How do I convert an essay into a talk?

[KatyMac]

I normally have a slideshow/PowerPoint but I won't have one

I can do cards and I have props I have to explain but I'm all a bit at sea

I know I mustn't just read it and I used to do this all the time

Having collywobbles!

I absolutely love it!

& if I was talking to teenagers or men I'd totally use it

But I have a tougher audience....the Women's Institute!!!

Turn each paragraph into 2 or 3 bullet points
write them on your index cards
practice
then practice some more.
you'll do a great job.

Yes cards and bullet points I remember that from before

Thank you

I think its just panic!

I don’t know the topic of your talk, but can you add some human interest anecdotes? Possibly some humorous asides?

If it were me, I would write it out, exactly as I plan to say it, and then read it aloud. Even if you then don't read the entire script, this will help you stop quoting from what you remember writing for the essay (which will sound very monotonous because it's not natural for speech).

FWIW I do a lot of talks for work and it is totally possible to learn to write a scripted speech in a way that sounds spontaneous and unscripted; I mention this because personally I think it is much, much easier than speaking from memory. But my memory is awful!

I think I've written my price a bit like @SarahAndQuack suggested like it sounds like I am talking; with lots of little add-ons and quirks like you suggested @Beebumble2

I'm hoping describing the clothes, what I made them from and how I designed them will fill sone of the time plus questions at the end

If it was an academic essay, IMO you’d need to rewrite it in a much more conversational style, and then re read until you were very familiar with it, with prompts to remind you if you go blank.

I’d keep a copy in front of me, too, though. (I have given talks.).

I think I'll take both the total text & the cards and I'll number the cards and put those numbers on the whole text too

I totally need a prompt

I did a fashion show in October (where I caught cocid) and thatvwas easier as I could interact with the models this will just be mannequins and the buggers don't talk or twirl!