What Is It? Video Rehearsal

Procedure

Use your device (e.g. computer, tablet, phone) to record yourself delivering your presentation.

The video should show a complete run-though, without any cuts or edits. If you mess up, that’s fine.

Try varying your approach:

  • stand far away from your recording device
  • going to a different place (such as an empty classroom)
  • work with a partner or a friend

Post each rehearsal recording as a separate post to your WordPress blog. Most people find it convenient to post to YouTube and then post the link in a blog post.

IMPORTANT: Tag each post. Use the tags “rehearsal” and “project1” (or “project2” or “project3” etc., as appropriate).  Without the correct tags, it may be hard for course partners, peers, and the instructor to work with you on your preparation.

Practice, practice, practice!

Practice and rehearsal are essential for successful public speaking.

Caveat: Yes, many people can do pretty well with impromptu speaking, especially if they have experience with the context. But

Factors that might influence your decision about how much to practice and what kind of rehearsal would be best:

  • The stakes. The higher the stakes, the more you should rehearse.
  • Your level of experience. If you are very familiar with the context or the audience, you might change your rehearsal strategy.
  • Your grasp of the content. A research presentation and a wedding toast both benefit from preparation, but mastering the delivery of the complex content of a research presentation might require a lot more preparation and rehearsal.

If you don’t believe me, listen to TJ Walker, a communications consultant writing in Forbes magazine. Walker writes:

Yes, you should rehearse. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. From a presentation coach’s perspective, the following sentence is the dumbest in the English language: “I don’t want to rehearse because I don’t want to seem canned; I want to seem spontaneous and fresh, so I had better wing it.”

He strongly recommends video rehearsal—read the details here:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/tjwalker/2011/06/07/should-i-rehearse-and-for-how-long-presentation-training/#35fb888a66a1

Due to time constraints, I won’t be able to watch all your videos, but I’ll scan through them and give feedback as I’m able.

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