How do I write a great presentation?
The prospect of crafting a captivating presentation can stir up a cocktail of emotions: excitement, anticipation, and maybe even a dash of dread. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or a presentation newbie, the desire to deliver a compelling and impactful message remains constant. But how do you cut through the information overload and convey your ideas in a way that resonates with your audience? Fear not, this short article outlines a practical framework to help transform your next presentation into a resounding success.
The W.I.S.E framework
1. Why
What is obvious to the speaker may not be to the audience and so a great presentation clarifies the 'whys': why is the topic is being discussed and why does it matter for the audience?
For example, supposing a scientist doesn't provide any context and jumps straight into presenting their research and they start talking about how they are measuring air pollution. By contrast, suppose they started by clarifying the 'whys': "Air pollution kills over 6 million people every year. And while we may assume that that statistic will not include any of us, the reality is, over 90% of us breathe polluted air".
If you start with a clear why, the audience will be invested in your story and they will understand why you are presenting, and more importantly, why they should listen.
2. Interaction
To maintain audience attention, a common tactic is to ask the audience questions early on. This can encourage the audience to pay closer attention in case they are asked a follow-up question. However, many audience members won't want to participate verbally and, depending on the scenario, it may not be appropriate to start looking for answers. And so, what other methods could you deploy to encourage more interaction?
You could conduct a live experiment or demonstration with some members of the audience (that you have asked before hand). You could ask for a show of hands or ask for digital responses. Simpler still, you could pose some deeper rhetorical questions (a common technique used in Ted talks). Using the earlier example of air pollution, the speaker could begin by asking, "What kills more people than guns?"
3. Simplify
A common criticism of a bad presentation is that it is too complicated. As a general rule of thumb, try to imagine that you are talking to an intelligent 12-year old. Ultimately, there needs to a balance between not being patronising but also being aware that not everyone will be familiar with your subject.
More broadly, presentations can become overly complicated because they are trying to include too much: too many words, too many syllables, too much subject-specific jargon, too many concepts, facts, figures, etc. Therefore, a great place to start is to take out redundant information and only include that which is most pertinent to your story. In other words, you have a limited time on stage, so you need to prioritise.
Another great way to simplify your message is by translating complicated information. For instance, if an astronomer were talking about how far away the sun is and states, "It is 93.91 million miles away", it will be hard to digest and contemplate. However, it is much easier to comprehend when translated to, "if you were to drive towards the sun at 100mph, you'd want to take snacks because it would take you over 100 years to get there." You could then follow-up with a rounded number, "It is over 90 million miles away".
4. Entertain
So far, we have discussed tools and techniques to help your audience understand the message and keep them with you. Beyond that, to create a truly memorable experience, you'll want to entertain them.
There are technical ways to achieve this: deliver it in an engaging manner: speak with dynamic range, show interesting visuals, etc. Likewise, adding some humour is a great way to create a more entertaining presentation, so too can adding more emotional, surreal, or shocking moments.
But perhaps best of all, is to tell a powerful story. Either a personal story or a case study. Even better if your presentation can follows a broader story arc (you started here, you overcame obstacles, and now you're somewhere new).
Now, put your knowledge into action. Choose your next presentation topic, identify your "Why," and start crafting your story. Remember, your message has the power to inform, inspire, and even change the world. So go forth, present with purpose, and make your voice heard.