Echo Rivera

How to write a presentation script and practice your presentation the right way

Educator writing and practicing presentation script

Should you write a script for your presentation?

Should you practice your presentation?

The answer is yes and yes, but chances are neither of these are what you think they are.

Hear me out.

When I talk about a presentation script , most people assume I’m talking about a word for word document that must be memorized or read to the audience.

When I talk about practicing a presentation, most people assume I’m talking about:

(a) reading that script, word for word until it’s memorized, and

(b) practicing the entire presentation from start to finish, over and over again.

As a result, most people think scripting and practicing a presentation take a lot of extra time when working on a presentation.

None of that is true.

When done correctly, you script and practice your presentation in the same step AND most of it doesn’t even involve doing an extra step.

Good thing you found your way to my article, because today you’re going to learn how to write a presentation script and how to practice your presentation the right way.

Hi! 👋 I’m Dr. Echo Rivera and I train academics, scientists, and educators how to create engaging presentations. While you’re here, make sure you check out my FREE training on engaging presentations.

Before I share my unique scripting/practicing system, let’s make sure this blog post was written for you.

This blog post was made for academics, scientists, and educators.

The strategies shared in this post were tailored to presentations such as:

class lectures,

conference presentations,

teaching demos,

training workshops, and

In other words, this post is for you if your primary goal of the presentation is to educate the audience—not to sell a product or gain angel investors.

What you will learn in this article (or video):

1. why academics, scientists, and educators need to write a presentation script and practice their presentations., 2. myths about presentation scripts and practicing your presentations..

3. Why you should script and practice even if you’re good at public speaking.

4. How to write a presentation script and how to practice your presentation.

5. When does it make sense to do these script/practice types?

6. A bonus tip; something else that is important ;)

p.s. There is an abbreviated version of this blog post you can watch right here:

Take a moment to think about all the things you’ve witnessed during a presentation that made it unbearable to watch.

I don’t mean how bad their slides were or their wall of text slides, I mean things the presenter did or didn’t do.

Bonus points if you actually take a moment to write them down.

Ok, here’s my list.

A presentation becomes hard to watch when the speaker:

Goes over time

Sounds really awkward

Rambles and goes on tangents

Is confusing, disorganized & hard to follow

Doesn’t have a good flow or pace (too fast, too slow, no pauses)

Forgets what they wanted to say

Reads the slides to the audience

Speaks in a monotone, droning voice

Finishes waaaaaaaay too early

I’m guessing you agree that these are signs that the presenter needs a boost in their public speaking skills.

If you see yourself in that list, don’t worry because the strategies in this post will 100% help you address these challenges. People aren’t born with these skills—they develop them over time, with training and practice.

Also, I’ve made every single mistake on that list. I used to have an intense fear of public speaking. So, I understand your struggles , and I can help!

If you don’t see yourself on this list, keep reading because these strategies will still help you in surprising ways. I wrote a special section just for people who are great at public speaking.

Ok. By now, my key point here is probably obvious.

Scripting and practicing (the right way) tackle some of the biggest problems we see during an ineffective presentation.

You might be thinking: “ Well, yeah, that’s obvious, Echo. ”

Because I’ve found that academics, scientists, and educators avoid writing a script for their presentation and practicing like it’s an unnecessary committee meeting.

I get why they avoid it—it’s because of some insidious myths about scripting and practicing that most people believe.

Let’s tackle those next.

If writing a presentation script and practicing a presentation were such good strategies, why don’t more people do it?

That’s easy: most people believe harmful myths about presentation scripts and practicing.

I already busted a couple in the introduction: most people assume “script” and “practice” mean certain things, but that’s wrong.

As a quick refresher:

MYTH: When people say you need a script and need to practice, they want you to memorize your presentation

Well, other people might mean that, but I don’t.

In the process I explain later, the goal is not to memorize your presentation speech.

Stay tuned :)

MYTH: Practicing a presentation means you need to say the entire presentation from start to finish

That’s one way to practice a presentation. I call it the dress rehearsal.

I almost never do it, and I recommend you avoid this type of practicing at all costs.

You’re going to learn three other ways to practice that are easier, more sustainable, and more effective.

MYTH: There’s an easier way to solve bad speaker habits

The #1 worst piece of presentation advice that exists is that you should use 1 slide per minute, or as few slides as possible.

Without question, it’s the worst.

You cannot make an engaging presentation if you follow that rule. And if that surprises you then please take my free training ASAP.

I’m constantly talking about this piece of bad advice on social media with academics, scientists, and educators.

The main reason people give me for following this rule boils down to this:

“You see, Echo, the 1 slide per minute rule is helpful to make sure speakers don’t go over time.”

And my reaction boils down to this:

funny meme reaction to slide myth

Because…people have been following the 1 slide per minute rule for a really long time and we still have to endure presenters who go over their time.

The number of slides has nothing to do with a presenter who goes overtime.

There is only ONE reason speakers go overtime.

They don’t script and practice their presentation at all, or in the right way.

Surface level formulas like “1 slide per minute” don’t fix the problem and they only make presentations worse.

MYTH: If you practice too much, you’ll sound like a robot

Have you ever believed that you could practice “too much” and that practicing “too much” will make you sound like a robot?

sound like presentation robot quote graphic

Absolute nonsense.

This makes no sense if you think about it.

Have you ever seen a musical or play?

Does that feel like a bunch of robots singing and dancing on the stage?

No, of course not. It feels moving, natural, and engaging.

Well, they obviously practice A LOT.

So, that instantly debunks the myth that if you practice, you'll sound awkward or like a robot.

wood robots front of musical posters

In reality, it's the exact opposite.

Having a script and practicing it in the right way is precisely what helps you sound natural, professional, and deliver a smooth presentation that makes an impact.

I know what you’re thinking.

You’re thinking… ”But I can always tell when someone reads from a script. They sound so awkward!”

scripts sound awkward robot quote graphic

Hmmm…I have questions.

First: How do you know they’re reading a script?

If you don’t actually see them reading from a script, you cannot assume that’s what they’re doing.

If the speaker is really awkward and sounds like they’re reading, that’s not enough evidence to conclude they are using a script.

Second: OK. Let’s assume they ARE using a script.

The problem is not that they have a script.

The problem is:

(a) how they wrote the script initially, and/or

(b) how they practiced their script.

Chances are they (a) wrote a presentation speech using a Word document, and then (b) tried to memorize it.

This is a bad approach because when we write in a Word document, we’re writing for written communication.

By default, everything we type will be more appropriate for someone to read it, rather than to listen to it.

That’s why in my system, we don’t use Word at all, and you do NOT start by writing a speech.

Or, they (a) wrote their presentation script in the notes section of PowerPoint, and then (b) just read it silently in their mind as a way to practice it.

We’ve all done this. Admit it.

That’s NOT how you should write a script or practice your presentation.

That’s how you end up sounding like a robot, because in reality you haven’t practiced your presentation at all.

This is a really important point to internalize: reading your notes does NOT count as practicing your presentation.

I can guarantee 100% that you’ve been enamored by a presenter using a script who sounded natural, engaging, and amazing.

When done properly, you actually can’t tell there was a script.

If somebody has an awkward delivery where it sounds like they're a robot and they're relying on their script too much, the problem is NOT that they had a script.

The problem is NOT that they practice too much: it's the opposite. The problem is that they didn't practice enough and didn't practice in the right ways.

It is entirely untrue that the more you practice, the less natural you will sound. That is a lie.

And I am not the only one who is saying this.

Fun fact time!

Have you ever seen The Big Lebowski?

Hopefully, that's not too old of a reference, and I know there are some problems with the movie.

But even if you hate the movie or haven’t seen it, it has a reputation as having an extraordinarily smooth delivery by the actors.

It feels so real, so natural, that many people assume it was improv.

John Goodmans rehearsing vs improvising quote

The reason it felt so natural and so smooth, was because the script was good (in the sense that it felt like real conversations), AND because they practiced it for weeks.

In a 2012 Rolling Stone interview, John Goodman said, “I had so many people ask me if it was improvised.” Then he laughed his John Goodman laugh and said, “I'm not that good. But we got lucky and we rehearsed for a couple weeks before we started shooting. That's why that looks so good. Like we're improvising.”

This is exactly the point that I'm trying to make.

LIKE we’re improvising, he said.

They rehearsed it so much that it looked good and seemed like they were doing improv, which is basically a way of saying it felt natural. It felt real.

A great presentation script is worthless if you don’t practice it correctly, and practicing your presentation doesn’t help if you don’t have a good script. 🤯

That’s why I merge the two activities into one activity when working on my presentation.

script and practice text robot graphic

That’s the power of a good script , and practicing it the right way.

Luckily, academics, scientists, and educators don't need a perfect script and don't need to practice nearly as much as people performing in a musical or in a movie. 😅

Hopefully, you’re ready to give scripting and practicing your presentation a chance.

Except, wait.

You might not be convinced if you’re good at public speaking.

I promised a section just for you, so here it is.

3. Why you should a presentation script and practice even if you’re good at public speaking.

Remember earlier when I said this post would still be helpful, even if you didn’t see yourself in that list of bad presentation examples?

Let’s talk about that.

I’m guessing you think you don’t need to script and practice because you’re good at public speaking.

Maybe you’re the lucky type who can get on stage and just talk. And talk. And talk.

Maybe you love public speaking, and with just a few bullet points, you can talk for a full hour (or longer) without taking a break.

I can see why you think having a script and practicing it will totally slow your roll.

But here’s the bad news: the type of presentations where the speaker just gets on the stage and “wings it” are some of the hardest presentations to follow along with. 😬

Your energy, passion, and fast-talking ability probably keeps people paying attention, sure.

But they’re also probably really confused and overwhelmed.

Or, worse, they don’t think they’re confused during your presentation, but then later on when they try to remember what you said, they can’t—and they don’t even know why.

I have personally experienced this countless times as an audience member. And it’s something I pay attention to as a presentation specialist.

Several academics I work with recently realized their off-the-cuff, fast-paced class lectures were actually really confusing because they had to record them for an online course.

Once they actually had to watch their own presentation videos, they realized that they:

Did not build in enough repetition to enhance learning

Went on too many unhelpful tangents

Forget key transition statements or sections that link topics

Missed important key steps or connector topics

Did not have distinct sections in their presentations

Now you’re ready for the real secret:

The #1 reason you should have a script and practice it isn’t so you have a smooth delivery—it’s so your presentation is organized, comprehensive, and easy to follow. 💡

Time to finally reveal my unique approach to scripting and practicing your presentation!

I’m going to share my system for scripting and practicing that has:

Saved me TONS of time

Significantly improved the quality of my presentation content

Significantly improved my public speaking skills

I'm going to share the exact process I use to script and practice my professional presentations, even ones with data.

After all this build-up, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it’s going to be.

One reason I think you’ll like this is because it’s efficient.

Like I mentioned above, a script needs to be practiced and you need to practice with a good script.

That’s why scripting and practicing are merged into one, seamless step.

Scripting is practicing. And practicing is scripting.

The 4 types of presentation scripting & practicing:

Talk to your computer

Mini bursts of practice

Timed practice

Dress rehearsal

Before I go into detail, make sure you download the FREE worksheets that go along with this blog post and video!

How to write a presentation script, tips featured by top presentation expert and trainer, Dr Echo Rivera

Script/Practice Type #1: Talk (or Whisper) to Your Computer

Echos practice talking to computer comic

The first thing I need to eliminate from your mind is the idea that you can practice by sitting and staring at your slides or reading them silently in your head.

That does not count as practice. You have to actually say your notes out loud for it to count as practice.

Presenter staring at computer not practicing

Like I mentioned earlier, we aren’t going to use Word or any type of word processor for this. Do this directly in the notes section of PowerPoint (or Google Slides, Keynote, etc).

What you do, is from the very first time you start writing out your script, you also practice it as the same time.

Specifically, you’re going to talk (or whisper) to your computer—you’re going to say the words you type for your script as you’re typing it.

Or, if you’re revising your script for a presentation you’ve already given, you speak (or whisper) out loud while revising.

talk out loud presentation script practice

Does this sound weird?

Absolutely.

This is the most mind-blowingly impactful change you will ever make when creating a script for your presentation.

This is such a great strategy because you'll be speaking your script the very first time that you write it.

That means the first draft of your script will be better than if you just wrote it silently.

🚨 Re-read that sentence.

You will know immediately when you write something that sounds awkward, because you’re speaking it from step 1.

Do you see how much time that’s going to save you?

If you write your script silently in your head first, you’re going to write a script for reading—not speaking.

That means, the first time you do say it out loud, you will have to make more revisions than if you had just said it out loud in the first place.

If you’ve ever felt like it takes too long to create an engaging presentation, I just shared one of the BEST secrets to speeding up this process.

Besides, this is the best way to make sure you don’t sound like a robot.

So this practice type is something I want you to turn into your new habit.

Literally every single time you write something new for your presentation script (or make a revision), I want you to say (or whisper) it out loud.

Script/Practice Type #2: Mini bursts of real-time practice

Echos mini bursts of practice comic

The second type of practice is what I call “mini bursts” of practice.

While you’re drafting and revising your slides (using script/practice type #1), at some point you’re going to finish a few slides or a section that you want to test out.

So, you’re going to do just that: a mini-burst of practice.

While still at you’re desk, you’ll go into presenter mode.

Once you're in presenter mode, run through a couple of slides or maybe even a whole section, and basically just fix problems as you see them.

You're basically piloting your slides in small chunks.

You can do this as often as you want, and the more you do it, the better.

how often to practice presentation slide

My guess is you were already doing some version of this, so I doubt this will take you extra time.

But, in the past, you probably just clicked and looked at your slides, and imagined what you would say in your head.

What I want you to do, moving forward, is actually say your script out loud.

What you should pay attention to is how your speech matches up with what is happening on your slides (the images, animations, etc).

In other words, also gives you another chance to speak your notes out loud while also testing the things happening on your slides.

Like practice type #1, you don't really need to dedicate a separate or unique block of time for this, because the idea is you just weave it into your practice of editing and revising your slides.

Script/Practice Type #3: Timed Practice

Echo Riveras presentation time practice comic

Like you, I found dress rehearsals to be exhausting and difficult to fit into my schedule.

Plus, when I had a lot of things to fix throughout the presentation, it was hard to keep track of those and remember them for later.

But, if I stopped my presentation to take notes, it ruined my flow or messed up my time tracking.

There had to be a better way, I thought to myself.

And after some experimenting, I found one!

I call this the “timed practice” and like script/practice type #1 it was a gamechanger.

When and how time presentation practice

You will do this when your presentation is almost ready and you feel good about your draft.

What you do is grab a stopwatch (I use the clock app on my phone) and some specially designed worksheets for you to complete.

The worksheets should have a place for you to write:

Section Name

Description

Images needed

And other information you need to revise your presentation.

You can get the exact worksheets I use for this in the free download that goes with this post:

How to write a presentation script, tips featured by top presentation expert and trainer, Dr Echo Rivera

Make sure you have several of these practicing worksheets printed and ready to go (at least one sheet per section).

If your presentation doesn’t have sections, then that means it’s probably confusing for your audience. Make sure you check out my FREE training if you’re interested in improving all aspects of your presentations.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

Grab a worksheet.

Go into presenter view

Choose ONE section of your presentation

Start your timer

Do a full dress rehearsal style practice session for that ONE SESSION

When you come across something that needs to change, PAUSE THE TIMER and write your notes (the slide # and what needs to change).

When you’re done writing your notes, restart the timer and continue your practice.

When you’re done practicing that section, write down how long it took for you to complete that section and other notes to help you revise your slides.

Repeat for all sections.

Ideally, if your presentation is longer than 15-20 minutes, you’re engaging the audience throughout (not just waiting for a Q&A session).

That can be really hard to time, though, so here’s what I do:

When I come to my audience engagement slide, or have a question for the audience in my notes, I pause the timer,

I take moment to guess at how long I want to spend on this activity, and

I’ll add a note that looks like “+1 min for poll” and “+2 min for question”

Is it perfect, no? But it helps me remember to leave a time buffer for audience engagement.

When I'm done I add up all the sections and it will tell you how long the total presentation would probably take based on that run-through.

Then you go back and do this entire process one more time after you've fixed those major errors. Then hopefully it's good to go.

numbered steps to practice presentation script

Here are some additional tips to make this as effective as possible.

1. Start going a little bit off-script now

By now, you already have a pretty decent script for your presentation.

The idea is NOT to memorize it at this point.

You have a solid foundation for an organized presentation that is easy to follow and contains no excess information, and does not leave important information out.

At this point, then, you should start going a little off-script.

Basically, you want to practice saying the same idea—the same content—but with slightly different words.

The goal is to know the general idea of what you want to say, when you want to say it, and how long you take to explain it.

2. Don’t do it all in one day

I don’t revise my slides on the same day I do a timed practice.

What I do is try to complete this entire process for all sections in 1-2 days, and then revise my slides on a later day.

While practicing, between each section I'll take a break, and I recommend you do that too. Stand up, stretch, get a glass of water.

When I’m done practicing all sections of my presentation, I set my notes aside and intentionally make myself wait at least a day before making any changes.

Having that mental break is really important, and gives your brain some downtime to come up with new ideas and insights.

It’s also a way for this to feel like a sustainable practice. It would be mentally exhausting to do this all in one day. Ugh.

apply changes going backwards graphic

When you’re ready to apply the changes make sure you work backwards.

Start with the last one and work your way up, because if you start from the first slide and work your way down you're going to mess up all your slide number references.

3. You should only have to do this process 1-2 times

If you find yourself stuck here and you’re doing this a lot more than 1-2 times, then it’s probably because you didn’t do enough of practice types 1 and 2. Next time, do more of that and then you’ll need to do this type less.

This practice type is so helpful because:

It’s more efficient than a full dress rehearsal.

You don’t need a giant block off time to do it, only enough time to practice ONE section.

You don’t have to worry about remembering what to change. You can come back to your revisions another day .

You get an accurate sense of how long each section will take, which means you get an accurate sense of how long your entire presentation will take, too!

Most people skip this and go straight to the full dress rehearsal, but I think that's kind of a waste of time.

This is more efficient, easier to fit into your schedule, and still can give you a sense of how long your presentation will take.

Script/Practice Type #4: Dress rehearsal

dress rehearsal comic by echo rivera

Okay it’s time to talk about the dress rehearsal.

This is what most people think of when I say “practice your presentation.”

A full dress rehearsal involves acting as though you’re giving the presentation for real. That means you do things like:

Do the entire presentation from start to finish, without stopping

Add in all your dramatic pauses

Avoid looking at your notes while giving your talk

Use all your normal gestures

First, I want to emphasize that if you follow the first three practice types, you will rarely have to do a dress rehearsal.

Practice types 1-3 are usually enough for things like course lectures, webinars, and regular conference presentations.

I mean, you can do a dress rehearsal if you want. It’s not a bad idea. But in my opinion, it’s optional for most presentations.

When should you do a full dress rehearsal? When your presentation is a:

Teaching demo

Other very high stakes presentations (e.g., presentation to obtain funding)

So if you need to do one, then let me share some strategies for this.

presentation dress rehearsal when how graphic

You do the dress rehearsal when your presentation is pretty much ready and you just need to work on the delivery and want to make sure you can do this presentation without your notes.

You’ve already practiced this in short bursts 1-2 times with the last strategy, so you’ll be in a good place to do this.

If it’s an in-person presentation, then I recommend you don’t do this at your desk.

Get in a new environment, plug your laptop into your TV, present this to your pets or friendly faces, or find an empty room in your department and practice there.

Make it as close to the real thing as you possibly can.

Practiced improv comic by Echo Rivera

When I do this type of practice I get set up in my living room so I can project my slides via the TV.

I put my laptop on a tray table, I hook it up to the TV with an HDMI cable, and I get my friendly audience sitting on the couch (for me that involves two dogs and a human).

I've got my slide clicker ready because I'm going to use it for the real thing (and if you do not have one of these, Oh my god, get one now. They are awesome!).

I position everything so I can see my presenter view and the notes if I need to. But I'm facing the audience just like in real life and I'm trying to not read my script at this point.

That is my process, and you might need to tweak it based on your own setup, but the important thing is to get out of your office.

Try to go somewhere else and don't do it in your office.

Bonus Tip: Consider doing things like practice rushing into a room (or Zoom) in your department and setting up in less than a minute, then rush into your presentation because that can happen in real life.

Remember: Memorization is not the primary goal.

You can memorize your presentation if you want to, but you do not have to.

And please, keep in mind that memorization can backfire.

In some cases, it’s better to practice in a way that goes a little off-script.

By now, especially since you've done those three practice types, you should be really comfortable with your presentation and have an idea of what you want to say, when you want to say it, and about how long you want to take with each slide.

You can (and should) change words here and there.

You can add a sentence or maybe not say a sentence.

You can do that type of “practiced improv” and then your script is really only there as a backup in case you do sort of blank and forget what you wanted to say.

You can still use the worksheets from practice type #3.

You’ll be in presenter view again, and you’ll time it.

I recommend that you use those practice sheets again, using them the same way as in practice type three so you can pause and take notes on what you might need to fix.

Hopefully, by now it's not a lot of stuff, just minor tweaks.

5. When does it make sense to do these script/practice presentation types?

New presentation content or delivery format.

If this presentation is:

Brand new content

Getting a significant revision or overhaul

Relatively new content (you’ve only given this talk 1-2 times before), and/or

Going to be presented in a new delivery format (e.g., used to be in-person, now it’s a webinar)

…then you should definitely do:

Script/Practice Type #1: Talk to your computer

Script/Practice Type #2: Mini bursts

Script/Practice Type #3: Timed practice

…and if it’s a “high stakes” presentation (job talk, teaching demo, keynote), then also do:

Presentation you’re revising or updating

One you’ve given in the past

Getting a minor revision

Going to be presented in the same delivery format as before

Script/Practice Type #1: Talk to your computer while revising

Script/Practice Type #2: Mini bursts of the sections you revised

…and if you want to be sure your changes didn’t change the overall time, then also do:

Special circumstances and nuances for teaching (synchronous & asynchronous)

There are some special circumstances and nuances to this when it comes to teaching.

For example, if you’re giving a synchronous (live) lecture and you can use the next session to cover material you didn’t have time for, then you only need to do practice types #1-2.

It doesn’t matter if it’s new or being updated, because ultimately the time you take to explain it doesn’t matter. That’s why you don’t need to worry about types #3 or #4.

As another example, if you’re creating a course video ( asynchronous ) then it depends on whether you’re going to edit the video or not.

If you will be editing the video, then you only need to do practice types #1-2.

If you won’t be editing the video, then you should do practice type #3, too.

That way you can make sure your course video isn’t unnecessarily long and that you won’t have a lot of mistakes.

Side note: that’s why I strongly recommend you learn how to edit your course videos —because it saves you time and hassle in the grand scheme of things.

6. Bonus Tip: Yes, this means you need to stop procrastinating on your presentation.

If you’re adding things up, then that means it takes at least 2 separate days to go script/practice type #3.

Plus, there’s the time to do #1 and #2.

So, yes, this also means you won’t be able to procrastinate on your presentation if you want to do this.

😱 Before you panic, though, keep in mind that the idea is you aren’t spending all day on this.

You’re spending 1-2 hours per day, so you can fit it into your schedule.

Make sure you read my article about a good presentation workflow, because it's going to help you plan out your presentation process so that you actually finish early and have plenty of time for practicing .

I even specify when you should be doing each practice type.

So check that out if you haven't already. And that has a free download, too :)

Don’t go without grabbing these FREE practicing worksheets!

To make it easy, I’m sharing the same worksheets I use with you, for FREE. Download them now and use them the next time you work on your presentation!

How to write a presentation script, tips featured by top presentation expert and trainer, Dr Echo Rivera

with joy, Echo Rivera, PhD

Links shared in this post >>

My unique presentation training framework

How to end your presentation procrastination

The best way to record your presentations and lectures (incl. video editing)

9 myths about effective presentations (incl. the whole “1 slide per minute” rule)

Rolling Stones article on John Goodman

  • Scroll to top

Hype Presentations

How we write presentation scripts that captivate audiences.

Having written thousands, this is our advice on how to write a presentation script and how to use scripts in your presentations.

What’s the most important factor in any presentation?

It’s got to be the design, right? Making your slides so beautiful, so chic, and so damn on-brand that your audience will weep at their magnificence?

That’s important, but no – we’re talking about something more fundamental than that.

Ok, then. How about the  animation ? Slick, professional and seamless. That premium, professional sheen that shows your quality through and through.

Again, really love your thinking here, but before that too.

Before you even open PowerPoint, Keynote or Google Slides. Before you get stuck into Photoshop, XD, or whatever design software you prefer.

In many cases, before you even fire your trusty PC or Mac up.

Which brings up back to answering that original question. The first – and most important – part of any presentation is the story. It’s the structure on which those other visual elements can hang, and with a great narrative, your design and animation can take it to another level of excellence.

But the story needs to be delivered. And in most cases, that’s down to you, the presenter. So you need a way to make sure you talk through the story in the right order. Hitting the right highs and lows. Without missing anything out. And without rambling on and going over your time limit.

What you need, my friend, is a presentation script.

The benefits of a great presentation script

OK, before we go any further, I can already see some of you grimacing at the thought of a presentation script.

I don’t need a script , you might be thinking – and you may well be right.

Scripts make presenters sound all robotic and boring , you could be muttering – and again, good point.

I want my  salespeople  to be able to think on their feet and adapt to any situation , you might be screaming into your screen. OK, chill out – you’re not wrong.

But let’s not be so black and white about things, eh?

Like presenters, presentations and audiences, each script should be different.

Your presentation script will likely be based on your experience as a presenter, your knowledge of the presentation subject, the level of detail you want to go into, the type of audience you’re presenting to, your time allowance, and many other variables.

So, it’s a good idea to start with the maximum amount you need, and then chip away as necessary. Think of it like Michelangelo’s David. To create his masterpiece, the Italian sculptor took a huge block of Tuscan marble, whittling it down for over two years to reveal the final result.

Can you imagine if he just took a small torso-shaped piece, and then glued a few bits and bobs on as he went along?

It’s the same for your presentation script: write it out in full, and see how it feels when you speak it out loud. What’s that? You probably wouldn’t speak it out loud? Well, you should – some phrases sound all wrong spoken aloud, even when they look fine on the page.

Speaking aloud also gives you a much better estimate of the time it will take to present it in full; reading it in your head, or even muttering it softly to yourself just won’t give you the same timings.

Each time you speak it aloud, it will get a bit tighter, a bit stronger and a bit more personalised to the way you speak.

And, after a few drafts, you’ll have something approaching your final presentation script. Just be careful to leave it when it’s ready – it can be tempting to tweak and tweak ad infinitum, and it’s sometimes difficult to know when to leave it alone.

Now it’s decision time. What will you do with this script? There are basically three choices here:

  • Read the full script.
  • Cut it down to bullet points.
  • Memorise it.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each in turn.

1. Read the full script

This is the safest method.

You separate your script out throughout your slides in the speaker notes section. This means you see them on your laptop, but your audience doesn’t on the big screen (or their Zoom screen).

Most people new to presenting, nervous of public speaking, not experts in the subject matter, or just a bit cautious, might initially choose this option, but it’s not without risks.

Yes, you won’t forget anything and yes, it gives you something to focus on other than the audience, but that can become an issue.

If you stand in front of your audience with your eyes glued to PowerPoint’s speaker notes, then it’s often not the best experience for them. People like to connect with one another, and eye contact – even over video calls – is an important part of this. So, if you don’t even glance up from time to time, you and your presentation can come across as cold, at a time when you should be sharing emotion.

And another issue is it can be hard to portray that emotion when you’re reading out loud, rather than speaking from the top of your head. It can be a bit like listening to kids reading out loud in primary school: sure, they are saying all the words right, but the speed, the cadence, the emphasis and passion can all be lost.

So how can you get around this conundrum: you’re not confident enough to go without a presentation script, but you don’t want to sound like an emotionless reading drone. The answer, whether you like it or not, is to practice.

Most people don’t practice, so most presentations aren’t very good. Don’t be that guy.

The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel delivering your presentation script. You’ll find that certain sentences and phrases slip off the tongue a bit easier, so you are able to make eye contact from time to time. Keep practicing and there may be whole slides or sections that you can talk around – maybe not word-for-word – but close enough.

And this is where you’re getting closer to that audience connection – in fact it’s arguably better to falter every now again – it proves you’re just human like the rest of us.

It also gets you closer to option 2.

2. Cut it down to bullet points

For most of our clients , who are pretty experienced presenters, this is the best option. It gives you the flexibility to talk around the main points, but with a safety net of all the key points written down as memory aids.

These bullets, tucked away in the speaker notes, can be a presenter’s secret weapon. With just a discreet glance towards their screen every now and again, they can make sure the whole story is delivered in full, in order, and with a healthy amount of audience connection thrown in too.

Don’t forget that speaker notes – whether a full presentation script or bullet points – are really easy to edit. So, if you tend to use a presentation multiple times, you can go in each time afterwards to tighten up a word or two here, or perhaps a couple more pointers there.

Or maybe edit them beforehand to personalise the script a bit to your specific audience – it’s a good way to mitigate on blanking the company or individual names you’re meeting.

It’s still important to practice with just speaker noters though, and you’ll find those glances become fewer and the eye contact increases as you do so. And the more you practice speaker notes, the better you’ll get, perhaps ultimately getting to option 3.

3. Memorise it

Let’s face it, the best presenters don’t need any kind of script. When was the last time you saw someone delivering a TED talk with a fistful of cue cards? Or referring back to their laptop every couple of minutes?

It’s all just there, in their heads, effortlessly transitioning through and out of their mouths. Or so it appears… again, don’t kill the messenger but these people practice over and over and over.

But memorising it doesn’t always mean literally reciting every exact word. That can be useful when you have a very strict time to work within, but the best presenters can flow in and out of their memorised script at will. It’s really something to behold.

This means they can slip in relevant stories or recent events seamlessly. Or can refer back to other talks that day, personalise their story to the audience and generally make it much more of a flexible experience.

But of course, there’s a flip side. Less experienced speakers might lose their place, miss a whole chunk out, or go off on a rambling tangent that has no relevance, like that time I went to do a talk and it was really early in the morning and usually I set my alarm for 6.45 except for Thursdays when I get a lie in but actually the Thursday before I had a meeting so I turned that alarm off, but left on the 8.30 alarm and this talk happened to start at 8.15 and I didn’t realise but the alarm was still on but the talk didn’t actually start on time because there was an issue with the pastry delivery because we usually use this one company but they couldn’t deliver them so we had to use another company which was actually run by the husband of a client we used to work with who used to be a designer but then realised that he preferred to actually bake and……… you get the point there I hope.

Your presentation script. Your way.

All in all, presentation scripts are essential in creating and presenting a great audience experience. They give you structure, flow, and confidence that simply reading off your slides, or ad-libbing it can’t.

Start with a strong presentation script, and remember that it’s entirely up to you to decide how to use it to make the most out of your own style.

Recent Posts

how to end a presentation

  • Posted by hypepresentations

How to end a PowerPoint presentation.

By the time you reach the end of your PowerPoint presentation, it’s...

presentation openers

The 10 best presentation openers.

First impressions count. Adopt these techniques to keep your audience rapt from...

presentation script template word

Presentation Script | Ultimate Guide To Engage Your Audience in 2024

Presentation Script | Ultimate Guide To Engage Your Audience in 2024

Jane Ng • 02 Nov 2023 • 7 min read

Every memorable presentation starts with a single blank page and a writer’s determination to create something extraordinary. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at that intimidating blank canvas, unsure how to transform your ideas into a captivating script, fear not. 

In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to write an impeccable presentation script that will mesmerize your audience. Moreover, we’ll provide you with practical tips and real-life examples that help you kickstart your journey toward crafting a compelling presentation script.

Table of Contents

Why a well-written presentation script matters, how to write a presentation script, expert tips for writing an engaging presentation script.

  • Presentation Script Example 
  • Key Takeaways

Overview – Presentation Script

  • Presentation description
  • Title ideas

Alternative Text

Start in seconds.

Get free templates for your next interactive presentation. Sign up for free and take what you want from the template library!

A well-written presentation script is the backbone of your delivery, ensuring structure, engaging your audience, boosting your confidence, and providing adaptability.

  • An excellent presentation script brings structure and clarity to your message.
  • It keeps your audience engaged and helps them understand your ideas. 
  • It also ensures consistency and repeatability, especially when presenting multiple times. 
  • A good script for presentation provides adaptability and preparedness, enabling you to adjust and handle unexpected situations. 

In addition, for many presenters, nerves and Glossophobia can be significant hurdles to overcome. A well-written script provides a sense of security and confidence. Like a safety net, it ensures that you have your key points and supporting details at your fingertips. This boosts your confidence and reduces anxiety, allowing you to deliver a more polished presentation.

presentation script template word

So, how to make a script for a presentation?

Before writing a presentation script, you need to know your audience’s background, interests, and knowledge level. Then clearly define the purpose of your presentation. Having a clear objective will help you stay focused while writing your script.

1/ Outline The Structure:

Start with an attention-grabbing introduction, followed by the main points you want to convey, and conclude with a strong summary or call to action.

For example: 

  • Introduction – The introduction script for presentations should be a welcome and personal connection to the topic. 
  • Main Points – Benefits of “topic”
  • Transitions – Use phrases like “Now let’s move on to,” or “Next, we’ll discuss.” 
  • Conclusion – Recap key points and call to action.

You can consider using bullet points or headings to organize your ideas within each section.

2/ Craft A Powerful Opening:

Crafting a strong opening statement is crucial to capturing your audience’s attention and setting the tone for your entire presentation. Here are some key elements to consider when creating an impactful opening statement:

  • Hook the Audience: Start with a captivating hook that immediately grabs the audience’s attention
  • Establish Relevance: Communicate the relevance and importance of your topic to the audience. Highlight how it relates to their lives, challenges, or aspirations.
  • Create an Emotional Connection: Appeal to your audience’s emotions and create a sense of resonance or empathy. Connect with their desires, challenges, or aspirations to make a personal connection.

3/ Develop Key Points:

When developing the key points in your presentation script, it’s essential to provide supporting information, examples, or evidence that reinforces your message. Here’s how you can expand on each main point:

Supporting Information:

  • Present facts, data, or expert opinions that support your main point.
  • Use credible sources to strengthen your arguments and provide context.
  • Use evidence to back up your claims and increase credibility.

Logical Order or Narrative Flow:

  • Organize your main points in a logical order to facilitate understanding.
  • Consider using a narrative flow to create a compelling storyline that connects your main points.

presentation script template word

4/ Incorporate Visual Aids:

Incorporating visual aids strategically into your presentation can significantly enhance understanding, engagement, and retention of information.

  • Example: If you’re discussing the features of a new product, display images or a short video demonstrating its functionality as you describe each feature.

5/ Include Transitions and Signposts:

Including transitions and signposts helps guide your audience through your ideas and ensures they can easily follow your train of thought.

You can use concise and engaging language to introduce the upcoming subject matter.

  • Example: “Next, we’ll explore the latest…”

Or you can use questions to transition between sections or engage the audience’s attention.

  • Example: “But how can we tackle this challenge? The answer lies in…”

6/ Summarize and Conclude:

  • Recap your main points to reinforce key messages concisely.
  • End with a memorable conclusion that leaves a lasting impact or a call to action for your audience.

7/ Seek Feedback and Revise:

  • Share your script with a trusted colleague, friend, or mentor for constructive feedback.
  • Once you have made revisions based on feedback, practice delivering your revised script.
  • Refine and fine-tune your script as needed through practice sessions and additional feedback.

Involve The Audience: 

Boost audience participation and engagement by leveraging interactive features such as Q&A session , live polls , quizzes and small activities through AhaSlides . By utilizing these interactive elements, you can transform your presentation into a dynamic and engaging experience for your audience.

Use Conversational Language: 

Write your script in a conversational tone to make it more approachable and relatable. Avoid jargon and complex terminology that might alienate your audience.

Know Your Key Takeaways

  • Identify the main messages or key takeaways you want your audience to remember.
  • Craft your script around these key points to ensure they are emphasized throughout the presentation.

Address Potential Questions or Concerns:

By proactively addressing potential questions or concerns within your presentation script, you demonstrate thoroughness, credibility, and a genuine commitment to addressing your audience’s needs. 

This approach helps foster trust and ensures that your presentation provides clear and comprehensive information, leaving your audience feeling satisfied and informed.

presentation script template word

Presentation Script Example

Here’s an example of a presentation script about “The Power of Effective Communication”: 

Key Takeaways 

In conclusion, crafting a well-written presentation script is essential for delivering a successful and impactful presentation. By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you can create a script that engages your audience, communicates your message effectively, and leaves a lasting impression.

Remember, incorporating interactive elements can significantly enhance audience engagement and make your presentation more memorable. AhaSlides, with our wide range of templates and interactive features like questions, polls, and activities, provides a powerful platform to involve your audience actively and create an interactive and dynamic presentation experience.

How do you write a script for a presentation?

Here are steps on how to write an effective presentation script:

  • Outline the structure, including an attention-grabbing introduction, main points, and a strong conclusion. 
  • Craft a powerful opening that hooks the audience, establishes relevance, and creates an emotional connection. 
  • Develop key points with supporting information and logical order. 
  • Incorporate visual aids strategically to enhance understanding. 
  • Use transitions and signposts to guide your audience. 
  • Summarize and conclude with impact . 
  • Seek feedback, revise, and practice for a polished presentation.

How do you start a presentation script example?

Here’s an example of how you can start a presentation script:

  • “Good morning/afternoon/evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for being here today. My name is_____, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak with you about_______. Over the next _______, we will explore [briefly mention key points or objectives of the presentation].”

The opening lines should aim to grab the audience’s attention, establish your credibility, and introduce the topic you will be discussing. 

Is it okay to read a script for a presentation?

While it’s generally recommended to avoid reading directly from a script, there are situations where it can be beneficial. For formal or complex presentations like academic or technical talks, a well-crafted script ensures accuracy and keeps you on track. 

However, in most cases, a conversational style with notes or prompts is preferred. This allows flexibility, spontaneity, and better audience engagement. 

' src=

A writer who wants to create practical and valuable content for the audience

More from AhaSlides

Survey Result Presentation - Ultimate Guide to Practice in 2024

presentation design agency

How to write an effective presentation script

If putting together presentation content wasn’t tough enough, a script also has to be written for, or by, the speaker. Learning how to write a presentation script can take some time to master, and just like a presentation design , there are some important rules to remember.

From putting together a storyboard and ensuring the words complement the slides, to inserting pause breaks and not sounding too scripted, delivering a presentation speech is a skill that needs to be honed. In this article, we will help you with all of that and more, so you can learn how to write a presentation script your audience will easily connect with.

1. Finalise the storyboarding

Planning is everything when it comes to  writing a script for a presentation . In order to make the content flow naturally, a speaker needs to be well-prepared with enough time ahead of the event for them to practise.

In order to achieve great presentation content , clear and concise storyboarding needs to be the first step. This is especially true in situations where the same person is writing the script and also putting together the design. It can be tempting to write the content first before attempting to retrofit the design elements so it matches the script.

However, following this method rarely ever works, and it only serves to increase frustration and stress levels. By using a storyboard it becomes much easier to plan the length of the presentation along with its content. It also creates a guideline that will enable the speaker to direct the audience from start to finish.

2. Stick to the slide content

A key point to remember is that the content of your slides must provide the foundation of your script. When you sit down to begin writing it can be easy to follow the flow of ideas to create a script that reads wonderfully on its own. What you can’t forget is this must tie directly into the presentation content you have already storyboarded.

Writing a script for a presentation that doesn’t match the content will leave the audience feeling confused. As the script starts wandering off into tangents that do not relate to the slides, the crowd will quickly lose their place and their concentration will soon follow.

An easy way around this is to write the script with the presentation content close to hand. Break down the words into sections that reflect the order of the slides so the two are always complementing each other perfectly.

3. Remember to add in some pause breaks

When an audience attends a presentation they have two tasks to juggle: firstly, to digest the words being delivered by the speaker, and secondly, to understand the information provided by the presentation content.

It’s important to place yourself in the shoes of the audience to remember this when writing a script for a presentation. You want as much of the information you are providing to be taken in by the audience, which means you need to factor in some time that will enable them to process your words and the visual data.

Writing pause breaks into the script plays a key role in achieving this. When the speaker pauses it gives the audience a moment to reflect on what has just been said. It also allows the speaker to create a  rhythm of speech  and have more control over the attention of the audience from start to finish.

delivering a presentation

4. Write, practice, iterate and repeat

Once you have your script ready to go, you will need to set aside a good amount of time to practice it. Don’t forget, the script is one half of the content you will be delivering to the audience, so you should always practice the material alongside the finalised slides, as this gives you a better feel for how it all comes together.

This also allows you to make final tweaks and changes to the script, as well as physically practicing how you will deliver it on the day. You can then rehearse the way you stand, your eye contact and the management of your overall body language in front of an audience.

It is also worth remembering that when you write a script for a presentation, it will be written more formally compared to the way you naturally speak. If the script isn’t changed to reflect this, it will sound unnatural and awkward and the audience will pick up on it very quickly.

5. Remember, You don’t always need to write a script

Please note that this final point isn’t intended to undermine everything we have talked about above! As we mentioned in the previous point, sometimes writing every word you are going to say can sound overly scripted, which can lack empathy and struggle to connect with the audience.

If you are experienced and confident enough, or if it fits the type of audience you will be speaking to, you can work around key points you have written down, or simply use the slide content as your start point.

This usually suits a more informal setting and you always have to be careful not to wander off on long tangents that will lose the audience in the process. Always remember the structure of your presentation and have a time limit so you will still deliver the information concisely and effectively.

Script writing is no easy task!

Just like creating content for your presentation, writing a script requires practice. With each one you write you will gain more confidence and improve the way they are structured and delivered. Use the guidelines above as a foundation for your scripts and you’ll soon be able to find a voice and style that will add real value to your presentations.

Presentation Experts - Main Banner

6 Essential Presentation Skills for Pitching Successn

A guide to crafting powerful endings in presentationsn, what can our clients tell us about social media usen, a comprehensive guide to presentation openingn, a guide to relaxing before your presentationn, the definitive guide to longer presentationsn, why every salesperson should master the art of presentationn.

presentation script template word

6 Essential Presentation Skills for Pitching Success

presentation script template word

A Guide to Crafting Powerful Endings in Presentations

presentation script template word

What can our clients tell us about social media use?

presentation design agency

Find out more

Our services.

presentation script template word

  • Google Slides Presentation Design
  • Pitch Deck Design
  • Powerpoint Redesign
  • Other Design Services

Crafting an engaging presentation script

  • Guide & How to's

Crafting an engaging presentation script

Crafting a presentation goes beyond simply putting together content. It also involves mastering the art of scripting by the speaker. Learning how to write a script for a presentation can take some time and effort to master, and similar to designing Google slides or PowerPoint presentations, there are several important rules to follow.

From developing a compelling storyboard and adding strategic pauses to making sure the words match the slides and maintaining a natural flow, delivering an effective presentation speech is a skill that needs to be honed.

In this article, we aim to provide comprehensive guidance on all these aspects and more, making it easier for you to create a presentation script that effortlessly resonates with your audience.

Top 10 tips on how to write a script for PowerPoint presentation

1. finalize the storyboard.

When it comes to crafting presentation scripts, planning is vital. A speaker must be well-prepared and have ample time before the event to practice and make sure the content flows naturally. Therefore, clear storyboarding must come first if you want to produce excellent presentation content. This is particularly true when the script and design are being done by the same person.

2. Follow the KISS rule

‘KISS,’ or Keep It Short and Simple, is the number one rule for crafting a fantastic script for presentation. Short and concise sentences can help you get the message across much faster, especially if your presentation’s emphasis is placed more on the visuals than the aural aspect.

3. Make sure your script for presentation introduction is engaging

A strong introduction is critical to captivate the audience’s attention and make them interested in what you have to say. This can be done through a compelling narrative, a thought-provoking question, or a startling fact. Remember, your introduction for presentation script should be designed to hook the audience and make them want to keep listening.

4. Aim for well-structured content

The presentation script’s content needs to be well-organized and structured. It has to have natural transitions from one idea to another, as well as distinct breaks between sections. And to make each argument more convincing and relatable to the audience, you should back it up with examples or evidence.

5. Stick to the slide content

It’s important to keep in mind that the information on your slides must serve as the basis for your script. It should be closely related to the presentation material you have already storyboarded and be simple to follow.

In case your script for PowerPoint presentation doesn’t match the content on the slides, the audience will likely feel confused and lose their place. That’s why it is recommended that you always have the presentation’s material nearby. Divide the text into chunks corresponding to the slides’ arrangement so that the two complement one another perfectly.

6. Add pause breaks

When attending a presentation, an audience member has two tasks: first, taking in the speaker’s words, and second, understanding the information offered by the presentation content. Therefore, when writing a script for a presentation, it’s essential that you always put yourself in the audience’s shoes and include pauses in the script.

Remember, when the speaker pauses, the audience has a chance to digest what has just been said and absorb as much information as possible from the visual aids. Additionally, it gives you, as a speaker, more control over the audience’s attention during the entire speech.

7. Use engaging language

Whether it’s an introduction for presentation script or a closing part, your entire content should be written in clear and engaging language. Refrain from using technical or jargon terminology that the audience might not understand. Instead, speak in plain English and incorporate jokes, rhetorical questions, or storytelling to keep the audience interested throughout your presentation.

8. Don’t forget about calls to action

Strong presentation scripts always end with a clear call to action. This could be requesting that the audience takes a specific action, such as subscribing to a newsletter, making a purchase, or putting the concepts discussed into practice in their own lives or places of employment. Your call to action must be captivating and inspire the audience to do the desired action.

9. Practice and rehearse

Practice and rehearsal are essential components of a good script. That’s why it is crucial to rehearse your script several times, ensuring a smooth delivery. Additionally, practice helps boost self-assurance and ease presentation-day nervousness. By including these components in your PowerPoint presentation script, you can create a persuasive and memorable presentation that effectively conveys your message and interests your audience.

10. Enlisting key points is also an option

Writing down every word you intend to say might sometimes result in overly scripted content, which can lack empathy and prevent you from connecting with the audience. Therefore, sometimes it is enough to simply focus on the key points or even use slide content as a starting point, keeping in mind the presentation’s structure and your time limit. Now that you know how to write a presentation script, let’s look at some examples to see the above tips in practice.

Presentation script example

Detailed presentation script:

https://www.slideshare.net/aland/script-for-perfect-presentation

Presentation script containing only key points:

All in all, having a presentation script is essential for delivering a great audience experience. It gives you flow, structure, and two times more confidence than when you are simply improvising or reading off your slides.

Use the above guidelines to ensure you are starting with a strong script, and remember that our presentation design company is here to help 24/7! SlidePeak’s dedicated team can not only help you improve your old presentation but can also design a professional pitch deck with unique infographics to wow potential investors, clients, and employers.

  • Presenting techniques
  • 50 tips on how to improve PowerPoint presentations in 2022-2023 [Updated]
  • Keynote VS PowerPoint
  • Types of presentations
  • Present financial information visually in PowerPoint to drive results

Sample Presentation Script

file type icon

This section provides a sample script for delivering a half-day to full-day presentation covering all of the topics listed in the outline. Tailor the script to your chosen program length, content and audience.

Presentation Outline

Introduction

  • Success stories
  • Legal issues
  • Definitions and statistics

General Library Access

  • Building and physical environment

Adaptive Technology

  • Hearing and speech impairments
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Mobility impairments
  • Health impairments
  • Beginning the process of planning for adaptive technology
  • Getting started: a list of adaptive technology devices

Electronic Resources

  • Universal design principles
  • General page design
  • Graphical features
  • Special features
  • Web pages test

Distribute handouts .

  • Making Library Resources Accessible to People with Disabilities
  • Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology
  • Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology
  • World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design
  • Meet the Speakers in the Videotape: World Wide Access

Put up overhead transparency.

Universal Access: Electronic Information in Libraries

I'm here today to share with you information and issues related to people with disabilities, electronic resources, and libraries.

Put up overhead transparency .

Recent advances in adaptive computer technology, greater reliance on computers, and increased availability and networking of electronic information resources have resulted in life-changing opportunities for many people with disabilities. In combination, these technologies provide many people with disabilities better access to education, careers, and other life experiences.

Libraries play an important role in ensuring equitable access to information for all members of our society. In addition, federal legislation mandates that public institutions, including libraries, provide accommodations for people with disabilities so that they can utilize the same services and resources as other people.

What are some of the electronic resources currently in your library?

Presenter Note: Solicit audience input to list items such as CD-ROM encyclopedias and indexes, online catalogs, WWW pages, and full-text databases.

The information covered in this presentation will provide you with tools and insights that will help ensure that these electronic resources are accessible to the broadest audience. As an extra benefit, you will find that being sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities can often make access easier for everyone.

Program Outline

  • Legal issues statistics
  • General library access
  • Adaptive technology
  • Electronic resources

Our program today will cover these five topics. To begin I will share some success stories or examples of the impact that adaptive technology for computers and electronic resources has had for people with disabilities. Then we will consider the most important legislative directives on the issue and look at some statistics about people with disabilities. We will then consider the bigger picture of access to libraries and library services for people with disabilities. With that background, a videotape presentation and discussion of adaptive technology for computers will bring our focus to electronic resources in libraries. The last segment of the program will include the second videotape presentation and a discussion of universal design of electronic resources applied to the development of World Wide Web pages.

Today's presentation will help you understand the impact of these technologies for people with disabilities while giving you the tools to begin implementing them in your library. Your packet of handouts is one of the tools that will help you apply the ideas presented. Let's walk through it.

The following handouts are in your packet.

Much of the information presented today is provided in these handouts. I will let you know which handout covers the information we are focusing on as we go through the presentation. Keep the handouts handy to save from taking duplicative notes.

Success Stories

I'm going to start out today by sharing with you a few stories of people with disabilities who are able to access information resources thanks to the availability of adaptive technology and accessible electronic resources. You'll meet them in the videotape we'll view shortly.

  • Ben cannot use his hands, but muscular dystrophy doesn't interfere with his use of the Internet; he uses a voice input program that allows him to talk his way through the Net - six hours a day!
  • Sarah uses her library's online catalog and the Internet to research and write papers for school. Her learning disability makes it difficult for her to read so she uses a speech output system to read the screen.
  • Anna is blind. She uses a screen reader and speech output system to access her library's full-text databases and CD-ROMs. Her system works well until she runs into programs not designed according to universal design principles.
  • Shane surfs the Net with a small tube in his mouth. The computer obeys his every command as he inputs Morse code - sip for a dot, puff for a dash. His cerebral palsy is only a minor inconvenience as he researches information on his special interest, naval communication.
  • Sherri is legally blind, but has enough sight to use enlarged screen images as she uses governmental resources on the World Wide Web in pursuing her master's degree in public administration.
  • Katie is hearing impaired. She often uses a sign language interpreter. On the Internet, however, Katie communicates with the reference librarian quickly and easily through electronic mail.

These stories provide examples of people with disabilities who are successfully pursuing avocations, education, and careers thanks to adaptive technology and electronic resources. During our presentation today, we will be learning how to ensure that there will be many more success stories like these for people with disabilities.

Legal Issues

According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), "no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of a public entity." Footnote 1

The ADA and the regulations promulgated to implement it have stressed that people with disabilities should be provided the same services as others, unless this would be less effective. The Department of Justice has stated that "Integration is fundamental to the purpose of the American with Disabilities Act." If accommodation, or an adjustment is needed to make a resource, program or facility accessible to a person with a disability, the individual's preference of accommodation must be given primary consideration. Footnote 2

In short, libraries must assure that people with disabilities can participate in library programs and utilize library resources as independently as possible. And this includes electronic information resources. As legal questions about the implications of the ADA for access to electronic information resources are tested, libraries are being required to provide access to these services.

According to decisions in recent cases on access to electronic resources, libraries in academic institutions must proactively and deliberately plan for accessibility. A recent letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights noted:

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires a public college to take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with persons with disabilities "are as effective as communications with others" [28 C.F.R. ss 35.160(a)]. OCR has repeatedly held that the term "communication" in this context means the transfer of information, including (but not limited to) the verbal presentation of a lecture, the printed text of a book, and the resources of the Internet.

The letter continues:

"Title II further states that, in determining what type of auxiliary aid and service is necessary, a public college shall give primary consideration to requests of the individual with a disability" [28 C.F.R. ss 35.106(b)(2)]. Footnote 3

In providing guidance on expectations for libraries in providing access to electronic resources, the letter states:

Modern adaptive technology has radically affected the degree to which it is economically feasible to make printed materials and computer based information systems accessible to blind patrons. The larger and more financially endowed the library, the higher the expectation that a greater volume of information will be made available within a shorter amount of time, particularly when reasonably priced adaptive technology is available to replace tasks that previously required personnel. An important indicator regarding the extent to which a public library is obligated to utilize adaptive technology is the degree to which it is relying on technology to serve its non-disabled patrons. The more technology that has been purchased by a public library to serve non-disabled patrons, the more reasonable the expectation that it will employ technology such as scanners to serve its patrons with disabilities. Footnote 4

As libraries increasingly provide electronic resources, they are legally obligated to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

Definitions and Statistics

So, what exactly does "person with a disability" mean?

"Person with a disability" means "any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities including walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment."

Examples of qualifying disabilities covered by legislation may include, but are not limited to, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, visual impairments, speech impairments, specific learning disabilities, head injuries, psychiatric disorders, diabetes, cancer, and AIDS.

The examples listed here are conditions which limit people's abilities to perform specific tasks. Some of these conditions are readily apparent; some are invisible. Some require that we provide special accommodations in the library; some do not. Additionally, some people who have conditions with the same label may have very different abilities when it comes to performing specific tasks. For example, one student who has cerebral palsy may have difficulty walking. For another student, cerebral palsy may result in no functional use of her/his hands or voice.

Now that we discussed the definition of disability according to the ADA, let's consider some statistics to gain a better understanding of this service population.

According to surveys conducted in 1991-1992, 9.6% or 1 in 10 Americans has a severe disability that substantially limits at least one major life activity. 19.4 % or 1 in 5 Americans has a disability. Footnote 5

In addition, we can expect the number of library patrons with disabilities to increase. Some reasons for this increase include:

Advances in medical technology and techniques result in greater numbers of people who survive traumatic accidents and problematic births.

Improvements in technology make it possible for more people with disabilities to live independently and have productive lives for which they will want and need library resources.

Increased awareness of people with disabilities' rights to accommodations and equal opportunities in education and employment, guaranteed by 504 and the ADA, has, and will continue to encourage more people to pursue these activities and request accommodations.

The creation of federal and state mandated K-12 and higher education academic support programs helps more students with disabilities complete high school and enter college and careers. The number of students with disabilities enrolled in universities and colleges has already increased. In 1994, 9.2% of all full-time, first-time entering freshman reported a disability, up from 2.6% in 1978.6 This trend will create a greater demand for accessible information resources in academic libraries.

The aging of the baby boomer generation will cause a significant demographic shift in our society, increasing the number of people with low vision, hearing impairments, and other disabilities related to the aging process.

Among people aged 18-44, 5% have a severe disability; among people aged 65-74, 25% have a severe disability; and among people aged 75-84, 42% have a severe disability. Footnote 7

All of these factors are leading to increased numbers of people with disabilities who are and will be requesting services at libraries.

The purpose of this introduction is to help you understand why libraries need to be prepared to serve people with disabilities. The legal imperatives of the ADA and other laws and the expected increase of people with disabilities in our constituencies and argue strongly for immediate action. Libraries will be best prepared to serve patrons with disabilities if they strive to include them in regularly provided services. This is best achieved by using universal design principles when designing facilities, equipment, services and resources; by providing a base level of adaptive technology; and by developing a policy and procedures for handling requests for accommodation. By taking these steps the library will be better able to respond quickly to more specialized requests for accommodation.

The rest of today's presentation will help you develop an understanding of adaptive technology and of universal design principles so that you can help develop accessible services and resources for your library.

  • By use case
  • AI assisted videos
  • Advertising video
  • Animated video
  • Animated logo video
  • Animated text video
  • Animation video
  • Cartoon video
  • Commercial video
  • Business video
  • Explainer video
  • Infographic video
  • Intro video
  • Movie maker
  • Photo to video
  • Presentation video
  • Short videos
  • Trailer video
  • Book trailer video
  • YouTube video
  • Diverse Workplace Scenes
  • Leadership Skills Tips
  • A Reason to Celebrate
  • Frank Character Explainer
  • Superpowers Girl
  • Robot Character Explainer
  • Team Birthdays
  • Birthday Cake
  • Birthday Calendar
  • Birthday Greetings
  • Funny Birthday
  • Staff Birthday
  • Workplace Announcement
  • Business Explainer
  • Employee Onboarding
  • Business Ad
  • Hybrid Work Policy
  • Workplace Wellness Tips
  • Explainer Script
  • How to Change Your Password
  • Snappy Explainer
  • Mental Health for Employees
  • Product Explainer
  • E-Learning App Ad
  • Infographics
  • Industry Trend Update
  • Real Estate Infographic
  • Marketing Infographic
  • Animated Infographics
  • Infographic Explainer
  • Infographic
  • Introductions
  • New Teammate
  • New Employee Introduction
  • Welcome New Team Member
  • Warm Welcome
  • New Team Members
  • Meet the Team
  • We're Hiring Manager
  • Recruiting Ad
  • We're Hiring IT Support
  • Video Resume
  • Now Hiring Product Engineer
  • Job Offer Congratulations
  • Dancing People Ad
  • Eager Dog Ad
  • Winter Sale
  • Funky Sloth Ad
  • Product Promo
  • Book Trailer
  • Thanks Group
  • You Rock Employee
  • Great Job Team
  • You Rock Team
  • Great Job Employee
  • Great Job Group
  • Weekly Update
  • Company Update
  • Product Launch
  • Monthly Update
  • News Update
  • Year in Review

Ready to get started?

  • Video Trimmer
  • Remove audio from video
  • Add music to video
  • Add text to video
  • Video merger
  • Video resizer
  • Convert image to video
  • Montage maker
  • Add image to video
  • Watermark maker
  • Add frame to video
  • Video analytics
  • Add button to video
  • Image Resizer
  • Convert video to GIF
  • Convert GIF to MP4
  • Extract audio from video
  • Quick start guide

Video script writing 101: How-to steps + templates and examples

Video script writing 101

It’s no secret: v ideo gets more engagement  and drives more growth than any other type of media.

But you’ll only reap the benefits if your marketing videos are at least decently produced.

That doesn’t mean every video needs a Hollywood budget, but you  do  need to put time into planning your video and writing a video script (or asking AI to write one for you).

The good news? Learning how to write a good video script is easier than it looks. This guide covers the basics of writing a script and gives you examples to help you write your own.

In this article, you’ll learn:

  • How to script a video with AI .
  • How to plan your script.
  • Best practices for writing a script.
  • Tips for choosing the “right” kind of script.
  • Example video scripts to jog your creativity.

Stay tuned until the end and we’ll also walk you through our favorite ready-to-edit presentation, promo, and explainer video script templates available from  Biteable .

Create videos that drive action

Activate your audience with impactful, on-brand videos. Create them simply and collaboratively with Biteable.

Video scripts made easy: Start with a Biteable template

You don’t have to write your own video script from scratch. Video script templates are the busy video maker’s secret weapon.

Biteable’s online video-making software offers hundreds of  video templates  to jump-start your script-writing creativity.

  • Fully customizable.
  • One-click editing.
  • Ready-made content. (24+ million clips, images, animations, music tracks).
  • Free 7-day trial

How to script a video with AI

The easiest way to script and create videos is with a little help from your newest assistant: AI. Biteable’s AI-powered Automated Video Assistant (AVA) scripts and creates your video with the click of a button.

Read your complete guide to scripting and creating videos with AI for the step-by-step details.

Your complete guide to creating videos with AI

How to write a video script

Before we go anywhere with video, let’s be clear about this: keep it simple. As you plan your video and write your script, it’s all too easy to start throwing all sorts of cool ideas out. After all, you can do anything in a video, right?

With an unlimited budget, sure. But we’re willing to bet your budget is limited. So keep your videos as simple as possible. You’d be surprised how much work it takes to produce very minimal on-screen effects.

Planning your video script

With all that in mind, start planning your script. Some writers call this “ prewriting ”.

1. Identify your audience.

This is a staple in any sort of marketing or copywriting. You need to address a very specific customer with your content, otherwise it won’t resonate. It can be tempting to make it as broad as possible in order to address every potential customer. Avoid this temptation. Something that’s for everybody appeals to nobody.

If you need help identifying who you want to reach, go through the exercises on this  worksheet  from digitalmarketer.com.

presentation script template word

2. Choose a goal

Next you need to know what the point of the video is. This will depend on where your audience will see the video, what stage of the marketing funnel the video will be used at, and what you want viewers to do after they watch the video, and the  key performance indicators  you use to track your success.

But if you want viewers to do something specific after seeing the video, you’ll need a call to action. Just make sure your call to action aligns with the purpose of the video. Have a look at this video for FreshBooks. The purpose of the video is quite clear, even if it’s not explicitly stated.

3. Decide on a central character

If your video features too many people, it will be difficult to follow and the focus will stray from the main point. Identifying the primary character does two things:

  • It simplifies and focuses your video.
  • It pushes you toward creating a story (if your video needs it).

Some videos, like a product overview, have very little story in them. However, it’s still best if a single person does most of the talking. If you’re producing a video with a narrative arc, it’s best to focus on the main character.

In either case, you need to know who’s going to be on screen most of the time. If you need two or more people in the video, choose one person to show for a majority of the screen time.

Bonus tip: If you can, use the same person as the spokesperson in all your videos. This creates continuity and familiarity in your video content. That’s why brands often create characters that almost function as mascots, like Flo from Progressive.

4. Identify the main point of the video

This boils down to a very simple exercise: tell someone why they should watch this video in one sentence.

When you start writing your script, put the answer to this question as close to the beginning as possible. Let viewers know what they’re going to get right up front, and you’ll retain more viewers.

As a bonus, identifying the point of the video will also tell you what sort of video you need.

Writing your video script

If your planning is good, the writing will be fairly easy. You’ve already created your map. Just follow it.

5. Write out visual and audio elements.

This is super important if you’re doing any sort of voiceover with visuals that cut to different shots. But even if your video is a single shot of someone talking, write the visual and audio aspects into your script.

The script is a set of directions for whoever is shooting the video, and you want the video team to know, without a doubt, what’s supposed to be happening with both the visual and audio elements.

A simple table with two columns is an easy way to format your script. It’s easy to read and see how the video will look and sound. This is a brief two-column video script example:

presentation script template word

Add as many boxes as you need to cover all the shots in your video.

6. Write your script, then trim to fit

Depending on the sort of video you’re making, you may need to cram everything into 15 or 30 seconds, or you could have a full three minutes or more to work with.

Either way, plan for 125 to 150 words of dialogue per minute.

But when you start writing, focus on saying everything you want to say. Once you’ve got all the dialogue written, check your word count, then start axing and rewording until it fits your time limit.

This method makes your script clear and concise. It forces you to keep only the dialogue you  need .

Here are a few brief tips for writing dialogue:

Speak directly to the audience.  Use “you” and talk to your viewers. It’s more personable, and people prefer being spoken to rather than being spoken at.

Write it the way you would say it.  Your audience isn’t going to read your script. So write what you would actually say, not what looks best on paper.

  • Read your script out loud.  This is the only way to find out if your dialogue sounds natural. If you make changes, read it out loud again.

Once the dialogue is clean, you’ll know roughly how much footage you need to shoot and what shots you need. If you’re using a voiceover, be sure to shoot some extra footage to account for pauses in the dialogue and visuals that don’t make the cut.

Bonus tip: Use AI to get the first draft of your script. Use a chatbot like ChatGPT , or skip to the finished video with AVA — Biteable’s AI-powered Automated Video Assistant.

7. Stick to the video script (mostly)

This is technically not part of writing the script. But it’s related to writing your script. It boils down to one question: why bother writing the script if you’re not going to follow it? That’s like paying an architect to draw a floor plan, then just building your house all willy-nilly.

Once you start filming, follow your script as much as possible. Some minor changes are fine, and professional actors or voice actors can contribute some flair. Or, if you find you don’t have the resources to do what you planned, you may need to make changes or go back and rewrite the script.

But avoid making major changes to the script on the fly just because you think of something cool. Ad hoc changes and ad-libbing rarely turn out for the best. Explosions are cool, but don’t blow everything up just to have some fun.

How to write the right kind of video script

Marketing videos accomplish two things:

  • They educate viewers.
  • They persuade viewers.

Some videos only do one of the two and some do both, but we’re going to split the various types into one of these two categories to keep things simple.

Educational videos: Presentation and explainer video scripts (+ templates)

Presentation and explainer videos fall into the educational category.

These videos are usually for:

  • Demonstrating how to do something.
  • Explaining how your product or service works.
  • Introducing what your brand does.

The keys to success with educational videos are brevity and visuals.

Concise information is easier to remember. That’s why phone numbers are seven digits long. So keep your video short and break it up into manageable blocks of information to help viewers retain what you’ve shown them.

Also, include relevant visuals to show and tell the viewer what you’re explaining, which will increase retention even more. Here’s an excellent explainer video from Mint:

It’s short (1:32), the visuals are relevant, and the dialogue is broken up into separate statements.

This explainer video from Dollar Shave Club is legendary:

Watch this one more than once, because it’s hilarious. But once you stop spitting coffee, notice how the dialogue is broken up into 10-15 second chunks, which are separated by funny visuals. Distinct, memorable blocks of information.

And just for giggles, here’s a bonus videos to get your inspired.

To help you create your own explainer or presentation video, Biteable offers  video templates  you can edit yourself. Here are a few presentation and explainer video script templates to get you started:

presentation script template word

Persuasive videos: Promotional and commercial video scripts (+ templates)

Promotional and commercial videos are for getting people to do things. The action you’re after isn’t always an immediate purchase. You could use a persuasive video to get people to consume additional promotional content.

But, most often, promotional and commercial videos are for:

  • Showing the benefits and features of your product or service.
  • Demonstrating what separates your brand from competitors.
  • Showcasing how your product or service will  improve your customer’s life .

Customers will often view these videos on social media or in a sidebar on a website. Getting to the point and keeping it short are non-negotiable. A call to action is mandatory as well.

These videos usually get watched with the sound off, so write your script and plan your visuals to work without sound. Including subtitles is also a good idea.

You might be thinking “great! I’ll save myself time and create a video with no dialogue!” That’s a perfectly good idea, but even if your video has no dialogue, don’t skip the script. Write a script for the visuals so you have a plan to work from.

Here are some examples of commercial videos that work well on multiple platforms:

presentation script template word

Notice how short these are. Also note that all of them are consumable without sound. But the main takeaway from these videos is that you need to get attention, deliver your message, and get out before your viewer swipes you off their screen.

Video templates starter pack

We know that can be challenging, so we created a starter pack of video template collections you can use and edit yourself:

  • Social media video templates .
  • Video ad templates .
  • Promotional video templates .
  • Explainer video script templates .

Make your first video with Biteable

So you’ve got the knowledge. You’ve got the templates. You’ve got the video editor ( Biteable, of course ) and you’ve got the power. Now go forth and make some awesome videos.

Make stunning videos with ease.

Take the struggle out of team communication.

Try Biteable now.

  • No credit card required
  • No complicated design decisions
  • No experience necessary
  • SCREENWRITING 101

Script Formatting – Scriptwriting Software, Microsoft Word, Pages and Google Docs Templates

Screenwriters Network, January 31, 2021

How to correctly format a screenplay is one of the topics asked of us most often, from a whole range of writers – beginners to the most experienced.

In this article, we’re going to explain why you need to correctly format your script , what software you can use, and if you can format a script on Microsoft Word , Pages , and Google Docs .

Do you need to use script formatting software?

In the industry, a correctly formatted script will get you further. It will read more clearly and concisely , be presented more professionally , and conform to various t echnical rules .

One of these technical rules is that usually, a page of screenplay equals a minute of screentime. If your script isn’t formatted correctly, this will cause problems timing it, producing it, and even acting in it.

Some agents or producers will immediately overlook a poorly-formatted script – even if it tells an exciting or original story – in favour of a more professional , industry-standard document.

If you are looking to make a profession out of writing, our recommendation is to get the right tools so that our amazing idea isn’t tripped up at the first hurdle…

What kind of scriptwriting software should I use?

Scriptwriting software is widely available and allows you to format your scripts to industry-standard with ease, but it often comes with a hefty price tag.

The best scriptwriting software, and the most commonly used in the industry, is Final Draft – which is a worthwhile investment for around $200.

Students and Teachers can also apply for special discounts and rates, so check out all the options available to you.

In the same way that photographers invest in the best cameras and editing programmes, and artists buy the best tools to perfect their masterpieces, Final Draft is the recommended programme to use if you are wanting to make a living in the industry.

Other script formatting programmes such as Studio Binder , WriterDuet , and Celtx are also viable options, but Final Draft is the most straightforward, user-friendly and widely-accepted within the industry of all the programmes on the market.

“Even if you don’t own a computer, I recommend buying Final Draft.” – JJ Abrams, Star Wars, Lost

Benefits of Final Draft

Final Draft, besides helping you to format your script quickly and proficiently, also features many additional benefits.

These include offering a wide range of script reports such as where characters appear throughout your scenes, lists of your locations, and even how many times characters use profanity.

This makes editing your work so much simpler too – especially when asked to remove profanity, change character names quickly, or limit your locations.

Redrafting – and believe me, you will always have to redraft – is made easier by these great features.

Another great feature of Final Draft is your ability to open a huge host of additional script templates – including templates for writing Stageplays , Radio Plays , Index Cards , Graphic Novels – and even allow you to download more from a selection online.

If you haven’t considered already, why not enter your script into our SWN Screenplay Competition where our winners prize includes Final Draft software ?

Check it out at: http://www.screenwritersnetwork.org/swn-screenplay-competition

Can you format a screenplay yourself?

If you are just starting out in your career, practising, studying, or writing as a hobby, there are other options to make your script easy to read, match other screenplays or be able to impress actors, fellow writers, tutors, or friends.

Various word processor programmes include a downloadable screenplay template , or you can mock one up yourself using paragraphing and line spacing.

The best advice is to look for these downloadable screenplay templates and use them as guides until you find a script formatting programme you like.

Can you format a screenplay on Microsoft Word?

The short answer: Yes.

Microsoft Word features a downloadable screenplay template, as seen here. Simply make sure you’re connected to the internet and search for ‘screenplay’:

Example of Word’s Title Page

The Microsoft Word screenplay template is hugely useful and often recommended by university or college screenwriting classes as a great option for honing your skills.

Also included in the template is an example document which gives you hints and tips about your writing, as well as explaining how your screenplay should look and what it should feature:

Even if you don’t plan to use this template, this is a great study.

It isn’t a perfect representation of an industry-standard screenplay, as the line spacing won’t be an exact match to specialist script formatting software, but it is a good approximation and perfect for those starting out.

If you’re sending a script formatted on Microsoft Word or any other non-specialist scriptwriting programme, remember to save it as a PDF so that it can be opened, and to hide that it isn’t coming from accepted industry-formatting software.

Can you format a screenplay on Pages?

Short answer: Yes and no.

On a previous version of Apple’s Pages , a screenplay template was available but has since been removed – perhaps due to Apple working on their own specialist software.

However, some clever people at FutureFilmmaking have mocked up a template for you to use which can be downloaded here:

https://futurefilmmaking.com/technique/apple-pages-5-screenplay-format/

It isn’t as simple to use as the Microsoft Word version above and doesn’t include the same instructions, but again, it can be used to simulate an efficient screenplay and looks clear and professional.

Like the Microsoft Word template, you can choose to insert a SCENE HEADING , Action, a CHARACTER CUE and all of the standard options from a drop-down menu.

If you’re familiar with Pages, you’ll notice that these options have replaced ‘Paragraph Styles’.

Slightly on the complex side, our advice is to use this template if you don’t have access to the better Microsoft Word version – or you are particularly proficient in using Pages.

Can you format a screenplay in Google Docs?

Short answer: Yes, but you shouldn’t.

Google Docs , again, has a downloadable screenplay template but it is unfortunately based on an outdated, non-industry standard screenplay format.

This template is riddled with spacing issues, dubious margin sizes, text leaning to one side and overly-complicated explanations on how to use the formatting.

Our advice for those learning how to script format is not to confuse themselves with this messy template and stick with Word , Pages , or invest in some software which will sort your formatting and leave you with more time to craft your story.

Want to learn more about formatting and get your script into the best shape?

Check out our Formatting 101 Blog #1 to find out all about formatting techniques, and take a look at Formatting 101 #2 for the technical side of things, including how to use Flashbacks and Transitions …

Don’t forget to enter your script into our SWN Screenplay Competition for a chance to win great prizes, including Final Draft software.

Eden Luke McIntyre is a Scottish writer, editor and script consultant, with a Master’s Degree in TV Fiction Writing and Honours Degrees in Film & Media and English Studies. He is also a practising journalist and scriptwriter, and he creates original content for TV, radio, stage, and online. In early 2020, he was appointed as a BBC Writers Room Scottish Voice.

Follow him on Twitter @edenlmcintyre

  • Uncategorized

[event_form]

7 Steps to Write an Effective Screenplay

What steps can we take to write an effective screenplay? As a beginner or a seasoned writer, it is helpful to understand...

  • FILM FESTIVAL

UK Film Review Festival 2021 Open For Submissions

UK Film Review Festival 2021 Open For Submissions The Festival’s Second Virtual Film Festival Starts November 12th   “These guys clearly love...

Download Your Free Screenplay Template for Microsoft Word & Google Docs Today

Want to write your screenplay without downloading expensive software? Did you know that you can start writing a screenplay with Microsoft Word or Google Docs FOR FREE? No need to purchase expensive software like Final Draft.

We have a convenient free screenplay template for a movie or a TV show for you to download here. You don’t even have to change the font, spacing, margins, or style rules — you can just download our perfectly formatted screenplay template and then open it in Microsoft Word or upload it to your Google Docs account and start writing your screenplay. This is great if you are planning to write a screenplay soon.

Remember though that Arc Studio's web version is also completely FREE with no credit card needed. It will give you access to more advanced screenwriting tools to help you organize your notes and outline your script.

DOWNLOAD FREE SCREENPLAY TEMPLATE IN WORD FORMAT

Why choose a Word template or Google Doc over specialized software?

When it comes to screenwriting, the tools you choose can make a significant difference in your writing process. While specialized screenwriting software like Final Draft has its merits, there are compelling reasons to start with a simpler, more accessible solution like a Word template. Google Docs is also a great program for writing scripts, if you can get a handle on the formatting.

Affordability and Accessibility

‍ Screenwriting software can be a hefty investment, especially for writers just starting out, although Arc Studio is a great free alternative.

Our free Word template eliminates this barrier, offering you a no-cost entry point to begin your screenplay immediately with none of the complications of learning a new software. It also allows you to stay productive .

With just a few clicks, you can download the template and start writing in a familiar environment without the need for new software or steep learning curves.

And when you're ready you can upgrade to Arc Studio which is also free.

Flexibility Across Devices

‍ Our template is designed for Microsoft Word and Google Docs, which means you can write on any device, whether it's a PC, a Mac, or a tablet. This flexibility allows you to write whenever inspiration strikes, without being tethered to software that might not be as portable.

Ease of Use

‍ Many writers are already comfortable with Word or Google Docs. If you want to use a software, you might want to start by organazing your notes in Arc Studio before you start writing. Check out this video to see how Arc Studio can make outlining your script easier.

By using our template, you can leverage your existing knowledge, focusing on your story rather than learning new software. Our template ensures that your script meets industry standards, so you can be confident that your format is professional.

Collaboration Made Simple

‍ Sharing your work with writing partners, editors, or mentors is straightforward with our template. Word and Google Docs facilitate easy collaboration, with commenting and revision tracking built-in. This is essential for a dynamic writing process where feedback is crucial.

A Stepping Stone to Professional Software

‍ Starting with our Word template doesn't mean you're compromising on quality—it's a stepping stone. As your screenwriting career progresses, you might choose to transition to specialized software. Our template ensures your screenplay will be formatted correctly, making any future transitions smooth and hassle-free.

Step-by-Step guide to using your screenplay template

There’s no need to go through the hassle of adjusting margins, spacing and font in your scripts for movieswhen you’re using Arc Studio's professional screenwriting software (there’s a free version too). But if you want to stick with Word or Google Docs, we’ve based this guide on this scenario and listed step-by-step instructions below. You can also check out our free video guide to the basics of formatting.

You can write a script using the style set forth in the instructions below and you can also check our screenwriting template examples.

Step 1: Set your margins

You’ll want to make sure your margins are set up correctly for your scene. This might depend on the different devices you use e.g an iPad or a Windows machine. You can do this in Microsoft Word by going to Layout > Size to choose the paper size. Then go to Margins > Custom Margins . Use the settings below for US Letter paper size:

Top: 1 inch Bottom: 1 inch Left: 1.5 inches Right: 0.5 inches

For A4 Paper (Europe), set the margins to:

Top: 1.35 inches Bottom: 1.35 inches Left: 1.5 inches Right: 0.3 inches

Step 2: Set your font to Courier

The Hollywood-standard font that all professional screenwriters use is Courier. You can also use Courier New in Google Docs. Be sure to also use this on your title page.

Step 3: Line spacing and indentation

That familiar look of a screenplay comes from the all-important white space which is created by the industry-standard formatting due to line spacing, indentation and centering dialogue on the page. Get this right and you'll smash screenplay formatting which is one of the most important elements for writing a script for screen.

Line Spacing: The line spacing will establish the white space before or after a line. Press Ctrl + A (or Cmd + A on a Mac) to select all, then set the line spacing Exactly 12 points (or Exactly 1 in Google Docs). In Microsoft Word go to Home > Line Spacing Options from the Line Spacing menu. In Google Docs: Go to Format > Line spacing > Custom spacing .

Alignment: Most text in a screenplay is aligned to the left, which is the default for Word and Google Docs. The important exception to this is transition lines, which align to the right.

Remember though if you're struggling with this you can use a free script format tool such as the template we've provided or Arc Studio itself which is FREE and takes care of the formatting for you.

Step 5: Title page and page numbers

Page numbers are important when it comes to the screenplay format so that collaborating writers or filmmakers can reference and find certain pages in development or production. Page numbers should be in in Courier font. In Microsoft Word: Open Insert tab > Page Number . Change position of the page number to Top of page and turn off the Show number on first page option, because you don’t want it on the title page. After clicking OK, double-click your page number to change font and size to 12 point Courier.

To do this in Google Docs, click Insert > Page Numbers and select the second option to show numbers after the first page. People like directors and agents will be able to find this easily when they look over your work.

Save your screenplay format as a template

You’re done! Now you can write a screenplay, large or small! You can save it as a template in Microsoft Word. Simply go to File > Save as Template . While you can’t save it as a template in Google Docs, you can create a copy of the document for each screenplay you want to write. This makes writing a screenplay easy work.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial. If you want to skip all these steps and automate professional screenplay formatting, sign up for Arc Studio for free here ! This is a sure way to get ahead with your screenplays in this industry.

Of course if you don't want to go through the hasssle of setting up your own template you can simply use our template which also works with Apple's Pages as well.

A screenshot of Arc Studio's screenwriting template open in Pages

Want more tips on screenwriting?

Congrats on getting started! Now for the good news: setting up your script can be the hardest part. It's all downhill from here.

Now that you've got that settled, it's time to start creating your first character and writing with screenwriting software like Arc Studio Pro. Once you have your initial idea, it's essential to outline your script . Luckily, there are different ways to structure your script, such as the three or five-act story structure . Choose what's best for your story.

Are you looking for inspiration? Check out these blogs:

10 Ways to Come Up with Screenwriting Ideas

How to Come Up with Short Film Ideas

If you are just starting your first script, perhaps these blogs may be helpful as well:

Set Up Your Workflow for Productive Screenwriting

Becoming a Productive Screenwriter in 8 Steps

3 Screenwriting Productivity Hacks to Finish Your Script

Start Writing Your Screenplay Now - download Our Free Template today.

Level-up your screenwriting software

With Arc Studio, you stay focused while writing your screenplay, craft better stories, and collaborate with ease.

Add the template to your Arc Studio Pro account

text content

Download your free template now

Download Your Free Screenplay Template for Microsoft Word & Google Docs Today

Harry is a professional writer. His first novel The Talk Show was published in the U.S and the U.K by Bloodhound Books in 2021 and he is currently working on adapting it for screen using Arc Studio. He's also written for Media Magazine - a UK magazine for students of A-level Film, Media and Television Studies. His journalism has appeared in The Guardian, Readers' Digest and Newsweek, amongst many other publications. He has just finished his second novel for young adults, set in a boarding school. He holds a BA in English from Loughborough University.

Arc Studio is the new standard in screenwriting software: stay focused, craft better stories, and collaborate with ease.

Want a better experience than Word – that is also free? Try Arc Studio.

With Arc Studio pro, you stay focused while writing your screenplay, craft better stories, and collaborate with ease.

Receive a free screenwriting book

Get your free ebook now!

Learn from the film industry’s top screenwriters

Our new podcast, How I Write: Screenwriters Share Their Creative Processes, launches Nov. 12th.

Breaking Down The Great Gatsby

Get an actionable guide for writing your first script from HBO writer David Wappel. He takes you to a fully written script, step-by-step. Totally free for a limited time only.

Ready to get started?

Anna Klassen

The most efficient, elegant, intuitive, and all around user-friendly screenwriting software I've ever used — and I've used them all.

presentation script template word

Arc Studio lets us collaborate across the entire season and manage incoming notes or changes without ever losing track of a single thing. Can’t imagine ever going back.

David Wain

For decades I've been searching for a seamless screenwriting app and and everything has come up way short – until Arc Studio. Writing and collaborating is easier than ever and it gets better every week. Well done!

Please check your email to confirm and download The Action Guide to Screenwriting . Have fun writing!

Arc Studio is the new industry standard in screenwriting. We go beyond formatting, with next-generation story-building and real-time collaboration.

Writing Screenplays in Word — A Formatting Guide for Writers Featured

  • Scriptwriting

Writing Screenplays in Word — A Formatting Guide for Writers

C an you format a screenplay in Microsoft Word? And if so, how? We will be answering both of these questions as well as outlining the necessary steps to take, and detailing a couple of tricks that will save you time in the long run. Accurate formatting is crucial in getting your screenplay taken seriously by industry professionals. Read on to find out if industry-standard formatting is possible in Microsoft Word.

Watch: Anatomy of a Screenplay — Ultimate Guide

Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this.

Writing Screenplays in Word

Reasons to not use microsoft word.

Microsoft Word can only approximate the functionality of specialized screenwriting software so closely. Using a professional screenwriting program , such as StudioBinder's screenwriting software , is the only way to achieve 100% accurate script formatting in a smooth and efficient manner.

Improper formatting can kill the chances of a screenplay ever getting made, regardless of how great the content of the writing may be. There are both technical and professional concerns with a screenplay that fails to adhere to the standard screenplay conventions. Be sure to have a strong grasp of screenplay formatting before you begin writing.

How to format a screenplay  â€˘   Subscribe on YouTube

If the high price tag of professional screenwriting programs like Final Draft is the prohibitive reason behind your decision to use Microsoft Word as an alternative. You may be pleased to learn that StudioBinder’s software features everything you need to write a professional script — and it is free to get started.

While a script CAN be written in Microsoft Word, there are a number of drawbacks. Formatting is extremely important and particular in screenwriting and getting close enough to industry-standard formatting in Microsoft Word can be time-consuming and cumbersome.

A pro screenwriting program will be much easier to use for scriptwriting purposes, not least of all because it will automate many of the steps.

How to Write a Script in Word

Step 1: set up your document.

Microsoft Word might not be made for screenwriting but the program can be heavily customized to approximate screenplay format. If you aren’t already comfortable using Microsoft Word, then refer to the video below for a helpful beginner’s guide to the features and functions of the program.

Beginner’s guide to MS Word  â€˘  Script format word doc

The first thing you need to do is either create a new, blank document or start from a template such as the official “screenplay” template offered on the Microsoft website . When starting from a blank document, the most important change to make will be setting the margins to the correct sizes for a screenplay.

Set your top, bottom, and right margin to one inch and set your left margin to one-and-a-half inches. Be sure to read our guide to screenplay margins for more information, including why script margins are set the way they are.

In Microsoft Word, margins can be set by simply dragging along the ruler on the top and side of the window. If you do not see the rulers, click on “View” and make sure there is a checkmark beside “Ruler.” An alternative way to set margins is to click on “Format” → “Document.” A second window will pop up allowing you to manually type in your desired margin measurements.

Set your margins in MS Word

Set your margins in MS Word  â€˘  Script format word

Also during this step, set your font to Courier or Courier New and make sure that your font size is set to 12. For a script, you will need page numbers in the top right corner for all pages except the first one. To do this, click on “Insert” → “Page Numbers.”

Set your page numbers in MS Word

Set your page numbers in MS Word  â€˘  How to make a script in word

A window will pop up allowing you to customize your page numbers. Set the “Position” field to “Top of page (Header)” and set the “Alignment” to “Right.” Make sure that the box beside “Show number on first page” is NOT checked. Then, simply click “OK.”

Related Posts

  • How to End a Screenplay →
  • The Best Screenwriting Software Tools →
  • FREE: Create your own screenplays with StudioBinder →

How to Format a Screenplay in Word 

Step 2: create styles for each line type.

This step is a little more complex but also the most important for achieving an accurately formatted screenplay using Microsoft Word. Screenplays make use of seven specialized line types that are each used for different purposes and are formatted differently. The seven line types are:

  • Scene Heading/Slugline — Left aligned, all caps.
  • Action — Left aligned
  • Character — Centered, all caps
  • Parenthetical — Goes below a character line inside parentheses, not exactly centered.
  • Dialogue — block formatted below character (and parenthetical if present), not centered
  • Shot — Left aligned, all caps. Smaller buffer room than scene heading lines
  • Transition — Right aligned, all caps.

Transition lines should be used sparingly and shot lines should hardly be used at all in a spec script , but the remaining line types will find frequent use when formatting a screenplay.  In a professional screenwriting program, these line types are formatted automatically, but when writing in Microsoft Word, a degree of extra leg-work is required.

The best way to replicate each of these line types in Microsoft Word is to use the software’s built-in “Styles” function. Each of these seven line types can be assigned to its own style, which you can then select for each appropriate line of your script. The video below details how to set up the measurements for each line type in Microsoft Word.

Setting the measurements for specialized lines  â€˘  How to write a screenplay in Microsoft Word

For additional help using the “Styles” pane in Microsoft Word, refer to the video below.

A guide to using styles in MS Word  â€˘  Script format Word doc

Setting up all of these styles in advance will save you a lot of time in the long run, but will still take longer to establish and switch between than it would if using a professional screenwriting program that automates the process.

How to Write a Movie Script on Microsoft Word

Step 3: make a template.

Once you have set up your document and established a style for each line type, you are all set to begin writing. But, before you do, it is a good idea to save your empty document as a template first. The video below will show you how to save a document as a template for future use.

How to design and save a template  â€˘  Writing screenplays in Word

Saving your margin measurements, font choice, page numbers, and styles as a personalized screenwriting template will save you a great deal of time when setting up your next script in Microsoft Word. Now, all that is left to do now is to start writing!

How to Write Great Sluglines

You are now all set up to begin writing a screenplay in Microsoft Word. Before you jump into the story, however, it’s always a good idea to review the fundamentals to ensure that your script is technically sound. Writing better sluglines can be an upgrade to any good screenplay. Learn the formatting conventions for sluglines and take a look at some creative examples, up next.

Up Next: Writing Sluglines →

Write and produce your scripts all in one place..

Write and collaborate on your scripts FREE . Create script breakdowns, sides, schedules, storyboards, call sheets and more.

  • Pricing & Plans
  • Product Updates
  • Featured On
  • StudioBinder Partners
  • The Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets (with FREE Call Sheet Template)
  • How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet)
  • The Only Shot List Template You Need — with Free Download
  • Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template)
  • A Better Film Crew List Template Booking Sheet
  • Best Storyboard Softwares (with free Storyboard Templates)
  • Movie Magic Scheduling
  • Gorilla Software
  • Storyboard That

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.

  • Making It: From Pre-Production to Screen
  • What is Poor Things About — Plot and Themes Explained
  • Best Free TV Scripts Online (with PDF Downloads)
  • What is an Anagram — The Art of Writing Word Puzzles
  • What is a Color Palette — How to Use Them in Visual Arts
  • What Was the First Movie With Sound — Film History 101
  • 0 Pinterest

How to Write a Script for a Video (+Free Template!)

decorative image

Creating a stunning video requires a wide variety of skills and talents. One of the key factors in a video’s success happens long before any lighting decisions are made or the audio recordings need editing. Excellent videos require excellent scripts, but writing a script for a video can be one of the most difficult things for a creator. 

Because of that, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to creating a great video script! We’ve even included a free video script template that you can use to make sure all of your videos start out with a solid foundation.

For some great scriptwriting tips, check out the video below!

Why do you need a video script?

To get more inspiration.

How often have you found that getting words flowing from your mind onto paper just opens up a floodgate? Ideas and inspiration just seem to multiply once you allow them to flow. Because of this, the process of writing a video script can unlock ideas you may otherwise have missed. 

So often when we put pen to paper we are able to access pieces of our imagination that add really important elements to our end product. Writing a video script can be a springboard for all of the things that will make your video impactful.

Create and edit your own videos with Camtasia

Download a free trial of Camtasia to quickly and easily edit your own videos.

Download a free trial!

To deliver your message efficiently 

Structure and clarity are two non-negotiables for successful videos. Writing a script for your video is a great way to make sure that your message follows a logical pattern and that the viewer is able to clearly understand the point you are trying to get across. 

Writing a video script also helps to make sure that the message is delivered in a way that is in line with established brand standards – audience confusion is not efficient!

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Video Recording

To save editing time

The script for your video will outline all of the audio and visual components that the final product should display. This could include sound bytes, illustrations, and animations among others. An editor who is able to work from a prepared video script will be able to do their job in a more timely way than the editor who is left to guess where each element belongs. 

A narrator or main character who is guided by a full script will have fewer instances of hesitation or interjections of fillers like “um”, “like”, and “uh”, which can significantly impact editing time .

To make recording easier

Recording is made infinitely easier when the process is guided by a well-developed script. If you are recording solo, having a script to refer to can help calm your nerves and keep you on topic. 

If you are recording an interview, being able to provide the script to the interviewee in advance can help them prepare, often resulting in fewer takes and less editing required to create an excellent end product.

How to write a video script?

Identify your audience .

A key step in video script writing doesn’t involve a pen, paper, or a video camera. Identifying the target audience for the video being developed is an all-important first step. Your choices around language, humor and tone will vary depending on the audience identified for the video. Creating a script that is engaging for teenagers is very different than writing a script for a video targeting retirees! If you don’t know exactly who you are speaking to it is likely that your message won’t be well received.

Knowing your audience is also important when it comes to how the end product is used. A video geared toward teenagers may be only a few minutes long, recorded vertically, and placed on TikTok, while a training video for new employees would be much longer in duration and require less focus on an attention-grabbing hook. 

Set a goal for your video

Because creating a video consists of so many different elements ( lighting , sets, cast, crew, sound, etc…) there are often many people participating in the process. In order to have that process run smoothly and create the desired end product, all of these people need to be working towards one unifying goal. Without this, you can run into a lot of difficulties as a result of each person holding a slightly different perspective about why the video is being made.

The key question to ask yourself at this pivotal point is “why?” Why is this video being made? Is it meant to teach people something? To unify a group of people? To establish a brand’s identity? Knowing and sharing the answer to this question will help steer your video script writing and the work that everyone else involved is doing as well.

If you are struggling to identify your video’s goal, think about the problem that the video is meant to solve. Is it to direct potential clients to a specific offer that needs some attention? Provide clearer instructions on a protocol that’s not being adhered to. Reduce workplace accidents? Increase website conversions on an underperforming site? It can be a challenge to narrow down one specific goal but it is an absolutely essential step to take before you begin writing a script for a video. 

The Marketer’s Ultimate Guide to Video

In our FREE ebook, we’ve put together practical strategies to get out of the woods and create engaging, powerful video content on your own that reaches your audience.

Download now!

Choose the main characters

Good storytelling is key to creating compelling videos, and what is a story without some engaging and relatable characters? Developing a character, or a set of them, for your video, not only helps your audience engage more with the content but it can also help you focus on creating an effective narrative around your message instead of simply selling an idea. 

If you are struggling to identify the main character, go back to your target audience and your goal. Think about who that audience would relate to and want to hear from in relation to the goal you have established for the video. For example, if your video‘s goal is to build trust with a company following a public failure, having the CEO as the main character may suit, whereas if your video is a solution to a recurring workplace accident, the health and safety representative might be a good choice.

Once the main character or characters have been established, you’ll build out some details about them that will help guide your video script writing. How do they relate to the product or subject matter at hand? Is their backstory relevant? If so, what is it? You don’t need a full character profile but you should go into as much detail as is necessary to help you reach the goal you have identified.

Write an outline

Starting with an outline helps to give structure to your video script. It is a great starting place to get all of your ideas out of your head and onto paper so that you can see which ones fit well in a structured video script and move you toward your goal and which ones may actually end up as distractions.

It can be tempting to jump right into video script writing but skipping this important step can cause your message to be lost and the video to appear overstuffed and disorganized. Your outline should help to establish what the beginning, middle, and end of the video script will include. You can include any details that might be helpful as you move into the next step – video script writing. 

Here’s the script formula we use to create how-to videos:

The A.A.A.A Formula

  • Attention (Grab their attention in the first line)
  • Agitation (Agitate the pain that you can solve)
  • Activity (Show them HOW to solve it)
  • Action (Call them to action and tell them how to get the solution)

The A.A.A.A Formula

Create sections

Breaking your outline down and writing a video script section by section is an excellent way to make sure your thoughts stay organized and the storyline for your video follows a logical progression. So what exactly should be included in each section of your video? Let’s take a look! 

In the beginning:

  • Start with a hook. What’s a hook? A compelling introduction to your video that delivers an accurate preview of what the viewer can expect and immediately captures their attention. You might use phrases like “Have you ever…” “Here are 3 of our top tips for…” or “If you’re looking for…” as components of your hook.
  • Make sure the viewer can recognize your brand and associate this video’s message with it. You can do this by incorporating brand colors into the scheme for the video, displaying a logo, and making sure to write your video script using brand-aligned language and tone. This helps establish your video as something familiar and trustworthy rather than a random piece of content to ignore. 

Now that you’ve drawn them in, you’ll use the middle section to:

  • Deliver your message. You’ve drawn them in with the hook and established who you are, so now is the time to tell them exactly what you came here to tell them. Be sure to write this portion of your video script to be as clear and concise as possible so that the message doesn’t get watered down or confused. 
  • Share the evidence. This is a great opportunity in your video script writing to present anything to the audience that can back up or solidify any claims made with your message. Is your video script meant to introduce a new product?

Share the experiences of your beta users. Is this a training video? Establish the proven benefits of absorbing and applying the information being provided. 

And finally, the end. This section of your video script should 

include a Call to Action (CTA). This is the opportunity within your video script to tell the audience exactly what you want them to do. Whether that’s “book now”, “watch the next video”, “buy now”, or anything else, do not miss this opportunity to provide that extra bit of clarity around what you want the viewer to do with the information you have just provided. 

Writing a video script is a lot of work, but the end result will be well worth it. And the great news is, you don’t have to start from scratch every time you need to create one! A video script template can really speed up the process and help keep you on the right track with your video script writing. We’ve created a video script writing template that you can download for free here and put to use on your next project! 

Also read: The ultimate guide to instructional videos

Tips to write an amazing video script

Stay true to yourself.

We’ve all had the experience of watching someone speak, whether live or on video, and being painfully aware that they are reading from a script. And you would probably agree that those experiences were not the most engaging. 

So how do you prevent that from happening with your video scriptwriting? Well, a focus on writing conversationally is a big help with this.  If you’re writing a script that you will be speaking from, write it the way that you talk normally. If the video script will be read by someone else, learn a little bit about the nuances of how they speak and interact with others and write the script for their video in a way that reflects that. 

Make sure to write your video script using language that feels comfortable, is aligned with the brand you’re representing, and feels familiar. If you are comfortable and remaining true to your natural communication patterns (or those of the speaker you are writing for) your audience will be more fully engaged than if it feels obvious that you are “putting on a show”.

Go straight to the point

The average human attention span is a maximum of 8 seconds, and people are used to being entertained. Taking the time and energy to consume your content may not seem like a big ask, but in this day and age, it actually might be. 

For these reasons, it is important to get right to the point and be as concise as you can be when writing a video script. Surrounding your message with too much back story or context can be distracting and confusing for viewers. Save any of the information that you think is important to share but doesn’t fit well within a concise video script for use in future videos or other types of content.

Stick to the video script (mostly)

You are writing this video script for a reason right? And part of that reason is to make sure the message gets delivered and the video fulfills its goal . A little riffing or adlibbing here and there is ok but do try to stick to the script as much as possible. A few additions to add personality can go a long way, but too much will likely have a negative impact. 

If you or the person who will be presenting the script are likely to go off script, try to include some of the content that may inspire the adlibbing in the video script itself. This can reduce the temptation to go rogue. And if, in the end, the video script just isn’t working, a rewrite is often more effective than an improvised, unscripted video. 

Also read: The guide to creating Youtube videos

Do a verbal run-through off-camera.

A verbal run-through, or table read, is a great opportunity to take your video script out for a test drive and identify any challenges you may have missed in the writing phase. It is not at all uncommon for a word or phrase to look great on paper but sound ridiculous when spoken out loud. 

An off-camera run-through can also help to shorten sentences, cut unnecessary words, and make sure the real-life impact of the words chosen is the same as what you were hoping for during the video script’s writing.

Having someone who is a member of the target audience for the video you have scripted sit in and provide feedback at this point can also help to make sure that your video scriptwriting is going to land the way you want it to with the intended audience. 

Support any B-roll with the proper callouts in your main narrative.

B-roll is a term used to describe secondary shots that are shown while the storyline continues audibly. Using B-roll footage can allow you to feature products, employees, happy customers, charts and graphs, testimonials, and other content that enhances the message presented by your video. 

Be sure to include cues and instructions for your narrator or main character to help integrate B-roll footage without causing confusion or distraction for the viewer. Phrasing like “…in the chart you see here…” can help the viewer contextualize what they see on the screen and guide the speaker to gesture or position themselves appropriately.

We’ve all seen the videos where the subject points in one direction and the B-roll footage shows up somewhere else, but that’s much less likely to happen to you with a properly scripted video. 

Don’t forget – there is no need to start from scratch every time you need to write a script for a video. If you have a video script that has worked well in the past, you can easily templatize it and keep using it!

If you need some help to get started, click here to download the free video script template we created for you. You simply document some background information, like your target audience and goals, and then fill in the blanks – what could be simpler?

Free tutorial video script template!

Our free script writing course breaks down how to write a script and gives you a perfect script template for all of your video projects.

Get Started Today

presentation script template word

Ryan Knott is a Marketing Content Strategist at TechSmith, where he creates content about easy, effective, and efficient video creation, editing, and tips and tricks, as well as audio editing for creators of all kinds. He/him.

  • How to Make a YouTube Intro
  • 3 Examples of Effective How-To Videos That Really Work
  • How to Remove Background Noise From Audio

Subscribe to TechSmith’s Newsletter

Join over 200,000 people who get actionable tips and expert advice every month in the TechSmith Newsletter.

  • Popular voice categories
  • Help Center
  • Voice over scripts

Presentation script examples

Crafting an impactful presentation script is as easy as Voice-1-2-3 with our free script resources . Here, you can access multiple presentation script examples to help you learn how to write an impactful and innovative presentation script. As a leader in voice over services, Voice123 offers an innovative approach to scriptwriting that’s bound to elevate your next presentation script. Let’s get started!

What is a presentation script?

A presentation script is a written outline for a presentation, which details key talking points, cues for visual aids such as slides or props, and a structured outline to guide the presenter. Presentation scripts typically break down the dialogue for the speaker to read, details of the product/service being promoted, and voice over instructions, effectively communicating the company’s message and motivating audiences to action. Scripts for presentations also help to ensure that the speaker stays on track and delivers a structured, coherent, and engaging presentation.

Presenters use different presentation script platforms like Google Slides or PowerPoint to write scripts for presentation, particularly because these platforms allow you to write notes that aren’t visible to the audience and add voice overs. For a detailed explanation, you can check out our guide on how to record audio on PowerPoint and how to add audio to Google Slides . For example, a financial presentation script for shareholders might include instructions and additional notes for the presenter to explain complex financial data along with cues for when to change slides or use visuals.

Here are three presentation script examples showcasing the importance of a structured outline, direction notes for the presenter, and cues for visual aids.

Presentation Scripts #1: The importance of a structured outline

Project Type : Request for funding from investors.

Target Audience : Investors, business owners, key tech-industry players 

Presentation Length : 15:00

Presentation Script Outline:

Introduction – 2.30 minute

  • Greet investors and express appreciation for their time
  • Identify and describe the problem that your business idea seeks to solve

Funding Request – 6 minutes

  • Clearly articulate your business idea and how it solves the identified problem
  • Detail the unique selling points of your solution in comparison to existing alternatives
  • Explain how your business will generate revenue and achieve profitability
  • Outline your approach to reaching out to and acquiring customers
  • Present key financial projections over the next 5 years
  • Specify the amount of funding required and what it will be used for
  • Discuss how the funding will help achieve business objectives and growth

Information for Investors – 4 minutes

  • Highlight potential exit strategies for investors
  • Discuss potential return on investment for investors

Conclusion – 2.30 minutes

  • Reiterate the business idea and its potential
  • Express confidence in the team’s ability to execute the plan
  • Thank the investors and express appreciation for their time
  • Invite questions from the investors 

Presentation Scripts #2: The importance of direction notes

Project Type : Company financial report  

Target audience : Investors, shareholders, company executives, and board members.

Direction notes : Comfortable, calm speaking pace, slower when explaining facts and figures. Use a friendly, conversational manner. Something like Stanley Tucci’s soothing style. 

Presentation length : 15:00

Dialogue Script:

(Friendly, welcoming tone) “Good morning, and welcome to our quarterly earnings report.” 

(Slower speaking pace and a calm, moderate tone) “I’m extremely pleased to announce that we’ve seen steady growth in the last three months with a 10% revenue increase and cost reduction of 5%.”

(Normal speaking pace, confident tone) “We’ve also launched several new products and received positive feedback from customers. It’s our belief that a continued focus on innovation and customer satisfaction will drive future growth.”

(Comfortable, conversational tone) “And though we face the challenge of increasing competition in certain markets, we’re confident that our dedicated team and proactive approach will continue to deliver strong results. Thank you for your time.”

Presentation Scripts #3: The importance of cues for visual aids

Project Type : Product launch 

Target Audience : Consumers from a specific target audience  

Presentation Length : 20:00

Visuals: 

  • Images of the product from different angles
  • Close-up visuals of the product’s features
  • Closing call to action slide for consumers

“Hello, everyone; I’m excited to present our latest product line today.” 

“Our team has worked tirelessly to develop a range of new and improved products to meet your needs. These products are high-quality, user-friendly, and offer excellent value for money.”

(Display product images)

“And since our research team determined that convenience, durability, and versatility are what you’re after, we’re convinced this new product range ticks all the boxes.”

(Display product features visuals)

“We’re also offering special discounts for those of you who want to take advantage of early promos, so now is the perfect time to place an order.”

(Display slide with a call to action info)

“Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to learning how our project has made a difference in your life.” 

 How to write a presentation script

You can write a presentation script by following these 10 steps:

1. Start with something catchy

Use a striking statistic, a thought-provoking question, or an interesting fact to make audiences sit up and pay attention. Example: “By the end of this presentation, you’ll know exactly how to increase your consumer database by 40%!”

2. Tailor your message to your audience 

Use relatable language that speaks directly to their wants and needs. Example: “As a tech founder, you seek ways to secure your business. That’s where our innovative solution can help you.”

3. Keep your points concise  

Write with simple, jargon-free language, and avoid going off on tangents. Example: “Our product can streamline your finance processes efficiently and within minutes. Here’s how it works.”

4. Use intriguing visuals  

Utilize graphs, images, colors, and videos instead of lines of text to break up statistics, words, and numbers. Example: “This color chart highlights the company’s sales for the last 6 months, and if you follow the color diagram …’ 

5. Tell a story with your presentation script

Relate how the product or brand started and where the idea originated. Example: ” I started this company as a broke college student with a dream. Today, that dream has become a team of 500 in national offices. “

6. Use humor and personal anecdotes  

These will engage audiences and make your presentation memorable. Example: ” I thought this software would be a huge, immediate success. But then I realized I didn’t test it on Apple computers.”

7. Make it interactive 

Ask questions and get feedback from your audience to focus their attention on your scripts for presentation. Example: “Raise your hand if you’ve experienced this problem in your own business.”

8. End with a call to action  

Encourage audiences to take a specific course of action. Example: “For more info on our product, please speak to us after the presentation. We’d love to answer any questions you have.”

9. Rehearse your script 

This ensures a smooth delivery and will help you get settled with your audience before you speak. Example: “I’ve practiced this presentation in front of my colleagues, family, and friends, but if I forget something, please bear with me.’ 

10. Infuse passion into the delivery 

If you believe in what you’re saying, your audience will likely believe it too. Example: “My aim is not to sell you a product. My aim is to help you solve a problem and achieve your goals.”

Final thoughts on a presentation script

And there you have it! The 10 tips on how to write a presentation script that will leave a lasting impression on audiences. So when you’re writing scripts for presentations, don’t forget the importance of a structured outline, direction notes, and cues for visuals.  Now why not consider hiring a voice actor from Voice123 for a professional touch to your presentation scripts? You can also receive customized options and streamlined payments with our Managed Services.  

So get ready to create presentation scripts people will talk about long after the curtains close.

FAQs for presentation script

You can write a presentation script by starting with a catchy opening, tailoring your message to audience needs, delivering concise and well-supported points, incorporating captivating visuals, weaving in storytelling and personal anecdotes, injecting humor, encouraging interactivity, including a clear call-to-action, rehearsing your script, and infusing passion into your delivery.

You can start a presentation script by greeting your audience, introducing yourself, stating the topic of your presentation, and providing a brief overview or agenda of what you’ll be covering.

A presentation script should include a captivating introduction, followed by an overview or agenda detailing the points to be covered, and the main body comprising a detailed explanation of these points with relevant examples and visuals.

Before starting a presentation, you typically greet your audience, introduce yourself, and clearly state the topic of your presentation, along with a brief overview or agenda of the key points you will be covering.

Related Posts

Quick start.

  • Search for voice actors
  • Post a voice over project
  • Learn how to use Voice123

More info about

  • Voice acting
  • Careers at Voice123

Popular VO Categories

  • Morgan Freeman style
  • Anime voice actors

AYS play logo_transparent-01.png

  • Nov 21, 2022

How to write a winning 3MT script

That’s how many words are in a typical PhD thesis. Years of gruelling research, sleepless nights, and history-making breakthroughs… culminated into one VERY thick book. To present something of this scale would take you approximately 9 hours. 🤯

Scientist public speaking at a lectern in front of a giant book filled with text and graphs. Text reads: Thesis

But what do you do when you only have 3 minutes? ⏰

Well, that’s exactly what thousands of PhD students worldwide do each year in the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition. Not only do they explain their super complex research in the time it takes to make a coffee, but they do it in a way that can be understood by a non-specialist audience.

But we know what you’re thinking…

So, how do you even win a competition like that? Well first of all, you’re going to need a 3MT script. And we’re about to teach you how to write a WINNING one. 🏅

Not only that, but this blog post marks the beginning of a multi-part series that will cover all the important aspects of preparing a winning 3MT – from writing a captivating speech, to creating an effective slide, and of course, nailing your delivery.

What is the 3MT competition?

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition is an annual public speaking competition, where PhD candidates describe the impact and scope of their research in 3 minutes to a non-specialist audience. It was launched by the University of Queensland in 2008 and has since gained traction in over 85 countries around the world! 🌍

Put simply, it’s a fancy elevator pitch. Just imagine that it’s a really slow elevator.

Like any good competition, the 3MT has some rules. Here’s a run-down of some of the big ones:

Rules of the 3MTÂŽ competition:

You must use a single static PowerPoint slide with no transitions or animations.

You are limited to 3 minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.

Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs)… Sorry to all the aspiring rapper-researchers out there.

You can find a comprehensive list of the rules on the official UQ 3MT website.

Well, now that’s out of the way, let’s get into our tips on how to write a winning 3MT script! In this article, I’ll discuss some strategies that I used to craft my own winning 3MT script, but I’ve also watched lots of other award-winning 3MT presentations and identified some common features they share, so that you don’t have to. 😉

#1 : The hook 🪝

Every great 3MT presentation starts off with an attention-grabbing opener, otherwise known as ‘the hook.’ It’s a storytelling essential, and is undoubtedly one of the most important components of the 3MT script.

An orange fish looking enticingly at a worm on a fishing hook under water. The hook is tied to a label with text. Text reads: Attention Grabber.

One clever way to hook the audience in a 3MT presentation is to start off by asking a question , which creates a sense of open dialogue with the listener. For instance, these 3MT finalists began their presentations by asking:

Excerpts from 3MT examples. Text reads: “Did you grow up in a picture perfect family?” (Sarah Mokrzycki, 2021 Asia-Pacific Finalist, Victoria University) ”What does your breath say about you?” (Merryn Baker, 2022 Asia-Pacific Finalist, UNSW)

Full videos: Sarah Mokrzycki | Merryn Baker

You can see how the simple act of asking a question makes us reflect on our own personal views and encourages us to engage with the presentation. 💭 Another way to achieve a similar effect is to begin your talk by prompting the audience to act. An effective example of this is presented here:

Excerpt from 3MT example. Text reads: “I want you to tip your head back all the way… now swallow. It’s an uncomfortable, almost impossible feeling, isn’t it?” (Amanda Khamis, 2022 Asia-Pacific Runner Up, University of Sydney)

Full video: Amanda Khamis

Prompting the listener to act is a powerful way to immerse the audience into a particular scenario by making use of their senses. It can be easily achieved by asking the audience to look around the room, visualise a scene using their imagination, or simply taking a deep breath. 😮‍💨

Finally, several fantastic 3MT presentations also begin with a hook that startles the reader by making an unusual, interesting, or thought-provoking statement. This can be done numerous ways, such as through the use of:

Oxymoron: A figure of speech that combines two contradicting words (i.e., ‘deafening silence’ and ‘old news’).

Paradox: A self-contradictory statement that may actually be true (i.e., ‘less is more’).

Irony: Use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning (i.e., telling a rude customer to ‘have a nice day’).

Here are some good 3MT examples where the presenter has opened with a startling hook:

Excerpts from 3MT examples. Text reads: “The opposite of black is yellow.” (Sophie Jano, 2021, University of South Australia Runner-Up) ”I wonder why you’re listening, and what’s going to keep you listening for the next 2 minutes and 55 seconds of your life.” (Kylie Sturgess, 2020 Asia-Pacific Finalist, Murdoch University)

Full videos: Sophie Jano | Kylie Sturgess

The success of this technique arises from its element of surprise, which keeps the listener intrigued and curious. Basically, the more shocking or unexpected the hook, the better. 😲

However, with all this being said, there’s certainly no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to begin your 3MT, and that’s the beauty of creativity. But in case you’re stuck for ideas, here are a few sentence starters to give you some inspiration for creating a compelling hook for your 3MT script:

Sentence starter ideas for the 3MT Hook. Text reads: What if I told you… Think about the last time you… How many of you… Imagine that… Take a look at… Did you know…

Once you’ve got the crowd hooked, it’s a prime opportunity to reel them in for your story. 📖

#2 : Tell a story

An open book in front of a variety of scientific illustrations.

If you watch all the award-winning 3MT presentations, you’ll notice that they have one thing in common: they all tell a story. And they do it well.

But how do we turn our own complex, and often niche, research into a compelling story? Well, thankfully, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We can stand on the shoulders of SciComm giants... 👣

No one is more of an expert at the ins and outs of storytelling than Dr Randy Olson ; scientist-turned-filmmaker, and co-author of the book Connection: Hollywood Storytelling meets Critical Thinking ( a.k.a. our SciComm holy bible). Many of the principles discussed in this section come straight from this remarkable work, which made it to our top 5 must-read science communication books . 📚

As we know from pretty much every Hollywood blockbuster, all good stories have a beginning, middle, and end. In Connection , Randy further develops this idea by outlining what he calls the ‘ABT Template’, which stands for ‘And, But, Therefore.’ These represent the three key components that make up every good story. We’ve talked about the ABT template before , and how it can be used to elevate your storytelling. But, in case you missed it, I’ll use my own research as an example as we work through this concept.

Typically, in the beginning of a story, there’s some exposition. These are facts that help set the scene and ensure that the speaker and audience are all on the same page (pun intended). 😉 These facts can be connected using the word AND. For example:

“Cancer is deadly and traditional chemotherapy is one treatment option.”

Any statements we connect with ‘and’ are typically things that everyone would agree with, so you can quality-check your ‘and’ section by making sure you agree with all the facts you are connecting.

Okay, so we’ve set the scene. But this isn’t really a story yet, is it? The actual story doesn’t begin until there’s a source of tension or conflict , and the simplest word to make this happen is the word BUT:

“Cancer is deadly and traditional chemotherapy is one treatment option, but it comes with a lot of side effects.”

You can see that the ‘but’ is what makes things interesting. It’s what keeps the audience wanting more and makes them ask “Well, what happens next?”

It doesn’t have to be the word ‘but’ either – there are a lot of words that essentially do the same thing, such as however, although, except , and unfortunately, to name a few… (The thesaurus could be your best friend here). What these words have in common is that they create this critical sense of tension.

Following this, is the outcome , which is where the THEREFORE comes in.

“Cancer is deadly and chemotherapy is one treatment option, but it comes with a lot of side effects. Therefore , in our research, we load these drugs into tiny carriers called nanoparticles, which can help to reduce their adverse effects.”

‘Therefore’ is the word that brings everything together. It marks the beginning of a journey of discovery, which eventually leads to the resolution.

You can see how, by simply including these three key words: and, but and therefore , we have generated the foundations of a good story. Your 3MT script will obviously need to be longer than two sentences, but the ABT template provides a useful scaffold that you can build from to ensure that your story is compelling. If you’re interested in reading more on the ABT template and how it can be utilised, make sure to give Connection a read. 📖

To help you shape your story using the ABT template, here are some questions you can aim to answer in the beginning, middle, and end of your 3MT script:

A checkpoint roadmap for the 3MT structure according to the ABT Template, including question prompts.

Hopefully this outline can help you create a captivating and persuasive story to communicate your research effectively. Because, in the wise words of Dr Randy Olson, “Tell a good story and the whole world will listen.”

So, we’ve got our story. But what other strategies can we use to make it a little more interesting? Let’s unpack our storytelling toolkit to see how we can spice things up. 🌶

#3 : Your storytelling toolkit: analogies, humour & creation of a character

Top-down view of an open toolbox with three spanners inside, each labelled with bold text. Text reads: Analogies, Humour & Character

In addition to using the ABT template to write a compelling narrative structure, there are also several other tools that you can use to connect with your audience and make your story as easy to understand as possible.

One powerful way to do this is to relate your research to a more common experience by using an analogy . Analogies allow us to compare similarities between two seemingly different things. For instance, when I did the 3MT, I used an analogy to compare nanoparticles – a topic that’s not very common – to cars, something that almost everyone is familiar with:

Left: A blood vessel with an enlarged section to show a diagram of a drug-loaded nanoparticle. Right: A road with an enlarged image of passengers in the car.

Full video: Cintya Dharmayanti

As you can see, this works because the analogy serves to provide a simpler, more easily understood explanation using concepts and examples from everyday life. 🚗

Besides analogies, another useful tool to create a captivating story is the use of humour . Because who doesn’t like a good laugh, right? 😂 Comedic relief can help you create a bond with the listener and provide some emotional reprieve for what may otherwise be a serious presentation.

Humour is used well in this winning 3MT presentation:

Excerpt from 3MT example. Text reads: “Which is stronger: the land, or the sea? The sea of course! It has so many mussels.” (Trevyn Toone, 2022 Asia-Pacific Winner, University of Auckland)

Full video: Trevyn Toone

In this example, humour helps to keep us engaged with the presentation and gives us a good impression of the presenter. However, some care does need to be taken with the use of humour, so as to not devalue the presentation. Don’t worry if you’re not a comedian though (or if your research topics are too grim to joke about), there are still other effective ways to make your story shine.

Yellow caution sign with text. Text reads: CAUTION. Care must be taken with the use of humour in the 3MT.

Some of the most immersive 3MTs are those that introduce a character , fictional or not, and follow that character’s story. This is a particularly useful tool if your research involves a topic that strikes a strong emotional response. The following example executed this well, where the speaker refers to a photo of an adorable young infant with a feeding tube:

Excerpt from 3MT example. Text reads: “I bet you’re wondering who this little cutie is. This is James. James has cerebral palsy and dysphagia. My PhD is testing which treatments best help babies like James to eat and drink.” (Amanda Khamis, 2022 Asia-Pacific Runner-Up, University of Sydney)

This is so effective because it encourages us to empathise with the character and persuades us to see the importance of the presenter’s research. Whether it’s analogies, humour, or the creation of a character, there are lots of ways to make your story relatable and more easily understood.

Now that we’ve got some ideas from our storytelling toolkit, let’s move on! 🙌

#4 : Goodbye technical jargon 👋

Open trash can surrounded by flies and examples of technical jargon.

Imagine being in a different country, where you don’t speak the native language. You’re chatting with a local, but they can’t speak your language very fluently. The conversation is interspersed with foreign words that you can’t quite understand, so the meaning of the exchange ultimately becomes lost.

Confused woman surrounded by mathematical expressions meme..

That’s what it’s like trying to understand complex research when it’s filled with terminology and jargon only an expert in that field would know. 🤓

Remember that the 3MT is for a non-specialist audience, which is very different to a conference presentation that’s mostly filled with experts in the field. As scientists, it’s our job to make sure that we are speaking the same language as our audience, and for the 3MT, that means avoiding the use of language that’s too niche or technical. We can still explain complex concepts using language that’s easy to understand!

But how do you do that, when you’ve spent years in academia doing the opposite? 😅

The best way to avoid the overuse of jargon is to simply seek the help of a non-specialist. Ask someone that’s not in your field of research to listen to your presentation and provide feedback. Perhaps this is a friend, family, or fellow student from a completely different department. Does your story make sense to them? If not, it probably won’t make sense to many people in the 3MT audience.

I remember when I was preparing my 3MT script, I went through this exact process! Reading it aloud to my mum, sister, and pretty much anyone who would listen, to make sure each sentence was easy to follow and understand. It’s actually what helped me come up with the idea of the car- analogy in the first place! So, keep iterating and tweaking your presentation until it makes sense to the mailman, the bus driver, and the neighbour down the road.

Also, make sure to keep your story focused on the big picture, rather than getting bogged down in the details and data. Not only will this make your presentation hard to understand, but it’s also more likely to make it B.O.R.I.N.G. and lead to blank stares !

When you’ve ticked all these boxes – great! You’re ready to move on.

#5 : The finisher: Coming full circle

Good job! You’re almost done. Time to add the finishing touch. We can all agree that a strong finish makes for a more memorable presentation. One trend that’s very common amongst winning 3MT presentations is the way that they finish: by bringing their story full circle. As the name suggests, this essentially means that the presenter refers back to the beginning of the story, especially if a particular character, scenario, or analogy is used.

A circular diagram describing the 3MT story structure.

For instance, in this winning 3MT example, the presentation begins with:

Excerpt from 3MT example. Text reads: “I love the moon. Wouldn’t it be cool to live there? I want to build a house, with a deck, and a decent view… the Earth.”

Then, as the presentation comes to a close, the final segment ends by referring back to the opening sentence:

Excerpt from 3MT example. Text reads: “So… next time you’re out at night, I want you to look for the. moon. It’s normally up,  sometimes slightly sideways, and just think about what you’re seeing… Think about the intense sunlight up there, the lack of air, the vacuum… and the fact that despite those things, maybe we could live there. Maybe in a house, maybe with a deck, with what is, let’s be honest, a pretty awesome view.” (Matthew Shaw, 2021 Asia-Pacific Winner, Swinburne University of Technology

Full video: Matthew Shaw

By bringing the story full circle, the audience gains a sense of satisfaction and closure as the cycle returns to its beginnings and the status quo is restored.

Take-away messages

The thought of distilling years of research down to just 3 minutes can be daunting, especially when it’s a competition. 😰 However, if you:

Create an attention-grabbing hook

Tell a captivating story using the ABT template

Use tools such as analogies, humour, and characters

Get rid of technical jargon, and

Bring your story full circle

You’re well on your way to writing a fantastic 3MT script! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s tell your story. Time is ticking. 😉⏰

And remember – if you want to further master your storytelling and public speaking skills, we’d love to show you how in one of our online or in-person science communication workshops .

Feel free to contact us to find out more!

Cintya Dharmayanti

Dr Juan Miguel Balbin

Dr Tullio Rossi

Illustration

Alvin Yanga

presentation script template word

Related Posts

What does it mean to be a science communicator?

5 tips for improving your public speaking skills as a researcher

How to write effective analogies for communicating research

How to Design an Award-Winning Scientific Poster - Animate Your Science Online Course

8 Free Video Script Templates for All Types of Videos

presentation script template word

Easily scale your video production in 120+ languages.

presentation script template word

There's nothing worse than staring at a blank page while anxiously trying to develop a successful video script.

There are SO many things you could write…. So how do you prioritize? 

This post will provide you with 8 free video script templates, one for each of the main types of training, instructional, or marketing videos you can think of, backed by:

✔️ An example video

✔️ Specific best uses 

✔️ The downloadable version of the video script template

You decide what video best suits your content, snatch the template, and run with it. 

This article gives you the video script templates you're after in downloadable format. But we ALSO take the time to help you learn how to use these templates for maximum efficiency. Watch out for the 💎symbol for actionable tips and insights you can use when writing!

1. Training video script template

Training videos teach someone — an employee or a customer — how to do a task, use a product, or follow a process.

See a training video example in action:

When to use training videos: 

✔️ To teach employees how to use new software or technology updates.

✔️ To train new employees on company procedures and policies.

✔️ To educate customers on how to use your products or services.

2. Explainer video script template

Explainer videos clarify what a product, service, or company is and how it can benefit the viewer.

See an explainer video example in action:

When to use explainer videos: 

✔️ To showcase the benefits of a product or service to potential customers.

✔️ To explain a complex app or technology so your employees will understand it.

✔️ To introduce a new concept or idea to potential investors or stakeholders.

3. Onboarding/orientation video script template

Onboarding or orientation videos introduce your new hire to your company's culture, policies, and procedures and provide an overview of their roles and responsibilities.

See an onboarding/orientation video example in action:

When to use onboarding/orientation videos: 

✔️ To help new hires familiarize themselves with the company culture and DE&I policies.

✔️ To set expectations for the first days with a clear timeline and an action checklist.

✔️ To create video marketing campaigns, present company benefits, office setup, or even emergency procedures.

4. Product demo video script template

Product demo videos demonstrate how your product or service works, showing its main features and benefits. They can have an informational role or be a powerful marketing tool.

See a product demo video example in action:

When to use product demo videos : 

✔️ To train employees on how to use and sell a product.

✔️ To showcase products to potential customers with video testimonials and other compelling visuals.

✔️ To demonstrate the use and benefits of a product to a sales team or distribution network.

5. Listicle video script template

Listicle videos present a topic in a list format, and they can educate, train, or entertain the audience, depending on the chosen topic.

See a listicle video example in action:

When to use listicle videos:

✔️ To highlight the top features or benefits of a product or service.

✔️ To showcase a series of related tips or tricks on a particular topic.

✔️ To provide a roundup of industry trends or best practices.

6. How-to video script template

How-to videos, also known as instructional videos or tutorial videos, teach your audience a concept, an action, or a skill, in a sequence of logical steps they can easily replicate.

See a how-to video example in action:

When to use how-to videos: 

✔️ To demonstrate how one of your products or services can be used.

✔️ To teach your audience how to complete a specific task or process.

✔️ To educate the viewers on troubleshooting a common issue or problem.

7. Educational video script template

Educational videos combine clear explanations with engaging visual and audio elements to teach an audience about a specific subject or skill, typically in a classroom or online learning environment.

See an educational video example in action:

When to use educational videos: 

✔️ To provide ongoing education to employees or customers.

✔️ To facilitate a more comprehensive overview of a topic.

✔️ To facilitate the understanding of more complex processes or systems.

8. Product tour video script template

Product tour videos present a product or service and demonstrate its value proposition in a marketing or sales context.

See a product tour video example in action:

When to use product tour videos: 

✔️ To showcase your latest product and highlight its benefits to potential customers.

✔️ To provide minimal information to an audience who can't attend an in-person presentation.

✔️ To create a knowledge base for your sales or customer support team.

7 mistakes to avoid when filling in your video script template

Not starting your videos from scratch is a big advantage. Still, watch out for the following mistakes you could make when filling in the script template for your video.

1. Not customizing the template

It's tempting to think that using a template requires minimum work. But templates are fillable for you to put in the right words. Not customizing it will get you a generic script that most viewers won't find engaging enough.

💎Try to make it serve your needs and speak your audience's language.

2. Focusing too much on the template

While a video script template is a useful starting point, don't feel you can't make changes. 

💎Make your script your own, adapt it to your specific goals and audience, remove some slides, or add new ones if you feel it'll better convey your message.

3. Being too wordy

Using too many words, overly complex language, or unnecessary humor makes it harder for the audience to follow along and grasp the message in your video. An interview script, for instance, is something to approach with caution.

💎Your script should be concise. Don't be afraid to cut out words if you can say the same thing in a more condensed version. While you eliminate words, you add value to your video.

4. Approaching visuals the wrong way

Sometimes, you stuff the video script template with visuals that catch your eye and you think will wow your audience. But the purpose of visuals is to support the narration. 

💎Consider what visuals will accompany the script and how the two will work together to communicate your message effectively.

5. Not considering the pacing

The pacing of your video clips is more difficult to outline in a script. It is partially guided by how many sentences you put on each slide and how you display your visuals. But…

As you start combining narration with visuals in the video creation process, you risk making too abrupt transitions or tone changes.

💎Read the script aloud many times. Try to assess the rhythm and flow as you write your script and during the production.

6. Forgetting to recap before the call to action

A call to action not preceded by a video recap is incomplete and not strong enough.

Most viewers aren't motivated to take action by videos that end without reminding them what they learned and the utility of it.

💎There's one specific slide in your video script template to which you should pay great attention. It's where you summarize the key points before launching into the call to action.

7. Failing to revise and edit

When you don't revise and edit the video content several times, you're not making it as effective or engaging as possible. And if you do the whole editing in one day, you risk missing important details. 

💎Best to do several revisions and edit the video content on different days. That way, you'll get to detach and gain some clarity before you return to the drawing board.

8 tips on making a successful video script

Here's what a video script must include to capture the mind and attention of your audience: 

  • A clear message.
  • A solid, logical content structure.
  • A deliberate audience engagement strategy from the beginning until the end. 

Good video scripts help you effortlessly hit those three points on the head and save time. 

But, like most good things in life, crafting the script for your video is not as simple as filling in the blanks. Nor is it about writing paragraphs and paragraphs of detail. You need to think deeply about your audience to write a script that gives them just the right amount of information. The following video scriptwriting tips show you how to do just that!

Tip #1: Get precise on who's your audience

Everything in your video script template should speak to your ideal avatar. 

💎Before writing any word, make sure you know the following:

  • Who's the person watching your video?
  • What's their motivation? What do they hope to get from your video?
  • What do they already know about the information you'll provide in the video?
  • What can you say that's new to them and will boost their motivation?

Tip #2: Clarify your desired outcome

The outcome of your video is a distillation of purpose. With outcome clarity, you'll know how to adjust the video template so every element you add serves your goal.

💎To get the right outcome, ask yourself before you start writing:

  • What action do you want your audience to take when they finish watching?
  • Within what timeframe should your audience respond to your call to action?
  • What specific action taken by them will confirm that you've reached your video outcome?

Tip #3: Aim for a conversational tone

Videos with fancy vocabulary or industry jargon are a turn-off. By contrast, a tone that makes the information more accessible will help establish a connection with your viewers.

💎Regardless of your audience profile and video goal, use simple, conversational language anyone can understand.

Tip #4: Avoid information overload 

Saying less in each slide of the video script template helps you leverage your audience's attention span. You'll use more slides and transitions, thus keeping your viewers watching.

💎 Stick to a maximum of 3-4 narration sentences per video scene.

Tip #5: Use the most supporting visuals for your narration

💎Consider using one or more of the following techniques and visuals to improve and personalize your video script template:

  • A talking head can heighten the emotional impact if used right. Film the same person from different angles, highlighting the key messages with a medium close-up frame.
  • B-rolls are excellent for adding context without using too many words. To make an impact, have them fill the entire slide.
  • Screen recordings are best for clear, step-by-step demonstrations. 
  • The text-on-screen with different transitions and sound effects can help make specific messages stick. Just be sure to write only the essentials, not the entire narration. 
  • Charts or graphs are great for helping an audience make sense of lots of data. Bonus points if you can squeeze in an infographic too.

Tip #6: Alternate visuals for increased engagement

Back your video scripts with relevant and diverse visual cues. This will help you keep your viewers engaged with the content for longer. 

💎Write down what visuals you'll use for each section of your video and see if any particular visual is overused. If so, use tip #5 to come up with alternatives.

Tip #7: Read your script aloud more than once

Quiet reading processes information internally within the mind. Aloud reading involves more complex information processing through hearing and speaking.

💎Read your video script template aloud as you customize it. You'll identify errors and awkward phrasings, replace the difficult words, and adjust your sentence flow easier.

Tip #8: Ask for feedback from a colleague

Two pairs of eyes pick up more details. And when adjusting your video script templates, the details can make a difference.

💎Share your Google Docs script with someone you trust for a second opinion. You'll get a different, more detached perspective.

Synthesia is a video maker that uses AI to make video creation fast and easy. Each free video script template in this post can be synced perfectly with one of our templates. Save time by duplicating your favorite and start writing. Check the templates out here!

Use a free video script template & customize it for making a professional video

Each free video script template you saw in this guide is a perfect starting point for its intended use cases. Whatever your next video project, you won't have to go from zero.

To make creating your video clips truly easy, pair your effective script template with the principles that help refine your message for your audience and intended outcome. Browse through the entire collection of Synthesia's video templates and start writing.

Frequently asked questions

What is a video script template.

A video script template is a written document that outlines the dialogue, visual and audio elements, scene setups, characters, and other pieces you'll include in the video. 

The script makes it easy to see how you'll achieve your video outcome through all the narration and visuals combined. It's your video creation roadmap.

A straightforward video script will save time and provide everyone involved in the project with the necessary information to do their job at their best. And it will help ensure that your videos effectively communicate the desired message to the audience.

What should be included in a video script?

The video script template should outline each scene comprising the video in a logical sequence, and you can lay it out even in Google Docs.

With every scene, you should include a name (show what's it about), narration details (show what words will be spoken while that scene is displayed), and visuals (show what images and data will be visible on the screen while that scene is displayed).

For the narration column, think about your audience. What kind of language will best speak to their pains? Based on their prior knowledge, what can you tell them that will keep them hooked? And how can you motivate them to follow your key messages and call to action?

Consider what video content would best demonstrate the narration in the visuals column. Select the visuals that help you show the most while using fewer words. And alternate different visual elements to make it relevant and engaging to most viewers.

How do you start a good script?

A good script makes your audience pay attention using one of the following elements: familiarity, directness, curiosity, or surprise. An effective video script template will suggest you open the video in one of the following ways:

  • Make it clear what's this video about and why they should watch it.
  • Show them the result and promise to give them a path to it.
  • Introduce the main character.
  • Tell them what they're missing out on.
  • Ask them a thought-provoking question.
  • Share a surprising fact or a stat that makes them curious.

How do you end a good script?

The end of the video is where you drive action. That's why the best videos end with a bang. The whole point of the video content is to make the audience take a specific action. And what you're saying in your last slides is crucial to reaching your outcome.

End your video with content that heightens your audience's emotions. Remind them what they learned and how all that will help them solve a pain. Then, building on this peak of enthusiasm, use strong and definitive language and ask them to take action.

With a winning closing, you'll increase your chances of driving action, leaving them wanting to watch more of your videos.

What software can help you create and use a video script template?

You can use several software programs to create a good script, most requiring a fee: Adobe Story, Celtx, or Final Draft.

Alternatively, you can write your video script template in a Microsoft Word document or Google Docs and use it to create a video piece by piece in an AI video maker like Synthesia.

You might also like

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

presentation script template word

Video ideas and resources

30 Best Video Templates With AI Presenters

Best video templates for all purposes. Eye-catching, professionally designed and fully editable. A real human presenter included. Well, almost human.

presentation script template word

10 Video-Making Tips for Beginners

Learn the top 10 essential tips for beginners to create professional-looking videos.

presentation script template word

9 Free Epic Training Video Script Templates

Find 9 free training video script templates for ✓ compliance ✓ safety ✓ upskilling ✓ employee onboarding and more.

presentation script template word

How to guides

12 Ways to Make Accessible Video Content

In this blog post, we're outlining the 12 most important tips to help you create accessible video content.

presentation script template word

Artificial Intelligence

8 AI Trends To Look Out For in 2024

Discover the top AI trends shaping 2024 and beyond. Personalization, democratization, generative AI, digital twinning, and more →

presentation script template word

A 3-Step Guide to Writing an Explainer Video Script

Read more about the STORY framework, which makes explainer video script writing straightforward, fast, and purposeful.

Ready to try AI video editing software?

Create an account and get started using Synthesia, with full access to all 160+ avatars and 130+ languages.

presentation script template word

404 Not found

Script Template in Word

Unlock the power of scripting with our versatile Script Word Templates, featuring placeholders for text, images, and more. Explore a variety of formats and styles, from test script allocation forms to script writer resumes, all editable and printable in MS Word.

Get Access to All  MS Word Templates

Get Instant Access to 50,000+ MS Word Templates

  • Access to 1 Million+ Templates & Tools
  • 500,000+ Microsoft 365 Templates including Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, Outlook & PDF
  • Unlimited access to Design & Documents AI editors
  • Professionally Made Content and Beautifully Designed
  • Instant Download & 100% Customizable

IMAGES

  1. Script Template

    presentation script template word

  2. Presentation Outline Template

    presentation script template word

  3. Script Template

    presentation script template word

  4. 37 Creative Screenplay Templates [& Screenplay Format Guide] ᐅ TemplateLab

    presentation script template word

  5. Script Template

    presentation script template word

  6. Script Outline Template

    presentation script template word

VIDEO

  1. MS Powerpoint Text

  2. How To Convert Word Document To PowerPoint Presentation | 2016 | 2019 | 2021

  3. Create your own template on power point

  4. How To Create an Awesome Looking #Corporate #Template in Microsoft PowerPoint PPT

  5. Free PowerPoint Templates: Websites You May Not Know (Part 2)

  6. How to Insert Picture in Text in MS Word? #msword #swxp

COMMENTS

  1. Microsoft Word Screenplay Template

    Our Microsoft Word screenplay template works by mimicking the various formatting elements of a screenplay such as sluglines, action lines, and dialogue. To strengthen your characters' conversations, be sure to read our tips for writing great dialogue. The way our template is able to mimic a screenwriting program's various formatting sets is ...

  2. How to Write a Presentation Script

    1. Why academics, scientists, and educators need to write a presentation script and practice their presentations. 2. Myths about presentation scripts and practicing your presentations. 3. Why you should script and practice even if you're good at public speaking. 4. How to write a presentation script and how to practice your presentation. 5.

  3. How To Write A Presentation 101: A Step-by-Step Guide with Best

    6/ Engage Emotionally. Connect emotional levels with your audience by appealing to their aspirations, fears, desires, or values. They help create a deeper connection and engagement from the very beginning. Make sure your introduction is concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.

  4. How we write presentation scripts

    Let's look at the pros and cons of each in turn. 1. Read the full script. This is the safest method. You separate your script out throughout your slides in the speaker notes section. This means you see them on your laptop, but your audience doesn't on the big screen (or their Zoom screen).

  5. Presentation Script Template in Word, PDF, Google Docs

    Easily Editable, Printable, Downloadable. Introducing Template.net's Presentation Script Template: Your key to impactful presentations. Crafted for clarity and engagement, this editable template guides you seamlessly from introduction to conclusion. Elevate your communication with organized and customizable sections and a structured flow.

  6. Presentation Script

    An excellent presentation script brings structure and clarity to your message. It keeps your audience engaged and helps them understand your ideas. It also ensures consistency and repeatability, especially when presenting multiple times. A good script for presentation provides adaptability and preparedness, enabling you to adjust and handle ...

  7. How to write an effective presentation script

    An easy way around this is to write the script with the presentation content close to hand. Break down the words into sections that reflect the order of the slides so the two are always complementing each other perfectly. 3. Remember to add in some pause breaks. When an audience attends a presentation they have two tasks to juggle: firstly, to ...

  8. How to Write a Script for PowerPoint Presentation

    Follow the KISS rule. 'KISS,' or Keep It Short and Simple, is the number one rule for crafting a fantastic script for presentation. Short and concise sentences can help you get the message across much faster, especially if your presentation's emphasis is placed more on the visuals than the aural aspect. 3. Make sure your script for ...

  9. Sample Presentation Script

    Printer-friendly version. Universal Access: Electronic Resources in Libraries Sample Presentation Script.pdf. This section provides a sample script for delivering a half-day to full-day presentation covering all of the topics listed in the outline. Tailor the script to your chosen program length, content and audience.

  10. 9+ Word Script Templates

    TidyForm provides a large number of free and hand-picked Word Script Templates, which can be used for small, medium and large-sized enterprises. You can find practical, colorful files in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF formats.

  11. Script Template

    File Format. WORD. Size: 52.7 KB. Download Now. This script template word here would be a big-time help when you are looking for suggestions and tips on drafting a solid script for your documentary. You also have tips for video entries. You can also see more on Service Writers.

  12. Presentation Template in Word

    The editable templates are downloadable in any device you have, along with its graphic designs in file formats like Microsoft Word. 4. Come Up with Essential Details. Once you have your presentation templates with you, start filling in the details you need. Presentations need to be short and precise.

  13. Video script writing 101: How-to steps + templates and examples

    Video script templates are the busy video maker's secret weapon. Biteable's online video-making software offers hundreds of video templates to jump-start your script-writing creativity. Fully customizable. One-click editing. Ready-made content. (24+ million clips, images, animations, music tracks). Free 7-day trial.

  14. Script Formatting

    The short answer: Yes. Microsoft Word features a downloadable screenplay template, as seen here. Simply make sure you're connected to the internet and search for 'screenplay': Example of Word's Title Page. The Microsoft Word screenplay template is hugely useful and often recommended by university or college screenwriting classes as a ...

  15. Download Your Free Screenplay Template for Microsoft Word & Google Docs

    Step 1: Set your margins. You'll want to make sure your margins are set up correctly for your scene. This might depend on the different devices you use e.g an iPad or a Windows machine. You can do this in Microsoft Word by going to Layout > Size to choose the paper size. Then go to Margins > Custom Margins.

  16. Writing Screenplays in Word

    How to Write a Movie Script on Microsoft Word Step 3: Make a template. Once you have set up your document and established a style for each line type, you are all set to begin writing. But, before you do, it is a good idea to save your empty document as a template first. The video below will show you how to save a document as a template for ...

  17. How to Write a Script for a Video (+Free Template!)

    Identify your audience. A key step in video script writing doesn't involve a pen, paper, or a video camera. Identifying the target audience for the video being developed is an all-important first step. Your choices around language, humor and tone will vary depending on the audience identified for the video. Creating a script that is engaging ...

  18. Presentation script examples

    5. Tell a story with your presentation script. Relate how the product or brand started and where the idea originated. Example: " I started this company as a broke college student with a dream. Today, that dream has become a team of 500 in national offices. 6. Use humor and personal anecdotes.

  19. How to write a winning 3MT script

    Your 3MT script will obviously need to be longer than two sentences, but the ABT template provides a useful scaffold that you can build from to ensure that your story is compelling. If you're interested in reading more on the ABT template and how it can be utilised, make sure to give Connection a read. 📖.

  20. 8 Free Video Script Templates for All Types of Videos

    This post will provide you with 8 free video script templates, one for each of the main types of training, instructional, or marketing videos you can think of, backed by: ️ An example video. ️ Specific best uses. ️ The downloadable version of the video script template. You decide what video best suits your content, snatch the template ...

  21. Free Presentation Script Generator

    Introducing the Presentation Script, your essential ally for crafting captivating speeches. Effortlessly structure your thoughts and mesmerize your audience with grace. Empower yourself to make a lasting impact with each word, effortlessly enhancing your speaking prowess. Elevate your presentations using the Presentation Script, guaranteeing that your message resonates profoundly with your ...

  22. Video script writing 101: How-to steps + templates and examples

    We show you how to write a video script. Get video script templates and examples. Bonus: downloadable script templates and interpreter video templates.

  23. Script Template in Word

    Script Template in Word. Get Our Script Word Templates that Contain Placeholders for Text, Images, and Other Elements. These Free Templates Editable and Printable on MS Word Come in Various Formats and Styles. Examples of Our Documents Include Test Script Allocation Forms, Script Writer Resumes, Script Editors, Script Samples, Catering Banquet ...