Final answer:
To effectively prepare for a speech, one should both read over their notes and rehearse the speech to ensure content mastery and delivery proficiency, considering audience engagement and the medium used.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing for a speech, it's essential to engage in both reading over your notes and rehearsing your speech. Rehearsing a speech goes beyond familiarizing yourself with the content; it involves practicing the delivery, timing, and engaging with the audience. On the other hand, simply reading over notes may help with content recall but will not prepare you for the performance aspects of the speech. Considering the short attention spans of audiences, it is integral to craft a message that is both informative and captivating. Ensuring familiarity with your material and how it's presented will allow you to be more confident and effective in your delivery.
When deciding whether to prepare a traditional document or use another medium such as a slide deck or video presentation, consider your audience's knowledge of the subject and what they need to know to understand your point. Additional mediums can aid in keeping the audience engaged, allowing for a more dynamic delivery, especially if the media is tested and functions correctly. Reflection on word choice and spelling is also essential to convey your message accurately and professionally.