Presentation DesignPrinciples of

Tips on how to think like a designer

John FallonPresentation Skills Consultant

Developing Your Message

For Aristotle, a great presentation was based on Ethos, Pathos and Logos

(Soul, Passion and Reasoning)

41A persuasive argument must be a “Whole-Brain Experience”

got purpose?

Without a clearly defined purpose, your presentation will deteriorate into a sharing of

ideas and data

Define your purpose…is it to

inform, educate, persuade or entertain

Determine your audience response

Stimulate a change in behavior…

a call to action

Your purpose can not be broad or vague

A purpose keeps us focused and

specific

A purpose acts as a filter

As a filter, purpose will help determine what information is useful

or useless

A purpose builds commitment to the material…

Commitment is infectious

Information…

Select your information on

relevance

Make facts relevant to the purpose

25% will be forgotten in 24 hours50% will be forgotten in 48 hours

80% will be forgotten in 4 days

Purpose

SupportPoint

At most, make 3 to 4 points

Accompany statistics with examples

Four message structures…

Categorical: organize / present information in

categories

Problem / Solution: state the problem, then provide the solution

Compare / Contrast: states problem, then provides merits of various solutions

Sequential: establishes a belief then builds on it

Six Stages of a Persuasive presentationAristotle’s structure…

Introduction: overview of the presentation

Narrative: current state

Partition: organize topics discussed

Confirmation: deliver arguments

Refutation: refute arguments

Conclusion: summary / call to action

Presentation Delivery Process…

Housekeeping: inform the audience of the essentials… facilities, length of

presentation, etc.

Opening Hook: capture your audience’s attention

The Promise: define what the audience will gain by listening to you

Points: introduce and identify each that will be discussed

Content / Support: argument for points

Take Away: revisit each point; spoon feed the audience what you want

them to hear and remember

Promise revisited: show that you

delivered on your promise

Call to Action: tell your audience how you want them to act and respond

Make your presentation a “Whole-Brain” experience

Presentation should be: 40% visual, 40% aural and 20% kinesthetic

Aural Visual Kinesthetic

Visual aids are really visual support: use technology, flipcharts, whiteboards and charts

While delivering your presentation,

remember:

Six common reasons for failure…Dorothy Leeds- Powerspeak

An unclear purpose

Lack of clear organization /

leadership

Too much information

Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Category 4

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Series 1Series 2Series 3

One• A• B

Two• C• D

Three• E• F

Not enough support for ideas and concepts

Monotonous voice / Sloppy speech

Not meeting the real needs of the

audience

Rehearse

Correct information + organization + proper visual support + proper public speaking techniques +

rehearsal = Successful Presentations