Improve Presentations with Story Structure

Presentation Story Contest

Sponsored by Susan Joy Schleef

Founder ofPresentationsWithResults.com

July 1 – 31, 2012

Uncover 3 clues for making your

presentation more engaging

1st Clue: Why does storytelling work to improve your presentation results?

"Human beings have always told their histories and truths through parable and fable. We are

inveterate storytellers.” ~ Beeban Kidron

Our brain processes information differently when we are in a ‘story listening trance’

“When we read dry, factual arguments, we read with our dukes up. We are critical and skeptical.

But when we are absorbed in a story we drop our intellectual guard.”

~ Jonathan Gottschall, author ofThe Storytelling Animal

Source: http://www.fastcocreate.com/1680581/why-storytelling-is-the-ultimate-weapon

2nd Clue: What’s the difference between anecdotes and story structure?

Which one works better in a presentation?

Story structure or narrative structure applies to your presentation as a whole and adds dramatic tension that keeps your audience more engaged.

Many people tell short stories or anecdotes when they give a speech or presentation, often as a way to illustrate a point.

“Funny as it may sound, storytelling should not be confused with telling stories.”

There’s nothing wrong with telling stories. It’s a good public speaking technique. But creating a presentation with a 3-act story structure will transform your presentation and entrance the mind of your audience.

~ Alexei Kapterev, Presentation Secrets

3rd Clue: How can you apply a story structure to your presentation?

Use 3 simple ideas to give your presentation the structure and emotional affect of story:

1. Clearly differentiate the beginning, middle, and ending sections of your presentation.

Establishing Shot

Introduce Characters & Situation

Setup

Problem

Inciting Incident

Conflict

Resolution

These ‘beginning’ elements are

most important for defining a

story structure in your

presentation.

“This timeless storytelling technique of creating dramatic tension helps you quickly engage, motivate, and to further an emotional connection, and it answers another important question the audience is wondering: Why am I here? ”

~ Cliff Atkinson, Beyond Bullet Points

2. Use a familiar theme or metaphor to help your audience relate new information

to something they already understand. Apply the theme or metaphor to your key

point slides in both your language and your graphics.

“Uncover 3 clues …”

“Follow these 3 steps …”

“Here are 3 keys to unlock …”“Overcome these 3 hurdles …”

“Getting your client to yes is much easier with metaphors . . .

Metaphors help a client see possibilities he didn’t see before and they help him make the best decision. ”

~ Anne Miller, Metaphorically Selling

“The greatest thing by far is to be master of metaphor.”

~ Aristotle

3. Make your audience the hero of the story by identifying their problem or challenge right at the beginning of

your presentation.

Hmmm, this

speaker really

understands

my situation

“Structure is a selection of events from the characters’ life stories that is composed into a strategic sequence to arouse specific emotions and to express a specific view of life. ”

~ Robert McKee, Story

Now that you’ve seen some of the clues, are you ready to solve the mystery?

Are you ready to try creating your own Presentation Story?

Are you ready to enter the contest?

Let’s examine the contest rules

You must tell a story in 10 slides or less withpictures and words

Post your presentation on Slideshare.netIf you don’t already have a Slideshare account, it’s free to set one up so go ahead!

Let’s examine the contest rules

Send me the link by email to: Success@

PresentationsWithResults.com

Let’s examine the contest rules

I will display all the presentations on my website and link to them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn when first posted.

Let’s examine the contest rules

You can share those links on social media and encourage your friends to comment on your Presentation Story.

Let’s examine the contest rules

The contest will run from July 1st through July 31st (at midnight Central Daylight Time)

Presentation Story Contest

The presentation that receives the most comments by July 31 will win a prize!

(see blog post for details)

Presentation Story Contest

Thank you for your interest in the Presentation Story Contest and good luck with your entry!

Susan Joy Schleef, FounderPresentations With Results, Inc.

http://PresentationsWithResults.com