecdote.

Memorization tip #8: Create a script

Create a script that follows your presentation. Having a detailed script to go off of will help you memorize and be more prepared for your presentation. Your script doesn’t have to be dense—you can create a bulleted list to read off of.

Memorization tip #9: Give yourself time to prepare

If you have a big presentation coming up, don’t procrastinate. There’s a reason why cramming isn’t recommended—crammed information is stored in your short-term memory, meaning you can only recall that information for a smaller amount of time. Devote a few days of practice leading up to your presentation to build long-term memory. Long-term memory lasts much longer.

Memorization tip #10: Get a good night’s sleep

Don’t stay up late the night before your presentation trying to memorize it. Getting a good night’s sleep will help you strengthen and retain the information that you learned throughout the day. Waking up with a clear and refreshed mind will help you perform your best when it’s time to present.

Creating and delivering a presentation is a lot of work, but with the right preparation, it’ll be a breeze. Explore more presentation tips with Microsoft 365.