How to Make Better PresentationsKristen BrunskillORG536 – Contemporary Business Writing and Communication Colorado State University – Global CampusDr. Phillip E. JacksonFebruary 15, 2015

Designing a presentation without an audience in mind is like writing a love letter and addressing it “To Whom It May Concern.” – Ken Haemer

Introduction: Three’s a Charm

•Experienced or novice, always room for improvement

•Three factors to look at today▫Structure of the presentation▫Visual enhancement▫Public speaking skills

(Stack, 2013)

Write that “Love Letter”

•Understand your audience▫What is important to them?▫What do they already know?▫What would make this training valuable to

them?▫What will keep them interested?▫What is their perspective

•3 to 5 main points per presentation(Stack, 2013)

Report or Story?

•View presentation as a continuum

Report

Story

FactsPrecisionDetails

ConceptsExperience

Emotion

What are the needs?

(Anderson & Duarte, 2013)

Structure: Take Them on a Journey•Understanding the audience means

knowing where to start journey (Anderson & Duarte, 2013)

•Opening (Stack, 2013)▫Capture attention

Facts, statistics, relevant story – what will speak to them?

Tell them what is ahead

Continue the Journey

•Middle section is the topic being taught (Anderson & Duarte, 2013)

•Prepare and practice transitions (Anderson & Duarte, 2013)

•Use examples (Stack, 2013)▫Make topic relevant to their lives or work

•Choose spots for details and for overview (Stack, 2013)

The Journey’s End

•Conclusion▫Have one! ▫Not just “Got questions?”▫Reiterate important points▫Summarize▫Emphasize value

Source: http://pixgood.com/end-of-the-road.html

(Stack, 2013)

Visual Enhancement: Be a Show Off

•Training professionals already know basics

•Use graphics, pictures, diagrams, video you talk along with▫Captures attention▫Stimulates memory▫Enhances understanding

•Have a purpose for everything

(Anderson & Duarte, 2013)

Look Good!

•Accuracy is important•Graph only statistics you understand•Example Charts

Popular TV Networks

CBSFood NetworkNBC

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Popular TV Networks

NBC

Not

GoodGood

(Krum, 2014)

Logo sources: cbs.com , foodnetwork.com , nbc.com

Public Speaking

•Staging: planned movement ▫Written pages use format to guide reader

(Booher, 2013)▫Speakers use movement to guide listener

(Booher, 2013) Purposeful movement, not fidgeting

(Anderson & Duarte, 2013)•Make eye contact (Anderson & Duarte,

2013)

Sound Good!

•Speak up▫Voice sounds louder to you than to listeners▫Vary the volume

Decrease to draw listener in•Relax throat to avoid sounding squeaky•Keep pitch lower to sound confident•Articulate

(Booher, 2014)

Sound Good!

•Breathe properly▫Expand ribs▫Move diaphragm▫Do not lift shoulders

•Improves vocal quality

•Relaxes youSource: http://www.ransomwilson.com/breathing-the-central-issue-in-flute-

playing.html

(Booher, 2014)

Conclusion

•Understand the audience first (Stack, 2013)

•Three’s a charm▫Structure for the class (Anderson & Duarte,

2013; Stack, 2013)▫Visually appealing (Anderson & Duarte,

2013; Krum, 2014)▫Sound professional (Booher, 2013)

•Effective and useful presentation is more than good topic

Make sure you have finished speaking before

your audience has finished listening.

—Dorothy Sarnoff

References• Anderson, C., & Duarte, N. (2013). How to give a killer

presentation. Harvard Business Review, 91(6), 121-125.• Booher, D. D. (2013). Speak with confidence: Powerful

presentations that inform, inspire, and persuade. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing.

• Krum, R. (2014). Cool infographics: Effective communication with data visualization and design. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley.

• Stack, L. (2013). Creating an effective presentation: Preparing for success, controlling the environment, and overcoming fear. Highlands Ranch, CO: Productivity Pro.