How to Practice a Speech (So You Don’t Sound Scripted or Robotic)
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The Two Speakers
We’ve all been there.
You’re in the audience, coffee in hand, ready for an inspiring talk.
Speaker A walks up. They grip the podium, unfold their notes, and start reading. The words might be good, but the delivery? Flat. It’s like listening to someone read an audiobook… at half speed… with no eye contact.
Then comes Speaker B. They step forward, smile, and look right at you. They tell a story. They respond to the audience’s reactions. Even though you know they’ve practiced, it feels like they’re saying it for the first time — just to you.
The difference between Speaker A and Speaker B isn’t luck. It’s not that Speaker B was “born” with charisma. The difference is in how they practiced. And the secret is this: the best speeches aren’t performances. They’re conversations.
Conversation vs. Recitation
Most people approach speech practice like they’re rehearsing for a school play. Memorize every word. Nail every sentence. Stick to the exact script.
Here’s the problem: when you memorize word-for-word, your brain gets locked into “recitation mode.” If you forget a word, panic sets in. And even if you do remember it all, you risk sounding stiff, robotic, and disconnected.
Think about your last great conversation with a friend. Did you memorize your side of the discussion before you spoke? Of course not. You had an idea of what you wanted to share, but the words flowed naturally. You adjusted based on their reactions. You paused. You laughed. You responded.
That’s what your audience wants — a speaker who’s talking with them, not at them. The goal of practice isn’t to lock in perfect sentences. It’s to make your delivery feel alive, responsive, and human.
The Right Kind of Practice
When you shift from “perfect” to “conversational,” everything changes.
Instead of:
Practicing to remember every word
You focus on:
Practicing to remember every idea
Instead of:
Keeping your head buried in your notes
You focus on:
Making eye contact and adjusting to your audience’s energy
Instead of:
Rushing through just to “get it right”
You focus on:
Pacing, pausing, and giving your message room to land
And here’s the key: when you rehearse, picture your real audience. Imagine them in the room with you — the curious faces, the folded arms, the people nodding along. Practice responding to those people, even if they’re only in your mind for now.
Three Practice Strategies to Keep It Conversational
1. Points and Cues
Trying to memorize your speech start-to-finish is like trying to memorize an entire phone book (remember those?). It’s exhausting and unnecessary.
Instead, break your talk into idea points— sections that each cover one main point or story. Give each point a cue— something that will help you remember what’s next.
Cues can be:
A single word written on a notecard
A mental image connected to the story
A slide in your presentation
A prop you’ll hold up at that point
When you practice this way, you’re not chained to an exact script. You know the direction of your talk, but the exact words can change. That keeps you flexible and conversational — and your audience will feel like you’re speaking to them, not performing for them.
2. Rehearse Out Loud… Differently Each Time
Here’s where a lot of speakers slip back into “robot mode.” They practice their speech over and over the exact same way. Then, when something throws them off — a question, a laugh, a tech glitch — they’re lost.
Instead, try this: rehearse each point out loud several times, but change your phrasing each time.
Say it once like you’re talking to a close friend over coffee.
Say it once with extra enthusiasm, like you’re on a big stage.
Say it once slower, with more pauses for reflection.
This not only prevents you from getting stuck in a rigid pattern — it makes your brain nimble. You can handle interruptions, audience reactions, and the occasional curveball without losing your place.
3. Simulate a Real Conversation
One of the biggest mistakes people make when practicing is doing it sitting at their desk, mumbling the words to themselves.
When you’re on stage, you’re standing, moving, making eye contact. Your practice should look and feel the same.
Stand up.
Move as you would during your talk.
Gesture naturally.
Ask rhetorical questions and pause as if you expect an answer.
Bonus tip: record yourself. I know, nobody loves watching themselves on video. But it’s one of the fastest ways to spot robotic tendencies. Do you sound natural? Are you making eye contact? Are you pausing for effect — or filling every silence with “um” and “uh”?
When you practice in “real conditions,” you’re training your mind and body to deliver in the same environment you’ll actually be in.
Pauses and Presence
A true conversation has pauses — little spaces where you think, listen, or wait for the other person to respond. Great speakers use pauses the same way.
Pausing isn’t awkward. It’s powerful. It lets your audience process what you’ve said. It signals confidence. And it creates the space for your words to land.
If you tend to rush, build pauses into your practice. After a key point, stop. Count “one… two…” in your head before continuing. It may feel long to you, but to your audience, it feels intentional and engaging.
Remember the ‘record yourself’ tip above? When you pause, it feels much longer than it really is. Test it by watching your recording and actually timing the pauses. You’ll see how brief they truly are.
Your Practice Challenge
If you want to avoid sounding scripted or robotic, remember this: You’re not performing. You’re connecting.
Here’s your challenge for your next speech or presentation:
Break your talk into points with cues.
Practice each point out loud in different ways.
Rehearse standing, moving, and imagining your audience right there with you.
When you practice like a conversation, you speak like a human — and humans connect. And connection is what moves people, inspires them, and makes your message stick long after you’ve left the stage.
If you want to take it even further, work with a coach who can give you real-time feedback on your delivery, your presence, and your ability to connect. That’s the fastest way to go from “pretty good” to “unforgettable.”
Because the truth is, great speaking isn’t about memorizing. It’s about making your audience feel like they’re the only ones in the room — and that you’re speaking just to them.
