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As a facilitator, I often hear the question, “Shouldn’t I be able to deliver my content without notes?” My answer? Notes aren’t a crutch; they’re a tool. When used intentionally, notes help you stay focused, maintain your flow, and deliver with confidence and clarity. The key is how you use them.
Here are five smart ways to use notes to elevate your delivery, not let them weigh you down.
1. Use Notes to Stay on Time
Time awareness is one of the most overlooked facilitation skills. A simple note like, “Break at 10:15” or “Wrap discussion by 2:20” helps you stay on track without watching the clock obsessively.
2. Include Key Transition Phrases
Notes can remind you how to move from one section to the next. Phrases like, “Now that we’ve covered the why, let’s look at the how…,” help create flow and signal structure to your learners.
3. Write Out Important Questions
Don’t wing it. Notes with well-worded, open-ended questions ensure you’re prompting discussion intentionally, not improvising under pressure.
4. Highlight Tricky Content
If there’s a point you always stumble over or a stat that’s easy to forget, include it. Notes keep you accurate and polished.
5. Use a Format That Works for You
Some facilitators prefer detailed outlines, while others use index cards, sticky notes, or slides with cues in Presenter View. Experiment with the options and find what works best for you.
It’s not about memorization—it’s about mastery.
Using notes doesn’t mean you don’t know your content. It means you’re creating space to facilitate learning, not just recite the information. When used well, notes are a sign of preparation and professionalism.
Learn even more instructional techniques, as well as how to become a dynamic instructor, when you attend our Instructional Techniques for New Instructors workshop.