The speaker who reads a speech from a script and never looks up at the audience can be boring. Often the feeling from the audience is, "Why not give me the script and let me read it at my leisure?"
In such a situation, the speaker should be well prepared and know the material thoroughly, only using the script as a guide. Key words can be highlighted to facilitate the process. Key contact with the audience--even if only occasionally--is important to an effective speech.
Politicians and officials speaking to large groups and a TV audience often use various forms of monitors to allow them to read the speech and still look like they have eye contact with the audience. Some TV entertainers use cue cards help up behind the camera to guide them.