Smart Tags — Make Your Speech Smarter
Smart Tags are simple markers you add to your speech to control what happens when you present. Create sections, add pauses, leave yourself reminders — all with plain text.
The basics
Tags look like this: [TAG: value]. They are designed to be readable and hard to mess up.
- You do not need to use tags. Plain text works great.
- Tags are case-insensitive —
[pause]and[PAUSE]both work. - Spaces around colons are optional.
- If you mess up a tag, it just shows as text. No harm done.
Full reference
Expand each tag below for syntax, behavior, and examples.
[SECTION: Title]
Purpose: Create a named, navigable section of your speech.
Syntax: [SECTION: Introduction] or [SECTION: Main Points]
Variations: [section: Intro], [SECTION:Intro], [Section: Conclusion]
Behavior: Creates a section break in the prompter. The section appears in the section navigation menu. You can jump to it via menu or keyboard.
Example:
[SECTION: Introduction] Welcome everyone...
[DIVIDER]
Purpose: Create a visual break without creating a navigable section.
Syntax: [DIVIDER]
Variations: [divider], [DIV], [---], or --- on its own line
Behavior: Renders as a horizontal line in the prompter. Does not appear in section navigation. Useful for sub-breaks within a section.
Example:
...end of thought. [DIVIDER] Next topic...
[PAUSE] and [PAUSE: Xs]
Purpose: Stop scrolling for a moment (or until you press space).
Syntax: [PAUSE] for indefinite, [PAUSE: 3s] or [PAUSE: 3] for timed
Variations: [pause], [PAUSE:5s], [PAUSE: 5 seconds]
Behavior: Scrolling stops when the pause marker reaches the reading position. Timed: countdown then auto-resume. Indefinite: press space to resume. You can always skip with space.
Example:
[PAUSE: 5s] Take a breath here. [PAUSE] Wait for questions.
[CUE: text]
Purpose: Show a visual reminder to the speaker that is not part of the speech.
Syntax: [CUE: advance slide] or [CUE: make eye contact]
Variations: [cue: text], [CUE:text]
Behavior: Displayed inline in the prompter, visually distinct. Not read aloud. Does not affect word count or timing.
Example:
And that brings us to the next topic. [CUE: advance slide] Now let's discuss the results.
[NOTE: text]
Purpose: Private note that is not shown in the prompter at all.
Syntax: [NOTE: Remember to mention the budget if asked]
Variations: [note: text]
Behavior: Visible in the editor for reference while writing. Completely hidden in the prompter. Does not affect word count or timing.
Example:
[NOTE: Skip this section if running low on time] Optional closing remarks...
[BREATHE]
Purpose: Quick reminder to take a breath.
Syntax: [BREATHE]
Variations: [breathe], [BREATH]
Behavior: Small visual indicator in the prompter. Does not pause scrolling — just a quick visual cue.
Example:
...and that's why this matters. [BREATHE] So let me tell you...
[SLOW], [FAST], [NORMAL]
Purpose: Change scroll speed for a section of the speech.
Syntax: [SLOW], [FAST], or [NORMAL] on their own line
Variations: [slow], [fast], [normal]
Behavior: [SLOW] reduces speed to about 70% of current. [FAST] increases to about 130%. [NORMAL] returns to your base speed. Effect lasts until the next speed tag or end of speech.
Example:
[SLOW] This part is emotional. [NORMAL] [FAST] Rapid-fire content! [NORMAL]
[HIGHLIGHT]...[/HIGHLIGHT]
Purpose: Visually emphasize important text in the prompter.
Syntax: [HIGHLIGHT]This is the key point[/HIGHLIGHT]
Variations: You can also use **bold** or *italic* (Markdown) for emphasis.
Behavior: Text is rendered with highlight styling (e.g. amber/yellow) so you can emphasize key phrases.
Example:
And the most important thing is: [HIGHLIGHT]remember to smile[/HIGHLIGHT].
Quick reference
STRUCTURE
[SECTION: Title] — Create a navigable section
[DIVIDER] — Visual break
TIMING
[PAUSE] — Pause until you press space
[PAUSE: 5s] — Pause for 5 seconds
[SLOW] [FAST] [NORMAL] — Speed
CUES
[CUE: text] — Visual reminder (shown)
[NOTE: text] — Private note (hidden)
[BREATHE] — Take a breath
EMPHASIS
**text** — Bold / highlight
Ready to try it?
Open BlaBlaPaste your speech, add tags, and present.