What are speaker notes? Definition and example for presentations
Speaker notes are the private notes attached to each slide in presentation software such as PowerPoint or Google Slides. The audience sees only the slide; you see the notes on your own screen in presenter view. Good speaker notes are short cues, a few bullets of key words and numbers, not a script.
Definition
Every slide has a notes area beneath it while you edit. When you present with presenter view on a second screen, you see the current slide, the next one and your notes; the audience sees only the slide. Notes are also useful when printing handouts for yourself.
Their job is to remind you, not to be read. If you read a script from your notes, you lose eye contact and your voice flattens.
Example: script vs good notes
Example notes for a slide titled "Q3 support results". Made-up details.
Too much (a script):
"So, moving on to the third quarter, I'm pleased to say that our support team managed to bring the average first-response time down from around six hours to just under two hours, which was largely thanks to the new triage rota that Ana introduced in July…"
Good (cues):
- Transition: "So what changed in Q3?"
- First response: 6 h → 1 h 50 m
- Why: Ana's triage rota (July)
- Story: the Monday backlog that vanished
- Next: what it means for Q4 hiring
Five lines. The numbers are exact because those are what you'd misremember. The rest is a trigger for things you already know.
Rules for good speaker notes
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| 3–5 bullets per slide | You can take them in at a glance |
| Write numbers, names and dates in full | These are the things people forget under pressure |
| Put the transition line first | Moving between slides is where speakers stall; see signposting |
| Large font in presenter view | You'll be standing back from the screen |
| Rehearse with them, then without | Notes should be a safety net, not a crutch |
Speaking from cues like this is extemporaneous delivery. For rehearsal, Speaking Coach lets you add your slides as a PDF and swipe through them while you speak, then answer audience questions.
Questions people ask
Can the audience see my speaker notes?
Not in presenter view, as long as you share or project only the slide window. Check your screen-share settings before an online talk.
Should I write my whole speech in the notes?
No. Write cues. A full script tempts you to read.
How long should speaker notes be?
Short enough to read in two seconds: three to five bullets.
What if I don't have a second screen?
Print your notes, or put two or three key words on a small card per section.