How to write and format a speech for a teleprompter

Write for the ear

A speech is heard once, at the speaker's pace. Keep each sentence to one idea. Use the words the speaker uses in conversation. Then read the draft out loud and rewrite every sentence that makes you stumble.

The formatting checklist

• Short paragraphs. Two or three sentences each, with a blank line between them.
• Numbers as they are said. Write "two point four million dollars", not "$2.4M".
• Names spelled the way they sound. Put the phonetic spelling in brackets after any name that could be mispronounced.
• Abbreviations as they are spoken. Write "C E O" and "B C" if the speaker says the letters.
• Cues in capitals inside square brackets. [PAUSE], [SLIDE] and [VIDEO PLAYS] stand out from the words to be read.
• Emphasis used sparingly. Underline the one word in a sentence that carries it.
• The speaker's name above each section. On a program with several presenters, it lets the operator jump straight to whoever walks on.
• Clean text. Accept all tracked changes and remove comments, tables and footnotes before you send it.

What you can leave to the operator

Font, text size, colours and line length are set on the prompter, and adjusted with the speaker at rehearsal. A script in Word, Google Docs, PDF or plain text is all that is needed.

Versions and late changes

Send the latest draft as soon as you have one, and put the date and time in the file name. Name one person who owns the final version. Changes are welcome right up to the moment the speaker walks on, and between speakers during the show.

How long it should be

Most people deliver a prepared speech at 130 to 150 words a minute, so a ten minute slot holds about 1,300 to 1,500 words. The speech length table covers other timings.

If you would rather hand it over

Loading your script onto the prompter is part of every package. Formatting a long or complex script ahead of the event is $85 an hour. The rate card has every price.

More guides

• Presidential or camera teleprompter?: Presidential glass for speaking to a room, a camera prompter for speaking to a lens.
• Do you need a teleprompter operator?: For a live event, yes. For a short solo video, an app is often enough.
• Confidence monitor or teleprompter?: A confidence monitor shows slides and notes. A teleprompter shows the full script, scrolling with the speaker.
• How to read a teleprompter: Speak at your own pace and let the operator follow you. Eight habits for first-time speakers.
• How many words is a 10 minute speech?: About 1,300 to 1,500 words, at 130 to 150 words a minute. A table for 2 to 45 minutes.